Dog-Friendly Retirement Near Nashville: Top 55+ Communities With Dog Parks

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Retirement is a time to enjoy life to the fullest, and a furry companion enriches this experience in countless ways. As you search for your perfect retirement location, Nashville, Tennessee may be worth your attention.

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Retirement is a time to enjoy life to the fullest, and a furry companion enriches this experience in countless ways. As you search for your perfect retirement location, Nashville, Tennessee may be worth your attention. It’s known worldwide for its music scene, but there are also fabulous 55+ communities with dedicated dog parks. Let’s explore this dog-friendly city!

A woman giving a piece of croissant to her beagle dog while sitting at the cafe in Nashville, Tennessee.

Yes! Nashville offers plenty of outdoor recreation. Also, the area’s temperate climate provides residents with mild winters and warm summers. That means it’s ideal for enjoying dog walking year-round. There are city parks and greenspaces to explore, outdoor concerts to attend, and strolls along the lovely Cumberland River to look forward to.

These Nashville restaurants are dog-friendly:

Also, here are a few dog-friendly recreation areas:

  • Centennial Dog Park
  • Percy Priest Lake Park
  • The Trails at Fontanel

Nashville, often called “Music City,” has Southern charm, live music venues, and Hot Chicken restaurants. Yet beyond all of that, the city offers numerous attractions and amenities that make it an appealing retirement destination.

Close up of a banjo player in a country band in Nashville, Tennessee.

Low Cost of Living

Nashville has a relatively low cost of living compared to other major cities, making it an attractive option for active adults looking to stretch their retirement savings without compromising quality of life. Affordable housing options and favorable tax policies for retirees contribute to the city’s affordability.

Health Care

This part of Tennessee has top-tier medical facilities, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center, renowned for its advanced treatments and research. Additionally, other well-known names include TriStar Centennial Medical Center and Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital.

Entertainment

If you like going out and having fun, Nashville offers live music performances, art galleries, restaurants, as well as historical landmarks. Three of its best-known hotspots include the Grand Ole Opry, the historic Ryman Auditorium, and the Belle Meade Plantation.

The nature reserve at Radnor Lake in Nashville, Tennessee.

Retiring in Tennessee offers active adults many worthwhile benefits. The state’s diverse geography presents a variety of landscapes, including the rolling hills of the Appalachians and the majestic beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Nature lovers have endless hiking, fishing, boating, and birdwatching opportunities. Once you visit these places, you’ll encounter many active adults with their dogs in tow.

Also, Tennessee’s tax structure is retirement-friendly:

  • No state income tax
  • No tax on retirement income, including Social Security, pensions, and IRA distributions
  • Low property taxes

Tennessee’s reasonable taxes and moderate cost of living make it an attractive destination for retirees seeking to maximize their savings and income.

Nashville offers many 55+ communities with dedicated dog parks. These communities make perfect homes for retirees and their furry companions, but be aware that they typically have pet policies that residents must follow. Depending on where you live, the local ordinances and community regulations can include keeping your dog on a leash and cleaning up after them. 

There may also be restrictions regarding the pet’s size and the number of dogs any resident may have. We advise that you make inquiries when researching these neighborhoods; that way, there won’t be any surprises.

Del Webb Southern Springs – Spring Hill, TN

High $400ks – Low $900ks

Aerial view of the amenities at Del Webb Southern Springs near Nashville, Tennessee.

With 802 new and resale single-family homes, this active adult community is about 36 miles south of Nashville. Homes in this community range from 1,263 to 2,586 square feet, with two to four bedrooms and bathrooms, and attached two- or two-and-a-half-car garages as well as features like open-concept kitchens and mini-suite options. The community’s homeowners’ association (HOA) fees cover common area maintenance and lawn care.

Southern Springs also has a 19,000-square-foot clubhouse with a fitness center, swimming pools, and sports courts. Residents can choose from over 70 clubs and activities like happy hours, movie nights, and couples golf. Additionally, like all Del Webb communities, Southern Springs has its own activities director.

Everleigh Cool Springs – Franklin, TN

$1,943 Monthly Rent

An outdoor greenspace for residents and their dogs at Everleigh Cool Springs near Nashville, Tennessee.

Beautifully suited for downsizing and keeping dogs happy, Everleigh Cool Springs is a 55+ apartment rental community about 20 miles south of Music City. The apartments are built by Greystar, with plans for 142 units ranging from 770 to 1,235 square feet. The comfortable floor plans offer one to two bedrooms and bathrooms with open-concept floor plans, spacious kitchens, as well as outdoor patios.

For a smaller community, Evereight has some very desirable amenities. Besides the dog park, there are welcoming gathering spaces like a fitness center, lounges, an art studio, a salon, and a theater. Residents also get together for “Wine Down Wednesdays,” barbecues, and poker. There’s also a property management company that handles maintenance for renters.

Groves Reserve – Mt. Juliet, TN

High $400ks – Low $500ks

The community sign for the Groves Reserve near Nashville, Tennessee.

Goodall Homes started construction on this retirement community in 2020. It offers 99 resale attached cottages, a dog park, a putting green, and a clubhouse. The thoughtfully designed floor plans range from 1,426 to 2,100 square feet, with two to three bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, as well as attached two-car garages. Options also include private courtyards, eat-in kitchens, and sunrooms. 

Mt. Juliet is approximately 20 miles east of Nashville. You can take your furry friend to nearby places like Charlie Daniels Park, Mount Juliet Bark Park, and Robinson Park. There are also golf courses like Pine Creek and Country Hills, restaurants, grocery stores, and health care providers in the area.

So, is Nashville dog-friendly? Absolutely! If you still have questions or want to start your search, contact 55places.com today. We will connect you with a local real estate agent to help you find the right home the Nashville area. We want to make your next move the best one yet—for you and your pet.

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Ellen Kershner
Ellen Kershner is our creative content writer from New Jersey. She has 20+ years of experience writing for local publications, websites, and real estate marketing companies. She has a knack for crafting reader-friendly, original content that educates our readers with clear information. Ellen has lived in Central NJ, Southern NJ, Washington, DC, and Owings Mills, Maryland. View all authors

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