Bolivar, TN was named after Simon Bolivar, a Venezuelan revolutionary leader who helped Latin America break free from Spanish rule. He is now considered one of America's most important revolutionaries.
Located in Hardeman County, USA, Bolivar offers an exceptional quality of life to its 5,417 inhabitants. Along the banks of the scenic, amazing Hatchie River rests the historic Bolivar. You will be drawn not only by the well preserved buildings, but also by the multitude of festivals and events. If you love the outdoors, you will be pleased to know that Bolivar is located nearby Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge, and it has a handful of lakes and the Hatchie River, of course. You could take advantage of what nature has to offer, especially because Bolivar has a friendly weather. In the summer time, the temperatures can be a little high, but that's why you have all that water for, right?
Moving to Bolivar
When to Rent
Anytime is a good time, though in the summer months, the vacancy rate is usually very high, resulting in lower rent prices. Chances are you will find an apartment to rent, furnished and with all bills included, at a bargain price. There are plenty of places to live in, but the important thing is to know exactly what you're looking for.
Keep an Eye Out
Many buildings here are pretty old. Inspect every pad thoroughly before renting. No one likes an old apartment with serious pipe problems, cracking ceilings or mold. But don't freak out--landlords are usually very friendly and if anything goes wrong they will fix it right away.
How Much
The rent is not high compared to the national rate; in fact, living in Bolivar is very affordable. The only difference in price may come from the difference in the type of dwelling that you choose. Obviously, you will pay more for a four-bedroom apartment than you'll pay for a studio.
Getting Around
We all know that Americans love their cars. We drive them everywhere, mostly because the distances between where we shop, live and work are pretty long. Bolivar is a city where residents simply love owning several cars; in fact, some of them have four or five. Dwellers spend an average of 24 minutes commuting to work.
Neighborhoods in Bolivar
Bolivar is a small Tennessee town, but with a special charm of its own. The culture of the city is observable in every part of it, starting with the historic buildings and ending with the restaurants, bakeries and shops. Here are the most significant neighborhoods inside the limits of the city.
Route 100 / Vildo Rd.: This is a relatively small suburban neighborhood, easily walkable. This part of the city is made up from a wide variety of houses from studios or one bedroom apartment to medium sized single-family homes, up to 4 bedrooms. Residences were built between 1970 and 1999, although some are a little older, prior the year 1969. The vacancy for house rental is higher than most of the neighborhoods in Tennessee, but houses in vacation areas are usually reserved for students and holidaymakers. The Route 100 / Vildo Rd neighborhood is a beautiful area with a personal charm and culture noticeable all over the place. Despite the fact that the neighborhood is so small and you can easily pace it from one end to another by foot, most of the inhabitants own a personal car, finding it useful for commuting to work, which in most cases lasts for under 15 minutes. Eateries in the neighborhood include Joe's Restaurant, Sonic, Taco Bell, Subway and Burger King, which are all lined up on W Market St, at the City Center's border.
City Center: Based on the population density, Bolivar City Center is considered to be a rural neighborhood-- perfect for those who love with quiet areas with little to no traffic and lots of open space. If you decide to move to City Center, you'll have an easy time finding a place to live, considering the high number of vacant rental studios, apartments, and new homes, which is even higher when school is not in session. Only a very small number of residences were built between the years 1940 and 1969. Bolivar City Centre is slightly bigger than Route 100/ Vildo Rd, making it not as easy to reach by foot, this being the main reason why residents prefer to own a car. Along the W Market St you will find the majority of places to shop and eat, and you can stop by at El Ranchito, Domino's, or King House Buffet.
Living in Bolivar
Historic Places
The town of Bolivar has a long history that can be seen at every corner. You will find more historic districts here than in any other town in Tennessee. More than 100 buildings are registered as Historic Places, featuring a gamut of architectural styles from Italian to Greek. Stroll around and pay attention to the decorative carving in the buildings--the details are flawless.
Leisure Time
There are four parks in Bolivar that serve the locals and every park has ball fields, playgrounds, tennis courts and basketball courts. To get into shape and make new friends, team up with others to shoot some hoops, since Bolivar is home to a large number of basketball players. On a hot summer day, you can chill out by the pool or you can pick a spot along the five-acre fishing lake. If that's not enough, make sure you check out the gymnasium and its volleyball court, walking track, shuffleboard, and basketball court.
Shopping
Shopping in Bolivar is always a pleasure and you can never get bored with the number of outlets, malls, crafts and antique shops. There's nothing you need that you can't find here. While you shop for fine sculptures or pottery, you will find yourself invited to class where you will learn how to give life to amazing pieces like the ones you bought.
Dining
From food festivals to fabulous eateries, Bolivar serves mouth-watering, fresh dishes to anyone that comes here. Work up your appetite with Mexican food at El Ranchito or with Chinese food at House Buffet. If you are in a hurry, Subway, McDonald's, KFC or Taco Bell will work to your advantage. At the end of the day, sit down at the bar with a glass of wine or a craft-brewed beer and enjoy the small town lifestyle that Bolivar has to offer.