Where I’d Live in Middle Tennessee, Based on My Lifestyle
- Rachel Harper
- Jul 29
- 4 min read
People ask me this question probably five times a week: "Rachel, if you were moving
here, where would YOU live?"
If I were moving to Middle Tennessee, I wouldn’t start by asking, “What’s the best city?”
I’d ask: “Which city actually fits the way I want to live?”
Because Franklin, Mount Juliet, Columbia, and Nashville can all be great places to live, but they offer very different lifestyles. Here’s where I’d look, depending on what mattered most to me.
If I wanted a walkable neighborhood with restaurants and things to do: Nashville
I’d look at neighborhoods like 12 South, Germantown, The Nations, East Nashville, or Sylvan Park.
These areas put you closer to local restaurants, coffee shops, entertainment, and Nashville’s job centers. Some are more walkable than others, but they generally offer more of a neighborhood-meets-city lifestyle.
The tradeoff? You may get a smaller home and lot for your budget, and parking can become part of your daily personality.
If I wanted historic charm and an active downtown: Franklin
Downtown Franklin is difficult to beat if you want locally owned shops, restaurants, historic architecture, festivals, and a strong sense of place.
Franklin also offers everything from established neighborhoods to newer master-planned communities. But all that charm comes with a price tag. Franklin is generally one of the more expensive markets in Middle Tennessee.
If I wanted easy access to Nashville, shopping, and the lake: Mount Juliet
Mount Juliet would be high on my list if I wanted suburban convenience without feeling completely disconnected from Nashville.
You have shopping and restaurants around Providence, access to parks and greenways, nearby recreation on Percy Priest Lake, and the WeGo Star commuter rail as an alternative to driving downtown. The city reports more than 100 miles of trails, sidewalks, and bike routes.
The downside? Mount Juliet has grown quickly, so traffic and continued development are part of the conversation.
If I wanted lake life and an established suburban feel: Hendersonville
I’d consider Hendersonville if being near the water was a major priority.
Old Hickory Lake influences much of the area’s lifestyle, from waterfront homes to marinas and weekend boating. Hendersonville also has established neighborhoods, shopping, restaurants, parks, and a reasonable connection to Nashville.
Just know that “Hendersonville” can mean very different things depending on which side of the city you choose and your commute can change significantly.
If I wanted newer construction and more house south of Nashville: Spring Hill
Spring Hill would make my list if I wanted newer neighborhoods, modern floor plans, and potentially more house than I’d find closer to Nashville.
It has experienced substantial growth, so there are more shops, restaurants, and everyday conveniences than there used to be. However, anyone commuting north should test the drive during actual rush hour. Interstate 65 has humbled many an optimistic homebuyer.
If I wanted more space without giving up city conveniences: Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro offers a huge variety of housing, shopping, restaurants, medical facilities, and entertainment.
It can work well for someone who wants a larger city with suburban neighborhoods and plenty of newer construction. It’s also a logical option for people working in Rutherford County or southeast of Nashville.
If you need to commute into downtown Nashville every day, location within Murfreesboro matters a lot.
If I wanted a smaller downtown and better odds of finding some land: Columbia
Columbia would be one of my first stops if I wanted a slower pace, a historic downtown, locally owned businesses, and more opportunities to find space around me.
Downtown Columbia has developed a fun local scene, while the surrounding area ranges from subdivisions to rural properties and acreage.
The tradeoff is the distance from Nashville. It may be completely reasonable for an occasional trip, but a daily commute is a different story.
If I wanted land and room to spread out east of Nashville: Lebanon
I’d look around Lebanon if acreage, workshops, outbuildings, or a little breathing room were higher priorities than being close to downtown Nashville.
Lebanon has its own historic town square, everyday shopping, new construction, and access to Interstate 40. It can offer a nice middle ground between suburban convenience and a more rural lifestyle.
As with most areas, the farther you go from the interstate and city center, the more the experience changes.
If I wanted luxury, space, and a shorter trip into Nashville: Brentwood
Brentwood would be on my list if I had a larger budget and wanted bigger lots, established neighborhoods, and convenient access to Nashville and Franklin.
It’s one of Middle Tennessee’s higher-priced markets, but its location is a major part of the appeal. Depending on where you live and work, you may be able to avoid some of the longer commutes associated with communities farther south.
So, where should you live?
There isn’t one “best” place to live in Middle Tennessee.
The right answer depends on your budget, commute, preferred home style, desired lot size, and what you want your everyday life to look like.
Before buying, I always recommend experiencing your top areas like a local. Drive the commute during rush hour. Visit the grocery store. Grab dinner nearby. Walk the neighborhood. Do the boring everyday things, not just the fun Saturday-afternoon things.
That’s usually when the right location becomes much clearer.
Thinking about moving to Middle Tennessee? Send me your budget, commute, and ideal lifestyle. We’ll help you narrow down the areas that actually make sense, not just the ones you’ve heard about online.
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