Located just 21 miles south of Nashville, Franklin is known for its vibrant music scene, lively festivals, and historic main street. Franklin is home to a handful of prestigious universities, several large corporations, and some prominent entertainment venues. It is one of the wealthiest cities in one of the wealthiest counties in the United States. Franklin is ranked as one of the top cities in the country to retire.

If you crave that small-town feel without compromising on the cosmopolitan lifestyle, then Franklin is the Nashville suburb you’ve been looking for. Its upscale reputation starts with a charming downtown district, where historic Victorian homes line the shaded walkable streets. Within just a few blocks, residents can shop for exquisite art, dine on foodie-worthy fare, stop by the farmer’s market, and snag that perfect cup of coffee–many don’t even step in a car. This relaxed downtown living along a bend in the Harpeth River makes Franklin one of the best suburbs in the Nashville area.

Franklin is one of the most family-friendly spots around Music City. Even though many houses are on generous lots, quaint parks appear throughout the suburb. The city is a unique blend of history and progress. You’ll find the best of both worlds here: small-town charm and big-city sophistication. There are fascinating Civil War sites and museums, magnificent Antebellum, and Victorian homes.

Downtown Franklin, comprised of a beautiful 15-block historic district, offers true Southern hospitality with a great American Mainstreet and 200 years of rich history. Visitors will find commemorative brick sidewalks, beautiful landscaping, lovely Victorian architecture, and stunning renovated historic buildings all located in the heart of Franklin. Downtown Franklin offers elegant shopping, restaurants, antique shops, a variety of clothing stores, art galleries, professional services, and more.

Also, Franklin schools, especially the area’s Williamson County high schools, are some of the most highly-rated in Nashville. Amenities like these along with a user-friendly downtown have basically made Franklin a prime destination just over 20 minutes from the heart of Nashville.

The largest suburb of Nashville, Murfreesboro is 34 miles southeast of Nashville. Murfreesboro is also one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. It’s about a 37-minute drive from Murfreesboro to Nashville. It provides the quality of life that attracts growth: Plentiful housing, Excellent schools, Employment opportunities, outstanding services, recreational programs, and medical facilities.

Murfreesboro is a college town, home to the large Middle Tennessee State University. It is close enough for residents to commute to the city’s prosperous southeastern suburbs, but it has its own identity and economy. Murfreesboro represents a unique blend of Civil War history and a thriving 21st-century community.

It is a standalone city that happens to fall within the Nashville Metro umbrella. Although it’s just a little over thirty minutes from downtown, it’s a fully developed city. It offers a diverse real estate market and strong local schools. One reason for this is that, unlike some other Nashville suburbs, this 125,000-resident community caters to the needs of all walks of life.

Sure, it has its fair share of swanky mansions and upscale new construction, but there are also plenty of affordable housing options that make it possible for almost anyone to call Murfreesboro home. Pair this with a town that offers plenty to do, and you have a recipe for suburban bliss. The area is saturated with restaurants affordable enough to welcome MTSU’s expansive student population.

With the Stones River passing through, the city is full of green spaces, parks, and hiking trails linked by the Greenway, which mostly runs parallel to the river. The best place to get the feel of the city’s past is historic Cannonsburgh Village which showcases regional history from the 1830s to the 1930s, with buildings including a schoolhouse and general store.

The city is also surrounded by fertile agricultural land, with a number of small and large farms. In some, like Blueberry Patch and historical Batey Farms, visitors can pick up their own produce. Toot’s Good Food and Fun restaurant is another great place to try real Southern food.