Nashville serves as the capital of Tennessee and is also a music, entertainment, and business hub. Nashville is not only a popular destination to visit but also a preferred place to live. If you’re looking to buy real estate in Nashville, keep reading to see if one of these 5 best suburbs of Nashville could be a great place for you to plant some roots.
Murfreesboro
Best Suburb of Nashville For: College Students + Young Professionals + Families
About 34 miles southeast of Nashville is the self-sustaining Murfreesboro with a population of over 142K and the county seat for Rutherford County. Whether people were born in this city or moved here for college or other reasons and decided to stay, the ‘Boro has a lot to offer its residents, from the Stones River National Battlefield to the art galleries and museums to its sizable greenways and much more.
Middle Tennessee State University is located here in Murfreesboro and produces many graduates ready to enter the job market; it’s said that ‘Boro’s job market is expected to grow by 56% over the next decade. Some of the most popular shopping places are The Avenue and The Fountains. Barfield Park is also a common place for locals to hang out as there are several miles of trails, an 18-hole disc golf course, playgrounds, volleyball courts, and a wilderness station where people can learn about the local wildlife.
Given the city’s location just outside the Nashville metropolitan area, Murfreesboro real estate is relatively more affordable than other cities in the area and it comes in a variety of types and styles. For instance, there is a mixture of historical and new construction homes in Murfreesboro, as well as luxury and more affordable housing options.
The median home price in Murfreesboro is around $434K. Single-family homes dominate the market and usually have two to three bedrooms, though four-bedroom homes are common too. Condos and townhomes in Murfreesboro are generally looked at as the same type of home and can range anywhere from $230K to $540K.
Gallatin
Best Suburb of Nashville For: Families + Outdoor Enthusiasts
Located about 31 miles northeast of Nashville, along East Camp Creek that feeds into Old Hickory Lake, is Gallatin, TN. Gallatin has a population of over 40K and is sought after by outdoor enthusiasts for its golfing, boating, fishing, and hiking opportunities. Because Gallatin is on the outskirts of Nashville, it’s relatively affordable compared to other suburbs in the area. Gallatin real estate also draws families for its high-ranking public schools.
Downtown Gallatin is known for its nostalgic atmosphere and is even home to the oldest silent movie theater in the country. It’s not so silent anymore as it’s been restored and shows new movies, live performances, and concerts. Those seeking the outdoors can do so at any of the six main parks in the area, where residents can play basketball, baseball, disc golf, and fly fishing. A particular favorite is Lock 4 Park, known for its exciting bike trails.
Gallatin real estate has seen steady growth since before the 1930s and has continued to snowball in growth since then. Homes for sale in Gallatin are primarily single-family, but new construction condos and townhouse developments are becoming popular too. Townhomes in Gallatin range from $290K to $850K, and condos for sale start around $320K to over $1.3M. There’s still a lot of rural space around the area, so another common option is to buy land for sale in Gallatin and build a new home.
Nolensville
Best Suburb of Nashville For: Young Professionals + Families
On the outskirts of Nashville proper is the small town of Nolensville (22 miles), with a population of around 10K. This up-and-coming suburb of Nashville is conveniently located to other cities like Franklin, Smyrna, and Murfreesboro. Your first thought may be to think this is a town solely for families, but Nolensville has also caught the attention of young professionals for its lively downtown scene and nightlife. As we’ve already hinted, families are also drawn to Nolensville for the schools as they provide a conducive learning environment and top-notch extracurricular programs.
Most Nolensville real estate is single-family homes with four bedrooms likely built since the early 2000s, though roughly 25% were constructed throughout the ‘70s to ‘90s. Nearly all of the residents in Nolensville own their homes (91%). The median price of homes for sale in Nolensville is around $786K. There are also a few condos and townhomes for sale in Nolensville. Townhomes can be found for around $400K to $670K, while condos for sale in Nolensville range from $330K to $393K. A few of the best neighborhoods of Nolensville include:
- Arrington – Large homes on .3 to .5 acre lots and includes a community pool and trails.
- Bent Creek – This neighborhood offers a variety of newer homes (large and small) on oversized lots and is full of amenities, including a pool, trails, and parks.
- Bennington – Estate-sized homes on sprawling lots.
Hendersonville
Best Suburb of Nashville For: Professionals + Families
Just up the Cumberland River, about 19 miles northeast of Nashville, is Hendersonville, with a population of around 60K. Hendersonville is a clean and well-manicured lakeside community along Old Hickory Lake and is a calm oasis from the hustle and bustle of downtown Nashville. Most of Hendersonville’s entertainment is around the marinas and restaurants, as well as an abundance of parks like Rockland Recreation Area, Drakes Creek Park, and Memorial Park.
A large portion of Hendersonville real estate is single-family homes, mainly with three to four bedrooms, though condos and townhomes are becoming popular here too. Nearly half of the homes in the city were constructed from the ‘70s to ‘90s, but you’ll still find plenty of new construction homes in Hendersonville. The median price of homes for sale in Hendersonville is roughly $514K. Condos and townhomes for sale in Hendersonville range from $209K to $530K. A couple of the best neighborhoods in Hendersonville include:
- Somerset Downs – Ideal for families, this neighborhood has .3 to .5 acre lots with large three to five-bedroom homes close to several schools and shopping.
- Durham Farms – A newer front-porch community (think old southern-style porches), which includes a mix of spacious single-family homes, zero-lot-line homes, and townhomes. There are several amenities like a pool and playgrounds, as well as community events throughout the year.
Franklin
Best Suburb of Nashville For: Business Professionals + Families
About 22 miles directly south of Nashville is the affluent city of Franklin, with a population of over 80K. Franklin has even made it on Southern Living’s “Best Small Towns” list, and for good reason. It’s a city that’s made a name for itself with its charming, idealistic downtown atmosphere, gorgeous homes, and some of the best schools (Williamson County Schools) in the Music City area.
A couple of popular places around Franklin are The Factory, where several restaurants, coffee shops, art shops, and more are set up and Harpeth River, which is great for canoeing and kayaking.
Most Franklin real estate is single-family homes with two to three bedrooms, but a large number of them are also condos and townhomes. The vast majority of homes for sale in Franklin were constructed since the 1970s, though you will find some even older. The median home price in Franklin is around $868K. Townhomes and condos for sale in Franklin start at $265K and top out at over $2.8M. Some of the best neighborhoods in Franklin are:
- Jamison Station – A vibrant multi-use neighborhood with shops, condos, and townhomes.
- West Haven – On the west side of Franklin, this large master-planned community consists of both single-family homes and townhomes for sale in Franklin with lots of character. The West Haven golf course is close by too.
- McKay’s Mill – On the east side of Franklin, ideal for commuting, this well-kept neighborhood also offers a clubhouse, playgrounds, trails, a workout facility, and a pool.
Best Suburbs Around Nashville, TN
Hopefully, this gave you some helpful information on the 5 best suburbs of Nashville. If you’re ready to start the home search process, you’ll want to connect with a Nashville real estate agent to show you around. Even if you have questions to ask before hiring a real estate agent, there are several in the Nashville area who are willing to help you find what you’re looking for.
