In fact, the greater Nashville area consistently tops lists as one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States. The rapid growth of the food and restaurant scene, professional sports, and even the local business economy near the Downtown Nashville neighborhood has made life in the adjacent towns just as appealing. Nashville's suburban homes have so much to offer. Continue reading to learn more about Nashville's best suburbs.

Belle Meade

The spirit of independence and local pride is alive and well in Belle Meade.

Founded in 1820 by John Harding, the name Belle Meade means "beautiful meadow." The area itself was named after Hardings farm, Belle Meade Plantation, and the homes in this area tend to be large and spacious. The original plantation now sits on thirty acres and boasts Harding's historic home and a winery. Not only is this plantation a local attraction with daily tours, but it is also a popular wedding venue.

There are many excellent restaurants and boutiques in the area to enjoy. Phillips Toy Mart has been in business for over forty years and features the largest model toy selection in the South.

12South

Just south of Nashville, this suburb has seen many changes over the years. The 12South occupies a stretch of 12th Avenue full of trendy restaurants, hip coffee shops, vintage stores, and pubs. With spacious sidewalks and a convenient central commercial hub, 12South is one of Nashville's most walkable areas. It's also very accommodating to cyclists. Many Nashville new construction homes are being developed in 12South.

The area's one-of-a-kind character is bolstered by vibrant murals that serve as excellent backdrops for group photos. From "Flowers Mural" to "Looking Pretty, Music City," it feels like artwork pops up around every corner in 12South.

12South is three miles from Vanderbilt University. Many students go out to 12South to set up their laptops at a local coffee shop for a few hours or browse the shops. Imogene and Willie is a local clothing boutique that has garnered national press for its unique clothing and special community events. Sevier Park nearby provides a welcome break from the day.

Franklin

Ranked fourth on the list of Southern Living's Best Small Towns 2020, people love their homes in Franklin because the town is suburban yet social. Local parks and coffee shops invite locals and visitors to gather. The Harpeth River running straight through helped Franklin come about in the 19th century, attracting agriculture to put down roots. A lot of the buildings here date back to the 1800s and are protected landmarks. The year 1980 brought about a huge surge in development, both for residential and commercial real estate, and with this change came massive population growth. Since then, many major industries—including home healthcare and energy—have set up headquarters here, resulting in more people moving to Franklin.

Franklin's ties to its past help make it hip, with hot spots like The Factory drawing attention. The Factory is a complex of factory buildings that now sits as a retail shopping and dining space, hosting live events in its distinctive space. This blend of celebrating history and aesthetics combined with community building is a core part of Franklin's identity. The community includes a quaint downtown area with historic Main Street and a blend of locally owned shops and chain restaurants. Whether searching for antiques or shopping at small boutiques, this downtown provides a little bit of everything. It's found just 20 miles to the south of Nashville's International Airport and provides some of the most desirable neighborhoods in the area.

Nolensville

The town of Nolensville dates back to 1797 when it was founded just after the American Revolutionary War by William Nolen. Nolen was drawn to settle down in the area after seeing its rich soil and abundant natural resources. Those rich resources coupled with low property taxes drove sharp population increases up until 1996, when the growth leveled out. Its lush greenway system, public parts, and recreation center have helped build community outdoors. Additionally, this Nashville suburb offers an easy commute.

Gallatin

Gallatin has received attention for being a nice place to live. Several major national corporations, including Gap and Servpro, have ended up moving to Gallatin. Gallatin was first founded in 1803, and the town was designed to center around an open public square. From its inception, Gallatin was intended to bring people together.

That legacy lives on today, perhaps better than ever. Gallatin's six public parks provide facilities for activities ranging from baseball and basketball to fly-fishing and disc golf. Old Hickory Lake offers gorgeous scenery and refreshing swimming spots. There are even three different golf courses available.

Hendersonville

The suburb of Hendersonville can be found in north-central Tennessee, right along the scenic Old Hickory Lake. The banks of this lake have been home to many famous country music stars and other celebrities over the years. June Carter Cash, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Conway Twitty, Kelly Clarkson, and Taylor Swift have bought Nashville lakefront homes here.

The history of Hendersonville dates back to its settling in 1784, with Rock Castle as its first building. The Old Hickory Dam was only built in 1954 but represented a major turning point in the town's population growth as it rapidly started to attract more people after its construction.

Hendersonville is also a haven for the arts. For a long time, the Hendersonville Arts Council supported local arts, although this has now been rebranded into the Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center. Still based out of the Monthaven Historic House, this is a home for local artists to exhibit their work, take classes, and host art-related events.

Smyrna

Many people consider Smyrna to be one of the best places to retire. The town was founded in the 1800s with a heavy farming and agricultural presence, as many agrarian workers came in and settled down.

During World War II, Smyrna was home to Stewart Air Force Base, a major training base for B-17 and B-24 jets. Over 10,000 people were stationed at this base, which was closed in the 1970s and then transformed into an airport facility. There is still a National Guard post at this base. This base is one of the town's largest employers.

In fact, many major industries settled down in Smyrna. Nissan Motors is perhaps the most famous of the groups that settled here. Since 2012, Smyrna has been a major production facility for the Nissan Leaf. With this industry comes jobs, which in turn favors residents settling down in the area.

Smyrna offers 10 public parks, over seven miles of greenways, and various recreational facilities in daily life, including a public golf course. The public school system falls under the Rutherford County School District, with seven elementary schools, four middle schools, and two high schools.

Murfreesboro

The town of Murfreesboro was founded in 1811, serving as the county seat and offering a strong agrarian presence.

In the early twentieth century, several schools for teachers were created to support people moving to Murfreesboro. Once World War II came about, industry picked up significantly. This created many job opportunities in Murfreesboro and actually encouraged its development. Both residential and commercial development rapidly accelerated in the past handful of decades.

Murfreesboro is rich in arts, shopping, and historical landmarks. The Avenue Murfreesboro and Stones River Mall offer traditional shopping experiences, and there are many local streets lined with boutiques and independent shops.

Brentwood

People that move to Brentwood appreciate the quiet seclusion and convenient proximity to Nashville. There are two massive shopping malls here, and any other kind of store people might need. Homes in Brentwood typically cost between $400,000 and $1 million.

Find Your Home Near Nashville

The greater Nashville metropolitan offers a laid-back lifestyle near world-class city amenities. The thriving economy has allowed for robust population growth and desirable improvements to the infrastructure and amenities in these towns. Anyone moving to Nashville should look into life in the surrounding areas.

If the opportunities of Nashville excite you, contact The Ashton Real Estate Group of RE/MAX Advantage with Nashville's MLS at (615) 603-3602 to get in touch with local real estate agents who can help find the perfect Nashville home for you today.