16 Pros and Cons of Living in Franklin, TN

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Franklin Tennessee is generally a great place to live, even if it isn’t well known.

If you are considering living in Franklin, it’s important to know the pros and cons before you start packing.

It’s located about 20 miles Southwest of Nashville, so you aren’t too far from the big city.

Franklin has a small-town feel and great schools.

On the other hand, you need to be prepared for traffic and some extreme weather if you move to Franklin.

Pros of Living in Franklin, Tennessee

Franklin has plenty of things to love, and most residents enjoy living there.

Pros of Living in Franklin include:

• Thriving job market
• Lots of outdoor activities
• Plenty of things to do
• Tasty restaurants and breweries
• Near Nashville
• Low crime rate
• Good schools
• Family-friendly

1. Thriving Job Market

Franklin has a strong job market due to being business-friendly and close to Nashville.

Nissan North America and United Healthcare are headquartered here, and provide about 2,000 local jobs.

Community Health Systems, Optum, and Tractor Supply are also large employers in the area.

2. Lots of Outdoor Activities

There are lots of activities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy in Franklin.

The area has several beautiful parks.

Harlinsdale Farm is nearly 200 acres and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Marcella Vivrette Smith Park has plenty of walking trails, a 19th-century mansion, and lots of wildlife.

In addition to hiking, you can bike, ride horses, or swim in the area.

3. Plenty of Things to Do

There are several historic homes you can visit in Franklin.

These include Lotz House Museum, Carnton, and Carter House.

You can also visit the Family Fun Center for bowling and playing pool.

The Franklin Theater is a restored theater that features classic movies, plays, and musical performances.

4. Tasty Restaurants and Breweries

There are plenty of food options in Franklin.

If you are in the mood for a cafe, check out Franklin Mercantile.

King Gyros features Greek cuisine, and Biscuit Love features breakfast options all day.

You can also visit Curio Brewing Company, Granite Food and Brewery, or Hop House Tennessee Taps for a fresh brew anytime.

5. Near Nashville

Nashville is the heart of Tennessee.

It’s a popular place to visit.

However, the congested traffic and crime mean it’s not the most desirable place to live.

Franklin’s proximity to Nashville means you can enjoy Music City anytime you want, without living there.

It’s only 22 miles away, and you can get there in about 30 minutes from Franklin.

6. Low Crime Rate

Franklin has a relatively low crime rate of 9.57 per 1,000 residents, making it safer than 51% of U.S. cities.

Nashville, on the other hand, has a crime rate of 48.6 per 1,000 residents and is only safer than 3% of the cities in the U.S.

It’s also much safer than the average for Tennessee.

The average crime rate in Tennessee is 29.5, making Franklin nearly 3 times safer than average in the state.

7. Good Schools

Franklin public schools are some of the best in Tennessee and score better than average for the nation as well.

It has a ranking of 10 out of 10 for Tennessee and is better than 95% of schools in the state.

Compared to the nation, Franklin schools score 9 out of 10, making the district better than 86% of districts in the country.

8. Family Friendly

Franklin is a family-friendly city.

It has historic buildings, lots of outdoor activities, and family-friendly restaurants.

The low crime rate and great schools also make it an attractive location for families.

Cons of Living in Franklin, Tennessee

Despite all the things to love about living in Franklin, Tennessee, it does have its issues.

The cons of living in Franklin, Tennessee include:

• Extreme Weather
• Allergies
• HOAs
• High cost of living
• Lack of public transit
• Traffic
• Limited nightlife
• Commuting is challenging

1. Extreme Weather

Franklin can have some extreme weather.

Winters are chilly, with snow being rare.

Winter temperatures rarely drop below 26 degrees.

Summers are hot, with the average temperature being 90 in the summer months.

Temperatures of 100 are not unheard of in the city. In addition to the cold and heat, storms are a common concern.

There’s a significant risk of tornadoes during the storm season because Franklin is part of “Dixie Alley” which is an area of the south that is prone to tornadoes.

The worst tornado to hit Franklin was an F4, which struck in 1988.

2. Allergies

If you have seasonal allergies, Franklin, or Tennessee in general, may not be the best choice.

There’s a very high pollen count in the spring and early summer.

In the fall, ragweed and other allergens can trigger problems.

If you are an allergy sufferer, be prepared to medicate during these times.

3. HOAs

Franklin is famous, or infamous, for its HOAs.

Of course, you’ll encounter them in many other cities as well.

HOAs, or Home Owners Associations, charge fees for the upkeep of grounds or common areas.

They also impose rules as to what you can do with your property.

This isn’t all bad.

Your neighbors won’t be allowed to let their grass grow a foot tall or leave cars sitting on blocks in their yards.

Yes, these are common occurrences in Tennessee.

On the other hand, you’ll need to pay fees and follow the rules of the HOA.

This can feel restrictive.

After all, you bought your home so you could do with it as you please.

You may also feel that the fees are not worth what you are getting out of the HOA.

4. High Cost of Living

Franklin is an affluent city.

This is the main reason why the crime rate is low, and the schools in the area are excellent.

However, you’ll need to be prepared for a high cost of living if you move to the area.

The median home value is more than twice the average for the state.

Home prices in Franklin are also 85% higher than the national average because many people want to relocate to Franklin.

This means that homes are in high demand, which drives prices up.

Gas is typically 10 to 20 cents higher per gallon than other places in the area.

You’ll also encounter high sales tax.

Tennessee has low property taxes and no state income tax.

This is great, but they make up the difference with higher sales tax.

Franklin state and local sales tax ads up to 10%.

For every $1 you spend in Franklin, you’ll pay another 10 cents in taxes.

5. Lack of Public Transit

Like most cities in Tennessee, Franklin doesn’t have extensive public transportation.

They do have a public bus system, but it’s not particularly reliable.

You’ll also be very limited as to where you can go when using public transit.

If you want to live in Franklin, it’s very difficult to do so without a vehicle.

6. Traffic

Traffic in Franklin is congested, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours.

The lack of public transit, infrastructure that hasn’t been properly updated, and the growing population are all contributing factors.

If you plan on traveling during peak times, be sure to leave very early, in case you get caught in traffic.

7. Limited Night Life

Franklin is generally a wholesome, family-friendly city.

If you dream of crowded nightclubs and frequent rock concerts, you’ll be disappointed living in Franklin.

You’ll find some pubs and music venues that are open late on the weekend, but you won’t find the bustling nightlife of a big city.

Of course, Nashville has an extensive club scene and is just a drive away.

Just be sure you have a designated driver before you head out on Friday night.

8. Commuting Can Be a Challenge

We’ve mentioned the traffic in Franklin.

Unfortunately, if you need to commute to Nashville, the situation is much worse.

So many people commute to Nashville that the traffic is absolutely horrendous during rush hour.

You should be prepared to get caught in a traffic jam at least once a day.

In the worst cases, usually, if there’s an accident, you may be stuck in traffic for a few hours and only move a few miles.

Pros and Cons of Living in Franklin, TN – Summary Table