Competition Between Nashville Area Counties (Murfreesboro, Franklin: best city, landscaping, construction)

[Chicago Rick]

Originally Posted by Steve_TN

What is the reason for all the competition between counties in the Nashville area anyway? I don't get it. When I lived in NJ, as much as I loathed it there, we always pulled together as a state, regardless of what counties we lived in. Here in Middle Tennessee, the competition between counties, as to who is better, is fierce and one of the very few things I dislike about TN. Any thoughts, opinions, etc....?

I may get flamed for this by some of the natives, but here goes. It seems to me like it's part of an overriding sense of regionalism throughout TN and the rest of the South. Growing up in the Chicagoland area I don't recall ever hearing any disparaging comments about the South. There's some playful banter between neighboring states, but that's about it. (oh, except people in Wisconsin refer to people from Illinois as FIBs, which I can't translate here because it's a family site).

Anyway, this even permeates advertising with Southern companies declaring "It's a southern thing, northerners just wouldn't understand." You'll never see a license plate that says "American by birth, Midwestern by the Grace of God."

[ariesjow]

What do you all mean by competition? Competition for residents? Businesses? Retail? General superiority? I don't really see this supposed county competition but I rarely if ever have a reason to leave Davidson County. Banter and generalizations about certain neighborhoods or towns is just that and I wouldn't consider that as indicative of some sort of underlying contest between residents of different parts of town.

I do know that areas of the metro compete for exclusive retail. For instance, Cool Springs is now trying to revamp to compete with some of the retailers that Green Hills has been fortunate enough to land as of late. There's also some competition to lure certain businesses. But I don't think there's competition in the sense that the urbanites in East Nashville, Hillsboro Village or Sylvan Park are trying to show up the suburbanites of Brentwood, Mt. Juliet or Franklin or vice versa. People may make unfair sweeping generalizations about people who choose to live in other areas of town. That sort of thing happens in every city and it doesn't mean there's a competition per se.

[BuzzCam]

I remember years ago when Cool Springs Mall was in the planning stage, an official from Brentwood didn't want it in their city limits because Brentwood would have to put up with all that awful "Davidson County" traffic.
Franklin, in a very smart move, approved the plan and now the mall sits almost on the Franklin/Brentwood border. And, me, living in Davidson County use to travel through Brentwood to go to Cool Springs Mall. So, Franklin got the taxes and Brentwood still ended up with all us "Davidson Countians" traveling through his town.
I liked that mall the best of any in the area, and used to go to movies once a week at the original mulitplex. So, here was a Davidson Countian spending his money in Williamson County. I bought two Saturns from Saturn of Cool Springs over the years.
My wife and I now travel to Mt. Juliet (Wilson County) to see movies and to shop, even though we live less than 5 miles from Opry Mills. I don't care much for that mall, but I do like the theatres. We just like Providence better.
As far as people looking down on each other, we went to Brentwood this past 4th of July, and saw their fireworks show and entertainment, which was very good. I don't think I have been in a nicer bunch of people that evening. The crowd was well behaved and friendly, not like the drunks you have to stumble over leaving a downtown Nashville 4th of July Show. And, I thought the Brentwood entertainment was better (they were playing classic rock music), although I do like watching the Nashville Fireworks with The Nashville Symphony playing. It is a headache to try to get out of downtown Nashville after the thing is over.
I think you will find people who will look down on others in the same county or even in the same neighborhood, although I have not experienced that here in Donelson, which is in Davidson County.
The only problem I have with Davidson County is the bad school system, with the exception of two excellent magnet schools. I wish I could enroll my stepson in one of them. My wife presently home schools him and wants to move to Robertson County because the schools are better and he wants to attend public school his senior year. Also, the taxes are much lower, so we will we looking this spring in Robertson County around the Orlinda area
But, as a Davidson County resident, I have no problems with people from any of the surrounding counties. We are all Americans and Tennesseans!
Have a great rest of the weekend!
Buzz

[Tunky]

Originally Posted by Chicago Rick

I may get flamed for this by some of the natives, but here goes. It seems to me like it's part of an overriding sense of regionalism throughout TN and the rest of the South. Growing up in the Chicagoland area I don't recall ever hearing any disparaging comments about the South. There's some playful banter between neighboring states, but that's about it. (oh, except people in Wisconsin refer to people from Illinois as FIBs, which I can't translate here because it's a family site).

Anyway, this even permeates advertising with Southern companies declaring "It's a southern thing, northerners just wouldn't understand." You'll never see a license plate that says "American by birth, Midwestern by the Grace of God."

You might be on to something there Rick!

Oh...and the only Illannoyans we call FIBs are the ones who deserve it! LOL

[Tunky]

Originally Posted by ariesjow

What do you all mean by competition? Competition for residents? Businesses? Retail? General superiority? I don't really see this supposed county competition but I rarely if ever have a reason to leave Davidson County. Banter and generalizations about certain neighborhoods or towns is just that and I wouldn't consider that as indicative of some sort of underlying contest between residents of different parts of town.

I do know that areas of the metro compete for exclusive retail. For instance, Cool Springs is now trying to revamp to compete with some of the retailers that Green Hills has been fortunate enough to land as of late. There's also some competition to lure certain businesses. But I don't think there's competition in the sense that the urbanites in East Nashville, Hillsboro Village or Sylvan Park are trying to show up the suburbanites of Brentwood, Mt. Juliet or Franklin or vice versa. People may make unfair sweeping generalizations about people who choose to live in other areas of town. That sort of thing happens in every city and it doesn't mean there's a competition per se.

I understood the OP to mean competition in the sense of (and I don't know all the county names so forgive me) "Murfreesboro is the best and all people in Franklin are snobs"...that kind of thing.

[Mary_Moon]

Originally Posted by Chicago Rick

I may get flamed for this by some of the natives, but here goes. It seems to me like it's part of an overriding sense of regionalism throughout TN and the rest of the South. Growing up in the Chicagoland area I don't recall ever hearing any disparaging comments about the South. There's some playful banter between neighboring states, but that's about it. (oh, except people in Wisconsin refer to people from Illinois as FIBs, which I can't translate here because it's a family site).

Anyway, this even permeates advertising with Southern companies declaring "It's a southern thing, northerners just wouldn't understand." You'll never see a license plate that says "American by birth, Midwestern by the Grace of God."

Most Southerners hold family heritage in high esteem and have a strong connection to the land where they were raised. Don't you remember that scene in "Gone with the Wind" where Mr. O'Hara scooped up a fistful of red Georgia clay and told Scarlett that land was the only thing that mattered? That wasn't just theatrics and much of it goes back to our Scotch-Irish and Native American roots. Most outsiders can't understand the connection we have to our land. Bless your hearts.

I think it's only natural to hold one's own place of residence in the highest personal regard - after all, we made the choice to live there, right? What I find perplexing is the desire to rail against and tear down other communities for no reason. The Murfreesboro thread I started was an honest attempt to spread the news of the Boro's latest accolade. It didn't take long for the quantifiers and negative Nancy's to start in and in doing so, they did a disservice to the target audience of THIS forum - those looking to relocate to the Nashville area.

If that ranking had gone to Franklin or Clarksville, the 2 runners up in that particular article, I couldn't imagine saying anything other than congratulations to those residents and going on my merry way, secure in the knowledge that I live in the right place for my family. Despite my cynical attitude toward most people, I'm still constantly amazed at the level of childishness displayed by alleged adults in both the cyber world and IRL. If it's not hurting anyone in the slightest, why can't people just live and let live? Is there some emptyness these people are trying to fill by being so negative? They make prescription drugs for that, you know.

BTW, I've changed my mind about Murfreesboro - we're already overcrowded as it is. As a life-long resident, I say that we've had enough growth and development and we have all the stores and restaurants we need - with the exception of J. Alexander's; can someone please build one here? The Boro is now CLOSED, people! The schools are horrible, the roads are overcrowded and criminals are in control! Under no circumstances should anyone move here, ever!

[Diane Giam]

Originally Posted by Mary_Moon

Most Southerners hold family heritage in high esteem and have a strong connection to the land where they were raised. Don't you remember that scene in "Gone with the Wind" where Mr. O'Hara scooped up a fistful of red Georgia clay and told Scarlett that land was the only thing that mattered? That wasn't just theatrics and much of it goes back to our Scotch-Irish and Native American roots. Most outsiders can't understand the connection we have to our land. Bless your hearts.

I think it's only natural to hold one's own place of residence in the highest personal regard - after all, we made the choice to live there, right? What I find perplexing is the desire to rail against and tear down other communities for no reason. The Murfreesboro thread I started was an honest attempt to spread the news of the Boro's latest accolade. It didn't take long for the quantifiers and negative Nancy's to start in and in doing so, they did a disservice to the target audience of THIS forum - those looking to relocate to the Nashville area.

If that ranking had gone to Franklin or Clarksville, the 2 runners up in that particular article, I couldn't imagine saying anything other than congratulations to those residents and going on my merry way, secure in the knowledge that I live in the right place for my family. Despite my cynical attitude toward most people, I'm still constantly amazed at the level of childishness displayed by alleged adults in both the cyber world and IRL. If it's not hurting anyone in the slightest, why can't people just live and let live? Is there some emptyness these people are trying to fill by being so negative? They make prescription drugs for that, you know.

BTW, I've changed my mind about Murfreesboro - we're already overcrowded as it is. As a life-long resident, I say that we've had enough growth and development and we have all the stores and restaurants we need - with the exception of J. Alexander's; can someone please build one here? The Boro is now CLOSED, people! The schools are horrible, the roads are overcrowded and criminals are in control! Under no circumstances should anyone move here, ever!

Mary, That is funny! Smyrna has grown alot in the 2 1/2 years that I moved to Nashville. I noticed a new restauant popping up that is new to me-Chedders. Menu looks good!
My daughter lives in Murfreesboro, lol. I think an off campus apt would be considered living there.
Diane G

[Tunky]

I feel for you Mary...when I was growing up in Upper Michigan, so many people would say, "How can you LIVE up there???" We'd just nod and agree that it was horrible and everyone else should stay far far far away!

[Mary_Moon]

Originally Posted by Diane Giam

Mary, That is funny! Smyrna has grown alot in the 2 1/2 years that I moved to Nashville. I noticed a new restauant popping up that is new to me-Chedders. Menu looks good!
My daughter lives in Murfreesboro, lol. I think an off campus apt would be considered living there.
Diane G

I haven't eaten at Chedders yet, but a close girlfriend just had a birthday and that's where she requested the rest of our girl-gang take her for lunch next week! If I visit before you do, I'll PM you a full report!

[Chicago Rick]

Originally Posted by Tunky

You might be on to something there Rick!

Oh...and the only Illannoyans we call FIBs are the ones who deserve it! LOL

Chicago certainly has its share of obnoxious people (mostly on the southside ). I'll be the first to admit that. The other one that cracks me up is "flatlanders" like WI is in the Rockies.