Relocating from Chicago (Murfreesboro, Franklin, Hendersonville: attorney, new home, employment)

[jpk1]

Hello All,

I am really interested in obtaining some honest feedback with respect to diversity in Williamson, Rutherford and Wilson Counties. My husband and I are both African American professionals with no children as yet. We are looking for a quiet, culturally sensitive area with great homes and great schools. I've been doing alot of research via the internet and have also read many of the comments posted here. I am looking at Franklin, Spring Hill, Primm Springs and Smyrna most specifically.

I'd appreciate any honest (brutally so if necessary) feedback.

Thanks

[GrannyLois]

I'm not familiar with those areas, but hopefully someone on here will have some answers for you. If not, come on over to the Tri-Cities area.

[tn06]

I live in Antioch and its got to be the most diverse suburb of nashville... there are alot of hispanics, asians, and african americans here..actually my new neighbors moved here from Chicago too... I believe the man said he and his wife were originally from Ethiopia? Anyway...try Moderator cut: link for neighborhoods around Antioch. Moderator cut: link for new homes all over the greater nashville area.


also.... Franklin, Brentwood, and Spring Hill are much nicer areas with better schools and nicer people, but homes over there also come with a bigger price tag.

[wellkids]

Hi jpk1,

Have you considered Murfreesboro? You mentioned Smyrna but Murfreesboro is much larger and is also a college town. I think we are a great hometown with lots of culture and diversity. Being home to MTSU gives this town a more progressive attitude than some of the other small towns.

I actually think most of Middle TN is diverse but the smaller towns are not as progressive as the cities. I had some clients that relocated here last year from Chicago. They have been very pleased with the schools (elementary through high school children) and also the people and employment opportunities. They also LOVE our weather compared to Chicago! They have become Tennesseans very quickly and don't regret moving at all!

[akm4]

Hey Chicago-

I would suggest coming and taking a look around. The internet's an amazing tool, but when it comes right down to it there's nothing like seeing it for yourself. We looked in Hendersonville all the way down to Spring Hill before buying in Franklin. Just felt right.

As for diversity-friendly, I could make a case for either "side". On one hand this IS Middle TN, with all that implies, if you know what I mean. The stronger case, thank goodness, though, is that we've come a long way. While it's a hard thing to measure, I'll offer the following-

Poplar Grove School, once criticized for being too vanilla (rightfully so) is now much better balanced. Until last year their PTO president was an African-American woman who was extremely well-respected.

My kids have never been in an all-white class, private or public. This may not sound like much, but you may be as shocked as I was when several Mormon women openly expressed some blatantly racist comments about which public schools in Franklin had the lowest non-white enrollment. (I don't blame the LDS church as a whole, but include this only because all 3 women spouting this garbage were devout members. Don't email me! LOL!)

I'm not aware of any neighborhoods of a specific color or race. I take that as a good sign.

My accountant, attorney and countless colleagues and friends are African-American Frankliners.

Does that help at all? It always feels so awkward writing something like this. You risk portraying the opposite of what you're trying to say!

Oh well, for what it's worth.....hope you find the perfect community for your family. If it's Franklin, email me.

-akm

[jpk1]

Thanks so much for all of your feedback it was helpful and encouraging!

AKM4 special thanks to you for being so candid!