So... after moving to Franklin/ Brentwood / Thompson Station / Spring Hill do you still like it? (Nolensville: home, theater)

[DigitalNomad143]

With so many newcomers, thought I would ask..... Did it live up to your expectations?


What do you wish you would have known?


Also, if you don't mind put where you came from as well... just curious!

[budgiegirl]

Having lived in Franklin, I would say generally speaking, I like it even better now than when I moved here.
I say that because:

1. The amenities have improved - such as restaurants and shopping over the decade.
2. The down town has been nicely preserved, even improved with better restaurants and the re-opening of the theater.
3. There are some little used nature trails that I keep discovering and personally I enjoy that.
4. People are friendly and generally helpful.
5. The traffic is still not very congested compared to other suburban areas I have lived.

If I had to say I had one disappointment, it is with the school public school system. I know I am in the minority of this view point. I don't think the national rankings are all that impressive (you can have a look and see what you think), and my personal opinion is that the district teaches heavily towards standardized testing at the expense of developing solid writing, research, oral communication, and critical thinking skills. There may be some variability between schools on this, but I am skeptical that there is a drastic difference between schools. I can only speak about my children's elementary and middle school experience - but I find it pretty dry learning. I would not call it innovative or progressive at all.

PS I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia until age 17, lived in New Hampshire for 9 years, then lived in Boston/Brookline, MA for 5 years, before coming to Franklin.

[Sigequinox]

neat thread idea.

[Drake744]

I'd like to think that this thread could apply to people in all parts of town. Contrary to popular belief, there are other areas not in Williamson County haha

[Anony-Momma]

Originally Posted by budgiegirl

Having lived in Franklin, I would say generally speaking, I like it even better now than when I moved here.
I say that because:

1. The amenities have improved - such as restaurants and shopping over the decade.
2. The down town has been nicely preserved, even improved with better restaurants and the re-opening of the theater.
3. There are some little used nature trails that I keep discovering and personally I enjoy that.
4. People are friendly and generally helpful.
5. The traffic is still not very congested compared to other suburban areas I have lived.

If I had to say I had one disappointment, it is with the school public school system. I know I am in the minority of this view point. I don't think the national rankings are all that impressive (you can have a look and see what you think), and my personal opinion is that the district teaches heavily towards standardized testing at the expense of developing solid writing, research, oral communication, and critical thinking skills. There may be some variability between schools on this, but I am skeptical that there is a drastic difference between schools. I can only speak about my children's elementary and middle school experience - but I find it pretty dry learning. I would not call it innovative or progressive at all.

PS I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia until age 17, lived in New Hampshire for 9 years, then lived in Boston/Brookline, MA for 5 years, before coming to Franklin.

I agree, especially about the public school system.

[septimus]

I generally agree with the above, although I will say the public schools have dramatically improved even in Williamson county since we moved here in terms of rigor and content. There is a lot of teaching to the test. The schools are not the same quality in Mass. They just don't fund them as well here and now we've elected some candidates to the county commission who have taken no taxes and no debt pledges and that concerns me. We are a growing district and I'm not sure how you build an $80M education complex in Nolensville without debt or new taxes.

Life is easy here. Traffic isn't bad, I don't worry about my safety, I enjoy the amenities that Franklin has to offer such as public parks, good restaurants, children's sports teams, etc.

[Anony-Momma]

I am a Southerner by birth and moved away for two decades to the Midwest and West Coast. This is not my home state, and I am adjusting to being in the South again.

What I love (in addition to what has been mentioned already)

sweet tea, cornbread, pulled pork

mild winters

generosity - there is a generosity in the South that I haven't experienced other places, where (just one example) the stranger in line with you at the store will be your new best friend by the time you finish your transactions

Disappointments

public schools

disability supports, services, interventions - Tennessee is waaaaaaaaay behind. Way. And even more so where teenagers are concerned.

alternative/complimentary medicine with traditional medicine. Finding the professionals who do both, not strictly one or the other, has been more of a challenge than I expected.

[brentwoodgirl]

It is a good idea for the thread. I've lived in Nashville for most of my adult life, but Nashville has changed considerably since I moved here in 1999. But I've loved it from the first minute I moved here. Nashville is so pretty, IMO. Even after living here for 15 years, I still marvel at how pretty the hills and the greenery are. And I love the historic buildings and places that you can find throughout the city.

modcut

[DigitalNomad143]

Not sure how it happens, but the conversation seemed to turn more into a conversation on schools. Really wanted to see about those who moved to Franklin as a whole -- schools, churches, community functions, farmers markets -- making friends.... etc.


Most of us know the facts, like there are great schools, farmers markets and community functions, BUT do you like it? Were you able to make friends? Making friends usually comes easy when you get involved, are friendly with others etc. but some places people still have a hard time doing so.

Not one particular point, just in general are you happy you relocated to Franklin or the surrounding areas?

[Beretta]

Mod note as response to post above^: I have removed the off topic posts the OP references, a great reminder of why it is important to keep threads on topic. Please feel free to report any off topic posts by using the report triangle icon. Posts about schools are encouraged as new threads. Thanks.