Why I Love Living in Nashville

©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

The Nashville Region is the kind of place you can build a life that you don’t need a vacation from. Whether you live in the bustling cultural hub of Nashville or a smaller community in a nearby county, this region offers an enviable lifestyle, complete with great restaurants, fun attractions, welcoming neighbors and excellent career options. Ahead, meet three people who love the lives they’ve built in the Nashville Region.

Dr. Robert Wallace Jr.

A Lifelong Commitment to Nashville Education

“My purpose and mission are here in the city.”

Dr. Robert Wallace Jr. was born and raised in Nashville and doesn’t have plans to leave. After completing his entire education in Davidson County, Wallace now serves as the chief of staff for Metro Nashville Public Schools, where he attended school.

“It was really special for me to graduate from Metro Nashville Public Schools but then also teach in the district that raised me and educated me,” Wallace says.

In the past several years, Metro Nashville Public Schools has earned the highest achievements in district history in language arts, social studies and math. The unprecedented growth is set to continue, thanks to the dedicated efforts of students and staff.

Outside of work, Wallace enjoys all that the Nashville Region has to offer, from attending Tennessee Titans and Nashville Sounds games to exploring the city’s thriving restaurant scene.

Some of his favorite places to grab a bite are Official Wings, Butchertown Hall, BrickTop’s, Swett’s and Dicey’s Pizza & Tavern.

After witnessing and being part of Nashville’s growth over the years, Wallace knows that there’s no place he would rather call home.

“I truly believe that my purpose and mission are here in the city,” he says. “There’s so much opportunity that exists here, and there’s so much great work to be done. Nashville will always be home for me.”

Rachael Goonan

Entrepreneurship and Community in Rutherford County

“A lot of people can find their community here.”

For Rachael Goonan of Davidson County, neighboring Rutherford County is an ideal location for her career, thanks to its proximity to Nashville and friends and family who live in the area.

Goonan co-owns Champy’s World Famous Fried Chicken locations in Murfreesboro and Smyrna, plus she has a new one coming to Nashville. As a diplomat for the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, Goonan has become an advocate for her neighbors in the county and encourages people to find ways to get involved.

When she isn’t busy running her businesses, Goonan and her family frequent some of Rutherford County’s attractions, like the trampoline park near the Champy’s in Murfreesboro, dining at Hickory Falls Restaurant in Smyrna or unwinding on one of the area’s quality golf courses.

Making time for family outside of work is a priority for a hardworking professional like Goonan, and there are plenty of opportunities across the county to do so.

“It’s a great place to live,” Goonan says. “A lot of people can find their community here.”

Jenni Dusky

Serving Students and Family in Robertson County

“I’m proud to live in Robertson County.”

While many people relocate to the region from out of state, those who are from here find that a cross-country move isn’t needed because they already have everything they could ever need.

Jenni Dusky, for example, was born and raised in Robertson County, attended Belmont University in Davidson County. After a stint working for Sumner County Schools, she chose to return to her beloved Robertson County.

“I love being back home and working in Robertson County,” says Dusky, who is a school social workerand the homeless liaison for Robertson County Schools.

Dusky chose Robertson County to be closer to family, and now, she has kids of her own who enjoy the region.

Whether picking apples at Shade Tree Orchard in Adams or enjoying ice cream from Deja Moo in Springfield, Dusky and her family are always finding ways to enjoy what the area has to offer, which usually means supporting her friends’ and neighbors’ businesses.

Dusky and her mother also run a custom apparel shop in Springfield called Creations by Cris.

Each year, Dusky and her family look forward to Experience Robertson County, an event that takes participants through the county’s 11 municipalities, highlighting different locations or experiences in each one. For Dusky, the county’s agricultural roots and tight-knit atmosphere keep it feeling like home.

“I love that people are proud to be from Robertson County,” Dusky says. “I’m proud to live in Robertson County, and I’m just thankful to be here.”