Slow Down, Live Better in Williamson County, TN

A more sustainable pace of life is a huge draw, but Williamson County offers so much more.

By Amy Antonation on November 15, 2023

Nathan Lambrecht

Families around the U.S. are moving to Williamson County, TN – no surprise when you consider the unmatched quality of life in the area. With access to the thriving Nashville metro area, perks that come with living in smaller communities and plenty of family-friendly activities, the region offers things you can’t find just anywhere. Here is what three recent transplants had to say about their new lives in the area.

Nathan Lambrecht

Money Talks in Williamson County, TN

An obvious bonus of living in the Volunteer State is financial. Tennessee is one of just nine states with no state tax on personal income. And compared to major cities like Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, Williamson County offers a more affordable cost of living within a stone’s throw of Nashville.

Hattie Harrison, who lived most of her life in Torrance, California, and moved to Spring Hill in 2022 with her mother and two children, loves the charming, small-town vibe.

“Can I say that I love that the grocery store is within walking distance?” she says with a laugh when asked about things she enjoys about her adopted hometown.

But she also appreciates being able to access larger communities. “You’re not far from things,” she says. “Franklin is 10 minutes away. If I wanted to go all the way into Nashville, it’s just a 30 minute drive. In California, driving 10 miles took over an hour.”

Amy Whidby

Get Cultured in Williamson County, TN

Williamson County has plenty of cultural attractions, too. Franklin boasts the FirstBank Amphitheater, located inside a repurposed limestone quarry and surrounded by 140 acres of natural space. Venues such as the Mockingbird Theater and Studio Tenn, which is home to musical and theatrical productions, offer plenty of live entertainment. In addition, the annual Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival takes place each September. Along with the monthly First Friday Art Crawl, it’s one of the region’s signature events.

And whether you’re meeting a friend for drinks or a date for dinner, Williamson County offers plenty of spots to grab a bite and a beverage and relax. Franklin alone is home to Puckett’s, which serves down-home comfort food; Americana Taphouse, which has 24 brews on tap (many of them local); sleek wine bar Vintage Vine 100; and Gray’s on Main, which occupies a historic Victorian building.

There’s also Arrington Vineyards, which is located between Thompson’s Station and Nolensville; Happenchance Social Lounge in Nolensville; the Mission Cigar & Social Lounge in Spring Hill; and the Golf Sanctuary in Brentwood, which offers a full bar and restaurant in addition to indoor golf.

Jeff Adkins

From Go to Slow in Williamson County, TN

County residents have easy access to open spaces and excellent public schools in Williamson County.

Spring Hill residents Justin and Hana Harleman relocated from Arlington in Washington state in 2022 with their three children in tow.

“I like the area because with having three little kids, I like being close to different restaurant options and shopping,” Hana says. “Even things like the eye clinic are close.”

Justin says it’s been easy for the family to meet people in their new home.

“We’re very pleasantly surprised about the kind and quality of people we’ve met. It didn’t take long at all. We’re living in a neighborhood that has social functions; the county has a sense of community. There’s always a family function and no lack of things to do.”

He points to downtown Franklin’s frequent events as a family favorite. Visits to the weekly Franklin Farmers Market and sixth-generation Hatcher Family Dairy as well as cooling down at Brentwood Splash Park are just a few of many activities.

Miranda Byrd, who moved from Chicago to Franklin in 2021 with her husband, Andy Jameson, and their two children, echoes those sentiments.

“We lived in a very elite neighborhood in Chicago, and here, we live in a modest, normal neighborhood. My next door neighbors could be 80 years old; someone might be a doctor, in construction, a teacher,” she says. “The world in Chicago wasn’t realistic or sustainable. Here, they understand the roots and depths of people.”

Harrison also relishes the difference in the tempo of her Spring Hill life.

“California is go, go, go. There’s always traffic; you’re always in a rush,” she says. “There’s no time to slow down. Here, I have the opportunity to slow down and appreciate the experience, just to be. I can’t tell you how many times I sat on my balcony in California. It was probably once, but I sit on my front porch all the time here, probably every night.”