Rooted in Rutherford County
From affordable homes to fun weekends, Rutherford County has it all.
When new residents begin looking for homes in Rutherford County, they’re often pleasantly surprised by how affordable it is, says Janelle Holst, a real estate professional and longtime Murfreesboro resident. While the housing affordability is impressive – just 80% of the U.S. average – Rutherford County’s positive qualities don’t stop there. The region offers residents the “whole package,†from abundant career opportunities to a variety of entertainment options.
“I love the community feel here,†says Holst, who started coming to Murfreesboro for band camp in high school and moved to the city in 1995 to attend Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). “Neighbors know each other by name, they help each other out, and we have everything we need without having to drive to a neighboring city for restaurants or to go shopping.”
While close to Nashville, Rutherford County has its own treasures, like the tree-lined hiking and biking trails that make up the Greenway Trail Systems in Murfreesboro and Smyrna, and Mayday Brewery, with its two dozen beers on tap that please the palates of IPA drinkers, funky sour enthusiasts and those who fall somewhere in between.
The Price is Right
Renee Tarson and her husband, who both work for frozen drink company ICEE, relocated from Corona, CA, to Murfreesboro in 2019 (ICEE moved its headquarters from Southern California to La Vergne). They purchased a home in Griffith Park that, had the property been in California, would have been out of their price range. The neighborhood feels as though “you’re in a storybook,†Tarson says.
Approximately 30 miles from Nashville, Rutherford County offers residents much more affordable housing options.
According to Zillow, the median home price is only $293,000 in Eagleville, $269,000 in Murfreesboro, $256,000 in Smyrna and $225,000 in La Vergne. Plus, home appreciation in the county has recently gone up 9.3%.
Holst says her clients are also impressed by the county’s low taxes.
“Coupled with the absence of state income tax, it is a huge savings,†Holst says. “The bonus is having nice warm weather for about eight months out of the year.”
Career Opportunities Abound
Jason Surratt and his wife decided to move back to Middle Tennessee in 2016 after living in Michigan.
“Within a week of looking, we both had offers and accepted jobs,†says Surratt, vice president of community banking at Franklin Synergy Bank. His wife works in the medical field.
The job opportunities, as Surratt discovered, are ample.
With a robust economy, jobs in Rutherford County span many different industries and include large employers such as automobile manufacturer Nissan North America, MTSU, senior care provider National HealthCare Corporation, book manufacturer and distributor Ingram Content Group, State Farm Insurance Companies, Amazon, Asurion and Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital, just to name a few.
For those looking to start a business in the area, the region is home to the Small Business Development Center at MTSU, which provides free consulting, seminars and business information on growing a small business.
Full Slate of Entertainment Options
From outdoor recreation to shops and restaurants, there’s plenty of ways for Rutherford County residents to stay entertained. In addition to the Greenway Trail Systems, outdoor lovers can fill their weekends with trips to J. Percy Priest Lake in La Vergne, where fishing, boating, camping, hiking and horseback riding are popular pastimes.
An ideal Saturday for Holst and her family includes a trip to the farmers market to pick up sausage from Batey Farms, a walk on the greenway or taking her goldendoodles to Bark Park to let out some energy.
As for those who appreciate the arts, the region boasts the Center for the Arts in Murfreesboro, which offers theatrical productions, concerts and art exhibits, and the art gallery in Smyrna Town Hall.
Surratt and his wife enjoy spending their down time on the greenway and at the parks. When it comes to dining out, they support local restaurants.
“We love trying out new places and checking out all the new restaurants that have opened over the past few years,†he says.
If you’d like to learn more about the Rutherford County area, check out the latest issue of Livability: Rutherford County, Tennessee.
