2023 Best Places to Raise a Family in Tennessee

• Suburb of Nashville, TN

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  Rating 3.9 out of 5  48 reviews

Nearby Resident: Nolensville is not just a town, it is a community. It has a warm feeling that I am lucky to call home. I really enjoy the many years of tradition, including our lighting of the town Christmas Tree every December or the Buttercup Festival every April. Also, Nolensville has plenty of small businesses that not only support their customers, but the community as a whole. Every event and fundraiser is supported by the local businesses, such as catering from Outlander's Southern Chicken. This restuarant single handedly feeds the entire town's population through school events and/or regular sit down eating in their ecletic resturant. Here, everyone is nice and happy to help wherever you need it; you can always count on your neighbors.... Read 48 reviews

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• Population 13,393

• Suburb of Nashville, TN

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  Rating 4.23 out of 5  150 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, I am very thankful to have grown up in Brentwood, TN. We have an awesome public school system. Our city is well maintained, clean, and very safe. To add on, we have great public works, such as roads, public parks, local law enforcement, etc. It is a great place to live, no matter if you're a young family or retired. I also think it has a very good balance between commercial and residential areas. In the commercial areas, there are plenty of restaurants, shopping, services, and more. The residential areas are split into a older and newer homes; the older neighbors are charming and quaint, while the newer neighborhoods have outstanding architecture and a cool, modern feel.... Read 150 reviews

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• Population 44,354

• Suburb of Knoxville, TN

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  Rating 3.94 out of 5  89 reviews

Former Resident: Farragut is very clean, beautiful town! Love it there, has a nice Lake there too. Good Schools and Churches... Read 89 reviews

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• Population 23,388

• Suburb of Chattanooga, TN

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  Rating 3.85 out of 5  27 reviews

Current Resident: This is a great place to live. My son can ride his bicycle everywhere without fearing that he is going to get attacked or hit by a car, we feel safe going for a walk in our neighborhood and if we forget to lock the door, we don't worry about it. I agree with the guy saying that people calling SM safe and, at the same time, complain about the lack of diversity and not liking conservative people living here, are very amusing, those reasons are why SM is safe and pleasant to live. If you don't want this kind of environment, there is Chattanooga next door, there, you can find plenty of diversity and less conservative views. That's right, I am changing my review too, don't come live here, you won't like it.... Read 27 reviews

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• Population 8,770

• Town in Tennessee

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  Rating 4.34 out of 5  260 reviews

Current Resident: I recently moved here and I fell in love with the city. I live near the edge of town, where there is a lot of farmland, but I love downtown Franklin as well! Everyone is very friendly. I find out new things about Franklin everyday, whether it be a historical site or just a pretty neighborhood I hadn't seen before. Overall, even though I have only lived here for a few months, I love the city. It's a great place for anyone who wants to have some more space and land, but also be close enough to shopping and restaurants.... Read 260 reviews

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• Population 81,531

• Suburb of Chattanooga, TN

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: Great place to raise a family. Really nice outdoor spaces and friendly neighbors. You feel safe walking around any time of the day. All of the public spaces are very well maintained. It’s also a very quiet neighborhood, this are so quiet you can hear the crickets at night. There are a lot of active people always walking, riding bikes or playing at the local park. The crime rate is also quite low up here on the mountain. I do wish there was more ethic and cultural diversity.... Read 3 reviews

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• Population 2,070

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  Rating 3.78 out of 5  27 reviews

Current Resident: Thompson's Station is one of the last unspoiled places in middle Tennessee. Local leaders and residents established a plan to preserve parks, farm and ranch land. While developers have been able to obtain land for homesites, the town has limited public utilities. This has tamped down the kind of growth seen in nearby Spring Hill. Spring Hill residents commuting to and from points north cause some traffic problems for Thompson's Station but new interstate exits and arterial connectors, already approved and funded that will help reroute commuter traffic around Thompson's Station. A 6500 seat outdoor consert venue will open this summer built in the limestone quarry used to provide the road bed for I-840. There are plans to host large music events including tour stops for current recording artists. The Town continues to acquire land for parks and with no long term plans for rapid growth, this little green patch may continue to be 'Central Park' for Williamson County.... Read 27 reviews

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• Population 7,011

• Suburb of Chattanooga, TN

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  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Niche User: I moved here when I was a kid, so I didn't have much say in it. But I absolutely loved it! Great schools, small town, but closed to bigger town if needed.... Read 1 review

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• Population 1,810

• Suburb of Memphis, TN

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  Rating 4.4 out of 5  91 reviews

Current Resident: Germantown is a suburb that is family oriented. Most people in Germantown commute to East Memphis (20 minute drive) for work, while students go to one of three local public schools (Germantown, Houston, or Collierville High School) or private schools (Briarcrest and Saint Georges High School). Primary education in Germantown is prioritized, but may sometimes be considered as elitist or exclusive due to religious affiliations or high costs of tuition. The population of Germantown is typically older and more wealthy, resulting in less nightlife and therefore less eating options compared to the much more lively Midtown or East Memphis areas.... Read 91 reviews

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• Population 40,955

• Suburb of Memphis, TN

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  Rating 4.02 out of 5  177 reviews

Current Resident: Collierville, although different from other cities, is so diverse and amazing due to its acceptance of almost everyone. The town is small enough to where you could talk to people all the time, but large enough to have modern shops and stores. There are a multitude of sports that you can play in Collierville, and the people here are extremely loving and caring towards each other. Collierville rarely experiences any trouble, and people work together for the betterment of Collierville.... Read 177 reviews

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• Population 50,669

• Suburb of Chattanooga, TN

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Niche User: Signal mountain has a great sense of community and is a safe place for families. However, there is not much diversity.... Read 3 reviews

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• Population 1,607

• Suburb of Nashville, TN

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  Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

Nearby Resident: Oak hill is just down the road from my current residence. This area of Nashville is outstanding. The neighbors are friendly and the the schools are amazing. There could be a bit of heavy traffic flow during rush hour but I don't blame anyone. It's has easy accesss because of i65 and Franklin pike. The cost of living here may be more than the surrounding areas but it's worth it. I would definitely recommend this neighborhood to anyone interested or planning on moving to Nashville. You'll only be minutes from downtown with is pretty cool. Honestly, I personally wouldn't change anything. Everyone and everything falls in place with this neighborhood. I can't complain.... Read 2 reviews

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• Population 4,814

• Suburb of Nashville, TN

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• Population 4,959

• Suburb of Knoxville, TN

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  149 reviews

Visitor: My experience at Maryville was incredibly positive. I immediately felt welcomed and at home after arriving. Everyone I came into contact with was welcoming, friendly, and warm. The campus itself is stunning, and there are a ton of interesting things to do there. I could easily spend days exploring the area and admiring its beauty. The academic programs are excellent, and the staff and faculty are always eager to assist and respond to inquiries. Overall, I can only speak highly of Maryville and would advise anyone who is thinking about visiting or studying there. I am so grateful I had the chance to personally experience the atmosphere because it is truly something special. I give Maryville a perfect score of 5!... Read 149 reviews

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• Population 31,281

• Suburb of Knoxville, TN

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  Rating 3.9 out of 5  83 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, Oak Ridge is a great place to live. We have a lot of options for food, and Knoxville is not a long drive away. Our school system is one of the best, and in the high school, we are allowed to leave campus during lunch. Along with the range of options, we have a lot of different opportunities for jobs and volunteering, especially if you extend your range to Knoxville.... Read 83 reviews

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• Population 31,087

• Suburb of Memphis, TN

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  Rating 4.16 out of 5  19 reviews

Current Resident: It’s a suburb for sure, so you can’t so much expect raging nightlife and tons of large businesses headquartered here. But it’s gorgeous, friendly, has great schools, affordable housing, and always growing and coming up with things to do. In my neighborhood, there are miles of trail and always people running, walking, etc. By far the most active area we’ve ever lived in!... Read 19 reviews

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• Population 13,693

• Town in Tennessee

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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  64 reviews

Current Resident: My family moved here in 2010. My husband and I bought our first home in Tipton county and moved back last year bc we missed it so much. My husband and I both went to and graduated from Arlington, and we love the community. Very tight knit, inviting, and most importantly, it feels safe. It feels like it’s growing but not too quickly to where it doesn’t still feel like a small town. Of all the places we’ve lived, Arlington is by far our favorite.... Read 64 reviews

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• Population 14,158

• Suburb of Chattanooga, TN

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• Population 1,776

• Town in Tennessee

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  Rating 3.78 out of 5  258 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, Johnson City is definitely a good place to live if you're attending a public school local to the area or if you're attending ETSU / East Tennessee State University. Admittedly while the social life is sometimes lacking, there are festivals and farmers markets that happen often enough for you to enagage with as well as nearby cities also hosting festivals, events, and parades. Johnson City is also close to Bristol, Knoxville, and Asheville as well which gives you an array of things to do so long as you're willing to travel by car.... Read 258 reviews

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• Population 69,521

• Suburb of Chattanooga, TN

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  Rating 3.43 out of 5  7 reviews

Niche User: I've lived here all of my life. I've not experienced any criminal behavior, nor do I know any neighbors that have recently experienced any crime. I've never felt unsafe or in danger in the nineteen years of living here. I'm glad to live in Hixson and I wouldn't choose to go back and change it if I could. I've been several places across the country and I see my neighborhood as being mild compared to places like the Washington DC area, Los Angeles, NYC, and other big cities. Every once in a while, there are new business and neighborhood construction. Hixson, TN is considered a satellite city of Chattanooga, TN. I work and go to school in Chattanooga, and the commute is almost nothing to get there.... Read 7 reviews

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• Population 11,569

• Suburb of Nashville, TN

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  Rating 4.27 out of 5  146 reviews

Current Resident: Mount Juliet is a wonderful city 20 minutes from Nashville. An area that continues to grow, you can find something to fit all your needs. Issues with traffic have come up, but there is development taking place to resolve this problem. I see it as a smaller Nashville in a sense because it continues to grow and there is something to do for everyone. Mt. Juliet also offers many housing options to keep up with this unprecedented growth that has taken over the city between lakes.... Read 146 reviews

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• Population 38,059

• Suburb of Chattanooga, TN

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: The town of Harrison, TN is a quiet little town that doesn't have a lot going on unless you count the high school football games and the occasional new story that graces our town. Overall it is a great place to live with a nice lake to spend your days on.... Read 8 reviews

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• Population 8,383

• Town in Tennessee

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  Rating 3.92 out of 5  158 reviews

Current Resident: Have you ever driven through a small southern town and admired the horses and fields? My name is Elizabeth Morgan and I live in one of those towns- Spring Hill, Tennessee. There are many things I love about the city of Spring Hill, two of which are the kind people, and the safe neighborhoods. Since I moved here last August, I have found that not only are the residents of Spring Hill polite, they are also kind and hospitable. These people are willing to help give directions to just about anywhere, and are welcoming to newcomers. This was incredibly helpful to me, as moving in the beginning of senior year was scary, but I quickly found that I had nothing to worry about! Another thing I love about Spring Hill is the security of the area. Every time I leave the house, I pass at least one cop car. All the police officers and firefighters in the area are extremely good at their jobs and keep everyone safe. In conclusion, Spring Hill is an amazing place, especially for raising a family.... Read 158 reviews

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• Population 48,403

• Town in Tennessee

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  Rating 4 out of 5  19 reviews

Nearby Resident: The land and neighborhoods are nice. The cost of living low. One of the best school systems in the state. Nice ballpark, walking trails and soccer fields. Low taxes. Beautiful fall and spring seasons! Close to entertainment and eateries on Jackson without the crime that comes with a city. Only hour away from Memphis International Airport and 2 hours away from the action in Nashville. Great internet service even the country with Gibson connect. Some amazing homes too!... Read 19 reviews

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• Population 4,966

• Suburb in Tennessee

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  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

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• Population 2,877