Franklin - A Fountain of Youth and Joy

BEST PLACE TO RETIRE IN TENNESSEE

When looking for the ideal place to live this holiday season, why not explore the many historically exciting venues offered in Franklin, Tennessee.  This appealing region offers some of the best in old world culture plus a new world blend best Fortune 500 companies who have chosen to make Franklin their home base.  Originally established in October of 1977, the adorable town inherited its name from the original, Ben Franklin, who was the friend of Dr. Hugh Williamson, a member of the Continental Congress whose name bears the county which inhabits Franklin.  

Considered one of the wealthiest communities in the region, Franklin offers a rich cultural experience filled with history and paired with an upbeat flair of new foundations which offer unique shops, captivating culinary delights and year round festivals all served with traditional Southern charm. One of the best small towns in Tennessee has an amazing heritage and residents have proven that a true drive to rebuild a culture once lost can be regained through true ambitious historians who chose to preserve the rich history of times past after Franklin was destroyed in the Civil War.  

The festive holiday season gives “revelers” a great opportunity to explore the many holiday events planned for this quaint city and maybe spend time shopping for that perfect retirement home.  It is a city full of fun, culture, great retirement communities and affordable living and is one of the best kept secrets in the country.  Franklin is a hidden piece of paradise in the South and one of the best places to retire in Tennessee.  Home shoppers won’t want to miss seeing the new homes in Franklin, TN as well as meeting new home builders in Nashville, TN.

Once devastated in the Battle of Franklin in November of 1864, the city fought to rebuild its once affluent community for over a century, trying to return Williamson County to its previous state of prosperity.  With over 8,000 casualties encountered, the city was literally destroyed and the previously enjoyed “plantation prosperity” was diminished.  Today, the City of Franklin has experienced a tremendous re-growth.  Franklin is considered one of the wealthiest counties and with a population of 62,487 in 2010, it is one of the fastest growing cities in Tennessee With the rich history of the Civil War sites, museums, and magnificent Antebellum and Victorian architecture, this city brings back the spirit of the American soul through determination and visualization.  Intermix the historical culture of Franklin with Fortune 500 companies occupying the region and folks are finding this is the ultimate retirement place sparked with true Southern appeal.

Here are some of the accolades Franklin has attained over the past years:

• Most Romantic Main Street
• Top 10 for Historic Preservation
• One of the Best Cities for Startups
• Best Places to Live
• Top 50 City to Start a Small Business
• Top 10 Community for job growth
• Money Magazine's Top 10 Places to Retire 
• Great American Main Street Award 
• Number One Small Town in Tennessee 
•  Five National Register Historic Districts 
• #10 for new jobs created in America and projected to be 3rd in America for new jobs over the next twenty years. 
• One of Five Best Places in America to Antique Shop

Take the time to explore a new adventure this holiday season in Franklin, a place we consider to be a best place to retire in Tennessee.  Here are some family friendly holiday festivities that can be enjoyed in the beautiful city of Franklin, Tennessee:

• On Saturday December 12 through Sunday December 13, “Dickens of a Christmas” - Join locals celebrating this 31 year tradition at the annual portrayal of Charles Dickens classic “Dickens of a Christmas” where 200 characters frolic and entertain the crowd filling Main Street with cultural exuberance and holiday appeal. Annually, the Heritage Foundation presents this amazing reflection of Ebenezer Scrooge’s relationship with Tiny Tim Cratchit in a spirited presentation that will entertain the entire family.  The free event is open to the public and will run Saturday from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon till 5 p.m. 
• Studio Tenn Presents: It's A Wonderful Life - December 3 through December 20th, 2015 - Jamison Hall/The Factory at Franklin – Embrace the holidays by enjoying this holiday classic with a live-on-stage experience detailing the vintage 1946 film “It’s A Wonderful Life” acknowledging the season with the live emotions of theatre and true reflections of basic values which represent this time of year.  In order to celebrate the season, stop and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas. 
• Leiper's Fork Christmas Parade - Sat, 12/12/2015 - 2:00pm - The Leiper's Fork Christmas Parade is free and open to the public and begins at 2pm.  People from all over the world travel to see the collection of works from local artists.  Astute antique shoppers and art collectors who appreciate the incredible history of Franklin are strongly encouraged to attend for the ultimate experience antique shopping, exploring and visiting historical sites found throughout the city of Franklin.
• Homes for the Holidays - Sat, 12/12/2015 - 5:00pm to Sun, 12/13/2015 - 8:30pm – This incredible tour will take attendees through some of the most magnificent homes of the region.  The Lotz House will serve fare and 1864 Battle of Franklin décor will be on display reflecting times past.  Additionally, the O’More College of Design will sponsor an event at the home of Rebecca and John Burns exhibiting crochet Christmas ornaments and a Crystal angel costume with actors in period costumes. The Ann Johnson home will offer festive foods and her unique collection of antiques as well as a 25 foot Christmas tree.   Characters will be costumed reflecting the history of the community and festive interpreters will be at many of the sites throughout the tour. Advance tickets are $30 per person or two for $55 and include a tour of all homes and churches. Tickets at the door on December 12th and 13th are $32 per person or two for $60. Groups of 10 or more are $25 each.  Homes for the Holidays Candlelight Tour benefiting Bridges Domestic Violence Center and historic preservation will give visitors an inside look into several Franklin homes and churches and enjoy the various styles of holiday decorations that exhibit the balance between historic charm and modern allure. The tour falls on the same weekend as the Heritage Foundation’s Dickens of a Christmas event, and guests are encouraged to come for the celebration and stay for the home tours.

Homes and churches on the tour include:

St. Phillip Catholic Church – Old Sanctuary, 113 2nd Ave. SouthCumberland Presbyterian, 615 W. Main Street  Lotz House, 1111 Columbia AvenueTy’s House - Hard Bargain Association, 608 Mt. Hope StreetO’More College of Design, 423 S. Margin StreetLandmark Books, 114 E. Main StreetThe home of Lisa and Brian Beathard, 704 Fair Street  The home of Kelly and Chad Dannenfelser, 315 Fourth Ave. SouthThe home of Ann Johnson, 1211 Carnton Lane   The home of Lydia and Tom Miller, 1328 Carnton LaneThe home of Erika and Marcus Frazier, 1508 Holmes CircleThe home of Rebecca and John Burns, 1136 Carnton Lane

• Arrington Vineyard's Premier Holiday Experience - Sun, 12/27/2015 - 12:00pm to Mon, 01/18/2016 - 3:00pm -$50 per guest/$40 per wine club member. Arrington Vineyards' Premier Holiday Experience is the perfect option for groups up to 12. Beginning Saturday, November 28th, this memorable holiday tasting takes place in the prestigious Arrington Wine Loft which overlooks the vineyards and the scenic topography beyond.  Arrington Vineyards' Master Vintner, Kip Summers, has selected 6 award winning wines for the tasting and each will be paired with a seasonal selection prepared by Simply Living Life.  This event is a great way to celebrate the best of Southern comfort and luxury this holiday season.

Franklin, Tennessee, with its historical presence and new world appeal, continues to gain recognition as a best place to retire in Tennessee. Boomers country wide are flocking to visit the new homes in Franklin built by new home builders in Nashville, Tennessee because they are drawn to the nostalgia of Frankin.  With the exciting Music City of Nashville nearby, activities and life enriching events are endless.

Here are a couple of the master planned communities below we find of interest to visit in Franklin. There are many more.

WESTHAVEN

For healthy retirees seeking the ultimate in retirement living, Westhaven is a great place to find a true Southern neighborhood filled with a traditional country club and beautiful landscaping.  With 50% of land preserved as green space, an amazing golf course, and a 15,000 square foot Resident’s Club, who could ask for more when choosing the perfect retirement home. Since there is no state income tax here and a mild seasonal climate, Boomers are finding that living in this historic, yet progressive city is the perfect blend of old and new.  

The urban-style community was established in 2003 and offers a wide array of housing choices from townhomes, bungalows, carriage homes to condos representing Classic Revival, Greek Revival and American Classic architectural styles.  Exploring the community, folks can enjoy the myriad of colorful homes and white picket fences that adorn the property and envision a round of golf admiring the protected wildlife and greenery that surround the course.  After a day of golf, residents can visit the Westhaven Golf Club which was named as one of the “Best New Private Golf Courses” by Golf Magazine.  The Town Center is an added convenience for residents as coffee, groceries, dry cleaning and dental services are available.  Staying active at Westhaven is a breeze with miles of hiking and biking and tons of social activities with 13 social clubs within the community there is always fun and exciting events to keep Boomers entertained.  Here is the list of amenities offered at Westhaven:

• 18 Hole Championship Golf Course designed by Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest and Associates
• Golf Clubhouse with dining
• 15,000 Square Foot Resident's Club
• Three Resort-style Swimming Pools
• Community Parks
• Children's Playground
• Tennis Courts
• Town Center

LADD PARK

Another new home community can be found at Ladd Park which is located in the rolling hills along the basin of the Harpeth River which stretches for 115 miles and is considered one of the most popular canoeing rivers in the area.  The classic Lowcountry-style neighborhood is spread across 615 and will provide 900 new homes for folks looking for that perfect place to stop and enjoy life. People like Ladd Park because of its close proximity to the highway. With Nashville nearby, the possibilities for adventuring are endless for active Boomers.  The Southern charm of living in Franklin reflects the appeal of living at Ladd Park where neighbors are friendly and the community is interactive.

Ladd Park is conveniently located off Interstate 65 and the property embraces both farm land and rolling hills which provides the perfect backdrop to enjoy both mountain and sunset views throughout the mild four seasons that are native to the region.  Active residents also enjoy hiking and biking along the Harpeth River as well as the 10 miles of walking trails that are available on the property.  With 150 homes already built, it’s a good time to visit Ladd Park. Affordable new homes Franklin TN for sale can be found starting in the mid $200k's.   Here are the amenities found at Ladd Park:

• Two Miles Frontage on the Harpeth River
• Ten Miles of Walking Trails
• Community Park

This holiday season, take a trip to Franklin, Tennessee and enjoy the holiday festivities that are planned in this incredibly historic town.  With a booming economy and rapid growth, Franklin continues to be a best place to retire in Tennessee.  While enjoying the trip make sure to tour the new homes in Franklin, TN and meet the new home builders in Nashville, TN. Finding the perfect place is easy once you fall in love with this unique and vibrant city.  It’s a city of love, laughter and romance, “the fountain of youth” Southern-style.

If you're exploring Franklin for the first time, ask for our free Franklin relocation information to help you learn more about the area.