Living in Smyrna: Guide to Food, Entertainment, & Real Estate

About Smyrna, Tennessee

Located in Rutherford County, Smyrna is a wonderful community roughly 30 minutes southeast of Downtown Nashville. Smyrna is also home to a Nissan Motors manufacturing plant, one of the largest automobile manufacturing plants in the United States. Running this plant takes a lot of different types of people, which leads to a refreshing cultural mix within the population. In catering to these many backgrounds, Smyrna has amassed an impressive array of attractive community features. Multiple restaurant districts offer everything from Thai food to barbecue, and accessible parks, like the beloved Gregory Mill Park, dot the landscape. Jefferson Mill Recreation Area even borders the Stones River which is supplied by Percy Priest Lake. Thankfully, these options mirror an accessible and diverse housing market that’s had plenty of practice serving its unique population.

Where Is Smyrna Located?

Just 35 minutes southeast of downtown Nashville is the medium-sized city of Smyrna. Smyrna is conveniently located on the outskirts of metro Nashville’s suburbs a short distance east of I-24. This medium-sized town is just 25 minutes northwest of Murfreesboro. In fact, you don’t even have to get onto the interstate to commute from Smyrna to Murfreesboro. You can simply take Murfreesboro Pike.

How’s The Vibe In Smyrna?

Smyrna is a fast-growing town in the suburbs of Nashville, often considered a perfect fit for a wide array of residents. Smyrna is ideal for couples that work in Nashville and Murfreesboro or at the Nissan assembly plant. Many young families call Smyrna “home” and find themselves comfortable in the quiet neighborhoods housed here. This town offers a great balance of things to do, places to shop, and community activities, making Smyrna an excellent choice for retirees wanting to relocate further from the downtown Nashville area.

What’s The Food + Nightlife Scene Like In Smyrna?

While Smyrna is some distance from the heart of downtown Nashville, it is anything but sleepy or boring. Smyrna hosts a unique collection of bars and restaurants. The most popular places to grab a drink or a bite to eat are off of the city’s main thoroughfare – Sam Ridley Parkway.

For a family-friendly meal and Southern hospitality, most Smyrna locals head over to the country cooking at Smyrna Cafe. This quaint, friendly restaurant is known for its American classics with Southern flair.

Hickory Falls makes a great choice for date night, a night out with the family, or an unbeatable brunch. This locale is known for its flavorful food and impeccable steaks.

For foodies and those that like to eat outside of the box, residents recommend Thida Thai or Curry House.

You also cannot go wrong with any of the family-owned barbecue joints throughout the city.

The Casual Pint is the perfect spot for brew connoisseurs. Sullivan’s Sports Bar and Georgia’s Sports Bar & Grills are always exciting choices to watch your favorite team play.

No matter your taste, there are plenty of places to explore within the Smyrna city limits, including some local coffee shops.

What Are The Top Things To Do In Smyrna?

History buffs will enjoy Smyrna’s Sam Davis Home And Plantation, a nearly 200-acre museum and working farm located in the heart of the city. Smyrna is also home to Gregory Mill Park which includes walking trails, picnic tables, and a splash pad. The Jefferson Mill Recreation Area is on the banks of the Stones River and is great for kayaking. Smyrna is also home to the Smyrna airport which is Tennessee’s third-largest general aviation airport. If you’re interested in playing a round of golf, the Smyrna Golf Course is a public course owned and operated by the city. The course not only includes traditional golf but was the first course in Tennessee to include foot golf, a soccer-golf hybrid game. Seeing as Smyrna has so much to offer residents, it’s no wonder it was rated one of the best places in the country to retire by U.S. News & World Report.

How’s The Real Estate Market In Smyrna?

Smyrna’s population has seen a steady rate of increase since the early ‘90s. This has led to an affordable mix of older and more recent residential single-family home options that keep the real estate market stable while still allowing for significant appreciation in home values. Although single-family homes in southwest Smyrna can command $400,000-$600,000 near the Murfreesboro border, the median sales price for a single-family dwelling in Smyrna is $445,000.

The 40% of Smyrna residents who rent their homes also have an uncommon amount of desirable housing possibilities. Much of Nashville’s suburban rental market favors townhomes, condos, and apartment living, but not Smyrna, which has loads of single-family rental properties in the $1,800-$2,500 per month range.

Homes in Smyrna are generally 2,000 - 3,000 square feet, many of which offer modern attributes such as an open floor plan, granite countertops, and stainless appliances. For those still seeking that upscale apartment lifestyle, though, multiple new construction complexes, like Verandas at Sam Ridley, are situated right where Smyrna and La Vergne meet along I-24. All this housing diversity supports Smyrna’s broad range of residents in their search for an affordable place to call home.

Like the sprawling Nissan production facility that calls the city home, Smyrna’s housing market is possibly the most efficient of the Nashville suburbs. Homes are spending an absurdly low average of just 10 days on the market, mostly due to a combination of high demand, affordability, and an appealing variety of housing options. The favorable property taxes in Rutherford County, the good school district, and the city government’s investment in the community have made Smyrna one of the most popular suburbs in Middle Tennessee.

PRO TIP: See homes for sale in Smyrna

How’s The Cost Of Living In Smyrna?

Affordability is a huge draw for the city of Smyrna. This well-balanced suburb is more affordable than living in the Nashville city limits and many surrounding cities. With a median home price of $445,000 ($225 per square foot), residents can afford larger houses and more expansive yards for the same price, while being able to commute to Nashville for work if needed.

How Is Transportation In Smyrna?

Smyrna is a commuter town, where most residents use vehicles to get around. There is a bus route from Smyrna to downtown Nashville with weekday buses leaving and returning about every 30 minutes. Smyrna also has a regional airport which can be convenient for those that travel out of state frequently.

If you live close enough to the city center, you can walk or bike to restaurants, shops, and bars.

What Are The Top Schools In Smyrna?

In addition to Smyrna’s cost of living, many families move to the area for excellent schools. Smyrna is part of the Rutherford County School district, which averages A's on Niche’s ranking system. Stewarts Creek Elementary is regarded as a great school for academics and overall student support. Stewarts Creek Middle School and Stewarts Creek High School also earn top marks from parents and students.

What Are The Best Parks In Smyrna?

Smyrna is a haven for people that enjoy the outdoors. This town hosts a collection of fantastic parks and is located within a short drive of Long Hunter State Park and Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area where residents can find kayak launches, bike trails, and camping. Lee Victory Recreation Park, Gregory Mill Park, and Sharp Springs Park all have great playgrounds, sports fields, and walking trails.

Is Smyrna A Safe Place To Live?

This family-oriented town is considered quiet and safe. Smyrna hosts a lot of families and doesn’t have the population density found in nearby Nashville, making crime rates drastically lower. Residents feel comfortable walking through their neighborhoods and through the town center without worry.

Pros To Living In Smyrna

• Smyrna has great schools, excellent parks, low crime rates, and a low cost of living, making it an idyllic place to raise a family.
• Because housing prices are lower than in other Nashville suburbs, many residents can get more for their money.
• With so many green spaces nearby, Smyrna offers residents an active and nature-filled lifestyle.

Cons To Living In Smyrna

• Those looking to avoid rush hour traffic into downtown Nashville may not want to settle in Smyrna.
• Smyrna isn't the most happening spot. This could be a deterrent for college students and young professionals who enjoy the nightlife.
• If you do not have a vehicle, traversing Smyrna and nearby areas can be quite a struggle.