9 Charming Tennessee Communities To Retire Around Nashville

The towns surrounding Music City provide ideal options for retirees who love Nashville but want to live in a quieter community. These municipalities offer access to big-city amenities coupled with the affordability, charm, and supportive environment only smaller towns can provide. They also cater to a range of retirement plans from scenic riverfront settings and historic downtowns to top-tier healthcare and active adult lifestyles. Discover nine inviting Tennessee towns where you can enjoy retirement without sacrificing convenience or comfort.

Portland

Famous for its annual Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival, Portland is a charming small town with an agricultural heart. Living here, residents come together to enjoy seasonal berry picking and sampling vintages in Sumner Crest Winery's 1900's 1900s-era tasting room. Downtown restaurants like the Barbecue Pit and the Milo Coffee House offer meals with simple menus and easy seating, making social outings plentiful and accessible.

Assisted-living communities like Brookdale Gallatin and the Capstone at Station Camp, both highly rated, are found within the Portland-Gallatin corridor and provide peace of mind for long-term care. For those looking to purchase property, housing is especially budget-friendly, with typical home values around $230K, below both the Tennessee average and Nashville’s higher market.

Lewisburg

Retirees looking for a blend of affordability and an active lifestyle in a scenic setting will find Lewisburg to their liking. The town offers affordability, recreation, and healthcare support in one package, with housing being particularly appealing here, as typical home values hover around $295K. There is always something to occupy the time, from the senior-friendly dining options that line Ellington Parkway to Rock Creek Park, which offers paved walking trails, while Saddle Creek Golf Club attracts players of all levels. Retirees can also enjoy Marshall County Community Theatre's local productions, seasonal festivals, and easy drives to larger city amenities. Marshall Medical Center covers basic medical services, with specialty support through Vanderbilt Heart Lewisburg and Maury Regional’s network.

Springfield

Springfield is a popular destination for retirees as it blends small-town charm with easy access to Nashville. A stroll through the historic downtown core reveals beautiful brick storefronts, cozy cafés, and the Robertson County History Museum, while the shaded Springfield Greenway offers a flat walking path perfect for daily exercise. Golf enthusiasts can spend their afternoons at The Legacy, a well-kept public course with a range of rates and amenities.

Typical home values hover around $325,000, which is consistent with Tennessee’s average, so affordability remains steady here. Reliable medical care is nearby at TriStar NorthCrest Medical Center, and assisted-living communities such as Morningside and Springfield Heights provide longer-term support when needed. For dining, you’ll find plenty of options around Memorial Boulevard, including local favorite, Angelo’s, for family meals.

Ashland City

Ashland City is the kind of community that attracts retirees who love water views and outdoor living, yet do not want to stray far from top-tier urban amenities. Ashland City also offers a peaceful riverside setting while keeping Nashville within easy reach. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy birdwatching in Riverbluff Park, kayaking along the Cumberland River, and strolling or biking the Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail.

The nearby Harpeth River also provides tranquil fishing and picnic spots, and welcoming dining options include the Riverview Restaurant & Marina, where meals can be enjoyed with a view. Aside from these attractions, Ashland City is very affordable, with typical home values around $345K, and residents benefit from convenient access to healthcare, with urgent care and emergency room options, as well as a range of medical centers and clinics.

Tullahoma

Tullahoma is a wonderfully well-rounded retirement town with aviation history, natural beauty, and lake access. The Beechcraft Heritage Museum showcases the city’s aeronautical legacy, and the play park, Imagination Station, is another nice place to take visiting grandkids. Not too far away are the Short Springs Natural Area, providing forested trails and waterfalls, and Lake Tullahoma, a major draw for outdoor recreation such as boating and fishing close to home.

Housing remains reasonable, with typical home values below $300,000, and healthcare is strong with Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital, supported by Vanderbilt University Medical Center specialists. For dining, The Seafood Place brings a taste of the Gulf to Tennessee, and a vast choice of casual cafés and restaurants like Casa Mexico line Jackson Street, offering meals and meeting places for the active retiree.

Shelbyville

Known worldwide for its equestrian heritage, Shelbyville also delivers a friendly small-town lifestyle. The Tennessee Walking Horse National Museum is a pleasant spot to visit or volunteer, and you can ride horses at one of the many local stables. The annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration is a treat for locals and an economic driver for the town. Medically, Shelbyville is anchored by Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital for emergency care, as well as primary and specialty services through Vanderbilt University Medical Center. This access to healthcare is coupled with affordable housing, with typical home values near $309K.

Residents can stroll through Fisherman's Park or H.V. Griffin Park, shop for antiques downtown, or take part in community events year-round. Foodies will enjoy an espresso at the Coffee Break on the Square or dine in Pope’s Cafe, where simple Southern fare is served in a senior-friendly restaurant with a cozy atmosphere and accommodating staff.

Dickson

Dickson is a great option for retirees who need a mix of cultural enrichment, accessible healthcare, and natural escapes. Surrounded by rolling hills, outdoor lovers can hike and birdwatch at Montgomery Bell State Park, one of Tennessee’s largest and most accessible state parks. At the same time, history buffs often tour the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum, one of the last remaining examples of a railroad hotel in Tennessee.

Residents appreciate the dining scene, with familiar chains like O’Charley’s and classic “meat-and-three” spots along Henslee Drive delivering budget-minded comfort food. Dickson is a welcoming community with affordable housing and a typical home hovering around $340K and offers local healthcare through TriStar Horizon Medical Center and the Dickson Health & Rehab, providing for most medical needs and services.

Goodlettsville

With easy access to Nashville, lots of green spaces, and great health care, Goodlettsville is ideal for retirees who want a slightly more suburban lifestyle without losing access to culture and amenities. This town enjoys a great deal of history, including Mansker’s Station, a reconstructed 18th-century frontier fort, and antique enthusiasts will find plenty of treasure-hunting opportunities in the town’s many shops. There are several dining options in town, such as Chef’s Market Café for fresh seasonal dishes and comfort meals, or Liz’s Kitchen, for a hearty breakfast or lunch.

Moss-Wright Park is the largest in town, with 147 acres of green space to enjoy and explore, and local greenways give residents miles of flat trails for exercise and fresh air. Goodlettsville provides a suburban feel with quick access to Nashville; however, with home values around $391K, the friendly small-town atmosphere comes with a higher-than-average home cost.

Manchester

Manchester is perhaps best known for the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, but its day-to-day life offers a quiet and tranquil pace perfect for easy-going retirees. History is big here as well, with the Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park featuring ancient Native American earthworks alongside riverside walking trails and waterfalls, while nearby lakes provide ample opportunities for fishing and birdwatching. In town, antique and small shops line the streets and add to the charming nature of Manchester. Housing is budget-friendly, with typical home values around $321K, slightly below the state average, and dining is easy and familiar, with senior-friendly chains and local diners like Emma's Family Restaurant.

Retiring around Nashville means more than just proximity to Music City and its charms; it means finding a community that fits many different lifestyles and budgets. These 9 towns offer a welcoming atmosphere and access to healthcare, recreational opportunities, and affordable housing. Whether you prefer peaceful riverside living, historic charm, or an active social scene, there’s a perfect spot waiting for you among these charming Tennessee towns for a fulfilling and comfortable retirement.