Smyrna

Located in Rutherford county, Smyrna is a suburb of Nashville approximately 25 miles southeast of the city. Once a heavily agricultural area, the arrival of Nissan in the 1960’s made Smyrna home to the first Japanese auto plant in the country. A lot has changed since then. Today, Smyrna is exploding with growth, though it still clings to its small-town Southern charm. The walkable Depot District hosts live music events and festivals, as well as a notable farmers market. Finding a delicious road-side burger and fries and a lot of Civil War history is easy, too. Rutherford county is also known for some of the best schools in the state, making this suburb a favorite for families. The area has also been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best places in the United States to retire.