Franklin: Historic/Quaint or Sprawl??? (McEwen, Liberty: appointed, homes, safe area)

[labmom1]

A question for those of you that live in/near Franklin....

We have been searching for a place that has good schools, a historic vibrant downtown area, walkability, an older established neighbor hood with homes of varying styles and character, and a warmer climate (we live in the frozen tundra so almost anything is warmer).

Franklin has popped up on our radar. What we are not fond of is urban sprawl. I realise sprawl is happening everywhere these days...but as long as that sprawl is confined away from the "older" section of town we may find the right fit.

What can you tell me about downtown Franklin and it's immediate surrounding area?? Are their neighborhoods with sidewalks and kids on bikes?? Or does the downtown lead right into sprawl?

Also - my hubby is a big cyclist and this area looks like it may be a prime area for that - am I correct?

[akm4]

Franklin's the Sybil of towns. It's family farms, retail areas, antebellum homes, tract homes, etc. Your second paragraph describes the area around the square perfectly.

Hope it all goes well!

[Tunky]

We live in Franklin and LOVE it's walkability!

akm is correct, you can be in the congested coolsprings area and in 10 minutes you're in the rural country. Franklin is the best of about 5 worlds in our opinion. We don't have school aged children so I don't know anything about the school situation.

[yank283]

Originally Posted by labmom1

A question for those of you that live in/near Franklin....

We have been searching for a place that has good schools, a historic vibrant downtown area, walkability, an older established neighbor hood with homes of varying styles and character, and a warmer climate (we live in the frozen tundra so almost anything is warmer).

Franklin has popped up on our radar. What we are not fond of is urban sprawl. I realise sprawl is happening everywhere these days...but as long as that sprawl is confined away from the "older" section of town we may find the right fit.

What can you tell me about downtown Franklin and it's immediate surrounding area?? Are their neighborhoods with sidewalks and kids on bikes?? Or does the downtown lead right into sprawl?

Also - my hubby is a big cyclist and this area looks like it may be a prime area for that - am I correct?

Yes the downtown area of Franklin near the square is walkable. Everywhere else surrounding the area around the older area is more likely to be a suburban, preplanned, car centric area. The Cool Springs area is incredibly sprawlish and not hardly walk able or really bikeable. Now there might be some nice bike routes outside of the Cool Springs area (sure there is). It is a nice safe area with great schools, but not really walkable except the area you mentioned.

[victoriaa71]

I agree with the other post on here! We live in Franklin, about 2 miles west of downtown. If you stay around the downtown area you won't be disappointed. Also, my husband is a big cyclist and he rides about 50 miles every weekend. There are so many scenic routes and he loves it.

[Tunky]

We live near exit 67 and there are sidewalks all over the place, we often walk across the overpass at McEwen and all over the place down towards Carothers..or cross at Liberty Pike and walk to McKay's Mill. There is only one tiny section without sidewalk. It's one of the things we enjoy most about Franklin having just moved from a VERY non-walkable city. I walk to almost all of my "lightweight" errands, Kohl's, Office Depot, Walgreens...and if I must....walmart.

[labmom1]

Thanks for the replies so far. We just had another 6 inches of snow and I am more than ready to move south - now if we could just sell our house!

[multics]

Another vote for downtown Franklin. What a great place.

[12buttons]

Originally Posted by Tunky

We live near exit 67 and there are sidewalks all over the place, we often walk across the overpass at McEwen and all over the place down towards Carothers..or cross at Liberty Pike and walk to McKay's Mill. There is only one tiny section without sidewalk. It's one of the things we enjoy most about Franklin having just moved from a VERY non-walkable city. I walk to almost all of my "lightweight" errands, Kohl's, Office Depot, Walgreens...and if I must....walmart.

what area do you live in that you can walk to these places? thanks!

[septimus]

I live 3 miles of west of downtown franklin. There is sprawl in Cool Springs. Downtown Franklin is cute and fun to walk around. My 'hood has sidewalks and bike trails for the kids along with other amentities. Cycling on the west side of Franklin is very popular especially out towards Leipers Fork and the Natchez Trace.