Barlett

• This suburb of Memphis lies across the Big Muddy from Arkansas in western Tennessee. Bartlett, with a population of 50,000, boasts a number of community-oriented activity centers, including a recreation center, a senior citizen center, and one of the top performing arts centers in the area, which stages a diverse set of performance series. Although life in Bartlett doesn't come cheap, considering the median family income falls around $80,000, housing is priced fairly moderately at about $180,000. Temperatures are also relatively temperate, ranging from the low 90s in the summer to a comfortable 30s in the winter.
  
  

Franklin

• Also among Tennessee's best living places is Franklin, a suburb of Nashville in central Tennessee with a population of about 50,000. Franklin is a historic landmark unto itself, having gained fame as a Civil War battleground. Fortunately, the city has held onto its history, leaving historic storefronts and facades in place in the downtown district.
  
  But just because the city looks as if it is from the past doesn't mean it isn't progressive. More than 90 percent of residents have health care, and residents have easy access to 17 universities, colleges and professional schools in the Nashville area. Homes are a bit pricey, falling around $300,000, but this matches family income, which is around $90,000. There are also a number of parks, two 18-hole golf courses and an ice-skating rink in the city.
  
  

Mufreesboro

• The city of Mufreesboro is a mere 20-minute drive outside Nashville, giving it a great balance of country living and urban access. The city has grown tremendously in the last decade, topping 100,000, but it still has a sense of community. Murfreesboro boasts its own museums, dog park and fitness center. Housing is very affordable, averaging about $150,000, while family income tends to fall around the $60,000 mark. The city also has its own municipal airport, which in 2007 won a "Most Improved Airport of the Year" Award from the state of Tennessee.