Newcomers: Moving to Rutherford County is a Great Decision

Jeff Adkins

A move to Rutherford County offers new residents an enviable quality of life that combines the charm of a small town with the amenities of a larger city. A strong sense of community and belonging makes newcomers feel welcome, and a diverse array of parks, recreational facilities and community events keep those who live in the community active and involved. 

Why Move to Rutherford County?

The county’s vibrant economy provides a good mix of job opportunities, particularly in health care, aviation and aerospace, manufacturing, and education – contributing to a stable employment environment. Not only that, but Rutherford County boasts excellent schools, affordable housing options, and a thriving art, cultural and entertainment scene.

Those are just a few of the reasons Rutherford County stands out as a desirable place to live, work and raise a family, and why newcomers, such as Josh Reynolds and Roman Munoz, were attracted to the area. 

Reynolds has lived all over the country – including Tulsa, Philadelphia, Denver and Seattle – but when he and his wife, Diana, began looking for a community in which to settle and grow their careers, Murfreesboro quickly rose to the top of their short list. 

Rutherford County Offers the Complete Package

“We wanted to be back in the South, back in a small town. We started looking between the Carolinas and Tennessee,” says Reynolds, who is a vice president at California-based Boldyn Networks and owns the coworking space Square Wheels on the Public Square in Murfreesboro.

“We’d heard good things about Rutherford County and Murfreesboro. It had close access to Nashville International Airport, and since I do a lot of traveling, that was important. And Nashville is close enough that we can go to the Ryman Auditorium and get home in 35 minutes.” 

Besides a close proximity to Nashville, Murfreesboro offers residents a host of recreational, arts, and cultural and entertainment options close to home. 

“There is really a lot to do here. Football games are crazy fun. We have season tickets to the sports at Middle Tennessee State University. We love hanging out at Barfield Crescent Park, with the walking trails, bike paths, disc golf and grills. It’s a nice community asset,” Reynolds says. “My wife loves Oaklands Mansion, and we enjoy Boro Bourbon & Brews and a new spot that some friends of ours opened, L’Orange.” 

The move to Murfreesboro has also been good for business. For example, Reynolds says his office space on the Public Square has allowed him to network with other local business owners. 

“One thing we really fell in love with was the upward direction of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. We saw new businesses and new jobs as well as some developments coming here. All of it feeds into our world on the commercial real estate side,” he says. “We saw the opportunity to partner with a community and be part of their growth and development. The people have really captured our hearts now. There are a lot of good things happening here.” 

Family Ties Draw Couple to Middle Tennessee

Roman Munoz and his wife, Kerrie Duncan, moved to Rutherford County in November 2023 from Texas and Florida, respectively. Munoz is a former roof inspector and Duncan is a flight attendant. Munoz says when the couple were deciding on a place to settle, Middle Tennessee was an obvious choice. 

“My daughter lives in Nashville, and when I visited, I fell in love with it,” he says. “We looked around the area and found Smyrna. It was smaller and seemed to have a good sense of community. Plus, it’s close to both Nashville and Murfreesboro, which is much bigger than we thought.” 

Like Reynolds, Munoz says the move to Rutherford County helped the couple grow their small business. Soon after relocating, they opened Tink’s Treats, a specialty chocolate and sweets shop in Murfreesboro. The shop, named after Duncan’s late granddaughter, is a dream fulfilled for Duncan, who had run a similar shop years ago in her native Ohio. 

“When we moved to Rutherford County, I said ‘Why don’t we open your candy shop?’ and, from there, the wheels started turning,” Munoz says. “We looked in Brentwood and Franklin, but ultimately, decided to open it right here in Murfreesboro.” 

Munoz says one reason for that decision was the stellar support. “Getting involved with the Chamber of Commerce was the best thing we could’ve done,” he says. “We’ve been to so many events that we’ve supplied treats for. I’m even making chocolate business cards for different companies.” 

“We opened up in February 2024. Within two or three weeks of getting the keys to the place, we were opening to the public, and it’s been doing well ever since.” 

Now, they are going to open an event space. “We are getting ready to open up this summer in the suite next door. We’re calling it T’s Party Place,” Munoz says.

Great Activities for Newcomers

The charming traits that endear newcomers to Middle Tennessee – from music talent to agricultural settings – are the same reasons people love Rutherford County, too. If you’re new to the area, here are a few ways to spend your free time like a local. 

FARM FINDS: For those who like the freshest of fresh food, visit Murfreesboro’s Saturday Market at the Historic Rutherford County Courthouse and the Rutherford County Farmers’ Market at Lane Agri-Park in Murfreesboro. If you’re in Smyrna, try the Smyrna Depot Farmers Market. It’s open every Saturday from mid-May through mid- September and is run by the local Carpe Artista Academy. 

BREW HOP: Raise a glass or two at Mayday Brewery in Murfreesboro, which also serves pizza and hosts occasional live music nights. Cedar Glade Brews is another favorite Murfreesboro craft beer venue that has built a loyal clientele since opening in 2021. For Thursday night trivia battle, visit Middle Ground Brewing Co., a family-friendly brewpub and restaurant. 

LIVE MUSIC: Consider catching a show at the Grindstone Cowboy in Eagleville or Carpe Café in Smyrna, where a variety of musical acts perform on weekends. Live bands and talented individual musicians take the stage at several other hot spots in Murfreesboro, including Puckett’s Restaurant, Hop Springs Beer Park and Boro Bourbon & Brews. At Hank’s Honky Tonk in Murfreesboro, the popular hangout hosts open mic nights and musicians – usually the country genre – almost every night of the year.