Whether you’re in the market for a basic 1BR crash pad, a sprawling, multi-BR family-style apartment, or anything in between, you’ll soon realize that luxury and character are givens at most Nashville area apartment buildings. No two complexes are exactly alike, but almost all feature a unique blend of historic exteriors and ultramodern interiors. Most also offer tons of killer amenities including modern kitchens with islands, vaulted ceilings, patios, balconies, washer and dryer units, and walk-in closets.
As for community features, you’d be hard-pressed to find a landlord in Franklin whose facilities don’t include covered parking, clubhouses, fitness centers, and at least one sizable swimming pool
Whether you’re in the market for a basic 1BR crash pad, a sprawling, multi-BR family-style apartment, or anything in between, you’ll soon realize that luxury and character are givens at most Nashville area apartment buildings. No two complexes are exactly alike, but almost all feature a unique blend of historic exteriors and ultramodern interiors. Most also offer tons of killer amenities including modern kitchens with islands, vaulted ceilings, patios, balconies, washer and dryer units, and walk-in closets.
As for community features, you’d be hard-pressed to find a landlord in Franklin whose facilities don’t include covered parking, clubhouses, fitness centers, and at least one sizable swimming pool. Pet policies differ from property to property, but the good news is that more than a few apartments do allow pets up to 50 pounds (maybe it’s time to finally put Fido on that diet the vet’s been encouraging, huh?), at a slightly higher monthly cost. Short-term, pre-furnished, and month-to-month leases are easy to find as well, but they’re also typically more pricey, running at least an extra hundred bucks more a month.
Unsurprisingly, Franklin isn’t exactly the most affordable stomping grounds in Tennessee. The city’s cost of living index is more than 15 percentage points higher than the national average; if you want an apartment with more than 750 square feet, you’ll have to fork over a minimum of $1100 a month in most cases. Luxury units and 3BR rentals, meanwhile, typically cost $1700 or more, and very few landlords pick up the tab for amenities like heating, cooling, cable, etc. Retirees, meanwhile, continue to flock to Franklin to enjoy their golden years, but that doesn’t mean low income senior housing is ample. In fact, retirement communities, which are generally all-inclusive, are typically the most expensive rentals in all of Franklin, with studios starting in the $1400 range and 2BR units going for between $2600 and $5000-plus. Guess grandma is going to have to wait on that hip replacement.
It’s helpful when searching for the perfect apartment in Franklin to know where not to look; not because certain parts of town are extremely crime-infested – on the contrary, the city has been ranked by numerous sources one of the nation’s top 100 safest cities – but because many parts are so rural (Thompson’s Station) or owner-occupied (Laurelbrooke, Westhaven, Fieldstone Farms) that apartments are practically nonexistent. Your best bet for scoring an apartment is to concentrate on the inner core and its surrounding neighborhoods, where apartments are ample and waiting lists are rare. Fortunately, the eclectic downtown area puts leasers within walking distance of a wide range of shops, eateries, interesting historical sites like Civil War monuments and museums, and businesses. And don’t forget: the South will rise again!
Franklin is definitely a renter’s market, as apartments are typically available year-round and move-in specials can be found if you dig deep enough. Still, that doesn’t mean landlords aren’t choosy about who they’ll accept; many do perform basic background checks on prospective tenants to make sure they are financially stable, have a credible renting history and are not aspiring musicians. If you have some ghosts in your renting closet that you’re not too proud of, you’ll likely need a respectable co-signer to sign the dotted line along with you. Also, don’t forget to bring along proper I.D. and your most recent 2-3 paycheck stubs or banking statements when you’re ready to submit a leasing application.
Don’t be fooled by those charming little trolleys that you’ll see chugging along the downtown streets. The Franklin Trolley may be a great way for tourists and day-trippers to get to the Factory, downtown’s historic sites, and the Cool Springs shopping hotspots, but it’s not a viable means of public transit for most daily users. In other words, unless you live and work in one of the few walker-friendly parts of the city such as the Main Street district, you’ll need your own set of wheels to get from point A to B. Traffic, unfortunately, can get a bit ugly, especially during rush hour on I-65 near Cool Springs, so give yourself some extra time if traveling during the late afternoon or early evening hours.
As comfortable and welcoming as your new apartment may be, eventually you’ll probably want to get out and see the attractions Franklin has to offer. We suspect you won’t be disappointed. The historic Franklin Square features a range of galleries, museums, cafes, and specialty shops, while the renowned “Factory”, a former stove factory that’s been transformed into a 12-building shopping, dining, entertainment, and performance art complex, is a favorite destination for visitors and lifelong residents alike. Franklin is also home to a smattering of parks, trails, and golf courses and plays host to a trio of wildly popular festivals: Main Street Festival, Wine Down Main Street, and the Pumpkinfest. Because of Franklin’s close proximity to Nashville, residents can also easily enjoy all the amenities of “Music City” as well. In Franklin, it really is all fun and games, as long as you can afford the rent.
And now, without further ado, it’s time to scour the listings for the apartment of your dreams. Best of luck and happy hunting!
