Nashville is beginning to be a cesspool of idiots..... Well actually it has been for a little while now. Franklin is quickly becoming an offshoot of Nashville and in 10 years may not be the place you want to retire to but it is great now.

The farther you get from Nashville the better the people get but too far away and there is nothing to do.

Somebody said Memphis is the armpit of TN, That is giving it too much credit. Try a little farther south of the armpit and to the back. Stay far away from Memphis.

Springhill, Columbia, Lewisburg, Shelbyville are south of Nashville & Franklin and are very nice but close to Nashville & Franklin if you like.

Cookeville is nice, more centered, plenty to do or not but the altitude is a little higher so the winters are a little colder. About 1/2 way between Nashville & Knoxville.

East TN is nice, but slower economy than in the Nashville area but if you are retiring it may be better. Colder winters too.