Smyrna/La Vergne - Smyrna, TN

Smyrna-La Vergne was largely agrarian throughout the 19th century. Strategically important during the Civil War due to its railroad station, the area saw Confederate soldier Sam Davis voluntarily surrender his life as an alternative to providing valuable information to Union troops.

During World War II, Sewart Air Force Base was established in Smyrna and contributed to substantial growth in the region. The government shuttered Sewart in 1971, and a Tennessee Army National Guard base now occupies the land where it sat.

The 1970s and 1980s witnessed more area growth as numerous corporations set up shop in town, the largest being Nissan Motors which employs over 6,000 locals.

In Smyrna, the Sam Davis Home, a local museum commemorating its namesake, hosts numerous annual events including a golf tournament each April and its Days on the Farmfestival in May. The Earthsoul Gallery ranks as a popular art gallery in town.

Smyrna-La Vergne provides an expansive selection of dining and entertainment options. A dense collection of chain restaurants sits off Interstate 24 along Sam Ridley Parkway, while the best local haunts are more off-the-beaten-path and spread throughout the two towns.

On North Lowry Street in Smyrna sits one of the Nashville area's favorite local diners, M & V Famous "Soul" Food Restaurant. Open Tuesday through Saturday, this sparsely decorated spot serves up Southern soul food, burgers and locally-renowned desserts. It has even found its way into area travel guides as a "must-visit" location while in town. Locals love the country-fried steak smothered in home-cooked white gravy and served with a heaping portion of Southern mashed potatoes. While M & V doesn't serve alcohol, it maintains a BYOB policy for those who wish to sip on a cold brew with their meal.

La Vergne contributes to the area's culinary landscape with El Rodeo, a Mexican haunt on Murfreesboro Road favored by locals. The decor is also bare-bones, and all the staff's efforts go into preparing and serving the most authentic Mexican food in the region. The tacos de carne asada remain a popular menu item, especially when stuffed with spicy ground beef and topped with extra cheese and salsa. Regulars recommend that anyone who orders a margarita sip it slowly, as the bartenders don't hold back with the tequila.

Salvo's Pizza, just off Sam Ridley Parkway in Smyrna, ranks as a top pick in the area for New York style pizza. The restaurant's daily, all-you-can-eat lunch special enables diners to sample many different crust styles and an assortment of toppings before deciding on a favorite. Even those who don't love pizza enjoy a visit to Salvo's for the al dente spaghetti with marinara sauce and meatballs. Family-owned and -operated, Salvo's provides a friendly atmosphere and amiable service on par with its highly-rated cuisine.

Smyrna-La Vergne doesn't have a centralized nightlife or entertainment district, but a smattering of local dives, karaoke joints and sports bars characterize the area. Georgia's Sports Bar on South Lowry Street in Smyrna shows all the games on big-screen televisions, and then sets up the karaoke machine at night so patrons can show off their vocals. For live music, locals head to Sullivan's Sports Bar off Sam Ridley in Smyrna. The honky-tonks of Nashville and the college bar scene of Murfreesboro sit a few miles down Interstate 24 in each direction when an occasion calls for big city fun.

Smyrna-LaVergne features hills and curves that aren't conducive to walking long distances. Area streets do not have bike lanes. Most residents drive to their destinations, which is made easy by access to Interstate 24, numerous secondary highways and abundant free parking.

Several taxi companies operate in the area, though one cannot hail a cab in Smyrna-La Vergne. Uber also maintains a local presence.

For those who wish to use public transportation, Rutherford County offers a "Relax and Ride" bus service that transports passengers between Smyrna-La Vergne and Nashville.

Smyrna-La Vergne doesn't have any parks with fitness facilities, but Lee Victory Park on Sam Ridley Parkway features abundant green space and fields for baseball and softball, as well as numerous tennis courts. Kids and pets are welcome, and the park offers free parking and general admission. For a fee, residents can join one of the numerous sports leagues hosted by the Smyrna Recreation Park.

Veteran's Memorial Park on Floyd Mayfield Drive in La Vergne provides a relaxing place to enjoy a picnic with family and toss a Frisbee around with kids and pets. Free parking and admission along with plenty of lush scenery make this park a popular destination for local residents.

The parks in Smyrna-La Vergne don't host annual events, but their sports leagues remain very popular among both kids and adults.

The cost of living in Smyrna-La Vergne remains lower than the Nashville metro area's average. Expect to pay $661 per month in rent on average for a one-bedroom apartment, $2.75 for a beer in a local bar and $4 for a bus ticket to downtown Nashville. Area gas prices hover at 12 percent below the national average.

Smyrna-La Vergne lacks a centralized shopping district. Strip malls of various ages and local boutiques and specialty stores characterize the area. The Avenue, in Murfreesboro, a large outdoor mall and lifestyle center, sits a few miles down the road and provides a convenient destination for large shopping trips.

At the corner of Jefferson and Lowry Streets in Smyrna sits a local boutique about which locals rave, In Bloom Boutique. Featuring ladies' fashions and accessories at attractive prices, In Bloom ranks as a popular alternative to chain department stores. Fashionable sweaters, dresses and footwear are just a few of the items that can be found on the shelves at this Smyrna gem.

Sophia's Fashions in Smyrna provides the area with another popular boutique offering jewelry, purses and casual wear for women. Regular customers keep coming back for Sophia's vast selection of chic jeans and capris.

Local Publix, Food Lion and Aldi stores serve Smyrna customers for large grocery shopping trips, while residents of La Vergne have easy access to the Save-A-Lot on La Vergne Court. The closest farmer's market is in Murfreesboro on John B. Rice Boulevard.