Murfreesboro area gang/crime issues (Smyrna: house, safe area, new construction)

[mia_magination]

My family and I are considering accepting a job in Smyrna Tennessee. I am a bit concerned about the gang, crime, safety issues that plague us in central Florida. I need a very safe area for my kids to live and play and would love information on areas to avoid and maybe some that would fit what we are looking for.

We like down home neighborhoods, places where the neighbors are friendly and look out for each other. A place that you don't have to worry so much about your kids being subjected to gangs, crime, drugs etc.

I was considering La Vernge, Smyrna or Murfreesboro and surrounding areas but don't know much about any of them so any information would be greatly appreciated, both good and bad. Any suggestions would be great as far as a nice neighborhood/area would be.

Thanks to All!!!

[Steve_TN]

Originally Posted by mia_magination

My family and I are considering accepting a job in Smyrna Tennessee. I am a bit concerned about the gang, crime, safety issues that plague us in central Florida. I need a very safe area for my kids to live and play and would love information on areas to avoid and maybe some that would fit what we are looking for.

We like down home neighborhoods, places where the neighbors are friendly and look out for each other. A place that you don't have to worry so much about your kids being subjected to gangs, crime, drugs etc.

I was considering La Vernge, Smyrna or Murfreesboro and surrounding areas but don't know much about any of them so any information would be greatly appreciated, both good and bad. Any suggestions would be great as far as a nice neighborhood/area would be.

Thanks to All!!!

I live in Murfreesboro and love it. Of course, there are areas of Murfreesboro I prefer over others. I prefer the west side of town and would never leave here for anything. I feel that my family is as safe as you can be in today's crazy world and have no reservations regarding the public school system in Murfreesboro (knock wood). Some people think the area I live in has too much traffic. My opinion is that it is a small price to pay for convenience and I am originally from northern New Jersey, so I am used to far worse traffic than this. Personally, I would avoid Lavergne. I don't know enough about Smyrna to really comment on it. I hope some of my info. has helped you.

[DaveM123]

We are moving from northern Illinois and decided to build a house in Murfreesboro. We had looked in Smyrna and liked it but found more land and housing, at a lower price, to our liking in Murfreesboro. I can't comment on schoosl as we are empty nesters. We decided on Murfreesboro as a palce to spend our retirement. Dave

[Gettingaway]

Originally Posted by Steve_TN

I live in Murfreesboro and love it. Of course, there are areas of Murfreesboro I prefer over others. I prefer the west side of town and would never leave here for anything. I feel that my family is as safe as you can be in today's crazy world and have no reservations regarding the public school system in Murfreesboro (knock wood). Some people think the area I live in has too much traffic. My opinion is that it is a small price to pay for convenience and I am originally from northern New Jersey, so I am used to far worse traffic than this. Personally, I would avoid Lavergne. I don't know enough about Smyrna to really comment on it. I hope some of my info. has helped you.

Steve TN, how long of a commute is it from Murfreesboro to downtown Nashville? My realtor told me that I may like Smyrna better than Murfreesboro because it is closer and it may take longer to get to downtown Nashville due to the heavy traffic on the highway. Is there a way to take the street from Murfreesboro to downtown Nashville? Also, what is the zipcode of West Murfreesboro? Are there a lot of New construction builders in this area? Thank you

[Steve_TN]

Originally Posted by Gettingaway

Steve TN, how long of a commute is it from Murfreesboro to downtown Nashville? My realtor told me that I may like Smyrna better than Murfreesboro because it is closer and it may take longer to get to downtown Nashville due to the heavy traffic on the highway. Is there a way to take the street from Murfreesboro to downtown Nashville? Also, what is the zipcode of West Murfreesboro? Are there a lot of New construction builders in this area? Thank you

Zip code in western Murfreesboro is 37128.

The commute can be anywhere from 45 minutes and up depending on what time you drive into Nashville and what the traffic conditions are. I drive it daily and so does my wife. We have both been driving it for the past 8 years and really don't mind it. You do have alternate routes. You can take Murfreesboro Rd. into Nashville, but that would take even longer. Also, you can take 96 or 840 to 65. I do that sometimes, if I hear that there is a tie up on 24. All in all, the commute is not nearly as horrid as many paint it to be.

There are TONS of new construction builders in this area. A few are Greenvale, Ole South, Swanson, J.O. Clark, Arbor, Centex, and many many others. There are homes in every price range as well.

[timothyb]

Originally Posted by Steve_TN

I live in Murfreesboro and love it. Of course, there are areas of Murfreesboro I prefer over others. I prefer the west side of town and would never leave here for anything. I feel that my family is as safe as you can be in today's crazy world and have no reservations regarding the public school system in Murfreesboro (knock wood). Some people think the area I live in has too much traffic. My opinion is that it is a small price to pay for convenience and I am originally from northern New Jersey, so I am used to far worse traffic than this.

Hopefully in a few years the plans for light rail or a train down the I24 corridor will come to fruition.. The traffic can be pretty bad around Murf at times..

[Mike in TN]

I don't see it happening.

[Tunky]

Steve, I like your attitude regarding the traffic. There are tradeoffs that one makes for other advantages. And I agree, the traffic can be heavy but I've seen worse that's for sure!

Originally Posted by Steve_TN

I live in Murfreesboro and love it. Of course, there are areas of Murfreesboro I prefer over others. I prefer the west side of town and would never leave here for anything. I feel that my family is as safe as you can be in today's crazy world and have no reservations regarding the public school system in Murfreesboro (knock wood). Some people think the area I live in has too much traffic. My opinion is that it is a small price to pay for convenience and I am originally from northern New Jersey, so I am used to far worse traffic than this. Personally, I would avoid Lavergne. I don't know enough about Smyrna to really comment on it. I hope some of my info. has helped you.

[Kim918]

I am a Murfreesboro fan as well! I have been through Smyrna and Laverne. They really weren't my cup of tea. Smyrna seemed far out (although they are buidling plenty out there now as far as retail) and Laverne just didn't appeal to me at all aesthetically. It seemed kind of run down. I prefer the south side of the boro though. I found a golf course community that I really loved and for me this part of the boro is a little quieter. I think Steve will agree with me though, that nothing is a far ride in the boro. The whole area is very convenient and has much to offer. It is a great place for a family. I don't know much about schools because I have no school age children, but I have not heard anything bad about them at all since I have been here and there are kids all over.

Good Luck in your decision, I hope you will be happy wherever you decide to live.

[mia_magination]

I am so glad to hear all the advice on the area from people that actually live in them...thanks so much! I was leaning toward the Murfreesboro area from what I had read and saw that it was not far from the job offer in Smyrna. I don't like living right near a job, I like to seperate work from home life and don't think you can do such a great job of it if you are so physically close...you wind up bringing work home with you and make it too easy to be called back after hours.lol

I was concerned about the drugs and gang problems that people don't like to admit to out loud because I have 3 kids I am looking out for. Where we live now it is getting really bad but you wouldn't know much about it if you didn't live here to hear about it in hushed tones.

I have also heard the air quality is really bad for people with asthma but I haven't experienced any issues whenever I have come up...any comments on that would also be welcome.

I love to hear about your hometowns so please keep the info coming!!!