murfreesboro to nashville (Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga: house, buy, new construction)

[oliviacapri]

We are being relocated to Nashville next summer. My husband will be working in the Grassmere ? area (around the zoo). We are very interested in Murfreesboro. What area of Murfreesboro should we look in? We are looking for a home around $200,000 to $250,000. What route would he take to work? How long of a drive time is he looking forward to both not during and during rush hour?

[Mike in TN]

Originally Posted by oliviacapri

What area of Murfreesboro should we look in?

The further north you are the shorter his commute will be.

We are looking for a home around $200,000 to $250,000.

You can buy a home almost anywhere in Murfreesboro in that price range. I'm sure things will be even easier next summer.

What route would he take to work?

I-24W to Harding Place to Nolensville Pike.

How long of a drive time is he looking forward to both not during and during rush hour?

during? ~45 minutes
not during? ~35 minutes

It all depends on what part of town you live in though. The further north you and and closer to the interstate the better.

Any certain reason you are choosing Murfreesboro?

[oliviacapri]

No particular reason why we are choosing Murfreesboro. I like what I have read about it. However until we visit the area we are open. I am a teacher and we have two young girls. It sounds like the schools are good. Also I am partial to smaller cities. Any suggestions? We have been told to look in Franklin as well but it does not look like we can get as much house for the $.

[Steve_TN]

Originally Posted by oliviacapri

We are being relocated to Nashville next summer. My husband will be working in the Grassmere ? area (around the zoo). We are very interested in Murfreesboro. What area of Murfreesboro should we look in? We are looking for a home around $200,000 to $250,000. What route would he take to work? How long of a drive time is he looking forward to both not during and during rush hour?

I would look in the Western or Southwestern parts of Murfreesboro. In that price range, you will have more choices than you know what do do with. I live in the Western part of town and love it. I agree with Mike on the route for your husband to take to get to work and the drive time as well. Murfreesboro is an excellent choice for you. I have a child in school here and she loves it. In fact, Murfreesboro was voted as THE top city/town in TN to raise children. I also like that we are just normal down to earth people here and do not posess the snobby attitude, as do some of the other suburbs of Nashville.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by Steve_TN

I would look in the Western or Southwestern parts of Murfreesboro. In that price range, you will have more choices than you know what do do with. I live in the Western part of town and love it. I agree with Mike on the route for your husband to take to get to work and the drive time as well. Murfreesboro is an excellent choice for you. I have a child in school here and she loves it. In fact, Murfreesboro was voted as THE top city/town in TN to raise children. I also like that we are just normal down to earth people here and do not posess the snobby attitude, as do some of the other suburbs of Nashville.

Just to clarify, Murfreesboro was voted as the top town in TN to raise children among cities of at least 50,000. It is very misleading to say that Murfreesboro was voted as the best among all cities in the state.

[Mike in TN]

How many cities in TN have at least 50,000 people? Somewhere around 12?

[Mary_Moon]

Hi oliviacapri and congrats on your pending moe to Tennessee!

I live in the Almaville/Blackman area of Murfreesboro and we're zoned for the Stewarts Creek group of schools that include the elementary, middle and in 2012, high school that are all located on one large school complex. My kids are in kindergarten and 2nd grade at Stewarts Creek and we couldn't be more pleased with the education they're receiving.

I'm very partial to Murfreesboro as I've lived here most of my life. From my home, I'm equally close to both Smyrna and Murfreesboro, about 10 miles from the best shopping/hospitals in both locals. I'm also just over 5 miles to I-24 and 2 miles to 840. Interstates often get backed up and there is a great back road near by that your hubby could take to the Grassmere area (my husband drives it daily 'cause he can't stand the I24 congestion) - I visited the zoo a couple of weeks ago and I think it only took 25 minutes door to door going the back way but this was around 9 in the morning.

If you're looking for new construction, Travis Estates is currently being built just down the road from me with the most expensive home sold so far at $249,000. Berkshire is another nice development closer to Murfreesboro and zoned for Blackman schools - this is another school complex with the elementary, middle and HS all in the same area. There are homes available in a wide price range at Berkshire and there is a new access point to I24 just a hop away that should be open very soon. LOTS of development coming to that area, too. My aunt lives in Berkshire and she loves it! Sidewalks, streetlights, 2 pools, playground, etc. Keep in mind that it is within Murfreesboro city limits so you'll get city services to go along with the city taxes.

Seigel schools are good, too, but you're getting further into Murfreesboro and farther away from your husband's place of work, adding to his commute time. I'm not as familiar with that part of town so I don't know any developments with homes in your price range off the top of my head. You can try www.realtracs.com, search for a property in Rutherford County and then narrow your search to schools, subdivisions and limit the results to homes in your price range.

Good luck!

MM

[JMT]

Originally Posted by Mike in TN

How many cities in TN have at least 50,000 people? Somewhere around 12?

In 2007 there were 9 cities in Tennessee with at least 50,000 people according to the US Census:

1. Memphis...674,028
2. Nashville...590,807
3. Knoxville...183,546
4. Chattanooga...169,884
5. Clarksville...119,284
6. Murfreesboro...98,406
7. Jackson...63,196
8. Johnson City...61,028
9. Franklin...57,380