Mufreesboro: what is it like? (Chattanooga, Murfreesboro: apartments, rent, car insurance)

[rwilson1]

I am a 30 year old divorced father of two looking at moving to Murfreesboro in the spring of 2008. My kids will remain in Missouri so I cannot move too far. I have heard good things about Murfreesboro (All from a Verizon Wireless Call Center Rep) and I have added it to my list of towns to look into. If anyone has any information they wish to share it would be greatly appreciated. I have a background in banking, mutual funds, retail, convenience store mgt, and medical billing. I have no college degree - just all on the job experience. I am looking to see what kind of salaries are out there and what apartments rent for and is car insurance cheap or expensive. Again, any info is appreciated.

[groovamos]

I'm in Houston now but came of age in Nashville. Murfreesboro back in the 60's ~ 70's was 30,000 or so in population, now is over 80,000. It is less hilly geographically than other areas of the MSA but within 30 mile or so you are on the Cumberland Plateau which is not shabby terrain at all -- many canyons and small mountains, plus you are closer to Chattanooga and Atlanta. The city is home tho 2nd largest U. in state, Middle Tenn. State (MTSU). Nashville region beats Houston in some ways such as more institutions of higher learning, natural beauty, and really bodacious season changes. Many large scale employers in the county e.g. Nissan, Ingram, MTSU. Murfreesboro, Franklin, and Hendersonville are the big 3 exurbs each with >60K pop. There are many other burbs half this size or smaller. These big 3 are very different from one another. Hendersonville has a lake and Franklin has the musicians, Civil War history and MONEY. Murfreesboro has much more employment opportunities in its county than the others. I must say Nashville, its culture, and economy kick butt. Look at my profile to see where I've lived to make that comparative statement.

[12buttons]

Originally Posted by groovamos

I'm in Houston now but came of age in Nashville. Murfreesboro back in the 60's ~ 70's was 30,000 or so in population, now is over 80,000. It is less hilly geographically than other areas of the MSA but within 30 mile or so you are on the Cumberland Plateau which is not shabby terrain at all -- many canyons and small mountains, plus you are closer to Chattanooga and Atlanta. The city is home tho 2nd largest U. in state, Middle Tenn. State (MTSU). Nashville region beats Houston in some ways such as more institutions of higher learning, natural beauty, and really bodacious season changes. Many large scale employers in the county e.g. Nissan, Ingram, MTSU. Murfreesboro, Franklin, and Hendersonville are the big 3 exurbs each with >60K pop. There are many other burbs half this size or smaller. These big 3 are very different from one another. Hendersonville has a lake and Franklin has the musicians, Civil War history and MONEY. Murfreesboro has much more employment opportunities in its county than the others. I must say Nashville, its culture, and economy kick butt. Look at my profile to see where I've lived to make that comparative statement.

Hes right on..Murfreesboro is really all about families. Mayberry-esque. Very pretty little downtown. Traffic can get gnarly. TOns of services. Just opened a HUGE upscale mall that rivals cool springs and providence. It is pretty flat but the horsies hate hills anyway...ala in all a pretty great place to call home.

[Mike in TN]

Murfreesboro = Mayberry-esque? Really? I don't make the connection.

I'll admit, I'm not much of a shopper, but the Avenue doesn't seem like anything special at all to me.

[12buttons]

Originally Posted by groovamos

I'm in Houston now but came of age in Nashville. Murfreesboro back in the 60's ~ 70's was 30,000 or so in population, now is over 80,000. It is less hilly geographically than other areas of the MSA but within 30 mile or so you are on the Cumberland Plateau which is not shabby terrain at all -- many canyons and small mountains, plus you are closer to Chattanooga and Atlanta. The city is home tho 2nd largest U. in state, Middle Tenn. State (MTSU). Nashville region beats Houston in some ways such as more institutions of higher learning, natural beauty, and really bodacious season changes. Many large scale employers in the county e.g. Nissan, Ingram, MTSU. Murfreesboro, Franklin, and Hendersonville are the big 3 exurbs each with >60K pop. There are many other burbs half this size or smaller. These big 3 are very different from one another. Hendersonville has a lake and Franklin has the musicians, Civil War history and MONEY. Murfreesboro has much more employment opportunities in its county than the others. I must say Nashville, its culture, and economy kick butt. Look at my profile to see where I've lived to make that comparative statement.

How does Crossville compare to Murfreesboro in terms of services and quality of life? I know it's a golfing community but I don't golf...is there decent retail around or do I have to drive to OakRidge? Kinda wanted to avoid that Nuclear reactor thing...lol

[JMT]

Originally Posted by 12buttons

How does Crossville compare to Murfreesboro in terms of services and quality of life? I know it's a golfing community but I don't golf...is there decent retail around or do I have to drive to OakRidge? Kinda wanted to avoid that Nuclear reactor thing...lol

Crossville has a Wal-Mart SuperCenter and a KMart. That's it.

Cookeville is much closer to Crossville than Oak Ridge and has more retail than Oak Ridge, such as Sam's Club, Kohl's, Petco and TJMaxx. Otherwise, Cookeville also has JCPenney, Sears, Belk, Old Navy, Office Max, Staples, Books a Million and the other typical big box retail stuff that Crossville doesn't have.

[NODAK1979]

M'Boro is probably the best value you can get for your housing buck, but it's quite the commute if you are planning to work in Nashville. Of all the larger cities in TN, it's the only city with a crime rate lower than the national average so take that for what its worth. It's a college town pretty much with MTSU and has all the shopping you'd pretty much probably want...it's booming. I live in the same county as it, and often I'll go there instead of places in Nashville to go shopping. I like M'Boro.

[Mike in TN]

Originally Posted by NODAK1979

Of all the larger cities in TN, it's the only city with a crime rate lower than the national average so take that for what its worth.

Are you sure about that? City-data has M'Boro's crime index as 460.2 last year, compared to the national average of 325.6.

I've heard that overall crime is down this year, but that was before the 10 or so shootings in November.

[wellkids]

Murfreesboro is its own city and not a suburb of Nashville - although technically we are part of the metropolitan Nashville area. It is a wonderful middle class community with a strong economy and excellent housing value. Many people, including myself, often refer to Murfreesboro as a college town, but with our rapid growth we are so much more than this now!

Rent here can be expensive since this is a college town. Homes in Evergreen Farms with approx. 1200 sq. feet will rent for around $950 - $1000 per month. Apartments will vary depending on location, and the ones located close to campus are generally more. It's not uncommon to pay $900 for an apartment, but there are some available for less. Our average price home is currently about $210,000.

I love the new mall (The Avenue) that has opened and the old Stones River Mall has made some huge improvements and continues to add on and expand. We have a nice Children's Discovery Center that isn't a full blown museum like the one in Nashville, but it is a nice alternative for local families. A yearly family membership is about $60 and will provide lots of cheap entertainment for kids all year long. My two youngest are 9 and 10 and still love to go to the Discovery Center. You can catch a live play at the Center for Performing Arts or even attend our local Symphony if you are into classical music.

We have almost every type of restaurant you could imagine from chains like Macaroni Grill and Bonefish Grill to some gourmet restaurants like Five Senses. The college provides a lot of entertainment and there are frequent festivals held in the historic downtown area. The Christmas parade is held in the downtown historic district every year, and may be hokey to some, but we love going to watch all the floats and parade entries. M'boro is family friendly.

We have a wonderful greenway for jogging or biking, a very active running and bicycle club community, the typical movie theatres, a multi-million dollar soccer complex, and every other type of sports venues for children here. If you have a child that is into acting or dancing, the Reese Performing Arts Academy is located here and offers a wide range of performing arts programs. From voice and piano, to ballet technique and hip-hop.

If you need health care, we have some top-notch physicians and specialists right here, along with an excellent hospital. They will be building a new hospital on Medical Center Parkway and the existing hospital is located in the historic downtown district. You don't need to go into Nasvhille for medical care - everything you need will be right here.

About the only thing the we don't have a lot of, is night-clubs. There are a few clubs that play live music but if you are searching for an active night-life then a trip into Nashville is probably in order.

Traffic here can be gnarly! However, I just spent the day yesterday in Franklin and Brentwood showing homes and once again I must say that the traffic is MUCH WORSE in those areas than here! Hwy 96 is unbearable in the afternoons and don't even TRY getting on Mack Hatcher Parkway after 4:00 M - F. Give me M'boro traffic anyday over Franklin/Brentwood. There is just no comparison and I have lived and worked (and STILL WORK) in all three areas.

Commute into Nashville from M'boro on a good day (weekends with no traffic) from the north side of town is 35 minutes. On a bad day (rush hour weekdays) is easily an hour.

There are lots of employment opportunities right here in M'boro. But, if you choose to work in Nashville the commute, although not short, is certainly doable. Once you are home in M'boro, there really isn't any reason why you would need to go back into NAsvhille for anything (except nightclubs!)

My opinion on Murfreesboro is it is an awesome place to live and work! Hope that helps a little!

[kimberlyintheboro]

I agree, we have been in Murfreesboro since July and things have been wonderful. It is a very family friendly town. As far as shopping goes, they are opening the Avenue which will be an upscale shopping area with a TON of stores! The mall here is being remodeled. There is a Chuck E. Cheese for the kids to have fun....and a new soft play area in the mall for younger tots.

I would estimate about half the town revolves around MTSU. There are a lot of college students, which means a lot of apartments. You may consider renting for six months until you know which area of town you prefer to purchase a home.

Traffic can be congested on Old Fort PKWY/Cason Lane/Thompson Lane, but it is like that in any city of this size...it pales in comparison to Atlanta traffic.

Check with local police stations for crime reports, but I've never seen an area of town that I wouldn't drive through around here. Read the Daily news Journal online to keep informed of current situations.

Good luck. Hope Murfreesboro is where you will call home soon!