Relocating from NJ to TN in 30 days (Jackson, Franklin: to rent, hotels)

[DavisonFam]

So my wife has been offered a relocation to work in Brentwood TN. After much consideration we decided it would be better for our family. We currently live in Hamilton NJ and would have to relocate by the 15th of Feb.

I have no job to speak of when we arrive although I will actively look for work while I'm completing school. I have a few question concerning areas and general information about that move. Now like I said currently we live in Hamilton township with basically is an extension to Trenton which some of you might or might not know is a bad area and is the main reason for wanted to relocate in the first place.

We are looking for no more then a 30-40 minute commute(max but preferably less) to her work daily. What areas can we look at with a 900-1200 budget and a decent area with good schools? checking around on craigslist there are just so many options and I'm trying to research a decent area but I'm getting very mixed information. We are going to rent for a year or so before deciding where to buy a house. The area doesn't have to be perfect but I don't want to be afraid to let my kids outside or take a walk with the family at night.

I want to be sure we know what areas to steer clear of and definitely don't want to be renting in an area that's unsafe. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much!

[BirdieBelle]

How old are your kids?

Where will you be attending school?

[DavisonFam]

Kids are 7 and 5. I will be attending online classes.

[NY Annie]

I'm a Jersey girl moved to west TN and the only thing I can tell you is to forget everything you know about NJ's traffic. There is no rush-hour in TN. It is "rush-minute" - just get 5 miles out of Nashville and the traffic as we know it is gone.

Know that things are different here; the pace of life is slower, more relaxed. People are less direct and I'm still finding that people consider me blunt and a tad too direct after 16 teriffic months. I cannot comment on the schools from personal experience but I have not yet met any single person who is happy with the quality of education here. About half those I've met homeschool.

The drive here from Trenton area (take 76 to 81 to 40) will take you 2 days unless you don't mind sharing the drive and going overnight. It's around 18 hours for me, but I'm south of Jackson. My friend in Brentwood takes about 14-15 hours straight driving to Newark area. Keep that in mind when planning trips to visit family in Jersey.

Oh, finding Jersey staples here isn't easy. Pizza is our biggie. What passes for pizza here isn't even close. Cannoli, stromboli, and Taylor Ham are unheard of. And just try finding some good "hard rolls".

But it's good and we're glad we're retired here. There's really great BBQ and I'm sure you'll latch onto some other regional favorites as time goes on.

[septimus]

You might look in either Bellevue (strong public elementary schools) or Spring Hill (stay on the Williamson County side).

[septimus]

Originally Posted by NY Annie

The drive here from Trenton area (take 76 to 81 to 40) will take you 2 days unless you don't mind sharing the drive and going overnight. It's around 18 hours for me, but I'm south of Jackson. My friend in Brentwood takes about 14-15 hours straight driving to Newark area. Keep that in mind when planning trips to visit family in Jersey.

I can do Franklin to Jersey City in about 16 hours with 3 kids in the car. It isn't fun but it is doable in a day. (we leave at 4am).

[NY Annie]

Add 3 hours and make the primary (only) driver mid-60s and you'll understand why we split the drive into 2 days. I just can't sit in the driver's seat for more than 9-10 hours. Thank goodness hotels have spas with the pool.