Mt. Juliet, H'ville, M'boro, or Franklin? (Murfreesboro, Hendersonville: city hall, home, elementary school)

[dgfurman]

Hi everyone! In March we'll be moving to the Nashville area (3 young boys), and so far, from all the research I've done, I've honed in on these towns (Mount Juliet, Hendersonville, Murfreesboro, and Franklin) as places that may work for us.

In Feb. I'll be coming up to do some scouting, and see what area "feels" right, but I did want to ask you, if you live in one of these towns, what do you think I should see, that makes your town special/unique from the others.

What I am looking for is ideas about how your town is special, what you really like about it, what makes it feel like home to you. Thanks for your help!

[septimus]

For M'boro and Franklin I would check out the downtowns. Hendersonville the lake and I'm not sure about Mt. Juliet.

[littlegto]

I would like to share some thoughts with you....

After almost two years of research and four visits to Middle TN, we JUST purchased a home in Mt. Juliet. We are moving there from Long Island, NY.

We have a 2 1/2 year old AND a large family who would be coming to visit and stay with us. We chose Mount Juliet because of many reasons, the first being the schools. Next was plenty things to do for the family, being in close proximity to Nashville, the airport, tons shopping, and many conveniences and still staying within our budget on our home price.

If you would like a realtor who is VERY patient, NO pressure person, I have just the guy for you! He stayed with us for over a year, took us back and forth and all around, answered ALL of our questions and helped us every step of the way!

[dgfurman]

Originally Posted by septimus

For M'boro and Franklin I would check out the downtowns. Hendersonville the lake and I'm not sure about Mt. Juliet.

I've been to Franklin's cute downtown. M'boro is more spread out it seems. I drove around a "square" with a lot of attornies' offices. Is that where you're talking about, or is there another area?

The lake at Hendersonville is looooong. Any good areas to stop at there? Like parks, or some town center or something?

[dgfurman]

Originally Posted by littlegto

I would like to share some thoughts with you....

After almost two years of research and four visits to Middle TN, we JUST purchased a home in Mt. Juliet. We are moving there from Long Island, NY.

We have a 2 1/2 year old AND a large family who would be coming to visit and stay with us. We chose Mount Juliet because of many reasons, the first being the schools. Next was plenty things to do for the family, being in close proximity to Nashville, the airport, tons shopping, and many conveniences and still staying within our budget on our home price.

If you would like a realtor who is VERY patient, NO pressure person, I have just the guy for you! He stayed with us for over a year, took us back and forth and all around, answered ALL of our questions and helped us every step of the way!

Actually, I am leaning toward Mt. Juliet as my #1, for all the reasons you mentioned, plus I have family in Cookeville, which puts us a little closer in that direction. And my husband would need to commute to Nashville daily, and that's kind of a straight shot, with the sun at your back.

We do need good schools (which I've been researching), b/c 2 of my boys will need some special ed. classes. I've been looking at the Lakeview and Stoner Creek elem. schools, specifically.

If you could DM me the name of your realtor, that would be super. Thanks!

[tabbva]

I'm glad you're leaning towards MJ, of course, that's because I live there! I think each area is different.
Mount Juliet: Very conservative but welcoming. So many people have moved here over the last few years that you're likely to live on a street with people from all over the country. Very suburban, though we are getting a good shopping core near the main interstate exit, talk of a new city center in the middle of town, and plans for a big corporate/buisness complex on the east side of town. And yes, driving with the sun on your back to and from work is wonderful!
As far as schools, Lakeview has the most money and parental support. After that I'd go with MJ, it was decent when we moved to town but with the elementary school, the overcrowding problems are gone. Then Elizie Patton (the new school in the old MJMS building) and Stoner Creek seem to be about even. Then you have Rutland, West and Wright, which are all good but just not as good as the others. As far as the city of MJ goes, my only complaint is the lack of parks (we have 1 real park for the whole city).
Hendersonville: It's like Mt. Juliet, but more grown up. It's bigger and has more of everything, including more lake access and more public parks. If my originial job hadn't been in southeast Nashville we very well could have ended up here. In fact, some good friends moved from MJ to Hendersonville last year (to be closer to his work) and they love it.
Murfreesboro: The biggest city out of all of these. MTSU has a big presence, but the city is not defined by it. Schools are good, but probably below the other 3 locations.
Franklin: Much more upscale and some trendy areas. Prices to match, but the best public schools and easy access to parks and shopping.

[dgfurman]

Originally Posted by tabbva

I'm glad you're leaning towards MJ, of course, that's because I live there! I think each area is different.
Mount Juliet: Very conservative but welcoming. So many people have moved here over the last few years that you're likely to live on a street with people from all over the country. Very suburban, though we are getting a good shopping core near the main interstate exit, talk of a new city center in the middle of town, and plans for a big corporate/buisness complex on the east side of town. And yes, driving with the sun on your back to and from work is wonderful!
As far as schools, Lakeview has the most money and parental support. After that I'd go with MJ, it was decent when we moved to town but with the elementary school, the overcrowding problems are gone. Then Elizie Patton (the new school in the old MJMS building) and Stoner Creek seem to be about even. Then you have Rutland, West and Wright, which are all good but just not as good as the others. As far as the city of MJ goes, my only complaint is the lack of parks (we have 1 real park for the whole city).
Hendersonville: It's like Mt. Juliet, but more grown up. It's bigger and has more of everything, including more lake access and more public parks. If my originial job hadn't been in southeast Nashville we very well could have ended up here. In fact, some good friends moved from MJ to Hendersonville last year (to be closer to his work) and they love it.
Murfreesboro: The biggest city out of all of these. MTSU has a big presence, but the city is not defined by it. Schools are good, but probably below the other 3 locations.
Franklin: Much more upscale and some trendy areas. Prices to match, but the best public schools and easy access to parks and shopping.

Thanks for that detailed info. That's great!

[rangerjoe]

Originally Posted by tabbva

talk of a new city center in the middle of town,

What and where is the new city center going to be?

[Griz83]

The new city center will be on the SE corner of E Division and Mt Juliet Rd, just south of the train station. Preliminary plans have been approved.

See pages 5 and 15 here:
Chronicle 1-27-10 Edition

There will likely be a new city hall, and mixed use developments. It will have more of an "old" town feel. IMO this is something that the area lacks, and will benefit greatly from.

[vivelafrance]

Originally Posted by dgfurman

I've been to Franklin's cute downtown. M'boro is more spread out it seems. I drove around a "square" with a lot of attornies' offices. Is that where you're talking about, or is there another area?

The lake at Hendersonville is looooong. Any good areas to stop at there? Like parks, or some town center or something?

The center of the city is where Main Street crosses Drakes Creek Lake. There's a nice park there and even a little island on the lake with a pedestrian bridge. There are several other great parks spread throughout the city and a nice Greenway system has just opened up as well.

Unfortunately, the city is so new that there is no historic town center like in Franklin or Gallatin. However, the city has recently zoned most of this area as a new "Town Center" zone. The city has plans to completely change the look of this area into something that resembles a small town square. The project will take a long time to complete but it is ambitious.

The liveliest part of the city is the Streets of Indian Lake Development. It's a mixed-use community on Indian Lake Blvd. In the center of the shopping area there's a large plaza which is used for many festivals and a farmers market during the summer months.