The vibe of Murfreesboro (for a family?) (Smyrna, Central: renting, homes)

[Ivyreb]

We are planning to relocate down to the Nashville area next summer, from NYC originally (we are in Western Mass right now). We are late-30's with 3 kids (4,3,newborn), and love the idea of a small city with plenty of things to do, and the possibility of getting a reasonable home that has the potential for walking distance for ice cream or coffee, or a park or anything (not required, but it would be great).

Murfreesboro sounds great, and exactly like what we are looking for. I'm just wondering, how liberal or progressive are people? Are there any family/parenting/community centers with things to do with small kids? I'm not a soccer mom, but I'm not a super-crunchy coddling parent, either, and I'm just wondering if there's a good mix of everyone. I'm assuming there is, but you never know.

All the schools look pretty great... are there any that are really great, or really bad, or follow any kind of "alternative"-type teaching methods? (not private schools, please.)

I also read some post here saying it's an "unsafe" commute on 24 to Nashville... what does that mean?

Any other feedback on any aspect of the city is appreciated!

[Reactionary]

If you want to avoid "liberal or progressive" people, then Murfreesboro is the place.

The 'triple Siegel' (Siegel Elementary / MS / HS) area is highly regarded, but as you noted, the school system in general is pretty great. Discovery (K-6) and Central Magnet School (6-12) are 'test to enter' magnet schools - those schools are outstanding.

Murfreesboro is not very walkable overall, however there is an excellent greenway along Stones River.

[JJAF]

The commute to Nashville on I-24 is mostly a timing issue. If there is an accident, even in off-peak travel hours, it can gummy up the traffic pattern pretty good also. I travel from Murfreesboro up through Nashville a couple of times a month and I have tried leaving from by the VA hospital (north part of town) every 10 minute increment from 7:00 A.M. thru about 9:15 and it can be choked down as soon as you start hitting exit 66 (Sam Ridley Smyrna) all the way through Nashville. It does seem though if one leaves about 9:30-10:00 you can sail through pretty easily without reducing your speed much. The early times mentioned will have you bumper to bumper and at a dead stop.

ON a side note: I like and have settled down in Murfreesboro and I have been all over the world with 31 years connected to the military. Friendliest people I have ever met, hands down, not even close.

[ariesjow]

Murfreesboro is not very liberal and/or progressive at all especially when you consider the fact that it's a decent-sized college town. It's the town that was making national news for opposition to the construction of a mosque in recent years. There are over 100,000 people there, so you can find a good mix of folks if you're patient. However, unless you find something near the square in the Boro, you can pretty much forget about walkability at all.

OP, please see this post of mine from the other day in a different thread for better insight on approaching Nashville suburbs. Reading and replying to both your post from the other day and this one, I think you should heavily consider renting in one of the areas of the city for a year so you can get acclimated & better understand the various areas in and around metro Nashville. It would likely be less culture shock after stints in Massachusetts and NYC and also give you time to assess the school situation since your kids are not quite ready yet.

Although the housing market is super-competitive here whether you're renting or buying, there should still be up and coming neighborhoods in your price range (albeit at the very top if you're buying) within a reasonable vicinity to some of the more walkable hot spots in Nashville. I'm seeing 3ba/2bd homes in your range in up and coming areas like the Nations, Sylvan Heights, Buena Vista, Wedgewood-Houston, Inglewood or the Rosebank area of East Nashville. Think freshly emerging areas that are adjacent to some of the trendy ones & would require a bit of a walk or a short car ride to coffee shops, restaurants, parks, etc. The biggest drawback you may find with some of these emerging neighborhoods will be the schools.

[MTFan]

I think Murfreesboro would be great for a family like you described. There is a really nice park (Barfield Crescent Park) on the south side of the city that has many subdivisions that you can walk from. The more walk able parts of the city are going to be located in the older downtown sections. The best thing to do is to come down and take a look around.

[Ivyreb]

Thank you all for your input. Ariesjow especially, I appreciate your very thoughtful explanations to the climate and culture there. Thank you!