The fastest-growing major city in the state of Tennessee as well as one of the fastest-growing in the country, Murfreesboro has a low unemployment rate, affordable housing and costs of living, and is located just about 30 miles from the exciting city of Nashville.
If you are considering or planning a move to this charming suburban city, read on for more information on schools, employment opportunities, weather and recreation so that you can ensure that it is the right place for you.
Murfreesboro Climate
The city lies in the humid subtropical zone, with four varied seasons. Summers are hot and sticky, and winters are mild but chilly. Precipitation is considerable--about 50-inches a year. Rainfall is greater in winter and spring with autumn being the driest season. Spring and fall are warm but can be prone to severe thunderstorms, which occasionally bring tornadoes.
Temperatures in the summer reach the 90s, and drop as low as the 20s in the winter. Be sure to pack a varied wardrobe when heading to Murfreesboro to accommodate the seasonal contrasts in the weather.
Registering Your Car
Within 30 days of moving to Tennessee permanently, you must register your vehicle. This can be done at any County Clerk's office, and you will need your current registration, title, proof of identification, proof of residency, and an emission inspection certification.
To transfer your driver's license to the state, you must visit any Tennessee driver's License center within 30 days of moving to the state. You will have to pass a vision test, and show proof of identity, residency, and citizenship. Tennessee is one f the few state's that has no minimum requirement for car insurance--however, you must prove that you meet the standards of the Financial Responsibility Law to ensure that you are economically capable of covering damages on your own. If your out of state license has been expired for more than six months, you will have to take the road skills test and written test.
Murfreesboro Schools
If you are relocating to the city with children, it's imperative to research the school systems that will be supplying their education. In Murfreesboro, elementary education is served by Murfreesboro City Schools, a district operating 12 facilities for grades pre-K through 6. Secondary education is served by Rutherford County Schools--a countywide district operating 23 middle and high schools.
For higher education, Middle Tennessee College is a public university located in the city with programs in education, social sciences, business management, visual and performing arts, history and engineering. It is the largest undergraduate school in the state. Other nearby schools include Tennessee State College in Nashville, Cumberland University in Lebanon, and the Christian-affiliated schools Belmont College and Lipscomb College, also located in the city of Nashville.
Murfreesboro Employment
As of the first quarter of 2013, Murfreesboro had an unemployment rate of 6.7 percent--less than the national average of eight percent. If you will be relocating to the city without a job, you can apply for government positions here or get career information and services at the Tennessee Career Center at Murfreesboro. If you are a small business owner or would like to open a business in the city, the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce can provide you with the resources to get you started.
Top employers in the city include the Rutherford County government, Middle Tennessee State University, State Farm Operations Center, Alvin C. York Veterans Administration Medical Center, Middle Tennessee Medical Center, Verizon Wireless Call Center, Murfreesboro City government, and General Mills/Pillsbury Company.
Living Costs in the City
If you are considering a move to Murfreesboro, the good news is that this city is a very affordable place to call home. The overall cost of living is ten percent below the national average, with housing being the most economical amenity in the region at 21 percent less than the typical American city.
Transportation and utility costs are also low--both are ten percent more affordable than in other cities in the nation. Grocery costs are three percent below average, and healthcare costs is two percent below average.
If you are looking to rent, the average one-bedroom apartment in the city goes for about $700 a month, while the typical two-bedroom will cost around $900 a month. If you plan to buy, the median home price is listed at $145,900.
Murfreesboro Moving Resources
There are numerous moving and storage companies located in Murfreesboro that are waiting to help you relocate to your new home. Be sure to do your research and obtain estimates from several different services before choosing one for hire. You can compare online quotes from many different moving companies and other services to aid you in your move, whether you are coming from the next city or overseas. Visit the following pages here at Movers.com to get fast quotes for the following services:
Murfreesboro Transportation
Public transit in the city is operated by Murfreesboro Public Transportation Department with the Rover service. Rover provides bus transportation for residents of the city along eight fixed routes, including the six major corridors Memorial Boulevard, NW Broad Street, Old Fort Parkway, South Church Street, Mercury Boulevard and Highland Avenue. The buses run from the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday through Friday. All of the routes originate and transfer at the Rover Transit Center at the northeast corner of Walnut and Burton. All buses have bike racks and are wheelchair-accessible.
Culture and Contemporary Life
Music, art, and theatre are among the popular pastimes for residents of Murfreesboro. The city celebrates a number of music festivals such as the Main Street Jazzfest, presented by MTSU's School of Music. Additionally, the Uncle Dave Macon Days festival celebrates American old-time banjo-player, singer/songwriter and comedian Uncle Dave Macon each July. The popular event includes national competitions for old-time music and dancing.
The city's Center for the Arts features a variety of exhibits, concerts, dances and events, and the Murfreesboro Little Theatre entertains with classic and alterative theatrical performances. If you are seeking a little historical knowledge, pay a visit to one of the city's many museums. The Bradley Academy Museum features collectibles and exhibits from the county's first school; the Cannonsburgh Pioneer Village is a reconstructed working pioneer village of the 1800s; and the Oakland Historic House Museum is a 19th-centruy plantation caught in the middle of the Civil War Battle of the Stones when officers from both the Union and the Confederacy took refuge there.
Murfreesboro Relocation Tips
- Bring a varied wardrobe--the city experiences four distinct seasons with temperatures ranging from the upper 90s in the summer to dropping below freezing in the winter.
Make a moving checklist--there are numerous tasks associated with your relocation to complete before you make your trek to Murfreesboro. Make a packing schedule, change your address, and compare quotes from several moving companies at Movers.com.
- Check out the Murfreesboro Pulse, the city's online source for culture, arts, and entertainment to find out more about what exciting things your city has to offer!
- Be sure to prepare your home for inclement weather and tornadoes, which can sometimes strike the region. Create a disaster kit, make an emergency plan, and designate a safe area to take refuge in case of the unfortunate event of a dangerous storm.