Hi all.

My wife and I (+ a 1 year old boy and 2 dogs) are moving to M'boro in July. I'll be a professor in the Recreation and Leisure Services department. We are going to rent for 6-12 months and I really don't like driving to work, so I'm looking for suggestions on bike-to-MTSU-friendly places to live (apartments or neighborhoods with rentals). My guess is that anywhere west of I-24 is out, but that's just from my looking at the map. It seems like it would be cool to live near the greenway and ride on this to downtown and then to campus. Any suggestions or experiences would be appreciated! Thanks

Drew

Drew- There are a group of apartments on Thompson Lane that the Greenway is directly behind with easy access to the Greenway. A ride from there to the college would be approx 6-8 miles each way.
I know a real estate agent that also handles rentals if you would like I'm sure she would contact you and offer her expertise.
You could email me directly at caryway@hotmail.com if you need more details or questions.
Hope you join the club for a ride when you get to the Boro.
Cary Way

I live in Lascasas. you'd be going down 96 if you were out here. Wide shoulders, but some drivers don't like bikes. More of a problem is getting from 96 to campus. Northfield is..OK..., much of it has shoulder, there is some sidewalk, but not all have ramps at intersections. FTR, I'm in the slow/advanced beginer group. I'd be hesitant to tackle it on a rush hour during the week, although I do ride to church sometimes over the same roads. Hope to see you in/at club when you get here.

The apartments that Cary is talking about are Rivermont. You can find some info here.
http://www.aptselector.com/tn/93217.html

Welcome to Murfreesboro!

There are also apartments in the older houses along Main Street that become available. Some are run down, some look like they'd be nice.

Thanks for the tips! Does anyone have experience riding through the Hwy 96 (Old fort Pkwy) and I 24 intersection or the New Salem Hwy (99) I-24 underpass? Is this something you would want to do twice a day during rush hour?

If you do not mind heavy traffic because both of those will have it and they have just put a new interchange in at HWY 99 and I-24. It would also be a longer commute.
I have done it and there is a lot of traffic with folks in a hurry to get home or to work while talking on the cell phone or reading the paper and eating breakfast or a snack.
Off Hwy 99 there is another way into town on less traveled roads but again it will add miles to your commute.
My 2 cents worth.
Cary

I hate to drive a car on Old Fort Parkway at I-24. that interchange is really nasty during morning (6:15 a.m - 10:00 a.m.) and afternoon (2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.) rush hour...I live west of there and avoid it at all cost. The extra miles on back roads are worth the extra years to your life.

You'll find some of the best riding in the country around here. That said, the town has grown with absolutely no thought or consideration given to bikes or walking. The major roads are not safe so you'll need a back route to avoid them. Even new roads are being built without sidewalks &/or bike lanes. You'll want to come visit. Bring a road bike & come to some rides.

So if one did live in the Cason Lane area, would the "back way" be to ride down to New Salem Hwy and east onto smaller roads through downtown to campus?

Hwys 96, 99, & 231 are not really enjoyable to ride. There's a new interchange going in on 99 so who knows how it will be when finished. Currently, you could ride the shoulder (depending on construction) & cut thru on Old Salem or Bridge Ave. I'd look on the other side of I24. What type of housing do you want? Downtown? New subdivision? Apartment complex? What price range?

Ideally we would be close to campus in a cute, cool older house. We want to avoid the new subdivisions if possible. To start with an apartment would be fine, but not a student dominated party apartment.

Then look downtown. Make a trip & wander around. See what's here.

Or look on the other side of campus out towards Woodbury, Milton, Lascassas, Gnat Hill, etc.. Does your definition of a cool older house include wheels on the home? We have plenty of them out where Junkman has his country estate. They even come with 2 or 3 free dogs!

Cary

from Shotgun County otherwise known as Gods Country to campus. You can stop at the Handle Bar for breakfast, beer & smokes.