Once called Maxwell Creek after early settlers James and Hannah Maxwell, the town changed hands -- and names -- to honor another settler, James Murphy, by 1888. A man who was generous with his property, he donated land used to build the Murphy Train Depot.
Don't worry about Murphy's Law showing up in this pleasant city, which was officially founded in 1958 and considered a part of the greater Dallas/Fort Worth metro region. Big-city amenities nearby notwithstanding, there's plenty to do in this city of just over 17,000 residents, too. Two miles south of the famous Southfork Ranch, this just-under-three-mile enclave offers a country-living vibe that includes a number of parks with hiking and biking trails.
If you're looking for two-bedroom apartments for rent, a studio apartment for rent or a condo for rent, you'll find your new abode here in suburban Murphy, just north and to the east of Dallas.
A popular community, you'll want to leave yourself a month to find the housing you want. Search the usual resources, such as online listings or community newspapers such as the Murphy Messenger, and walk and drive through the streets. These are great ways to familiarize yourself with the community and find the areas you'd enjoy living in. When you do find your dream rental, come ready to sign that lease. Bring your credit report, identification and some recent bank statements to win over your landlord.
You'll find a variety o rental housing in Murphy, where the streets are often lined with trees.
City Center: Here's where you'll find municipal buildings, shops and stores, as well as large- to medium-size single-family homes, condos and mobile homes. Many homes are newer, built after 2000, although some were built between 1970 and 1999. While many are owner occupied, rentals do exist -- you just have to get out and look for them.
Ranch Road: Like City Center, you'll find many newer buildings here, most constructed between 1970 and 1999. A mix of renters and owners reside in single-family homes, apartments and condos.
Maxwell Creek, the name still prevalent (at least within the corners of the city), is designed to include a park-like planned community with offices, stores and homes in a walkable location. Nearby, the President George Bush Tollway makes commuting to the big city a breeze. In fact, this charming city placed #7 on the list of Best Places to Live in a Dallas magazine survey. While not a lot of Murphy's early history is still standing, an early school building stands as a classic hearken to the days past, now used as a Community Center with plenty of recreational activities offered to everyone in town.
Mania Murphy's Central Park is a beautiful and brand new open green space that offers plenty of opportunity for recreation activities and enjoying the warm Texas climate. The Parks and Recreation program and the Community Center both offer sports programs and arts classes designed for both kids and adults. There's a lot of community spirit here, and you'll find people really turn out to support and cheer on the sports programs. This is a friendly community with ongoing summer concerts and Little League teams, as well as classes from Robot Mania to painting. There's always something interesting going on in Murphy.
Once an agricultural community, the feeling of open green space has been kept alive in terms of urban planning, and you'll enjoy tree-lined streets and numerous small parks and parkettes. You can stroll along the creek and enjoy a little bird watching or take a fun hiking or biking trail right in town. One caveat: you will want to have a car if you move here. Most residents commute to work using their own vehicle, although a significant number do work at home. Commute times vary from 15 to 30 minutes on average.