Murrieta

About Murrieta

Murrieta is a bustling city in California's Riverside County. Part of the Riverside-San Bernardino metropolitan area, Murrieta lies 5 miles northwest of Temecula and 29 miles south of the heart of Riverside. It's one of the fastest-growing cities in all of California, with the population more than doubling between 2000 and 2010.

The city's amenities include a variety of shopping and dining, as well as the Murrieta Youth Center, Murrieta Senior Center and dog-friendly Torrey Pines Park. Annual events, including the Murrieta Fall Festival and Veterans Day Parade, bring the community together, providing plenty of entertainment for locals.

The History of Murrieta

Murrieta is named after Juan Murrieta, a Spanish immigrant who brought a flock of more than 100,000 sheep to the area in its early days. The city continued to grow with the construction of a railway station, which connected Murrieta with Southern California in 1882. The city suffered a setback when the trains stopped running in 1935, but it bounced back with the development of Interstate 15 in the 1980s. Murrieta was officially incorporated in 1991 and has continued to grow ever since.

Living in Murrieta

Murrieta has experienced massive population growth of more than 100 percent since the year 2000. This growth has been fueled by a number of factors, including Murrieta's strong and growing economy, pleasant year-round climate and superb recreational facilities. The city is home to several different golf courses, one of which has hosted two different U.S. presidents. You'll find that the youth sports leagues are very popular in the city, providing a fun way for children to be active and get to know their neighbors. The local Mulligan Family Fun Center offers family-friendly entertainment, including a mini golf course, laser tag, go-kart racing and an arcade.

Murrieta has a small but growing economy, with a large percentage of local jobs in sales, office and administrative support. There are also a significant number of business, management and finance jobs in the city. The city's unemployment rate is lower than the national average, but many residents commute out of the city for work. Because Murrieta's population has grown so quickly, the economy has not been able to keep pace. However, the number of job opportunities is growing, providing an increasing number of options close to home.

Murrieta Schools

Murrieta Valley Unified School District is responsible for all public schools in the city. The district's schools include several California Distinguished Schools, a Model Continuation High School and a California Gold Ribbon School.

If you're planning to pursue higher education, the nearest school is Calvary Chapel Bible College. There are several other campuses just a short drive from Murrieta, including Mt. San Jacinto College.

Resources for Moving to Murrieta

Here are a few helpful resources to make your move to Murrieta as easy as possible:

• Utilities: Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas are Murrieta's central energy providers. Several local districts manage water services, with your provider determined by your specific location.
• Garbage and Recycling: You can expect your trash and recyclables to be collected curbside on a regular basis, with your schedule determined by your neighborhood.
• Transportation: You'll find a variety of public transportation options in Murrieta, including Metrolink and bus.

Murrieta Housing

Homes in Murrieta are more expensive than the national average, but they also tend to be much newer than average. Nearly half of the dwellings in Murrieta were built in the 21st century, and there are just a handful of local properties built before 1960. In comparison to many parts of California, Murrieta is relatively affordable. However, due to the city's rapid growth, housing is in high demand.