What can you tell me about Memphis, TN? We're considering moving there from the Midwest. . .several concerns.

Question

We're moving from a very safe upper-middle class neighborhood with excellent schools. (Near a smallish but known city.) Memphis is quite a bit bigger, and since it's in a completely different part of the country, I don't know much about it.

What can you tell me about the following?

1) Which suburbs have the best schools?
2) How safe is the Memphis area as a whole?
3) What are race relations like?
4) Is it a good place to raise kids. . .what kinds of things are there to do?
5) What is there to do for adults?

I'm looking at this as an adventure, and would really like to see it work out. But, of course, there are a lot of things that I'm nervous about because it's so completely unknown to me.

Answer 1

Wow. Memphis is one of the most dangerous areas in the country. The Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Area (which comprises Memphis, its suburbs, and beyond) is rated the 3rd most dangerous in the country.

http://www.morganquitno.com/cit06pop.htm#METRO
http://memphis.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2005/11/21/daily4.html

Answer 2

I lived in Memphis for 30 years before moving to Chicago a year ago and I would have to say moving out of Memphis was the best decision I've ever made. Memphis can be a very scary city unless you know your way around and know what areas to avoid, I understand that can be the same with any city, but considering it's size there are a lot of really bad parts, actually probably more bad than good and the more I go back to visit the more I realize it.
Collierville, Arlington, Germantown and Olive Branch, MS (apx 40 miles south) would be the best areas to raise a child. All of my friends children go to private schools so I'm not too familiar with the public school systems. If you can afford private I honestly would go that route.
Race? There is defintiely racial tension in Memphis, TN. As much as I hate to say it....it's all over the place in Memphis and from what I hear from my friends it's gotten worse in the last year.
I'll be honest...if you don't have to move to Memphis, don't. There are definitely nicer and safer cities to chose from.
Again I lived in Memphis all but one year of my life. Would I want to raise my children there? No.

Some information you might find helpful in making your decision...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis,_Tennessee

Answer 3

I live in Memphis. Property taxes are high, city schools are poor, race relations are poor, crime is extremely high, esp. violent crimes, Job market is poor. Government corrupt. People are poor drivers.
On the plus side there is much to do. Museums, clubs, concerts, sports and parks. Fine dining is abundant in memphis. The best suburbs are Germantown, Collierville and Olive Branch MS. Dont let anyone tell you Cordova or Bartlett are good places to live. Utilities are reasonable, the climate is mild. Medical care is good. Private schools in Memphis are plentiful and are excellent.
Living here is doable challenging. Pick a good neighborhood with good schools if you have children. Consider your finances. Try to make friends who can show you around. Be cautious on choosing friends, everyone here is an expert. Memphis has attitude, character, its artsy, and has a classy side. When I moved here 18 years ago, I came from a small town. I got out of my car and expected to see a cat with 5 legs, a symbol of a mutated society. The cat had 4 legs, i had a job and a place to live the next day. My son, who is 11, wouldn't live anywhere but Memphis.

Answer 4

I've been to memphis and know some people who work there who say that there is a lot of crime and it is not really a very nice place to live. I have been there a few times and have not been impressed at all. I live in Northeast Tennessee, which is a lot more rural, but I have lived in D.C. and think I know what to look for in a city, and Memphis isn't it. You can look at the websites I provided for some more information about the subquestions you asked. I am sure there are some nice sub-urban areas around and they do have a great University hospital and medical school. Good luck with your move, I'm sure you can find a place around memphis suitable for what you need. I know my opinion sounds a bit discouraging, but just because I didn't like it won't mean that you and your family won't. The websites I provided have extensive details about the city.

Answer 5

My husband and I have lived in Cordova for 4 years now. We are from the northeast. We wouldn't leave the Memphis area for all the money in the world. Yes, there are a lot of private schools here but mothers of public school children are just as happy. I can not elaborate, because I don't have any kids. Memphis has a terribly high crime rate, Mayor Hereton has announced this week an increase of 500 policemen. Hopefully, this helps. I am not affected by this high rate because I only visit tourist spots in Memphis, I never go to the ghetto. As far as our race relations - In every situation I've been in (work, neighborhood, public, friend's parties) blacks and whites intermingle with no problems at all. My sister-in-law is black, I am white. When she visited last year, she was impressed by the 'southern hospitality' she received from strangers (both black and white) during her stay. I have never heard through the media, nor through word of mouth of any race related problems. There is so much to see here. We are always trying new places to see, and we are always amazed at the number of places we have yet to see. There is a good sense of community here. Most subdivisions have bunco groups, crimewatch groups, babeques, etc., I believe this is something missing in most children's lives today. Kids are less likely to commit crimes against people they've met at neighborhood get togethers vs. the home of a stranger. I have never met more polite children in my life. I am now called "Miss Debbie', or ma'am. - back home kids do not show this type of respect. Even if we are annexed into Memphis, our taxes will be a fraction of what we paid back home. Keep in mind, everything I have talked about refers to Cordova, Bartlett, Germantown, and Collierville. Memphis is a whole different story.. it has very, very wonderful areas and very, very bad areas- there's nothing in between. Funny how just a few years ago I had no interest in leaving Ct. and now I regret that I didn't make the move sooner. I suggest you visit here for a week (if possible) before making a decision. Also, use the web - it was my only means of getting info. and very, very helpful. Oh, and by the way, there is a lot of construction here. People move here faster than they can build the houses. Although there is a moratorium in effect as of June 2006. The construction will have a (temporary) halt. Everyone here is from somewhere else, so just like us they are far from family. It helps when you've got that in common with co-workers, neighbors, etc.- everyone makes you feel at home. Memphis is my home, and always will be. This is my paradise. As for you, I hope you make the right decision. Best of Luck! p.s. under travel, other-United States do a search of Memphis to see the comments of people who have visited/live here. There are few negative comments, and a wealth of positive ones.

Answer 6

My husband and I just moved to Memphis about 3 months ago from up North. We were in the same boat, and kind of went into this move blind since we didn't know much about Memphis. We rented a house in Cordova since we didn't know where was good to live and especially where it wasn't. Renting for us has been a great way to come in, because we've learned what we liked and didn't like without having to commit to staying in that area. If you decide to rent, we used Enterprise Property Management (www.epmleasing.com); they were good.

Cordova is going through a huge change with lots of development (way too much, in fact) and a lot of people selling their houses because Cordova is being annexed by Memphis, and will be under city taxes within a year or two.

Just one comment, as I am still learning the area... so I don't know a lot yet, but I do know that public schools are not the greatest in Memphis, and many people send their children to private schools (there are 89 private schools that cater to pre-K - 12th grade around here).

You can check out some information on schools by going to:
http://www.greatschools.net/city/Memphis/TN

Good luck!

Answer 7

don't know much about the schools.... but be prepared...
this nebraska girl about had a coronary with how much religion is made up to be by everyone there.. you're movin' to the bible belt and everyone is all in your spirutal/religious business trying to save you from the devil himself... the first word you'll hear after leaving your house will be "jesus".... just prepare yourself for the culture shock...

as far as race goes... you're again movin' to the south.. and it's alive and well.. but there are always ***** wherever you go.. they just are in more supply the farther south you go....

sorry, but I'm obviously not a fan of the south after living in it for over 2 years... and needless to say you could never pay me enough money to ever live there again... good luck on your adventure!