[a095800]

I've recently relocated to Jonesboro, Ar. and daily commuting/working in Memphis, Tn.
I'm curious if there are others out there that have taken on this distance and how it has worked out?

[Isk8ingcoach]

I've done it and will do it again starting again in October to get to my skating students at the DeSoto Center. We are considering a Honda Civic....... I'm sick of filling my '97 Maxima with PREMIUM...... Aaaarrrgh! That is my only commentary on the gas prices because I have no nice words for the gas prices. I will miss the luxury of my wonderful car that I have right now, but, I can't continue to throw money out of the car window!!!!

[terrabeth]

Eeeew. I've not had to commute between Jboro and Memphis, but as a local to both, and having made the trip regularly for over a decade, I can say it's one boring drive and the state troopers are ready and willing to nail you for speeding through it. Husband did commute about the same distance between Memphis and another nearby Arkansas town. He hated it and racked up pages of speeding tickets on his driving record just trying to get it over with. If you have to work in Memphis, but don't want to live in the city, you may want to try West Memphis or Marion or something just across the river on the Arkansas side. Of course, there are much better neighborhoods in the Memphis metro, like Olive Branch, Germantown, etc. But if you're wanting to be nearer to Arkansas for some reason, Marion or West Memphis may be helpful. I'd say it'd be better to "commute" to Jboro occasionally, than to have to commute every day to Memphis for work or school.

[Honey]

how far is the commute from memphis to Jonesboro. We are going to be in same situation soon as my husband will be working in memphis,,,west side so looking at maybe Marion. Does anyone know much about this town and do you like?

[Isk8ingcoach]

When we relocated here two years ago, we looked at West Memphis and Marion. Then we decided that Jonesboro was too nice and had wonderful attrubutes that Marion and W. Memphis didn't offer.

W. Memphis has an awful odor permeating most of the town. It is attributed to the petroleum refinery. The schools are awful and the crime due to the exploding Meth epidemic is not a good scene. I was told by an elderly friend in Tulsa before we moved that we could explore the area but we would find exactly what they had found when they had lived there 30 years ago. "It is where evil was born and where it still lives." I believe that Marion is an outgrowth of people who wanted to leave W.Memphis but still be close to Memphis. Personally, we looked at houses there and within 1 hour of being there, canned the idea quickly! It is very flat, has a tendency to flood, the schools were not nearly as good as Jonesboro and it is just way too close to West Memphis for me to be comfortable at all.

Jonesboro has so much to offer and it is absolutely beautiful. It is worth the drive. Yes, the Marked Tree police do hide out and wait for the speeders. But when it becomes I-555 the speed limit will go up to 70 up from 55 through the construction. That should be within the next year. There are plenty of people here that work in Memphis and make the trip. There are people who carpool as well.

Please give Jonesboro a chance. I think once you visit the other areas you will feel as we did!

[pannod]

I am temporarily living in Marion having relocated from Louisiana recently. I've been focusing my job hunt on the Memphis area, but wondering about Jonesboro. The comparison between schools in Marion and Jonesboro is quite astonishing, as Marion schools' test scores are horrid, whereas Jonesboro schools appear to have a better handle on education. I'm actually going to Jonesboro for an interview next week, yet the job, I believe is in the Memphis area, but I'd like some more info on Jonesboro because I've found some jobs of interest that might be worth my while. I really do not care for Marion and W. Memphis, so my living arrangements are definitely temporary.

I have a son entering high school, so what is a good high school? From greatschools.net, it appears Valley View is a very good school. Any feedback is welcomed!

I'd be looking to rent, possibly a house, but not familiar with the area. If I choose Jonesboro, which areas should I avoid when seeking a residence?

Anything you can add (i.e. quality of life, cost of living, things to do) is greatly appreciated.

[missthesun]

The comparison between schools in Marion and Jonesboro is quite astonishing, as Marion schools' test scores are horrid, whereas Jonesboro schools appear to have a better handle on education.

I'm on my way to the Memphis area. I was there briefly 2 years ago. I left to take a job in Chicago. Now I'm trying to get transferred to the Memphis facility. I'm going to be renting a house from a friend in Marion. I know you said that the test scores are horrid, but how bad is the school? Do you think the test scores are low because the kids just aren't applying themselves? Or is it that the teachers aren't teaching? Any advice you can share would be helpful. My friend can't offer much advice, as she has no kids.

Thanks!

[pannod]

Hi Missthesun! No, I'm still here in Marion. Would like to land a job before moving to a permanent residence. There's a chance I might stay in Marion, although it's not my #1 choice, but my son's father lives here and my son has been extremely happy to be around him again, so a mother does what's best for her child, right?

What concerned me with the Marion schools was the literacy percentage, which, for 11th grade was at only 19%; however, seems to have jumped to 40%. Still not great, but much better than my previous check, which could indicate some progress in the school system. The Middle and Junior High level percentages are higher than the High School grades. What I like about Marion schools is the schools are not crowded with over 2,000 kids like a lot of high schools I've researched. The Marion school district has a building for about 2 or 3 grades. For example, the middle school educates 6-7 grades, the junior high educates 8-9 grades, and the high school educates 10-12 allowing for small teacher-student ratios. This is a plus for their system, IMO.

Whether the scores are low due to poor student attention rates or poor quality teachers, I really don't know. It might be a combination of both. IMO, if the instruction is there, the student is going to take what they want anyway, whether it be a lot or little. Plus parental involvement makes a huge difference as well.

Which grades will your child(ren) be enrolled? I'm waiting for some test scores from Louisiana to determine whether my son will go to 8th or 9th this year and seeing him so happy to be back around his dad, I am considering placing him here in Marion to see how it goes. If you have kids around his age, PM me and maybe we can meet so they can meet and at least have a new friend. The worst thing about leaving Louisiana was my son having to leave his friends behind.

Good luck to you!

[missthesun]

Hi Pannod!

I do know what you mean about your son missing his friends. My daughter is going into the 8th grade and she was initially horrified of leaving her friends. Plus, here in Chicago, 8th grade is the final grade of jr high...so she would have had 'senior' status and she was looking forward to that.

But she checked out the Marion schools on the web and is starting to get excited about the move. It appears that although the test scores are low, there are more activities for the kids (compared to what we saw here in Chicago). When I was in that area before (Marion...just passing through), I remember several little campuses for the different grades. I thought that was great b/c you don't have to worry about the little ones being in school with the big ones and being intimidated or being forced to grow up too fast.

My kids are all going to the following grades this fall: 1st, 5th, and 8th. So they will be in separate schools for the 1st time ever. They are all happy about this, as they want independence from each other. But I'm a little sad about it b/c I feel like they won't be able to look out for each other. I mean, what if the kids at the new school are mean? I don't know. I guess I just worry too much. As for the test scores; I'm not too worried about that. I have a habit of being pretty involved in their education, so I don't think I'll allow them to slack off, even if their peers are allowed to.

Well, we'll be there in 2 weeks. A few people have posted responses on other threads to my questions about Marion; some saying that I should try other areas around Memphis. The problem is that I really don't have the luxury of just going 'anywhere'...the house I am renting is in Marion & it is big enough for my big family and the rent is something that I can afford. At this point, I'm just going to have to stay positive and make the most of the situation. There is no perfect place.

[pannod]

Louisiana is the same with middle school ending with 8th grade, so my son was a bit bummed that most schools here include 9th with middle/junior high for the same reason as your daughter. But I also like the way Marion spreads out the grades in different buildings. The reason I look at test scores and get concerned when results are low is I fear instruction might not be up to par. I don't want him to get bored and I want him to receive a quality education, as I'm sure you feel the same. However, he may attend Marion Jr. High this year and I'll assess the situation as the year progresses. I'm looking at employment opps in Jonesboro as well as Memphis, so I may end up commuting if he likes the school here in Marion. I agree, there is no perfect place and I'm sure it will all work out. I worry too much as well. I have that fear of mean kids too, so I understand completely.

Have a safe trip and good luck to you!