Who believes Memphis is a good place to live? (Jackson: real estate, crime)

[Cosmicstargoat]

Originally Posted by Tigertate

I personally feel like you are right on point. Things started going downhill shortly after school integration. Many in the white middle class left the city giving the black population the number advantage they needed to take over some of the political power in government. This led to more white middle class people leaving which only weakened the white voting base more. You can not blame black people for reacting the way they did once they were in a position of power. This generation of people was treated pretty crappy in this city, so it is only reasonable to expect that there would be some backlash. The problem is that this backlash has lasted way too long (going on 30 years no), but I believe you will see it end (or at least subside substantially) as the baby boom population starts taking a back seat in politics. You can trace many of the problems in Memphis back to this era and I think the blame is pretty much on both sides.

Of course, the killing of Martin Luther King in Memphis was a huge blow to future race relations. Once the electorate favored the Blacks, many Black Politicians, instead of being leaders, fanned the already white hot coals of racism + used this division for their own personal gain. No one will forget the "Blue Eyed Devils from East Memphis and Germantown" comment by Harold Ford Sf. or the criminal activities of Rickey Peete, who was promptly re-elected after he got out of jail. Many Black leaders and their followers simply did not want to co-exist peacefully and their White counterparts were glad to oblige them by moving out of the city limits in droves.

The greatest two debacles have been the school system mismanagement since 1980 and the absolute devastation that Herenton wreaked as Mayor. The fact that Herenton is not behind bars now is one of the greatest outrages in Memphis history, but he still can generate Black votes, even to this day, further frustrating and alienating people like me. All attempts to unseat this corrupt politician have failed and he continued to rape the city coffers and spew his hatred.

With mismanagement of the MSC +diversion of funds + a decreasing tax base, it is no wonder that we have raised a generation of idiots, and I'll be blunt and state the obvious, most of them are Black. It is a vicious cycle since this generation is now producing more children to go to the same inadequate school system , creating more poverty, illiteracy and hopelessness, which in an inner city environment is the perfect petri dish for crime.

Whites, of course are still leaving if they can, leaving behind a vacuum that is filled with poor Blacks, poor Whites, and an increasing Hispanic population, which is again poor and illiterate.

[weisenheist]

Originally Posted by Tigertate

His decision might have had more to do with family, friends, and Q.O.L. issues in Colorado more than how he felt about Memphis. I d great opportunity in Memphis solely because of the city. Having a great job would have more of an impact on ones happiness than whatever issues the actual city on't think many people would turn down ahas. The Memphis area is not just inner city Memphis. If someone makes enough money they can escape most of the negative aspects of inner city Memphis (i.e. crime, schools, politics).

sure people turn down opportunities ALL the time solely because of the "city"

I trust you are kidding

My own sibling, an MD/Phd turned down two top notch high-paying jobs.....one was last year, the other was about 8 years ago, yes yes, simply because of the character, bs, and lack of a host of things in Memphis

I know many manu other examples as well

[Tigertate]

Originally Posted by weisenheist

sure people turn down opportunities ALL the time solely because of the "city"

I trust you are kidding

My own sibling, an MD/Phd turned down two top notch high-paying jobs.....one was last year, the other was about 8 years ago, yes yes, simply because of the character, bs, and lack of a host of things in Memphis

I know many manu other examples as well

Man, you quoted my post and made it appear that I had a bunch of typos. Here is what I actually said. I think you messed something up when responding to my post on page 3.

"His decision might have had more to do with family, friends, and Q.O.L. issues in Colorado more than how he felt about Memphis. I don't think many people would turn down a great opportunity in Memphis solely because of the city. Having a great job would have more of an impact on ones happiness than whatever issues the actual city has. The Memphis area is not just inner city Memphis. If someone makes enough money they can escape most of the negative aspects of inner city Memphis (i.e. crime, schools, politics)."

Anyway, I am sure that some people do turn down jobs in whatever city because they may not like the city. However, I would argue that there were probably other things that factored into their decision as well. If someone boldly turns down a great job in the Memphis metro solely because of the City of Memphis they probably are already in a great situation, are marketable enough to field multiple job offers, or are turning down a job that is not that much of an upgrade for them. To tell me some guy making 50K in Colorado is going to turn down a 100K job in the Memphis area solely based on the City of Memphis seems far fetched. I am not saying it would never happen, but I still think it would be pretty far fetched. I mean I think Jackson MS is a pretty crappy town, but if I had a job offer that would double my salary the City of Jackson would not be the reason I turned the job down. My decision would be based more on my comfort level in my present job situation and family factors. I am sure I could find a nice place in the Metro Jackson area that would suite me just fine if I wanted the job.

[Cosmicstargoat]

Originally Posted by Tigertate

To tell me some guy making 50K in Colorado is going to turn down a 100K job in the Memphis area solely based on the City of Memphis seems far fetched. I am not saying it would never happen, but I still think it would be pretty far fetched.

I know you were not directly replying to me, but since we have discussed this, I will say that it is not far-fetched. My relative is making 66 in Colorado and turned down near 100 to avoid coming back to Memphis. The cost of living, specifically housing is higher there, too. I'm telling you, money is not everything.

[Tigertate]

Originally Posted by Cosmicstargoat

I know you were not directly replying to me, but since we have discussed this, I will say that it is not far-fetched. My relative is making 66 in Colorado and turned down near 100 to avoid coming back to Memphis. The cost of living, specifically housing is higher there, too. I'm telling you, money is not everything.

Well, in his case I guess the cost-benefit was not in favor of him moving back to the Memphis area. I am sure all situations are different and not as cut and dry as "I hate Memphis, I am not moving there". I mean why would he even apply for the job in the first place if he was not at least considering the move? Did someone just seek him out and offer him the job? If he used to live here I am sure he knows there are nice places to live in this metro. Maybe he is just happy where he is and would not move anywhere else for a job. Would he have taken the job if it was in metro Nashville, Little Rock, or Charlotte? He may just really love his life in Colorado.

[Cosmicstargoat]

Originally Posted by Tigertate

I mean why would he even apply for the job in the first place if he was not at least considering the move? Did someone just seek him out and offer him the job? If he used to live here I

Tater...you don't apply for a promotion in most cases. You earn them and usually have the option to accept or decline. He accepted a promotion to go from Memphis to Colorado. He declined a subsequent promotion to come back to Memphis.

Think, please.

[strumpeace]

In response to the OP...

IMO, Memphis can be a good place to call home. Any place can be a good place to call home. It just depends on your individual circumstances and interests.

Personally, I'm a native who has lived in many other places (and currently live in Memphis 3-4 days per week). I like Memphis overall, but there are definitely some things that need change. And there are people actively working to change all of those things (crime, schools, property tax rates, etc).

[Kabluey]

Change seems to have occurred today, in a way; at least a change in the behavior of voters.

[Cosmicstargoat]

Originally Posted by Kabluey

Change seems to have occurred today, in a way; at least a change in the behavior of voters.

Yep. Slick Willie got his a$$ handed to him, and rightfully so. Now he's blaming god, that it was not gawd's plan for him to be elected. What an irresponsible, totally corrupt sleazebag. Anyone who bases his entire campaign on race deserves to be wrecked in an election. This is a first, Blacks voting for the man, not the race.

[trinityjoy]

I don't know much about the city, but I was so excited that our cheer group had their nationals there (until I got there) as we were pulling up the choppers were in the area because a body was found somewhere near our hotel. The cable show Memphis beat does alot to scare me too. I found 98% of the people I had to encounter very rude, I was so looking forward to the southern charm. I drove around the city for two days and was not impressed, however just across the way in MS it was so beautiful. Just my minds speak, but some cities just cant come back. I hope I am wrong.