Moving to Memphis-Arlington (Germantown, Midtown, Gates: fit in, home, safe area)

[Pearlbob]

Sorry I don't know more about bars out there. I never drive out east. There is a Mulligans on Gtown Rd at Trinity, and also one further east on 64 and....??? Towards Lakeland. I would imagine there are no bars in Arlington.

There is a Coletta's italian at Appling/Stage. Also Maccaroni Grill and Olive Garden of course. Memphis Pizza Cafe at Gtown/40.

[AnnPedi614]

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

Sorry I don't know more about bars out there. I never drive out east. There is a Mulligans on Gtown Rd at Trinity, and also one further east on 64 and....??? Towards Lakeland. I would imagine there are no bars in Arlington.

There is a Coletta's italian at Appling/Stage. Also Maccaroni Grill and Olive Garden of course. Memphis Pizza Cafe at Gtown/40.

Don't confuse Italian food with Macaroni Grill and Olive Garden

[strumpeace]

Hi, Ann! Welcome to the area!

I have a few points; hopefully, I can make them without being accused of sewing seeds of discord.

First, regarding being a liberal in this area -- We should differentiate between 'Democrat' and 'liberal'. We have plenty of the former but few of the latter. You will find that, unlike in the Northeast, there is not much difference between the two major political parties here. In fact, they crossover all the time. The Congressman who represents most of Memphis in the US House is perhaps the only prominent liberal in town. There are others, of course, but few of them have any name recognition outside of their own circles. What we call liberal here wouldn't pass for moderate in most of the Northeast.

That being said, Memphis is remarkably tolerant of differences in opinion. My classmates in grad school and my workmates all know that I lean toward socialism. Yet, I have never heard a negative word -- some good-spirited ribbing, perhaps -- but nothing ugly.

If you consider yourself a progressive Christian, there are some great churches in the area that might fit. I can give you some recommendations if you'd like.

Finally, regarding being liberal and living in the suburbs -- You and I know that political affiliation and personal/family preferences have nothing to do with one another. There are conservatives in the city and liberals in the suburbs. That's the way life works. When I picked my current apartment, my political affiliation did not even come to mind. Why should it have? I picked what worked for me, and I don't have to answer to anyone for that. Neither do you. Heck, I'm an urban planner, and I don't live in the heart of the city. Yet, (as modestly as I can say this) my workmates and I probably do more to make this city livable than most people who live in the city.

Flying Saucer is a cool place. I used to go to the one in Little Rock when I lived there. Oh, and I like Colletta's better than any of the Grisanti places -- but I'm an odd duck on that one.

Anyway, welcome to the area. Best wishes.

[Pearlbob]

Haha, I know. I'm just trying to think of anything! Unfortunately, most "authentic" food is not out in the suburbs. Things are changing though, and the burbs are getting more and more real restaurants as opposed to just the Chili's and Outback Steakhouses that are the norm out there.

[AnnPedi614]

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

Haha, I know. I'm just trying to think of anything! Unfortunately, most "authentic" food is not out in the suburbs. Things are changing though, and the burbs are getting more and more real restaurants as opposed to just the Chili's and Outback Steakhouses that are the norm out there.

We went to Firebird's when were there and it was kind of a cool place. They made great martinis anyway........We went to Flying Sauce, J. Alexanders and that horrible O'Charleys........YUCK. We also went Amerigo's which was pretty good and I noticed a PF Chang's so that was nice. Definately a MUCH better selection of restaurants than we have where I am in Florida.

[AnnPedi614]

Originally Posted by strumpeace

Hi, Ann! Welcome to the area!

I have a few points; hopefully, I can make them without being accused of sewing seeds of discord.

First, regarding being a liberal in this area -- We should differentiate between 'Democrat' and 'liberal'. We have plenty of the former but few of the latter. You will find that, unlike in the Northeast, there is not much difference between the two major political parties here. In fact, they crossover all the time. The Congressman who represents most of Memphis in the US House is perhaps the only prominent liberal in town. There are others, of course, but few of them have any name recognition outside of their own circles. What we call liberal here wouldn't pass for moderate in most of the Northeast.

That being said, Memphis is remarkably tolerant of differences in opinion. My classmates in grad school and my workmates all know that I lean toward socialism. Yet, I have never heard a negative word -- some good-spirited ribbing, perhaps -- but nothing ugly.

If you consider yourself a progressive Christian, there are some great churches in the area that might fit. I can give you some recommendations if you'd like.

Finally, regarding being liberal and living in the suburbs -- You and I know that political affiliation and personal/family preferences have nothing to do with one another. There are conservatives in the city and liberals in the suburbs. That's the way life works. When I picked my current apartment, my political affiliation did not even come to mind. Why should it have? I picked what worked for me, and I don't have to answer to anyone for that. Neither do you. Heck, I'm an urban planner, and I don't live in the heart of the city. Yet, (as modestly as I can say this) my workmates and I probably do more to make this city livable than most people who live in the city.

Flying Saucer is a cool place. I used to go to the one in Little Rock when I lived there. Oh, and I like Colletta's better than any of the Grisanti places -- but I'm an odd duck on that one.

Anyway, welcome to the area. Best wishes.

Definately not a progressive Christian, hubby is Catholic and I am just your run of the mill First Congregationalist. Don't go to church much, but you never know that might change when we get there. If it does I am sure we will end up at a Catholic Church, which I noticed there was a surprisingly large number of.
We are looking forward to the move and Memphis seems like a great place. A city (yes I know about the crime but it is a city afterall) that seems to have a little of everything. I think we will adjust well to it. I look forward to going to the Zoo, taking in baseball games (I know it isn't my beloved Red Sox but it will do), the restaurants and last but not least.........being an hour from Tunica. I love gambling but wouldn't want to be too close!! This is just far enough away!! My only wish would be Southwest flying out of Memphis!!

[Pearlbob]

Oh, Amerigo's! yes, I like that place. I always forget about it.

The Firebirds at the new Collierville mall? The Stix across the street at the mall has great martinis too. Must be a mall thing

All that you listed are still chains though, albeit nicer chains. You'll find a ton more local restaurants downtown and in midtown.

[Pearlbob]

"A city (yes I know about the crime but it is a city afterall) that seems to have a little of everything. "

How refreshing is THAT to hear?!!!! I love it.

[AnnPedi614]

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

Oh, Amerigo's! yes, I like that place. I always forget about it.

The Firebirds at the new Collierville mall? The Stix across the street at the mall has great martinis too. Must be a mall thing

All that you listed are still chains though, albeit nicer chains. You'll find a ton more local restaurants downtown and in midtown.

The firebird's we went to was in Cordova I think, across from Wolfchase. I plan on going down to the Avenues at Carriage Crossing at some point, but I think it is a bit too far to be drinking a martini and trying to get home!! I wasn't aware they were all chains, it will be interesting getting there and checking everything out. I knew Flying Saucer was a chain but the others I was unaware.

[AnnPedi614]

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

"A city (yes I know about the crime but it is a city afterall) that seems to have a little of everything. "

How refreshing is THAT to hear?!!!! I love it.

Oh Pearlbob if you saw where I Lived you would completely understand. One of the reasons we decided on Arlington is, it seems the crime is no where near what it is in even Cordova. Cordova for location was our first choice, but after hearing some stories we decided to go further out. My husband works long hours so I need to feel safe. I can't get over though, how much Memphis has to offer. It isn't Boston, but it seems much better than ANYTHING we have here in Florida. Florida offers very little in the way of culture and you can only take the mouse for so long!! If I had my way, I would be headed up I95 and on my way to Boston, but since the job is in Memphis here we come!!
I think one thing that will bother me is hearing the black/white thing. The way people talk about race surprises me a bit, though Boston is a racist city so it isn't anything I haven't heard before.