Moving to Memphis-Arlington (Germantown, Central, Midtown: sales, insurance, crime)

[AnnPedi614]

Well, my husband got a job in Cordova and we are finally able to leave Florida where we have been the last 14 years. I have never enjoyed Florida, there is no change of season and Christmas Lights on Palm Trees just doesn't do it for me!! I grew up outside Boston in a small town and loved being close to a City. We have been up to Memphis twice and I enjoyed what I saw. I realize there is crime and the school systems are not good (they are terrible here in Florida too!!), but we don't have kids so that isn't an issue for us. We did however settle on moving to Arlington because we were told their school systems are good, the average household income was high (usually means less crime) and we just thought the area was pretty.
I keep hearing about the 385 extentsion and apparently we are not going to be far from that. Hubby's commute will be about 15 minutes or so and maybe cut down once that opens but I am not sure.
What can you all tell me about living in Memphis.......My biggest fear is how conservative it may be...Being from Mass I am a good democrat with strong opinions, should I keep my mouth shut?? Also, once we are there is it easy to find your way around? We are living off exit 25 on I-40 and hubby works right off exit 14 or 16 (Germantown Rd). Will his commute be easy? There didn't appear to be a lot of traffic but I am not sure what 8:30 on a weekday will look like to him.

[Pearlbob]

I think Memphis is very liberal....for the south. But either way, you'll be fine. There are plenty of very liberal and very conservative people, so it evens out.

I personally think Memphis is a breeze to get around and it did not take me long at all to figure the streets out. Coming from Boston, I'm sure it will be easy for you as well.

Your husband's commute will be about the easiest commute known to man. I am positive 99% of the people in this city would kill to have that type of commute. It will probably take him no more than 3 minutes on the interstate, seriously. Now, Germantown Rd is a nightmare, but in the mornings all traffic is flowing the same way (into town) and he'll be going the opposite way (onto Gtown Rd) so it should be very easy for him.

[tennreb]

The commute shouldn't be bad. Arlington is a typical newer suburb. All the suburbs surrounding Memphis are very conservative. I don't know how liberal opinions would be received, and I would keep them to myself in the suburbs. Midtown and Downtown are known for their diversity and liberal opinions are much more valued there. The commute shouldn't be bad at all, but they are planning to widen the section of I-40 between 385 and Germantown Rd, so be prepared for a few years of construction coming up. Crime is higher in Midtown, but it isn't bad if you live in a good neighborhood (Central Gardens). The commute from there to Germantown Rd. takes about 20 minutes. There is no traffic since you are going against rush hour traffic. You do have the challenges of living in a city if you live in Midtown. It isn't for everyone. I don't mean to offend, but a liberal living in the suburbs is, to me, hypocritical.

[Pearlbob]

I have to disagree with that....liberals don't belong in the surburbs? That seems awfully ridiculous to me. People live in the suburbs because they want a big yard, good schools, and more bang for their buck, not because they support George W. You think of all the wealthy people in midtown, all of those are liberal? No way. Believe me, no way.

Midtown and downtown yes, has more younger people, more "alternative" people, more college students, more gay people...so thus, more liberal people. But that's all relative.

Generally speaking, when you are young you live in the city and go out and party. As you age, your priorities change and you are looking for a big house, family, dogs, schools, etc and people typically move further out of the city for that. I don't see how liberal/conservative has anything to do with that.

[AnnPedi614]

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

I have to disagree with that....liberals don't belong in the surburbs? That seems awfully ridiculous to me. People live in the suburbs because they want a big yard, good schools, and more bang for their buck, not because they support George W. You think of all the wealthy people in midtown, all of those are liberal? No way. Believe me, no way.

Midtown and downtown yes, has more younger people, more "alternative" people, more college students, more gay people...so thus, more liberal people. But that's all relative.

Generally speaking, when you are young you live in the city and go out and party. As you age, your priorities change and you are looking for a big house, family, dogs, schools, etc and people typically move further out of the city for that. I don't see how liberal/conservative has anything to do with that.

We actually chose Arlington because our yard will be a bit bigger and my two labs need the space. I also agree that liberals live in the burbs, after all that is where I grew up!! LOL
We are so looking forward to the move. How long will it take to get downtown from Exit 25 on I-40. We went to a Redbirds game when we were there and LOVED the park etc. Great city it seems with LOTS to do. I realize my question about liberals was probably a bad question, but you really don't want to get stuck in an ultra conservative area if you are me!! I figured Memphis being a city would be more diverse than if we were out in the middle of nowhere so I am not all that worried........
As for Germantown Rd, my husband will be working near Rock Creek Parkway so there should be no issues of traffic when he gets off there, I just am not sure really how long it will take to get from our house to the highway and then the 9 miles to the exit!! We discovered the Flying Saucer when we were there for his second interview and I loved it!! So many beers so little time!

[AnnPedi614]

Originally Posted by tennreb

The commute shouldn't be bad. Arlington is a typical newer suburb. All the suburbs surrounding Memphis are very conservative. I don't know how liberal opinions would be received, and I would keep them to myself in the suburbs. Midtown and Downtown are known for their diversity and liberal opinions are much more valued there. The commute shouldn't be bad at all, but they are planning to widen the section of I-40 between 385 and Germantown Rd, so be prepared for a few years of construction coming up. Crime is higher in Midtown, but it isn't bad if you live in a good neighborhood (Central Gardens). The commute from there to Germantown Rd. takes about 20 minutes. There is no traffic since you are going against rush hour traffic. You do have the challenges of living in a city if you live in Midtown. It isn't for everyone. I don't mean to offend, but a liberal living in the suburbs is, to me, hypocritical.

We won't be moving to midtown as we bought a house in Arlington in a brand new subdivision........LOVE IT....Love the taxes, and LOVE LOVE LOVE the cost of insurance.....We are in Florida right now and everything is high here except sales tax. Which is a question I had, do pay sales tax on groceries?

[tennreb]

I just think living in the suburbs abandons liberal ideals, like helping the poor and downtrodden, reducing gas by living in a more urban environment, supporting a diverse community, not turning your back on the city, etc. Having a big house with a big yard (encourages sprawl and has an increased carbon footprint), living in a homogenous community and running from diversity, and abandoning the poor in the inner city don't seem very liberal too me. I think if you are a liberal and choose to live in the far flung suburbs, i think maybe you should keep liberal opinions to yourself. If you aren't willing to walk the walk, then you shouldn't talk the talk. There are tons of people that live in urban environments that have families. A choice to live in the suburbs has certain negative effects on society that go against the liberal philosphy. I'm not saying that it is wrong to live in the suburbs, but I do think it is hypocritical to endorse a philosophy and make lifestyle choices that contradict that philosophy.

Ann, I really don't mean to offend you. Welcome to Memphis and I hope you really enjoy it here.

[AnnPedi614]

Originally Posted by tennreb

I just think living in the suburbs abandons liberal ideals, like helping the poor and downtrodden, reducing gas by living in a more urban environment, supporting a diverse community, not turning your back on the city, etc. Having a big house with a big yard (encourages sprawl and has an increased carbon footprint), living in a homogenous community and running from diversity, and abandoning the poor in the inner city don't seem very liberal too me. I think if you are a liberal and choose to live in the far flung suburbs, i think maybe you should keep liberal opinions to yourself. If you aren't willing to walk the walk, then you shouldn't talk the talk. There are tons of people that live in urban environments that have families. A choice to live in the suburbs has certain negative effects on society that go against the liberal philosphy. I'm not saying that it is wrong to live in the suburbs, but I do think it is hypocritical to endorse a philosophy and make lifestyle choices that contradict that philosophy.

Ann, I really don't mean to offend you. Welcome to Memphis and I hope you really enjoy it here.

Tennreb, you don't offend me at all. It would take much more than the above. I choose suburban life because that is what I have known all my life. You can believe in helping the poor without living in a city, afterall cities are not the only place where people are poor. As for the enviorment, our goal was to live close enough to his work that a tank of gas a week is all he will need and I am sure we have done that. I completely disagree that where you live has anything to do with liberal philosphy, after all I have been liberal all my life and never lived in a city. If I were still in Boston I would love to live in the city, you don't need a car and you can walk to everything. In southern cities that isn't really possible with the exception of maybe Atlanta because their transit system is so good.
As for keeping my opinions to myself, I am not sure that is possible, I speak out when I disagree with people and try to make them think about what they are saying. It should be interesting to say the least.

[Pearlbob]

Oh come on!!! Living in Arlington because you want a big yard for your dog to play in and a non-violent education for your children means you are abondoning the poor people in the inner city? Do you live in Orange Mound? Hollywood? I mean, seriously. We're not all martars here. "Sorry kids, you're going to have to skip college because I ethically need to donate all your college fund to the homeless."

How much money has Bill Gates donated to AIDS programs all over the world? Is that not good enough, he needs to move down to Compton or East St. Louis in order to prove himself as a humanitarian?


I don't think anyone needs to "keep their mouth shut" just because they live in a suburb and don't worship the Bush family and go to southern baptist church 8 times a week. If we live in a society where people are not allowed to express an ounce of "liberal" opinion to their neighbors, then this isn't the USA anymore. And I highly doubt the OP meant that she's going to go around to all her neighbors preaching liberal values and forcing them on people.

[tennreb]

Originally Posted by AnnPedi614

We won't be moving to midtown as we bought a house in Arlington in a brand new subdivision........LOVE IT....Love the taxes, and LOVE LOVE LOVE the cost of insurance.....We are in Florida right now and everything is high here except sales tax. Which is a question I had, do pay sales tax on groceries?

Yes, you have to pay sales tax on everything, but otherwise the tax structure is very generous, especially to those with higher incomes. They tried to pass an income tax a few years ago, but a near riot at the state capitol prevented it and seemed to kill it forever. The state is currently having huge surpluses, so the taxes should be stable or possibly decreasing.