Where to live in Memphis area (Bartlett, Collierville: mortgages, houses, elementary schools)

[yff1ndc]

Help... we have been looking hard for a home in the Memphis surrounding area for over a month. We have two children under 5 years old. Schools are top priority. Looking for a house under $235,000 fairly new. We are torn between Collierville and Lakeland. Any advise? What are the demographics in Arlington?

[Pearlbob]

Collierville schools are probably better. It's a very wealthy city. Arlington/Lakeland is not the same, more rural still, not the same level of wealth.

[tigergal]

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

Collierville schools are probably better. It's a very wealthy city. Arlington/Lakeland is not the same, more rural still, not the same level of wealth.

Why would you think the wealth of the city within the same county affects the caliber of the schools? Their funding comes from the same source and the same tax-base. Besides, wealthier does not mean better.

Adding that being rural does not preclude wealth just as a large number of 500K houses doesn't mean wealth. that simply means larger mortgages which of course are the opposite of wealth - debt. A great many people would also prefer a rural area to a cookie cutter suburb.

[AnnPedi614]

Originally Posted by yff1ndc

Help... we have been looking hard for a home in the Memphis surrounding area for over a month. We have two children under 5 years old. Schools are top priority. Looking for a house under $235,000 fairly new. We are torn between Collierville and Lakeland. Any advise? What are the demographics in Arlington?

We just moved to Arlington and are very much enjoying it. Collierville seems very nice but is much more commercial than Arlington. Demographics for Arlington can be found on the city's website which I unfortunately do not have handy. Lots of kids out here it seems and on Saturdays the playground down the street is packed with families........We found more house in Arlington for what we could afford as opposed to Collierville if that helps any. We spent close to 300K though I know there are houses in Arlington for less than that.

[strumpeace]

Ann --

I think you should become an honorary ambassador for the Town of Arlington. You have more enthusiasm for where you live than most anybody I've ever known. I'm glad that you like living there. Your posts make me want to drive up there and check it out.

[Pearlbob]

No, I'm not saying they equate. I was saying from what I hear, Collierville schools are some of the best. In addition, it's a much wealthier area than Lakeland/Arlington. I wasn't meaning they were related. I was just giving a simple difference between the cities.

Originally Posted by tigergal

Why would you think the wealth of the city within the same county affects the caliber of the schools? Their funding comes from the same source and the same tax-base. Besides, wealthier does not mean better.

Adding that being rural does not preclude wealth just as a large number of 500K houses doesn't mean wealth. that simply means larger mortgages which of course are the opposite of wealth - debt. A great many people would also prefer a rural area to a cookie cutter suburb.

[AnnPedi614]

Originally Posted by strumpeace

Ann --

I think you should become an honorary ambassador for the Town of Arlington. You have more enthusiasm for where you live than most anybody I've ever known. I'm glad that you like living there. Your posts make me want to drive up there and check it out.

Strum Arlington is much like the town I grew up in. I just got back a few minutes ago from the local bar where I can go and have a drink without my husband and not worry about being hit on (okay so I shouldn't worry about that most places since I am a 37 year old who is no longer in her prime) and people are just soooooooo nice. Tonights conversation had to do with the Indians/Sox in the ALCS which is something close to my heart. People just accept you here and I love that. Maybe that isn't how Memphis is, but Arlington is definately like that........This town reminds me of home and the people here are awesome.......I might sound silly sometimes but after living years in Florida where you neighbors barely wave, I am loving it here, and I do love that tonight it is 55 degrees out!! I hated the real hot weather year round!!

[AnnPedi614]

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

No, I'm not saying they equate. I was saying from what I hear, Collierville schools are some of the best. In addition, it's a much wealthier area than Lakeland/Arlington. I wasn't meaning they were related. I was just giving a simple difference between the cities.

Is it really that much wealthier? When I was checking Arlington out the average income was somewhere around 68K a year, hardly chicken scratch if you ask me.........And what I like about Arlington as opposed to Collierville is the small town attitude with restaurants ect very close by in Cordova and Bartlett.........

[MissyNMemphis]

Originally Posted by yff1ndc

Help... we have been looking hard for a home in the Memphis surrounding area for over a month. We have two children under 5 years old. Schools are top priority. Looking for a house under $235,000 fairly new. We are torn between Collierville and Lakeland. Any advise? What are the demographics in Arlington?

Either Lakeland or Collierville, however for people with the need for Good Schools, I think it'd be Collierville , also for resale maybe {sometime later}

[MrsMichelle]

Lakeland and Arlington have comparable scores for their elementary schools. And, for the price you are looking in, you can have your pick in any of the areas.