Is it just Memphis? (Collierville, Philadelphia: transplants, violent crime, house)

[the4pits]

Do you guys really think that this rampant crime is just in the Memphis metro area? I am born and raised in Virginia Beach,VA and have seen a huge increase in crime over the last decade. I live in a nice suburb, with good schools, and in the past couple years have had my vehicle vandalized twice.Once a window shot out, and the other keyed all over. My wifes truck broken into twice. My wife saw a man leaving my neighbors house at 8 am carrying a bag and sure enough he had just robbed them and walked right past my kids bus stop. I was scared out of my hot tub one night when police were chasing someone through back yards with a helicopter spotlight and several officers on foot jumping fences. Sometimes sitting outside at night I hear gunshots way off in the distance and wonder what has happened to this great city I have lived all of my life? I read these posts about Memphis, and many other cities, and they all sound the same. People always complaining about how crime is out of control, and how schools are on the decline, racism,traffic,etc... Just go to any major city in the US forums and check it out. The world we all live in now is just not as safe as it was many years ago, not even 5 yrs ago for that matter.I am considering a relocation to the area, and sure I have my doubts. I have visited, looked at homes, and really liked what I saw. Then I read the posts on here and get scared to bring my family into an area that so many say is a living hell.Are there any of you out there that can relate to what Im saying about my city, or any other city, and can say that maybe its just not Memphis that has its problems? Is there anywhere in the country that we can really feel safe all of the time? Would I be making a huge mistake by coming to an area that many on here say is terrible? Do the residents of the area really feal unsafe in their normal everyday lives such as work, shopping, going out to eat, walikng the dog, playing with your kids in your yard, etc...Somebody please share your thoughts on this.

[strumpeace]

Do the residents of the area really feal unsafe in their normal everyday lives such as work, shopping, going out to eat, walikng the dog, playing with your kids in your yard, etc.

The residents of certain parts of the city may feel unsafe doing those things. I don't live in those 'certain parts', so I don't feel unsafe at all.

[Pearlbob]

Agreed, I don't feel unsafe in my "area" at all, and I live in *gasp* midtown. By the large number of kids riding bikes, women walking dogs, older ladies walking together around the neighborhood, I don't think too many people feel unsafe in the area either.

Sure, there are plenty of parts of Memphis that I would feel unsafe driving through, let alone out walking. But why on earth would I be around those areas?! I would imagine that most people moving to Memphis who think to look at this forum and post questions on here...you probably are also not the type of person to be living in those areas.

[hgupta]

If you want to see bad...pay attention to Philadelphia news! cops getting shot, regular kidnappings for ransom. I left when I realized that I was the only guy I knew who had not been mugged at gunpoint. But the whole country has seen a huge growth in violent crimes. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that soldiers and police draw from the same pool of brave men and women, so there is a shortage of police across the country, and therefore an upswing in crime.

The only good thing about sprawl in Memphis is that its easy to avoid crime. Its usually fairly far away where you have no business being. Most murders happen between people in some sort of dispute, and it doesn't involve random bystanders very often.

[mjtinmemphis]

the4pits,

Crime is everywhere. I've lived in Memphis for 5 years and only been a victim 1 time. An idiot broke into my home but didn't get too far due to an alarm and a couple of pit bulls next door. (IMO that could have happened anywhere) Other than that I 've not had any problems.

I've lived in quite a few places and have visited every major city in the country and I am here to tell you that crime is everywhere. The biggest difference is how the news media portrays crime and other issues facing the region.

The best advise that I could give you is to avoid watching the 10 o'clock news. Don't believe everything that uninformed Memphians tell you that is negative.

Before you move here make sure that you can adjust to the "Delta" and "Bible Belt" culture. IMO the reason why alot of transplants don't adjust is they don't like the culture. Come for a visit, talk to the residents that have experienced life elsewhere and make a decision. If you make the decision, make sure you move with an open mind!

Good Luck.

JT

[London79]

the4pits, you're asking people who have no insight about the topic. Crime isn't an issue in some areas but it IS rampant in others. It's accepted as the norm in those areas so there is no real push to curb it. It's mostly where you have a lot of poor people. Avoid certain areas and you'll be okay.

[memtndude77]

I feel safe since I live in a suburb but crime is not just limited to the city of Memphis itself. It's just that the types of crimes in my area (Collierville) are not as prevalent. In my area the crimes tend to be more related to shop-lifting or break-ins, but this area is generally safe and definitely much safer than the city of memphis proper. Memphis has many car-jackings, assaults, rapes, murders,etc that are just not common here. True i believe violent crime is more rampant across the country but Memphis itself has had very bad crime for years and it just hasn't become much better. Just to consider, we have a very difficult time recruiting skilled folks to the Memphis area just because of the crime issue itself. In a city of our size we should not have this level and intensity of violent crime. I think Memphis reflects trends that are seen across the country; there just seems to be more of it. It all depends on whether you FEEL safe here.