Possible Move to Memphis? (Midtown: appointed, crime, homes)

[JesusisLord]

Hey guys and gals,

I've lived in Los Angeles for my entire thirty five years. I'm ready for a change. I understand once I leave California you think I might not be able to come back based on expenses. I am financially very well off, this is not a concern. I have a very deep voice and I do voice overs on the radio here in California. I am an hispanic man, and was considering the south as a place of interest. My entire family is Latino and I wasn't sure if we would be a sore thumb or be considered a family of illegals in Memphis. I'm not interested in deflecting stereotypes. What activities do people in Memphis do on the weekends other than eat at restraunts, or a movie or a visit to the mall? I don't want to come out there and realize I'll be bored to tears. Is the humidity and bugs a real problem for people used to dry heat? I don't want to feel like I'm taking a shower everytime I walk outside. Should I consider having a pool installed? That's enough questions for now, I know I strayed in the first part, so thank guys.

[Pearlbob]

Well, in the summer, yes. You feel like you are IN a shower once you step outside. The difference between humidity and dry heat is night and day. The humidity here is horrible because it's A) hot and B) we're in the delta.

Bugs (mosquitos) are a bigger problem the further out of the city you go. The more people, action, and concrete, the fewer mosquitos you'll find. But, they are still here in large numbers.

Memphis is a typical semi-large city. I would imagine people who live here do the same things on the weekends that you do out there. We may not have a beach and ocean nearby, but I doubt most LA'ers spend their weekends on the beach anyway. We have parks, museums, outdoor activities, festivals, etc just like every other town.

[JesusisLord]

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

Well, in the summer, yes. You feel like you are IN a shower once you step outside. The difference between humidity and dry heat is night and day. The humidity here is horrible because it's A) hot and B) we're in the delta.

Bugs (mosquitos) are a bigger problem the further out of the city you go. The more people, action, and concrete, the fewer mosquitos you'll find. But, they are still here in large numbers.

Memphis is a typical semi-large city. I would imagine people who live here do the same things on the weekends that you do out there. We may not have a beach and ocean nearby, but I doubt most LA'ers spend their weekends on the beach anyway. We have parks, museums, outdoor activities, festivals, etc just like every other town.

Thank you PearlBob
I think I could get used to the humidity and bugs. Which parts of Memphis should I avoid looking into, and where is the most diversity? Is the south still quite segregated, when I was in Orlando,Florida the blacks lived in one part and the whites lived in another. Is there alot of ethnic cuisines in Memphis, and is the southern food really good? Sounds like you guys have alot of things to do there, and alot of people on this site are happy about living in Memphis. I'm used to big cities, Los Angeles County has 10 million people. I'm not a big fan of mosquitoes, but I'm looking to hit Tennessee head on, just not sure which part yet. Does anyone out there have significant complaints about Memphis?

[Pearlbob]

There are bad parts all over Memphis.

The most diverse areas will be midtown and downtown.

I wouldn't say Memphis is necessarily segregated by race, it's just segregated by safety and crime. Which, in turn, is basically race as well. I don't care what race you are if you live next door to me, as long as you aren't dealing drugs and shooting at me.

I think Memphis has a good restaurant selection. Good asian food, mexican, etc.

I do not like southern food so I have no comment on that.

Significant complaint about Memphis: it's the 8th most dangerous city in the country. Crime is horrible. Schools are detestable. Very poor, lots of ignorance due to that and the schools. Just have to know where to live, what to avoid, and find your own groove here.

[hgupta]

There's going to be a much smaller percentage of Hispanics in Memphis than what you are used to, but all of my friends with Latino backgrounds have said that their racial background is a non-issue.

I don't think it is possible to be bored to tears. My weekend (fun) activities pretty much revolve around seeing live music, visiting new restaurants. It seems like there is a festival every weekend. You will not be disappointed by Southern food. There's a quite a variety of it. I love it, but its also very rich, so I don't eat it too often. Be sure to check out Ellen's soul food, and Gus' Fried Chicken. Unbeliavably good.

And it is hot, but you'll adapt. Everyone has air conditioning everywhere so you won't really notice unless you have to be outside for extended period.

[strumpeace]

My observations -- (Take them for whatever they're worth)

Downtown is among the least diverse (in terms of race and socioeconomic status) areas in the entire city.

The most diverse areas of the city are not to be found in its center or its fringe areas. Racially, areas near White Station/Quince, such as the Sea Isle neighborhood, are the most diverse areas. In those neighborhoods, there are black and white people living next door to each other. That's something rarely found in Midtown (where streets or blocks are segregated). Hickory Hill and Raleigh probably have the most diverse mix of races in Memphis (Hispanics included).

[Pearlbob]

I see. I think it might depend on what you mean by "diverse." Diverse speaking only about race? Or diverse in terms of things to do? Downtown is diverse in terms of different options for activities, food, culture, educational things, etc.

Hickory Hill is diverse racially, but it is also becoming one of the most dangerous areas of town. So that's why it's not even on my radar to suggest to people.

Midtown is diverse because you can find million dollar homes and well, not million dollar homes Rich and poor, stay at home moms and working class single moms. College students and retired folk.

But if you are talking about race only, then downtown is predominantly white people, white collar.

[strumpeace]

Diverse in terms of things to do = Midtown and Downtown, definitely. (Unless eating chicken wings and going to the check cashing store count as 'diverse'.)

[Pearlbob]

Or going to the check cashing place to get money to eat chicken wings.

[hgupta]

Originally Posted by strumpeace

Diverse in terms of things to do = Midtown and Downtown, definitely.

Hickory hill has my favorite Korean restaurant, Thai restaurant, Mexican restaurant, and one of the few South Indian restaurants in town. Plus it has the international farmer's market. Its not down for the count yet.

I think it takes the cake for diversity.