Moving to Memphis with a family (Bartlett, Germantown: house, best schools, place to live)

[rocksteady30]

I will be moving to Memphis with my family as I am starting a new job. I am looking for a place to live and need to know what areas are the best. I would prefer not to live in the city as I have not heard good things about the schools. I am looking for more of a rural setting more country then city. Where should I look? I don't mind a drive if the area is good.
Thanks

[jabogitlu]

1. Where is your job located.
2. Rough house budget.

[rocksteady30]

Downtown Memphis next to the river. No more then 1200 if possible.

[jabogitlu]

The easiest answer is Collierville is about 30 minutes from downtown using TN-385 and I-240 south loop around the city. Depending on "traffic" and where you live in Collierville, could push 35-45.

The best schools with easiest access to downtown and least suburban traffic are southern Germantown and Collierville. Not sure how North MS schools rank, but suburban MS towns like Olive Branch are booming, so they must be doing something right. Southaven to downtown Memphis is probably more like 20-30 minutes coming up I-55.

Mileage to downtown - Bartlett is around 14 miles, Collierville around 30. Southaven around 16. These could probably all fit within your budget. Unless you need like four bedrooms, then I'd rule out Collierville.

[jabogitlu]

Arlington is also around 30 miles from downtown. Lakeland is around 23 miles. These are still good schools, but much much more rural than Bartlett, Collierville or parts of North MS.

you'll be running with the commute always, but jobs are spread out all over the metro, so it's not like everyone is headed downtown. Many people work at the airport, the military base, Presidents Island, Poplar/240, downtown, etc.

[eastmemphisguy]

Are you looking for actual country or suburban "country?" There's a huge difference. Suburbs have better schools, but are more expensive.

[rocksteady30]

I am looking for country not suburban "country" but I am also realistic I will take the closest thing I can find. As far as size goes a 3 bed 2 bath is all we need. Thanks for all the help everyone, this is kind of nerve racking moving to a new town and trying to find a house and school when you are 5 hours away.

[eastmemphisguy]

For authentic country, reasonably close to downtown, I'd recommend the Shelby Forest/Millington area in the NW part of Shelby County. The areas between there and downtown aren't too pretty, but 51 is a quick drive without as much traffic as 240.

[jabogitlu]

I thought about Shelby Forest but then didn't suggest it because of schools. Any ideas how they stack up, up there?

[eastmemphisguy]

With the creation of the municipal school districts, it's a little up in the air. The tentative plan is for Shelby County Schools to open a Woodstock High since the kids there can no longer go to Millington High. They're not going to have time to get that ready for this year though, and are going to bus to Bolton High instead, which is a long distance away. All the elementary schools in that area, except for Northaven, are pretty good.