UK to Memphis (Germantown, Millington, Central: apartments, to rent, crime rate)

[misthangel]

Hello

My Husband just got a job at the Uni. Tennessee and we are moving from the UK to Memphis. I know that life in the US is quite different to USA, but I’m looking forward to the change .

I have just started doing some research on Memphis, from what I have read so far, there seems to be an extremely high crime rate. I have a few questions (sorry if they seem lame) I am just assuming that everything is quite different to the UK.

What is the public transport system like? (Can i do without having a car?)

What types of properties are best to rent? (Apartment or Town houses?).

What is the Job market like? (In terms of employment for 'fresh graduates')

Also could you point me to the areas that are relatively safe to live?





Many thanks for your response

[uvafan4life2]

I would deffinatly suggest southside memphis!

[BoarHunter]

Crime rate in the UK is higher than most of Europe and that in many place in the US ! As a european I too was told the US was dangerous, indeed it is but in some places because high crime area are well defined not like in Europe were the limits are much more blurred.
If you have a good income, you can pick a safe community. poblem are for the poor and honest workig class.
Believe me, I live in France and it is becoming simply frightening, you don't hear 1/10th of what is happening in term of riots organised by muslims and the like.
I doubt there is one place in the US were the cops and firefighters get attracted in real ambushes to be stoned, get their car put on fire and justice does nothing to prevent further riots when they don't claim it is because the police provoked them etc... The french justice system is all controlled by extrem left wingers.
Indeed it is why we are looking to move to the US. Eastern Europe would be OK too but the language barrier is an issue and my children are US citizen, so !
To put it bluntly, france is dying and if this incompent and leftiest "bourgeoise", royale gets elected, it will be the end ! Sarko could may be ressurect the country but the french are so crazyand rotten by lefiest ideology that I doubt he will get elected.

[Dd714]

Originally Posted by uvafan4life2

I would deffinatly suggest southside memphis!

LOL, I take that you meant it as a joke, or you don't like the English. Southside Memphis indeed.

[misthangel]

Originally Posted by Dd714

LOL, I take that you meant it as a joke, or you don't like the English. Southside Memphis indeed.

What's wrong with South Memphis? Is it a dodgy area?

[Dd714]

Originally Posted by misthangel

What's wrong with South Memphis? Is it a dodgy area?

The neighborhoods on the south side (Whitehaven) range from filthy industrial to run-down commercial to crime-ridden gang-banger and crack-ho neighborhoods with daily shootings that rival downtown Baghdad. It's not where you want to live. I think uvafan just had an evil sense of humour.

[TheBigApple]

I have to agree with you Dd714. Who in their right mind would recommend south Memphis? I know a few people who still live there, but I definitely wouldn't recommend it to a newcomer. There are nicer, safer areas.

[Ambrosia]

I moved to Memphis from California about 9 years ago. Im very unpleased with the city but unfortunately work keeps me here. If you are looking for a good part of Memphis to live in I would suggest either Germantown or Cordova. But then again those areas are high priced and starting to get a little bad also. A bigger suggestion would be either Millington TN or Tipton County and just commute to work. Im wanting to at least get out of Shelby County and am working on it.

[emp6t]

What is the public transport system like? (Can i do without having a car?) Lame. You need a car to do your shopping.

What is the Job market like? (In terms of employment for 'fresh graduates'). Weak. Yet again, Americans are nuts about a British accent, so there's your competitive advantage!

Also could you point me to the areas that are relatively safe to live? Midtown, midtown, midtown. Not as urban as many European cities, but walkable and safe. Tons of people from everywhere in the world as well.

[beth2275]

I just stumbled upon this forum and had to register and give some balance to some of the negative junk being written. I also moved to Memphis about 9 years ago, and while it took some adjustment living in a smaller city that is culturally very different from Chicago (where I moved from), overall I've been really very happy here. I would recommend living in Midtown. Mostly, you'll find apartments or houses to rent, less so townhouses. I live in Midtown and work downtown (near UT) and my commute is less than 10 minutes each way. Neighborhoods like Cooper-Young, Evergreen, Vollintine-Evergreen, and Central Gardens feature historic housing with a lot of character. Our neighborhood is pretty pedestrian friendly - you see the neighbors out and about a lot, there are a few restaurants nearby, but anywhere in Memphis you are going to need a car.

While the reports of Memphis's violent crime rate are scary, it's not like people are being terrorized on the street. I had a lawnmower stolen once and several years ago, a car window broken. Maybe that would be an unacceptable level of crime to some people; I consider it a minor cost to live in the city with access to amenities like good, local restaurants, great bars, theaters, the symphony, the ballet,and baseball games.

Reports of slow job growth in Memphis again, may be true if you look at the whole, sprawling population and its low levels of educational attainment, but if you have a college degree, there are plenty of jobs available.