Best areas to live (Memphis, Bartlett: real estate, low crime, houses) - City-Data Forum

Nole · 02-12-2008, 03:54 PM

I am in my mid-20's and relocating to Memphis with my wife for a new job in the Southwind area. I have been back in school for the past two years and previous to that we lived in Downtown Denver. In Denver we enjoyed being able to walk to fun bars and restaurants at night and and we were hoping to find something like this in Memphis. We have looked in the midtown area but when we visited we weren't that impressed with the area (we may not have seen the good parts though). We don't want to have to worry about our car/house getting broken into on a regular basis and not feel comfortable going outside at night (which is how some people make it sound). I am also wondering what the commute would be like to the Southwind area. We are also looking in Germantown and Cordova area and wondering if there is anything out there or if everything to do is in downtown and midtown. It seems like we can get a lot more for our money in Cordova but we don't want to be stuck in a decling area. It also sounds like traffic is a pain on Germantown Pkwy. Any advice will help. Thanks.

tennreb · 02-12-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nole

I am in my mid-20's and relocating to Memphis with my wife for a new job in the Southwind area. I have been back in school for the past two years and previous to that we lived in Downtown Denver. In Denver we enjoyed being able to walk to fun bars and restaurants at night and and we were hoping to find something like this in Memphis. We have looked in the midtown area but when we visited we weren't that impressed with the area (we may not have seen the good parts though). We don't want to have to worry about our car/house getting broken into on a regular basis and not feel comfortable going outside at night (which is how some people make it sound). I am also wondering what the commute would be like to the Southwind area. We are also looking in Germantown and Cordova area and wondering if there is anything out there or if everything to do is in downtown and midtown. It seems like we can get a lot more for our money in Cordova but we don't want to be stuck in a decling area. It also sounds like traffic is a pain on Germantown Pkwy. Any advice will help. Thanks.

As a young person, you will want to live in either downtown, midtown, or possibly east memphis. Downtown and midtown are your best bets. The Cooper-Young area of Midtown is a great place to live with tons of bars and restaurants of all types to walk to, but break-ins are a problem. Downtown has low crime, tons of bars and restaurants, and a great social scene. However, you have to go quite a ways to go to a large grocery store or do major shopping. The commute to Southwind would be about 30 min during rush hour. Germantown and Cordova aren't really ideal for young people. The only young people that live in Germantown grew up there and stick to their friends they went to high school with, though even the Germantown kids are migrating downtown (I'm one of them). Cordova is more middle class, and people in their 20s that live there seem to be more myopic. They go out to bars like Chili's and do not generally seem to be interested in arts events.

TN-rox · 02-12-2008, 04:31 PM

Your best bet would be Midtown or downtown even (if you can afford riverfront living). Downtown and Midtown is where most everything entertainment-wise is.Midtown is very nice and has an active night-life.Cordova is declining since they annexed it onto Memphis so I wouldnt recomend it. Germantown is okay or even Bartlett.

Pearlbob · 02-12-2008, 06:38 PM

I can't imagine being a young person and being stuck out in the suburbs. The comment Tennreb made about Chili's is dead on - I know several younger people in Cordova who think a great night "out" is drinking at Chili's. Yawn.

At least with downtown, you'd be going against traffic during rush hours....most everyone else will be commuting into town.

Downtown and a couple parts of midtown are the only "walkable" areas around here. I live in midtown, and my area is great. I would say at least 90% of midtown is perfectly fine. It houses (literally) the largest, oldest, grandest, most historic homes in town. If you are in town again, drive down Belvedere between Union and Central - you'll change your mind about being unimpressed.

SaraCnfld · 02-12-2008, 09:25 PM

Germantown is a great place to live or even Collierville although it is more family oriented but there is a lot to do in Cordova which isn't far. Downtown is a big commute to Southwind but it can be done by interstate pretty easily barring no accidents. I lived in all three places and never felt unsafe but there are parimeters to what is safe and unsafe downtown. Midtown I wasn't all that impressed with and didn't feel as safe as the other places. Good luck but don't rule out Germantown or Collierville, it's all in what you are looking for, if safety is your number one concern check it out.

alloverthecity · 02-12-2008, 10:57 PM

Hello everyone, I agree with what most of the previous repliers have said, except probably with more emphasis. I grew up in the neighboring county of Fayette, moved to Middle Tennessee for college, moved back here, moved back to middle TN, and now am back again -- but only because my job required me to (otherwise I definitely would have stayed in Nashville). When I lived in Nashville, I lived in an area of Nashville (downtown/West End/Vanderbilt) comparable to midtown or downtown Memphis and WOULDN'T THINK of living anywhere else in Nashville for various reasons. Now that I'm back in the Memphis area I live out from the city and mostly hate it except for the lower taxes in Fayette and quiet surroundings. There STILL is not efficient travel routes into/out of the city -- another MAJOR DISLIKE of mine versus if I lived in midtown or downtown memphis. I like to spend a lot of time seeing live bands, going to non-chain restaurants, arts, etc., which in my opinion you will only mostly find in the midtown or downtown areas of Memphis. Like someone previously said, unless you consider Applebee's, Fox & Hound, etc. to be fun, then stick to midtown or downtown. Sure, C'ville, Cordova, or the like may be safer and cleaner, but if you have to drive the wheels off your car, waste time in traffic, live in white bread surroundings, etc., is it REALLY worth it living out there?

Take if from someone who has been on BOTH sides of the equation.

Bidney Turner · 02-13-2008, 09:43 PM

Actually, only portions of Cordova have been annexed into the city of Memphis, so far. Working at Southwind, you would be very close to both Germantown and Collierville, as well as some areas of the city that others have mentioned above. Cordova would be a little longer commute. It is true that some areas are declining, but make your Realtor really do some homework and educate you as to which areas are appreciating (and at what rate) and which areas are not. Real estate is very local, every neighborhood is different, and while your Realtor cannot ethically tell you where to live, he/she can give you the information to help you decide. Put them to work!

Nole · 02-17-2008, 09:03 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I am looking at a place between the University of Memphis and the Memphis Country Club and haven't heard much about that area. Does anyone know what that area is like on Midland Ave? Thanks.

tigergal · 02-18-2008, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nole

Thanks for all the advice. I am looking at a place between the University of Memphis and the Memphis Country Club and haven't heard much about that area. Does anyone know what that area is like on Midland Ave? Thanks.

That area gets very dicey. Memphis Country Club is absolutely a beautiful area which, inexplicably, is right in the middle of a dicey area. Unless you are purchasing a house at the Country Club, then do not go West of Highland in that area. East of Highland before you get to the University is filled with frat houses and the accompanying fracas and chaos that accompanies such a neighborhood.

Pearlbob · 02-18-2008, 08:47 AM

Well, south of Central can be dicey. NOrth of Central between there is Chickasaw Gardens, one of the wealthiest areas of town. Midland though, is of course south. If you stay close to Central, it might not be too bad at all. There are areas north of Central, but not in Chickasaw, that would also be okay. (South of Poplar, west of Highland)