Anyone considering a move to Memphis should read.

[strumpeace]

This board frequently give a very false impression of Memphis. The Midtowners and Downtowners try to paint a picture of two Memphises, of course placing their neighborhoods in the 'good Memphis' while implying that everything bad is wholly contained within 'that other Memphis'.

Truth is, Memphis is one unit. The nicest neighborhoods in the 'good Memphis' are patrolled by armed, private security forces -- similar to Baghdad. The houses may be nicer, and the people may be richer, but they live in fear, whether they openly admit it or not.

If people in Central Gardens were not scared, they would not have 24/7 private security. If people in Downtown were not scared, they would not be lobbying the City Council and CCC to hire an armed private security force to push the bums and homeless away from Downtown. If the people in South Bluffs were not scared, they would not have spent the last decade pushing the police department to rid the riverside of black folks on Sunday evenings.

Deck has written some hard facts about life in Memphis. Not one person has actually challenged any particular point he has made. Rather, there's been a parade of posts with the typical 'Memphis isn't the only city like this' or the growing-in-popularity 'Everyone knows this already'. Nothing to refute the facts or point to any positive changes.

As has been stated many times, the Memphis Regional Chamber has its own website. If you're looking for a cheerleading site, you might head there.

[Pearlbob]

Please stop with the sensationalism. Comparing Memphis to Baghdad is absolutely absurd. I live in Central Gardens, and I do not in any way live in fear. Nor do any of my neighbors. The security truck (the man who drives it is literally about 70 years old and can barely see out the windshield) was hired by a few people, and is not paid for by the entire historic district. Please get your facts straight on that. "We" did not hire anybody. If you have friends who live in Central Gardens and live in fear, I feel sorry for them and maybe they need to move.

As for this repeat exaggerated sensationalism of crime here, this is a warning to please stop. It is uncalled for. If a specific person asks a question, feel free to answer. The repeat, repeat, repeat ongoing bashing of Memphis and exaggerations used to scare people are not needed and not accepted here. Scare tactics are uncalled for and will not be tolerated.