Why I am Leaving Memphis (Knoxville, Johnson City: houses, transfer, to buy)

[TN-rox]

Im not sure whats so great about the county school system. I know my children's school (Not naming any names but *cough* a Millington School)and its a sad excuse for a school:
1. Terrible leaks -Is evacuating several classrooms after every rain necessary?
2.Racism between principal, teachers, and students alike
3.Uniforms - I know, not technically a "bad" thing, but the way this school has taken it to such extremes with no heed to the community's apparent disliking is just like the county. Also, being one of only three schools in the county (all in Millington) with uniforms, makes us feel like the lab rats for the county. Buying and trying to put my kids in uniforms while other schools, even down the road, have the freedom of individuality is wrong, to me at least. All the schools or none, not picking on one or two out of dozens.
4.Sleepy teachers -My son's teacher sleeps through some of his classes and his excuse is that he "had a late night".
5.Overcrowding Not enough desks for the kids?!?
6.Allergy nightmare- several of my kids' teachers have been absent for many days because of the mold in their classrooms! Threatening the health of even the teachers- thats a new low for the county!

Sorry, but my experience with the county's schools have not been a good one, and I know our schools recieve the rear end of the countys budget, so Im sure other schools across the county are much better-at least I hope so.

[Escape Memphis]

While I grew up in Memphis, I've also lived in Texas, New Jersey and southern Florida. Memphis is not the same as when I grew up here in the 70's. We used to get national City Beuatiful awards...awards for drinking water and we enjoyed a place that was relatively safe. Look at the local news at night now and the first 10-15 minutes is the body count. Many different murders everyday by some of the most dangerous humans living that are plea bargained down to probation because that's how it works here. I believe it's the result of the 'government funded criminal breeding program' (GFCBP) wherein we pay single mothers to have kids in fatherless homes. The criminals have a new target to add to their list...the new hispanic residents because mexicans typically don't use a bank and are known to carry lots of cash resulting from their construction jobs and since many are illegals, they don't report the robbery to police for fear of deportment - makes the hoodlums meaner with everyone because after preying on a half dozen mexicans they begin to feel above the law, they get bolder with the rest of us. I'm moving to Hot Springs AR and will use small private plane to commute to Memphis since I have 2 companies here - a very large moving company and a software firm - if not for those, I would never come back to this crime infested, dangerous place. Suggest that anyone contemplating moving here look at demographic info along with crime statistics and if you're not convinced by that and still move here, don't let your women out at night alone - rape is also common here.

EVERYONE I know here has an exit strategy based on one of two things...1) 'when my kids get out of school in 20??, we're leaving'; or 2) 'when I get $X in investment account, we're leaving'. In short wealth is rapidly leaving Memphis to escape the hoodlums that result from the GFCBP (many of which are now regularly indicted because they've risen to political power). If's you're a shiney person, you're bound to get scared to death soon by those that aren't. Look at you with eyes that say 'I want to kill you today'. Memphis has become Detroit and I'm leaving this summer.

[cardinalgurl0408]

I think the attitute in the forum is quite disheartening. I am a proud Memphian and a product of the public school system and I would have to say it is not bad as many of you are making it out to be. I am by no means negating the fact that Memphis has problems, but moving away will not help. We as a community need to step up and be the change we want to see in Memphis. It is not going to happen overnight but there are good people in Memphis who are more than happy to call it home. In addition, there are a great deal of good things happening in the city.

In terms of racial politics and tension, we all play a major role in this. Unless we are intentional about stepping outside of our comfort zones and confronting our own personal biases and prejudices, then of course nothing is going to change. We are going to continue to have a mayor who is insensitive, among others things, if WE don't step up and take control and face the reality that remenents of racial inequalities still exist. We have a voice but I feel as if we are apathetic or scared. It is our responsibility, as educated people, to not move away, but invest in our city. We should be using our degrees and money to help others who are in need. Lastly, we have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go.

[strumpeace]

Originally Posted by cardinalgurl0408

I think the attitute in the forum is quite disheartening. I am a proud Memphian and a product of the public school system and I would have to say it is not bad as many of you are making it out to be.

Not only is the Memphis City School system among the worst in the state, it is among the worst in the nation.

You are deluding yourself. You are attempting to rationalize the irrational.

[kcnative]

Yes...no offense to cardinalgurl, but as one who grew up in Memphis, I don't believe it's possible to change the attitude of the city (it's the city, not this thread). MLK was in Memphis 40 years ago to try and do just that, when he got shot...so it's not like this is some new occurance. I don't believe that the issues with Memphis will change anytime soon...there's way too much to fix.

[Tunky]

estona I am so envious that you get to leave! My husband and I have a tentative plan to be OUTTA HERE by the end of the year. He's been working in the city for almost two years. I joined him last June after our youngest son graduated from high school in Wisconsin. I "kind of" knew what we were getting into but living here is a different story. I've lived in MI, CA, WI and in Europe and this is the only place I've hated. The filth...gawd the filth...and the crime are bad enough...but this whole city just feels like it's under a huge umbrella of depression. We thought we'd enjoy the music scene but even that is not what you'd expect from a sizeable city.

I lived for some time in San Francisco, a city with a comparable population. Memphis is a dying cesspool compared to SF.

Congratulations to you and your family!

[psi2007]

I am seriously considering moving from Memphis in the next year. I find the racial climate very disturbing and not getting any better anytime soon. I don't have close friends here. I belong to groups where I get to mingle and talk briefly to people who write and read etc. but no friends. That's not good. Memphis has been a strange experience. I live my life as if I were neither white, black or other. Here in Memphis I guess I'm supposed to hang with a certain group exclusively or hang alone. Mostly I hang alone. When I get enough of that I guess I'll leave. People in Memphis don't want to admit it and are offended by the thought but stupidity rules here. This is the stupidest, most narrowminded city I've ever been in. The worst part of it is the pride they take in it all. What a sorry place.

[kcnative]

We thought we'd enjoy the music scene but even that is not what you'd expect from a sizeable city.

It's sad that you can hardly even find blues on Beale Street anymore...it's mostly cover bands.

[JeniKer]

Wow, this is a very interesting topic and kinda scares me, in a way. I'm from Ohio and all we've heard about it how great Memphis is, and blah, blah, blah. Now, my fiance got a job down there & is moving down next week. We're going to be living in the Arlington area, which I know is about 20 minutes out of Memphis, correct? How do you all feel about that area? Or do you think, in general, it's not a good idea to move down there. Everyone up here keeps yapping about how everything & everyone is moving to TN. Personally, I thought the people in Nashville were so much nicer & more polite than the people in the Arlington area, but maybe that's just me. Any ideas guys?

[strumpeace]

Arlington is a lovely little town. There's not much going on there -- which, for the Memphis area, is typically a good thing.

Personally, I would have taken Nashville in a heartbeat.

Best wishes.