Why I am Leaving Memphis (Bartlett, Germantown: fit in, transplants, high crime)

[royalbluelady]

Memphian007...you are SO correct!! If you are a young female with no children and trying to go to school and do something for yourself, you are considered weird! Laying around, soaking up good oxygen, and having babies once a year is the only way you are considered "a real woman" in Memphis!! It's sad, but true.

Memphis could be a better city, but there are too many people who are just stuck in their comfort zones and will not allow change. I need to finish my degree and get away from here!! Memphis is just my rest area, not my home

[nash2mem2007]

I must say that after only living in Memphis now for 6 months. My observations match your opinions. There may be some people that disagree but only because they dont want to face facts. Memphis has the potential to be a great city, however many changes need to be made starting with leadership. I grew up in Memphis but its not what it used to be. I only wish I had a solution to some of the problems facing the city of Memphis. Good luck on your move.

[Tunky]

Well, it's a done deal. I landed a new job yesterday! By this summer, we'll be gone!

[hickoryhill]

First let me say this. I am black. 29 years of age. I have been in Memphis since 2001. I originally came here during the summer of 2000 as a FedEx intern while I was in school at Auburn University. I decided to come because it was an internship. If I was looking for a full-time job, I would not have came. Why? Because I had only heard negative things. Crime was one and famous rappers from the hood (8Ball & MGJ, 36Mafia). But FedEx put us in corporate housing in Germantown. I thought the city was awesome. I decided to come back. I love this city though and my transition was easy. Why?

1) FedEx - A great place to work where you can meet all sorts of people from different backgrounds. I worked in Collierville for 5 years and the last two years out here at the World HQ off of Hacks Cross. i can play basketball and frisbee on my lunch break.
2) My fraternity (Omega Psi Phi) - There are many of us that work at FedEx. It was an instant networking opportunity.
3) New Direction church - When I joined in January of 2002 there were about 300 members. Even though I no longer attend, they have somewhere near 7,000 members.
4) Auburn University Alumni club - I am the only black person in the group for the most part. But the Auburn family is very welcoming. It felt just a tad bit akward at first, but no different from going to the school.

I stayed in a apartment in Hickory Hill when I first moved here. I had no issues with my apartment safety-wise, but Hickory Hill has declined. For more on that just do a search or go to this site: Welcome to the Frontpage

It depends on how you get involved. You have several different organizations like Mpact Memphis and others. Find out if your school has an alumni club. Find a church and get involved.

Ironically most of my friends are not from Memphis, but a few are. Many people I met when I first got here that were from Memphis did ask me why I did I move here of all places. Many from Memphis are looking to move elsewhere.

But back to Herenton. He is to arrogant. If he had the style of Obama, maybe we could get some things going. If things don't get an better, I might run myself. I don't have the money for a full fledged campaigned and I have not thought about it enough to really consider it... He has dome some wonderful things for Memphis over the years, but who is to say that no one else could? I am from Birmingham, Alabama. These cities are almost identical... Growing up in Birmingham, you dream about moving to Atlanta. But Atlanta is too crowed. In fact Birmingham could have been what Atlanta is, but it decided to pass on the international airport. The airport is what made Atlanta what it was. It created many black millionaires and as a result of the airport, many companies start building their regional offices in Atlanta.

Dr. King dying here is part of the problem. There are black people here who will never trust white people because of that. And they teach that to their kids. When things seem unfair, we blame the white man. The schools are horrific here but there are some good ones in the city: (Whitestation, Central, JP Freeman, and maybe a few more). This is not the county. In fact, Germantown city schools were near the tops in the nation before I got here I believe.

Now I stay off of Hacks Cross & Holmes Rd. In those new subdivisions. I don't like new subdivisions, but that is a nice area. It is mostly black, but their are a few whites and other races. You can't beat the price compared to new subdivisions everywhere else in the county. For 5 years I stayed near Winchester and Old Germantown Rd (new the Malco Majestic). I loved that house but my wife wanted to move out of my bachelor pad and all of the new development was in the county. She too wanted to leave Memphis, but I convinced her to stay. She was just here for optometry school. It has grown on her as well.

So my suggestion is to get involved and you will love Memphis. I coach little league basketball in Germantown as well as another church through the Memphis Athletic Ministries. I volunteer with the Big Brother's Big Sister's program as well. I get something out of serving others.

If I did not do that stuff and had no organizations that I was apart of... maybe I would hate Memphis and want to leave too....

My final pitch for the city....

* 6 hours (driving distance away from major cities of Dallas, St. Louis, Atlanta).
* Casinos (if you are into that)
* Professional NBA team (tough year this year)
* Can fly nonstop anywhere (maybe higher than other airports)
* Cheap cost of living.
* Virtually no real traffic
* 30 minutes or less to get anywhere
* Nice weather (its not Florida but still)
* Excellent college basketball
* Near the heart of SEC football & basketball
* Lots of things to do (Graceland, Stax, Beale, Pink palace, Civil Rights museum, redbirds,there are others)


I think I have written enough.

[PhDnMe]

I agree with the above poster, most places are what you make of them, I lived in Jackson Mississippi for four years and yes it has its problems and people complained about everything, but I was very involved in what was going on and surrounded myself with positive people, it was some of my best years, now I'm on the west coast hoping to get to Memphis...

[Tunky]

I agree with him on many points too. However, sometimes you do just have to cut bait and write it off....

[umograd83]

HickoryHill - you sure do have it together. Those are great ideas about getting involved. I know I'm a lot happier now that I've found a church to join. I tried to get involved with my sorority alumni group (Sigma Kappa), but I'm older and they tend to be older because they stay in Memphis after graduation. I also agree with what you said about MLK and the way the black Memphians pass on their feelings about the assassination. They need to get on with their lives and stop being so bitter. It could be so much better here in Memphis. I just don't have the solution - except get rid of Herenton.

[Kabluey]

Originally Posted by hickoryhill

First let me say this. I am black. 29 years of age. I have been in Memphis since 2001. I originally came here during the summer of 2000 as a FedEx intern while I was in school at Auburn University. I decided to come because it was an internship. If I was looking for a full-time job, I would not have came. Why? Because I had only heard negative things. Crime was one and famous rappers from the hood (8Ball & MGJ, 36Mafia). But FedEx put us in corporate housing in Germantown. I thought the city was awesome. I decided to come back. I love this city though and my transition was easy. Why?

1) FedEx - A great place to work where you can meet all sorts of people from different backgrounds. I worked in Collierville for 5 years and the last two years out here at the World HQ off of Hacks Cross. i can play basketball and frisbee on my lunch break.
2) My fraternity (Omega Psi Phi) - There are many of us that work at FedEx. It was an instant networking opportunity.
3) New Direction church - When I joined in January of 2002 there were about 300 members. Even though I no longer attend, they have somewhere near 7,000 members.
4) Auburn University Alumni club - I am the only black person in the group for the most part. But the Auburn family is very welcoming. It felt just a tad bit akward at first, but no different from going to the school.

I stayed in a apartment in Hickory Hill when I first moved here. I had no issues with my apartment safety-wise, but Hickory Hill has declined. For more on that just do a search or go to this site: Welcome to the Frontpage

It depends on how you get involved. You have several different organizations like Mpact Memphis and others. Find out if your school has an alumni club. Find a church and get involved.

Ironically most of my friends are not from Memphis, but a few are. Many people I met when I first got here that were from Memphis did ask me why I did I move here of all places. Many from Memphis are looking to move elsewhere.

But back to Herenton. He is to arrogant. If he had the style of Obama, maybe we could get some things going. If things don't get an better, I might run myself. I don't have the money for a full fledged campaigned and I have not thought about it enough to really consider it... He has dome some wonderful things for Memphis over the years, but who is to say that no one else could? I am from Birmingham, Alabama. These cities are almost identical... Growing up in Birmingham, you dream about moving to Atlanta. But Atlanta is too crowed. In fact Birmingham could have been what Atlanta is, but it decided to pass on the international airport. The airport is what made Atlanta what it was. It created many black millionaires and as a result of the airport, many companies start building their regional offices in Atlanta.

Dr. King dying here is part of the problem. There are black people here who will never trust white people because of that. And they teach that to their kids. When things seem unfair, we blame the white man. The schools are horrific here but there are some good ones in the city: (Whitestation, Central, JP Freeman, and maybe a few more). This is not the county. In fact, Germantown city schools were near the tops in the nation before I got here I believe.

Now I stay off of Hacks Cross & Holmes Rd. In those new subdivisions. I don't like new subdivisions, but that is a nice area. It is mostly black, but their are a few whites and other races. You can't beat the price compared to new subdivisions everywhere else in the county. For 5 years I stayed near Winchester and Old Germantown Rd (new the Malco Majestic). I loved that house but my wife wanted to move out of my bachelor pad and all of the new development was in the county. She too wanted to leave Memphis, but I convinced her to stay. She was just here for optometry school. It has grown on her as well.

So my suggestion is to get involved and you will love Memphis. I coach little league basketball in Germantown as well as another church through the Memphis Athletic Ministries. I volunteer with the Big Brother's Big Sister's program as well. I get something out of serving others.

If I did not do that stuff and had no organizations that I was apart of... maybe I would hate Memphis and want to leave too....

My final pitch for the city....

* 6 hours (driving distance away from major cities of Dallas, St. Louis, Atlanta).
* Casinos (if you are into that)
* Professional NBA team (tough year this year)
* Can fly nonstop anywhere (maybe higher than other airports)
* Cheap cost of living.
* Virtually no real traffic
* 30 minutes or less to get anywhere
* Nice weather (its not Florida but still)
* Excellent college basketball
* Near the heart of SEC football & basketball
* Lots of things to do (Graceland, Stax, Beale, Pink palace, Civil Rights museum, redbirds,there are others)


I think I have written enough.

Nice post.

[1BigBear]

Well some interesting Posts. HickoryHill, not bad for a war eagle. Either way you slice it...Corrupt is Corrupt. And Memphis is full of it. I have never seen such B.S. running around this city saying they are doing a good job. Heck, half of the Memphis political infrastructure, Mostly Af.Am., are in jail. Been here for 10 years and I agree with the first poster.....I'm gone.! Too much crime, racial tension, **** poor slow as molasses service(EVERYWHERE) and idiotic drivers. Southern hospitality my butt. Local (rednecks)- excuse my french, dont make this city one bit more friendlier. There are nicer/friendlier people in Boston & NYC for cryin' out loud.!

If you here, and you can~~ Get out.
If you're thinking about coming~~~Read about the Memphis school system, crime, you name it...Heck, just watch our news for 2 nights.!!!

10 more years, as Slick Willy wants it, he'll have his pure chocolate city.
Anyone with half a brain~ black or white should and will be GONE.

Luckily, TG, by summer, myself and my family will be back in civilization.....just afew states up North.!

Just one ranter ....
♠ Good Luck!!

[JeniKer]

Hey, can I ask a question? Okay, it appears that a LOT of people who live in Memphis really are not thrilled with it. But are we talking the actual city of Memphis, or the surrounding areas? Like the Bartlett area? I'm guessing it's the actual city itself, but just wanted to know if everyone has the same feelings about the surrounding areas too, the "get out now" frame of mind.