Nervous about moving to Memphis (Collierville: live, offices, location)

[JHousley]

The Memphis area isn't as bad as you think. Most people who live in the suburbs rarely have to venture into the really bad parts of Memphis, so you'll be ok. You can find almost everything you need without going west of Germantown Parkway. If you ever are in the bad parts, don't be paranoid about it. Not everyone in Memphis is a criminal.

[Imation]

I lived in Memphis before ! would never move back, PERIOD

[adlrwill]

Your situation sounds exactly like mine almost 5 yrs ago. My husband and I, along with our 3 girls, moved to Memphis almost 5 yrs ago. My husband accepted a promotion at FedEx and I got a job at an excellent children's hospital. We are now leaving Memphis for good. There are some nice things about Memphis: weather, beautiful sunsets, our jobs, cheap cost of living. We have lived all over the US and I can honestly say that Memphis is the worst city we have ever lived in. The crime/murder rate is absolutely horrendous, the racial lines are clearly visible, the city government is shameful and worst of all Memphis schools are the worst I've ever come across. We live in the suburbs (Cordova) and while Cordova is still nice, it is going downhill fast. The schools were all originally Shelby County schools and since people wanted their children in county schools the schools are now so overcrowded. Making things worse is that now many are being taken over by the city and are deteriorating quickly. When my teenage daughters came home and asked if we could move because they no longer felt safe in their schools we made a decision to move. This is our last week in Memphis, we are moving up north. PLEASE, PLEASE do major research before moving here. I would seriously consider anywhere else but here. If you still decide to move here consider, Germantown, Collierville or Arlington. They are the nicer areas, but already crime is moving in quickly and the public schools are VERY overcrowded.

[enc85]

My wife and I are both from Memphis originally. We lived there until 1989, and then moved away as a result of my job. We lived in Florida, Colorado, New Mexico, and Missouri before deciding to move home. After being gone for 10 years, we wanted our kids to live near family. However, it was very evident that the city had gone down hill drastically. We made the decision to move across the state line to Mississippi, and have been very pleased with the area. Memphis is my hometown, but it breaks my heart. The violence is real, the schools suck, and there is no way I would ever live there again. Once my youngest son is out of school, we are moving back to Southwest Missouri.

[BoredInMyTown]

I'm originally from Memphis. CBHS grad. Left about 11 years ago to go to college. Then took job in Seattle. Lived there for a few years and loved it. But not pleased with 350K for an 800 sq-ft condo. So took different job in Cincinnati. Sucks big time. Boring as hell.

So I've now accepted a position in Memphis and - like enc85 - I'm coming home. My wife is nervous but I'm pretty excited. It will be good to be near my parents and my sisters and their families - especially because we have a young baby.

My biggest worry is where to live. We wife and I enjoy urban living. In Seattle we could walk from our place to bars, restaurants, the grocery, hair salons, shopping, everything. In 25 minutes we could walk to Key Arena, Safeco Field, and Seahawks Stadium (now Qwest Field). Anything was in reach of a 10 minute bus ride.

In Cincinnati we chose the suburbs (very similar to Germantown and Collierville) and we are literally bored out of our minds.

So the dilemna - do we find a place in Midtown and deal with the ridiculous property tax rates and the fact that our son will go to private schools in 4 years? Or do we move out to Germantown/Collierville and be bored stiff.

We just aren't "house" people. We enjoyed the condo life in Seattle and we hate the house life in Cincinnati.

Either way - Memphis here we come.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by BoredInMyTown

I'm originally from Memphis. CBHS grad. Left about 11 years ago to go to college. Then took job in Seattle. Lived there for a few years and loved it. But not pleased with 350K for an 800 sq-ft condo. So took different job in Cincinnati. Sucks big time. Boring as hell.

So I've now accepted a position in Memphis and - like enc85 - I'm coming home. My wife is nervous but I'm pretty excited. It will be good to be near my parents and my sisters and their families - especially because we have a young baby.

My biggest worry is where to live. We wife and I enjoy urban living. In Seattle we could walk from our place to bars, restaurants, the grocery, hair salons, shopping, everything. In 25 minutes we could walk to Key Arena, Safeco Field, and Seahawks Stadium (now Qwest Field). Anything was in reach of a 10 minute bus ride.

In Cincinnati we chose the suburbs (very similar to Germantown and Collierville) and we are literally bored out of our minds.

So the dilemna - do we find a place in Midtown and deal with the ridiculous property tax rates and the fact that our son will go to private schools in 4 years? Or do we move out to Germantown/Collierville and be bored stiff.

We just aren't "house" people. We enjoyed the condo life in Seattle and we hate the house life in Cincinnati.

Either way - Memphis here we come.

How about Harbor Town? Or South Bluffs? There are some cool condos along South Main. I'm with you on suburban living. Even with the crime, I was much happier living in Midtown than I was living in DeSoto County.

[snowflake73]

I have lived in Memphis, too. I would also never move back.

[pomartini]

I have lived in Memphis for the past four years and I think you will be fine as long as you live in the right area. Previous posters are absolutely correct in that the city can change dramatically with the ousting of our current political leaders. But that isn't going to happen so residents need to make the best of what they can.

It is really going to depend on what you can afford housing wise. FedEx is a great company to work for and they have a beautiful world HQ. You will have lots of housing options. Germantown, Collierville, Cordova (and yes, even Cordova - I live here in the annexed section and my house value is being listed for almost $25K more than what I bought for it 4 years ago) and there is always the option of going into Mississippi - Olive Branch - which is growing. I am not familiar with that area but I haven't heard bad things about it and you get more money for your house.

I also find there is a lot to do - we get very decent shows at the Orpheum Theatre, downtown is growing and redevelopment is nice, there are lots of arts and crafts fairs in the fall, we jave plenty of museums, parks, etc. There is not a lot of outdoor life - hiking, boating, etc.

The school systems have a lot to be desired which is why there are many, many private schools. Try sticking to Shelby County schools or optional City Schools (Cordova has one).

Memphis will be what you make of it. There are a lot of transplants and it makes for a nicer community in that most people have been a newcomer at some point.

We're actually moving to Atlanta and I have to say that I am somewhat sad - but I am not sad to leave the political craziness.

ETA: We do have crime but it is in isolated areas and are normally gang related. I live what is in technically city limits and in my four years I have never been assaulted or had my car broken into. I travel frequently to downtown and go places at night. It is like any other city - you just need to use wise judgment.

[HarmonyRocks]

Do not go to certain areas of Memphis Raleigh is nothing but bad get robbed at gun point if you go out at night I dont know what to tell you They advised us on the radio work in Memphis but don't live here Im trying to get out the taxes are high City School System is gone Only Shelby County Schools are good or some private alot of friends of mine are moving to Olive Branch, Ms not far from Colliverville Crime is really a problem I should know Me and my grandchildren got robbed at gun point the guy got in the car and I had to drive him somewhere and quess what the police never showed up when I called

[Pearlbob]

For the person who likes city living and condos, go downtown. There is actually an over-influx of condos and prices are going down. but yes, you'd have to haul your kid out to a private school everyday, which is a trek. Or Harbor Town or South Bluffs for houses downtown, but those are expensive.

Midtown is wonderful. I love it, despite the abundance of bums and weird people walking around. It's 5 minutes from downtown, and there are so many restaurants, bars, little stores, and old historic neighborhoods.