Now wondering if have made a mistake (Memphis: city hall, crime)

[pushkinswife]

Well I guess I should have said "not as developed" as it is now...is that a better interpretation? I remember going to Germantown as a kid and remembering how barren it was then compared to now.

[JMSTiger]

Originally Posted by k350

There is a difference between being a tourist and an immigrant.

You enjoyed Memphis when you visited, heck, I enjoyed many places like Vietnam and Mali when I visited, that doesn't mean I would ever like living there.

Someone said it and I say it again, Memphis is not the worst place in the world but there sure is a heck of a lot more better places to spend your life.

My mom moved from Florida to Memphis, Germantown actually and moved back to Florida after a few months, she said never ever would have thought the place would have been that bad (we lived there in the 80's). she now has a new appreciation for south Florida.

She thought Germantown was bad? She must have some ridiculously high standards.

[k350]

it was not where she lived but where she worked downtown, the commute time along with the people she interfaced with during work everyday just turned her completly off. We lived in Memphis for a few years in the 80's, near the hickory ridge mall area and in Germantown. She thought it would be just fine and no worst than Florida but she said it was unbearable because of not where she lived but as I said, the area she worked and the people she worked with and just the general feeling of the entire area.

So with that, Germantown is certainly no paradise on earth and not worth the effort of trying to like everything there when she liked it better in Florida in general (which is really saying something if you knew my mom), so she just transfered back to Florida where now she really enjoys it.

[Kabluey]

Originally Posted by bjh

You guys (and girls) are freaking me out. I have been to Mem several times and enjoyed every visit, never had a problem, never been a victim of crime. (however i don't go out at night and would turn around if entering a distressed looking neighborhood, just in theory, i didn't feel the need in Memphis, but obviously didn't cover every acre of the city).

I have accepted an opportunity in town and am now looking for a place to live, so I come on this site to find out about neighborhoods and all Hades breaks out - in my mind at least.

Maybe I should look at my own city's forum on this site. (our demographics are not dissimilar and it is a much larger city, so i am sure we have more, not less crime.)

Can't people live a normal, reasonably happy life in Memphis if one uses some common sense? What do you think? I am really interested in hearing a balanced view of your city.

Thanks!

This is truly a warped board. Overwhelmingly negative, the only balance is in the level of spite. If you want a balanced view of Memphis, take this board into account along with several others. Go to urbanplanet.org, memphistigers.org, paulryburn.com/blog, etc. There actually are many folks who love Memphis and all of those acknowledge that it has problems that must be improved. There are those who aren't reactionary, and take opportunities to do what they can to lead their community in different directions. If you want to be led to some paradise lifestyle, don't live in Memphis. But if you want the opportunity to create or lead others to that lifestyle, I think Memphis is a rich canvas waiting for natives and transplants with initiative. And I think there is ample evidence that initiative is rewarded.

I can guarantee you someone could live a very happy life in Memphis with some common sense.

Edit: and if you're a young professional, join Mpact...

[bjh]

I had begun to suspect that there are some folks on this site that for whatever reason actively want to discourage others from having a positive or even balanced view of Memphis.

Of all the times i have been to Memphis, and I have been there a lot the last couple of years, I have always had a good experience. When I came on this board it sounded like Beirut during war time.

Thanks for your insight and for the other websites.

[tigergal]

Originally Posted by bjh

I had begun to suspect that there are some folks on this site that for whatever reason actively want to discourage others from having a positive or even balanced view of Memphis.

Of all the times i have been to Memphis, and I have been there a lot the last couple of years, I have always had a good experience. When I came on this board it sounded like Beirut during war time.

Thanks for your insight and for the other websites.

It's important to remember for any place (not just Memphis) that visiting will not yield the same experience and sense of place that living there does.

[strumpeace]

Kabluey --

On a number of occasions on Paul Ryburn's blog--particularly during his 'drunken posts'--he has blurted 'God, I hate this town'. Not a ringing endorsement. Oh, and he doesn't allow comments. I wonder why.

Hardly anyone ever posts on UrbanPlanet, btw.

And isn't memphistigers.org primarily a sports site? Last time I visited there, I could have sworn illiterates had taken over the place.

The Smart City blog Moderator cut: blog address removed is a good read. However, fair warning, sometimes the posts are critical of Memphis.

[Pearlbob]

I wouldn't put too much consideration into the opinions of an alcoholic aging computer programmer. Ryburn usually has some good info on what's going on at the bars though.

Everyone has opinions, just make sure you realize just that - it is all opinions. I'm sure there are people who complain non stop about living in Hawaii or having to take care of their million dollar house. Try to get the facts, and then form your own opinion on those facts. If you love the town, great! Don't let anyone get feel bad about that. If you hate it, that's too bad, and I hope you find a change in life.

[Tunky]

most of ryburn's posts now are dedicated to him drinking every beer The Flying Saucer sells.

When I first started reading it, it was pretty good.

There are much better blogs out there now.

[Kabluey]

Originally Posted by Tunky

most of ryburn's posts now are dedicated to him drinking every beer The Flying Saucer sells.

When I first started reading it, it was pretty good.

There are much better blogs out there now.

He does show that there ARE things to do in Memphis, despite efforts to claim the contrary. But, you're right, there are more blogs than just Ryburn's. In fact, I think he links with many of them (i.e. midtownmemphis blog, etc).