Now wondering if have made a mistake (Memphis, Knoxville: how much, house)

[Kabluey]

Originally Posted by 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.

I hope you realize I am fine with criticism of the city. I had posted something else, but the bottom line is there is a different, positive side to the city and to perspectives of the city that deserves to be shared. And notice, I am not excluding this messageboard from consideration either. I wanted to give a healthy context to the city, and not limit perspectives overwhelmingly in one direction. Also, if the standard for a city is the absence of any comment such as "God I hate this city" no city would qualify.

Does it really irritate people on this board that there are positive opinions about life in Memphis? Really? What does that say about them? Wherever you are, make the most of it in a constructive manner. And don't have a destructive heart when it comes to relationships and perspectives. It really leads to a happier life. I am not in the city I want to be in, but I am contributing to the improvement of it. Why be a refuge for negativity? I just don't get that mindset. And I don't ever want to get it.

[Tunky]

"at home she feels like a tourist" is one of my favorites. Chronicles the blogger's experiences since she moved here from SF in 2006. She explores more of the off the beaten path areas.

Like I've said before....I WISH I liked Memphis, it would be much easier than moving again so soon. It's just not for me. If I felt any kind of kinship with Memphis, I might be inclined to stay and try to do something good for the city. At my stage of life right now though, I'd rather not have to work so darn hard at liking a place. I'm lucky enough to have a choice and I choose to leave.

[Pearlbob]

That "at home" blog is very irritating to me. She has such a negative attitude about Memphis, which is fine if that is how she feels, but she does so in such a horrible manner that I feel offended with half of what she writes. She makes it out like residents of Memphis are plain idiots and we are all insane for living here. The attitude that she is better than everyone else is not pleasing to me. Maybe she doesn't mean it like that, but it comes off that way at times.

[Tunky]

she started out like that but she's atually come around and doesn't sound quite so negative anymore.

I think I read it because I used to live in SF as well....I dunno. I do have to keep a dictionary close by though!

[strumpeace]

Originally Posted by Tunky

Like I've said before....I WISH I liked Memphis, it would be much easier than moving again so soon. It's just not for me. If I felt any kind of kinship with Memphis, I might be inclined to stay and try to do something good for the city. At my stage of life right now though, I'd rather not have to work so darn hard at liking a place. I'm lucky enough to have a choice and I choose to leave.

Wow. That's pretty much my experience, too. I grew up near Memphis, spent my summers in Memphis at my mom's house, and went to college for a little while in Memphis. A few years passed. Then I decided to go back to Memphis for grad school. I tried very hard to like Memphis. I made plenty of friends there, though they've all moved away now, too.

I think working in City Hall jaded my opinion terribly. I think sitting through meeting after meeting where the City and County promised the moon to low-paying, abusive employers just to get a few more lousy low-paying jobs in the City jaded my opinion even more. I think watching the Memphis Regional Chamber run roughshod over anyone who gets in their way jaded my opinion. I think seeing Memphis' primary networking organizations being lapdogs for the Memphis Regional Chamber jaded my opinion.

So, yes, the crime was bad, and the schools were horrid. But it was the inner-working of the City itself that was maddening.

I tried. I'm gone. I miss some things about Memphis -- mainly my church, my boss and coworkers, my department at the U of M.

[Kabluey]

So you've left Memphis, but still post about it?

[tigergal]

Originally Posted by Kabluey

So you've left Memphis, but still post about it?

Y'all have something in common, then.

[Kabluey]

Originally Posted by tigergal

Y'all have something in common, then.

True, true.

I'm interested in returning, so I have a vested interest in the state of the region... I want it to reach its potential.

[strumpeace]

Originally Posted by tigergal

Y'all have something in common, then.

Excellent, excellent.

Yes, Kabluey, I don't live in Memphis anymore. I continue to post about it. As do you.

Best wishes on your return.

(BTW, I'm not interested in living in Memphis again. However, as a long-time, native West Tennessean, I too have a great interest in seeing Memphis rise to its potential. I still spend a considerable amount of time in the city, and I still have family in and around Memphis. I think I'm pretty well connected to the city. In fact, I'll be there tomorrow. Will you?)

[Kabluey]

I'm glad to see you share my interest in helping the region we love achieve its potential. In that respect, I stand corrected. Lord knows, the region needs as much positive energy to combat the low self-esteem and malcontented attitudes that infect the region and cloud the vision it needs to reach the next level.