Lakeland/Arlington/Oakland (Memphis, Central: apartments, crime, mortgage)

[Pearlbob]

I don't understand how you can say there is nothing to do here for adults or children. What do you want to be doing that we don't have??? Memphis is a fairly large city, not some little country town with 2 stoplights. Of course we're not on the beach, we don't have a theater district, opera houses, etc but there is plenty to do here. Kids love the zoo, the children's museum, the baseball games, all the parks...what else do kids need?

And a lot of gang activity in Lakeland?! I don't live out there, nor do I visit out there very often, but I have never once heard someone refer to Lakeland, which is still rather "country" if you ask me, as gang territory. Lakeland is a tiny country town that has now become a suburb of Memphis, with tons of new housing developments. It's not a tiny little hick town, but it still has that feeling of being a small town that was recently taken over by a sprawling large city.

[defiepilex]

All I can say to plumeria's post is "wow.......".

First off, just so that you're aware, while I was on vacation in Daytona Beach this past month, the Orlando news were constantly reporting on the murders and they even had a special that reported that Orlando has the highest percent of murders this year for cities over 100,000. Miami and Jacksonville aren't too far behind.

And Lakeland??........I don't even know what to say. Have you ever been there? There are no gangs out there. According to Memphis Business Journal, Lakeland/Arlington's zip (38002) is the 7th most wealthy zip in metro-Memphis (just behind Eads).

[Pearlbob]

Gotta agree with the Orlando thing, having friends there myself for decades. It's definitely got a lot of problems and isn't the "fantasy land" that so many people think it is. I've been there a lot and there is a big difference between Disney and Sea World and the rest of Orlando, which is rather run-down and seems to have a lot of crime and bad schools.

[plumeria313]

Yes I have been to Lakeland, and yes there is gang activity, my sister goes to school out there and is constantly coming home with stories of how this gang fought this gang, and the police had to be called. I know exactly what I'm talking about. Just because an area is more wealthy does not mean that it is all wealthy and safe and wonderful. There are parts of Lakeland where murder is going on, drug deals, and yes gang violence. I lived there, I don't care what the MBJ says.

And honestly, the zoo??? Come on! I haven't been to the zoo since 4th grade! That is a place for little kids to go for maybe a couple of years and then it's not fun anymore. And I wouldn't take my kids there if I had any because the place is packed out with potheads, and I know this because I went to high school with them. They would go hang out at the zoo after they got high. The children's museum is the exact same thing, cool for a couple of years, and then kids get too old for it. So what is there for older kids to do?? Nothing!!! Drink and get high.

I think it's funny when people say well I've never lived there and I've never been there, but I'm right and your wrong cuz I read a newspaper! Plus out of all of the stories that MBJ has ever done on my company, they have never gotten one completely right.

And as far as people speaking about me moving to Orlando, I'm not really sure where you got that. I said I was moving to Florida, not Orlando. I'm moving to a smaller town, with very low crime, and the public school system is in the top 5% in the country. Trust me, I know what I'm getting into, I've done plenty of research, and I know about the crime in Orlando. But thanks guys! You know what assuming does.

[strumpeace]

I do know what assuming does.

What about generalizing and creating false hysteria? What do those do?

BTW, I take my 4-year old to the zoo at least twice per month. He has a great time, and we have not once ever encountered any problems whatsoever.

[Pearlbob]

I've never heard a person make fun of the zoo as being a place for kids under 4th grade. It is world class. I'm an adult and I go all the time. I think your attitude might stem from the fact that you seem to be a young person straight out of high school. The zoo is not filled with pot heads...my god. That's just incorrect.

it's ironic that you say the zoo is childish and for 3rd graders, yet in your original statment you say that you are looking forward to moving and being near Disney World. You can't get any more "childish" that than....the zoo is NOT aimed at children like Disney is.

when I was your age, I complained all the time about "wah, there is nothing to do here" in my hometown. That's a common complain of every teenager on the face of the earth. Much like "no one likes me," "i hate everyone," "my life is horrible," and "no one understands me." Teens complaining about there being nothing to do happens here, in NYC, in LA, in Denver....

[plumeria313]

PearlBob, I am not a teenager, and I am not right out of high school. I am a career woman with a wonderful job, who feels like this town is hold me back. Which is why my company is moving their headquarters. I guess my traveling throughout my youth has broadened my horizons and shown me that there is much better out there than whats in Memphis. And there is no comparison between Walt Disney World and the zoo. Gah, thats a dumb remark to say that Walt Disney World is childish.

I am not creating hysteria, I am telling the facts, Memphis is a crime ridden city that extends out into the suburbs, and the school system is terrible. And if you work for a small technology based company, people laugh at you when you're trying to get clients just because of where you're from. If you guys like Memphis then that is fine, but I hate it. I never liked the zoo, I never liked the children's museum, and whatever else this crappy town has. I enjoy going to Walt Disney World, and Sea World, those are the places that I like to spend my money. Some people are just too blind and naive to see what's really going on.

[defiepilex]

Originally Posted by plumeria313

And as far as people speaking about me moving to Orlando, I'm not really sure where you got that. I said I was moving to Florida, not Orlando. I'm moving to a smaller town, with very low crime, and the public school system is in the top 5% in the country. Trust me, I know what I'm getting into, I've done plenty of research, and I know about the crime in Orlando. But thanks guys! You know what assuming does.

Right, but you are talking about the crime in Lakeland as related to Memphis. Realize that this trickles outward in all cities. If you are going to be 40 minutes from Disneyland, then I assume you are going to be 40 minutes from Orlando.

You're views on the zoo are ridiculous. The zoo is tons of fun. I'm 21 and there is fun there for me and my parents or me and my friends. My only complaint is that there is hardly any escape from the summer heat, but heck, that's every zoo.

And lastly, you should realize that there is a difference between gangs and 'cliques'. Groups of friends (cliques) that happen to not like another group of friends is hardly the same as murdering, drug dealing gang bangers.

[plumeria313]

This is what the Disney Parks are supposed to be

"I think what I want Disneyland to be most of all is a happy place–a place where adults and children can experience together some of the wonders of life, of adventure, and feel better because of it." ~Walt Disney

The Disney Parks are not "childish" and aren't just for kids. Obviously you've never been or you'd know that.

[plumeria313]

Originally Posted by defiepilex

Right, but you are talking about the crime in Lakeland as related to Memphis. Realize that this trickles outward in all cities. If you are going to be 40 minutes from Disneyland, then I assume you are going to be 40 minutes from Orlando.

You're views on the zoo are ridiculous. The zoo is tons of fun. I'm 21 and there is fun there for me and my parents or me and my friends. My only complaint is that there is hardly any escape from the summer heat, but heck, that's every zoo.

And lastly, you should realize that there is a difference between gangs and 'cliques'. Groups of friends (cliques) that happen to not like another group of friends is hardly the same as murdering, drug dealing gang bangers.

First, no I will not be 40 mins from Orlando, it will be much further than that.

Second, when I refer to gangs, I mean, Krypts and Bloods gangs. Not silly preppy kids who have rich parents who are arguing who's BMW is nicer.