What's good about living in Memphis? (Covington, Ripley: skateparks, purchase, new construction)

[kingchef]

Originally Posted by KD3001

Moving to Memphis from SB? Wow..Big difference! Take is from someone who spends alot of time in both. They are just on opposite ends of the cultural scale. Let me tell you why.

Diversity: If your looking for SB diversity of everybody intermingling with each other you're not going to get it on a grand scale in Memphis. Many people (black and white) are mentally segregated, with that being said it is getting better although slowly... In SB you see a little of everybody doing things with everybody else with no problem.

Social & Culture: Well it if you're looking for that laid back attitude of SB, you can find it, but you going to have to look....HARD. Southern culture is a little different from the central coast. People are little resistant to cultural change, so expect to have some people to make generalzations about you. No worries, educate them on you, and you should have no problems. If you're looking for St. Street in Memphis you're not going to find it, but there's Beale street.(Like a smaller Bourbon Street.). You can get barbeque and wing all over the city, but you'll find out that you'll miss the "The Habit" & "In and Out" burgers....

Transportation: Memphis is a driving city. Not too many bike lanes here. In SB you can ride your bike from Summerland to Goleta with no real worries. You wont see too many people riding bikes at all, let alone seeing an acaual bike lane. The bus system is occasional at best in Memphis..

If you have anymore questions, please feel free to reply....

yes, where is SB? i've never heard of this place. is it a new city or geographic location? in the u.s.? europe? when i was growing up, my friends and i usually went everywhere on our bikes...regular and motorized. we did not have bike lanes per se; although, at that time, the city had a population that was slightly larger than that of today. on many occasions, we rode our bikes on the sidewalk. that worked out okay for us. when we walked (we did this just about every day, no, really, we did) we walked on what we called---sidewalks. these designated walkable areas often led to public parks (green spaces), restaurants, churches, synagogues, temples---and, i guess, mosques, store fronts, and various locations of interest. eventually, some of these sidewalks---figuratively---led to areas where ethnocentrism was really examined and understood, not just given lip service. too, it led to an understanding of those who visited our culture---who, ethnocentrically, could not see another point of view because they were existing in their "ivory palaces of ethnocentricity and ill-perceived superiority."

[Senor Boogie Woogie]

Originally Posted by scrapiron

Hi, I'm new here and have been reading the good and bad of Memphis......guess what? I'm still moving to the Memphis area. I will live in the suburbs. I am a Federal employee and already have a job lined up. I won't ever have to spend another winter in Minnesota. It gets -30 degrees here without wind chill. You spend nearly 9 months out of the year inside. Either it's snowing or raining or windy. I have visited the Memphis area a few times and my son is on the MPD as my other son is waiting to get in to the academy.

I don't worry about crime, as I am armed and can carry. I don't worry about racism, it is in Minnesota too, it is just kept very well hidden. I know because I am mixed race and look either Italian, Mexican, or White. I am Native American/German. I get to hear it from both sides. Many whites here don't like Native Americans or Blacks or Browns, you gotta be Minnesotan or you'll never have friends. I've been here 23 years and don't have any friends. The people are standoffish and rude. Rarely do you hear Good Morning, or Excuse me. They stop right in the middle of shopping isles and chat with the folks they grew up with. You will be lucky to get a nod of the head or a wave from anyone.

As far as crime goes, we have Minneapolis aka Murderapolis and St. Paul. I wouldn't walk them streets and I am armed. Of course I wouldn't walk a lot of streets armed or not.

I am taking a hugh paycut to move because I just can't stand another winter here. My house here will sell for $365,000.00 and that's a bargain because it is 2 houses (twinhomes) on an acre of land and I can get a nice house in Collierville, or Germantown for almost half that price. I'm looking foward to it and I know it will be wonderful. My wife is so glad to leave this frozen tundra and get to a warmer (hot) climate.

I'll be there in 2-5 months...I can hardly wait.

Liked your post.

I would hate to live in any soceity where one has to be carrying a deadly weapon just to walk down the street. My father packs a pistol when he goes shopping near his hanger in Frayser. I just don't want to live that way, and I wish that there was a way that we would not have to.

I would (and know you have) learn as much as possible about Memphis before coming here, what do you like, what interests you. Realize that some parts of Memphis are dangerous and should be avoided, basically half of the city. It's a wonder I haven't been murdered there.




My father is from Iowa and his corporate office was in Minneapolis and he loathed to go there, mentioning how rude and jerkoffish he thought they were. He did not like the people, the city, the weather, nothing about the place and was happy to leave the whole state. (Iowa always seemed to be Minnesota South and Wisconsinites are too drunk to be rude.)

You wont miss the winter in Memphis, but you may want to use some time off in July or August to see your family up north, because it gets HOT, HUMID, MUGGY and really sweaty here. Trust me, summers in Memphis suck.

You will laugh at the people when 2 inches of snow is falling and they are rushing to the supermarket stocking up like a nuclear bomb was coming. Watch out for drivers who cannot drive on snow. Also, Memphis has a lot of ICE, which is worse to drive on that snow is. Memphis is also in the eastern part of "Tornado Alley".

[stephanie773]

southern hospitality, Memphis in May (music & bbq fests), mild winters

[scrapiron]

Yeah, I hear what you are saying about being armed but, in my line of work it is "required" although I don't always carry. I know about the sweaty, hot sticky months of July/August. I have an RV and can run to the mountains when necessary. Also I work inside with A/C. Nice Federal job, haha. On the other hand, I agree with your Dad about Minnesotans. Ignorant, jerks and most have never been outside of the state. Send them to Philadelphia, PA where I was born and raised. Let them try to talk about somebody behind their back and see what happens, believe me the person they talked about will learn of it and they will confront them. Here they say it behind your back while acting all Minnesota Nice in your face. In Philly they call you like they see you.

Have a great day.

[silverbelle]

I am sure there are worse places.....We have been going to leave for years and may actually do it this time (to San Antonio)....But there are positives....housing is affordable, traffic not to bad when compared to other cities...but crime is a factor. Try to go to one of the many subs...also look into Tipton co, Fayette co, and north MS...Best of luck and I do agree with above posters attitude it key...

[thucydies]

Originally Posted by scrapiron

Hi, I'm new here and have been reading the good and bad of Memphis......guess what? I'm still moving to the Memphis area. I will live in the suburbs. I am a Federal employee and already have a job lined up. I won't ever have to spend another winter in Minnesota. It gets -30 degrees here without wind chill. You spend nearly 9 months out of the year inside. Either it's snowing or raining or windy. I have visited the Memphis area a few times and my son is on the MPD as my other son is waiting to get in to the academy.

I don't worry about crime, as I am armed and can carry. I don't worry about racism, it is in Minnesota too, it is just kept very well hidden. I know because I am mixed race and look either Italian, Mexican, or White. I am Native American/German. I get to hear it from both sides. Many whites here don't like Native Americans or Blacks or Browns, you gotta be Minnesotan or you'll never have friends. I've been here 23 years and don't have any friends. The people are standoffish and rude. Rarely do you hear Good Morning, or Excuse me. They stop right in the middle of shopping isles and chat with the folks they grew up with. You will be lucky to get a nod of the head or a wave from anyone.

As far as crime goes, we have Minneapolis aka Murderapolis and St. Paul. I wouldn't walk them streets and I am armed. Of course I wouldn't walk a lot of streets armed or not.

I am taking a hugh paycut to move because I just can't stand another winter here. My house here will sell for $365,000.00 and that's a bargain because it is 2 houses (twinhomes) on an acre of land and I can get a nice house in Collierville, or Germantown for almost half that price. I'm looking foward to it and I know it will be wonderful. My wife is so glad to leave this frozen tundra and get to a warmer (hot) climate.

I'll be there in 2-5 months...I can hardly wait.

Having lived in Mpls, I would disagree w/your perception of Mpls residents. I say that as a peson fairly low on the economic scale.

As far as you calling Mpls "Murderapolis", Memphis ranks higher on the crime stat scale.

[thefineprint]

There are definitely some positives about living in Memphis - most noteably the cost of living! I moved to Memphis from the Dallas-Fort Worth area 3 years so and it was definitely a shock to my system! I live in the loop, not in the surrounding suburbs such as Collierville, Cordova, Germantown, Millington, etc. so my perspective may be a little different. Memphis has a lot going for it but you really have to teach your family to take precautions. Heck, we had our car stolen from our home in the midtown area within the first year. I now live in Berclair and came home to a bullet hole in the living room window last month. Crime is a huge issue but Memphis really has some down home character to it that I haven't found anywhere else. It has a grit and rawness to it that really gives it flavor. The history of the civil rights struggle is truly inspirational. Memphis is full of personality and you won't be bored here if you simply look around and explore your options. The people are nice and the barbeque is great. Depending on what type of music you like, you will find a great music scene but I don't think it's as supported as it should be. And U of M Tigers basketball is on point! The surrounding forests and lakes are great for hikes, fishing, etc. Memphis is unique! I have traveled all over the country and abroad and seen nothing like this city. Midtown is a fun and lively area and Overton Park offers a break from city life. You don't even feel like you are in the middle of the city there.

So- what is good about Memphis? Good food, good people, fun summers, affordable living and a decent job market depending on your field. Good luck!

[scrapiron]

Thanks for the info. I am coming to Memphis over the Holiday in May for vacation and to see what options I have. Also to check out my job site. Kind of a pre-move evaluation of the suburbs. I was born and raised in Philadeplhia, so big cities don't scare me and my sons are Memphis PD. They know the area and one works in the highest crime area and loves his job. He always was a fearless kid. We are excited about our move and can't wait to be gone from Minnesota.

[Cosmicstargoat]

Originally Posted by joninclay

Sell me on living there (please).

Uh...well, the BBQ is world class. So there's that.

(Don't flame me, I'm just messin' around!)

Seriously, the list is very, very short. I'll add some things Memphis DOESN'T have going for it.

High Crime
Low property values
Inefficient, very corrupt government
Extremely poor city planning for traffic and development
Horrible climate
Low economic base
Horrible school system
High Illiteracy rate (see above)
Too many Baptists and other intolerants
Declining tax base
Increasing Gang Activity
Corrupt and inept law enforcement
Demoralized law enforcement
Low skilled work force
High unemployment
Few nearby recreational areas
Very high local sales tax rate
Racism, racism, racism, 60s style from both sides.
And lots, lots more, but I don't want to sound negative


The Good? U of M basketball, FedEx and FedEx Forum, Memphis in May BBQ, Ripley tomatoes nearby, Tunica nearby if you like to throw money away. I can't think of much else.

[thenuegeye]

Please don't knock law enforcement. The morale is just low from fighting a losing battle every day.