Midtown Memphis-Family friendly? (Germantown, Collierville, Philadelphia: crime rate, houses, neighborhoods)

[mjpinto]

I have been researching the Memphis area for a while now. My family and I are planning on moving there once we sell our house here in NH. We have been focusing on the Collierville and Germantown areas. Although I have come across a house that I LOVE in midtown Memphis (on Stonewall Street). I love the charm of older homes and that just doesn't seem prevalent in the Collierville and Germantown areas.

My question is: Is midtown suitable for a family with young children? We have an infant and a 2 1/2 year old. My husband will be away a lot for work and am wondering if its ridiculous for me to look in midtown for safety reasons.

Everything I have read leads me to believe that Memphis is horrible crime-ridden and no place for kids.

I grew up in a city that id often referred to as crime-ridden (Philadelphia). But I know its all about what "neighborhood" you live in. Big Cities are not all bad and scary. Will I be able to walk my son and infant to the local park to play without ducking gunshots and clutching my purse in a death grip?

Any advice?

[Pearlbob]

You hit it on the head with your reference to Philly....it depends on the neighborhood. Yes, you can generalize Memphis as "dangerous" but it rally depends on the specific neighborhood.

Stonewall is one of the most historic streets in the city. I live in midtown as well. While I would not let my kids (if i had young kids) roam around the neighborhood for hours like I did growing up years ago in another, much safer city; I do see tons of kids riding bikes with parents around here, throwing footballs across the street to friends, walking dogs with parents, etc.

Now, the only bad thing about Stonewall is that it is a bit closer to the 'shadier' areas of town. It hits Poplar, and if you go west a few blocks it's not that great. You go east a few blocks and you have more million dollar homes. If your home is right at Poplar, then I'd be a little worried. but if it's back further, north or south, then it's more into the "Neighborhood" areas, whereas Poplar is a huge monstrosity of a street with tons of traffic and some weird people walking.

Most people on Stonewall, I would imagine, have alarms on their homes or bars on the windows (the norm in midtown).

The only thing with kids, is that you can't send them to public schools. So once your kids turn 5 or so....you'll have to send them to private schools ($$).

If i had the money, I would hands down love to have a home on Stonewall. I live in an older midtown home, but it's small and not of the grand scale as those Stonewall homes.

You will find differing opinions of mine, but if you are used to urban living (Philly) and understand that in an urban city, you just have to expect some shadiness and it's not all peaches and rosebuds, then I think you'll be fine.

[MissCee]

I will second what was previously stated about the Midtown area. There are very nice areas in Midtown with nice, nice historical homes, however if you go too far east or west in one direction, you may be in a not so favorable area. With small kids, you would enjoy Germantown and love Collierville, they are the more nice, family friendly areas.

[MrsMichelle]

It's all what you want out of a neighborhood. I'd say drive around both areas you are interested in.

[joespake]

The vast majority of the folks who have bad things to say about Midtown Memphis are the ones who don't live there, and feel uncomfortable if they have to come inside the I-240 loop that circles the city. Midtown is diverse, with homes ranging above $1 Million. In most large cities, midtown would be the "garden district". Featuring a large number of locally owned restaurants of virtually all cuisines, interesting shops, and coffee houses, as well as the city zoo and art museum at Overton Park, and close proximity to downtown (a place that the suburbanites will also tell you to stay away from). If you have lived in a big city, I think you will find Midtown a refreshing oasis.

[caribstj]

I understand the 'burb mentality. I lived there most of my life. UNTIL... My family moved from Southwind to Midtown while we rehabbed a home between E. Mfs and Midtown. We have post college kids, one married. All of us love it inside the loop. There's no place like it. Every one of us wonders why it took us so long to "discover" Midtown and E Mfs! Every one of us once said we'd never live inside the city limits. Well... now we each say we'd never go back to the 'burbs again. We love the trees, convenience, culture, charm, beauty, and on-and-on that can only be found in Midtown and E Memphis. Suburbs are suburbs and they tend to look alike in every city. The "Midtown is Memphis" bumper stickers are a little cheezie, but it's true. Wanta experience a city? Go to the urban core. We rode thru the neighborhoods inside the loop for years and gradually realized we had to move into the city. I was prepared for cultural shock. It never came. It was as easy a move as we've ever made.

As for families, we now live on a street near Poplar and Highland that's filled with approx. 30 kids under highschool age. The families all say they'd never move. We've talked to some who once lived here and they all say they have the best memories of living here.

You've gotta be careful of your kids regardless where you live. Neighborhoods are important. Choose carefully and you'll never regret living in the patina of the neighborhoods inside the loop. Consider that the best antique and decorator shops are in Midtown. That'll tell you something!

[christopher72]

Stonewall north of Poplar is safe enough. The best home security is a couple of dogs. Of course don't your young kids run around unattended, use common sense.

[Pearlbob]

Christopher makes a GOOD POINT. With most of the "crime" around midtown being bums or the poor just looking to take something, pawn it, and make a few bucks, you don't need some high tech security system. A big barking dog indoors or in the yard is going to keep anyone away, unless there is some hardened criminal purposely looking to break into YOUR home for something in particular. And even then, most burglars aren't going to break in when they hear a dog growling.

[Kabluey]

There are a number of family friendly neighborhoods in Midtown, and a lot of things to do that are kid-friendly. Midtown tends to be the most diverse area in the entire region -- racially, economically, etc. Some folks like that. You'll be very close to the zoo, four colleges/universities (counting the College of Art), the Brooks museum, the medical center, a couple of playhouses, the Cooper Young area as well as Overton Square.

[alicenevada]

THe worst thing about midtown is the fact that a really slummy street will be exactly one street over from a great one. I've never understood this but whatever. If you go scout around a bit, you'll be attuned to this as well.

My mom lives in midtown (on Vinton off Cooper) and though I do kind of get a little nervous letting the kids play outside unattended, it's not as bad as you've heard. My brother raises both his kids in midtown and so does my cousin. They love it and probably won't ever leave, no matter what the crime rate is. It's not the best place to let them have free reign but lots of families live there and you are right-the houses are absolutely fabulous.