Memphis or Birmingham (Germantown: houses, public schools, live)

[blueboo1024]

Hi

It looks like my family will be relocating in the near future. Our choices are Memphis or Birmingham? Any feedback would be appreciated!

[strumpeace]

Similar cities. Memphis proper is considerably larger than Birmingham proper. However, the metro areas are nearly the same size. Similar amenities. Lots of white flight in both cities. Both have beautiful areas and not-so-beautiful areas. Public schools in both are not great. Birmingham is in a much hilly-er part of the country than Memphis is. Both are hot in the summer.

Of course, I'm partial to Memphis, so my list of 'good' would be highly subjective and favorable to Memphis.

[JMT]

As strumpeace said, the two cities are very similar in so many ways.

Birmingham is also closer to the Gulf coast and is only 100'ish miles from Atlanta.

But I still like Memphis better.

[kingchef]

Originally Posted by blueboo1024

Hi

It looks like my family will be relocating in the near future. Our choices are Memphis or Birmingham? Any feedback would be appreciated!

i've lived in both these cities. recently moved from b'ham. both are decent cities. memphis is larger and, feeling-wise, it has a bit more maturity. the metro area are in no ways geographically similar. the b'ham metro area, according to the reclassified area by the u.s. census bureau, includes the cullman area of alabama. this area is approximately 1 hour north of birmingham up I-65. this area is very rural. consequently, anyone moving to the area should be prepared to be surprised, if travel is a consideration for work. memphis has a basically flat delta-like terrain, it is much less geographically inclusive, and it is situated on the wonderful mississippi river. memphis is much more of a music town, and, i would say, it is more urban and twenty-four-hour-a-day. in b'ham, activities tend to shut down at 9:00-10:00p.m.---even the grocery stores. if you like mountains and valleys you will love b'ham and its vistas. the black warrior river is probably the closest recreational. it lies about 20 miles directly north of the city. b'ham has wonderful views over the city located on red mountain expressway, (city) shadescrest and shades mountain, (homewood), cahaba hts, greystone and many others. b'ham has some beautiful architecture, as does memphis. mountainbrook is my getaway area of metro b'ham. beautiful established estates, normandy/french revival/cotswald cottage styles. one of the few remaining areas of the country that features the american classic storybook houses of the 1920's. eyelash roofs, leaded glass in casements and so on. rambling creeks, stones, ivy, heavy vegetation throughout this area. b'ham has a wonderful japanese garden and greenhouse. beautiful walking paths throughout the gardens. galleria shopping in hoover is very nice, as is shopping and dinner at the summit. symphony, choral music, orpheum, ballet just a bit better in memphis. both cities have access to excellent medical facilities. both have good law libraries---humphrey's school, memphis, and samford, b'ham. b'ham boasts a rather large greek population, and this is evidenced through several greek eateries. b'ham, though it is not as large as memphis', has a large population of hispanics. the city has several bar-b-que establishments. many are local establishments; however, none rival memphis bar-b-que, imo. the weather in both cities is very similar. very humid, good deal of rain, and prone to severe afternoon summer thunderstorms. i love both of these places. i'm sure you will be happy in either. all things considered, i would edge out b'ham for memphis just because of memphis' geographical location to the rest of the country and because of the airport size/traffic. best of luck to you, and, if i can help you further, please contact by dm.

[jnr4411]

I have grown up in Memphis and my best friend lives in Birmingham. Pick Birmingham!!! You said "family", so I have to assume you have children. Just like anywhere, if you are going to do public school, it makes a difference where you live, but if you are going to do private...strangely, B'ham schools are much less expensive. B'ham is also much prettier.

[PlatReader]

Originally Posted by blueboo1024

Hi

It looks like my family will be relocating in the near future. Our choices are Memphis or Birmingham? Any feedback would be appreciated!

Depends on where you're moving from.

I've lived in unicorporated Shelby County in suburban south of Brimingham just a few blocks outside of Mountain Brook, and I've lived in Germantown, just outside of Memphis.

Birmingham's topography is far prettier than flat Memphis.
Both cities have bad racist histories
Memphis is far more racist
Both governments tend to be bad. Memphis wins the award though.
Birmingham has more ethnic histories..Italian, Greek, Mid Eastern, Jewish (Mountain Brook is one of the richest suburbs, and Jewish concentrations in the US)
Birmingham is still somewhat under the sphere of influence of a progressive city called Atlanta.
Memphis is not under ANY sphere of influence of any major city ! it's close to Mississippi. Birmingham is not.
Birmingham is closer to the Gulf.
Birmingham has a much better selection of fine food..even specialty grocery stores..and retailing
Birmingham's academic community is huge.
Memphis' airport is more accessible to flights in and out thanks to NWA.
Birmingham's drivers are better for sure.
Birmingham's suburban growth is more dispersed it seems with great satellite communities- Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Hoover, Trussville, south Bessemer, Pelham, Alabaster, Oxmoor, Riverchase,etc
Birmingham is home to some historical financial powerhouses in banking.


Neither city is perfect, but given the choice based on my experience
I'd choose BIRMINGHAM I think - especially for the prospects of intelligent growth for the next 5-10 years

[2nomadic4me]

It depends,

What type of house are you looking for and in what area?? How old are your kids?