Relo Possible - G'town/Collierville area (Memphis, Germantown: house, established neighborhood, private schools)

[Carolina Texan]

In early stages of a possible new job in Memphis, and coming to town in a couple of weeks for interviews. Will have a free couple of hours to explore neighborhoods, and was hoping to get a little help from the group here.

Office would be off 240 near Poplar.

Housing preferences
1. Good schools
2. Avoid too much traffic for work commute (still shell-shocked from days in Atlanta)
3. Family oriented
4. Trees (don't like subdivisions that clear cut all the trees) and room to play in the yard.
5. Have 4 kids (ages range from 4-18), and looking for homes with 3500+ sf.

I've done a lot of research on the web, and so have a reasonably good feel that Germantown or Collierville would be my best bets. But can you narrow it down further than that, with suggestions of streets, neighborhoods, subdivisions, etc?

Not ready to get a realtor, and don't want to just drive around willy-nilly, so thanks in advance for your advice.

p.s. one area we found (online) that looks appealing is Harvest Oaks, south of 385, near Merchants Park. any opinions on that?

[Pearlbob]

First and foremost - traffic here is NOTHING like Atlanta, no matter where you live and how far you commute. So don't worry about that

Germantown is an older area overall than Collierville, so it will have more established neighborhoods, bigger trees, older more unique homes, etc. I can't recommend specific streets or areas of either town though, but I'm sure others will be able to.

The prices for a 4 bedroom home in either of those areas can be pretty hefty, but it sounds like you've done some research so you are probably aware of that already. I would think somewhere in Germantown would be faster to the Poplar/240 area, but like I said, it's a short drive either way.

[sally.white]

We are looking at the area as well...Collierville High or Houston..Paid the area a visit a month ago with teen and she wasn't thrilled with either..Not surprising..

[brickpatio]

The Houston and Collierville areas are going to be the closest fit to your description. To me everything along Poplar, about a mile to the north or south of Poplar, is all pretty similar and all nice. If you want private schools, then the areas on either side of Poplar right near 240 would be perfect and only a couple of minutes from work.

[sally.white]

Moving and trying to decide between Collierville High or Houston High..

Visited them both, but still can't decide..eerr

[clobbersaurus01]

Originally Posted by Carolina Texan

In early stages of a possible new job in Memphis, and coming to town in a couple of weeks for interviews. Will have a free couple of hours to explore neighborhoods, and was hoping to get a little help from the group here.

Office would be off 240 near Poplar.

Housing preferences
1. Good schools
2. Avoid too much traffic for work commute (still shell-shocked from days in Atlanta)
3. Family oriented
4. Trees (don't like subdivisions that clear cut all the trees) and room to play in the yard.
5. Have 4 kids (ages range from 4-18), and looking for homes with 3500+ sf.

I've done a lot of research on the web, and so have a reasonably good feel that Germantown or Collierville would be my best bets. But can you narrow it down further than that, with suggestions of streets, neighborhoods, subdivisions, etc?

Not ready to get a realtor, and don't want to just drive around willy-nilly, so thanks in advance for your advice.

p.s. one area we found (online) that looks appealing is Harvest Oaks, south of 385, near Merchants Park. any opinions on that?

A decent, less pricey (older/more established) part of G'town is along Hacks Cross between Poplar Pike and the G'town/Memphis city limits (Southwind). But that's closer to G'town HS, and quite far from Houston/Collierville.

[Jennp]

Check out 9351 Grove Park Cove, Germantown, TN 38139--beautiful home and great sub.

[Carolina Texan]

thanks for the info so far. what do you guys mean by the Houston area? Are you talking about homes that feed into Houston High School?

Jennp - nice home, but on the very high end of what i'd be looking for, if not beyond

I'm seeing several possibilities in the area just south of 385, in the rectangle bordered by 385, Byhalia, Holmes, and Forest Hill Irene. How is that area?

[ColliervilleMom]

Sally, the 2 high schools are very similar, I have a child going next year, I have both of the curriculum printed side by side, and I've had a Vice Principal friend go through them extensively. They are both good schools. Think more about what neighborhood feel you want vs. the HS. Like previous posters said, Germantown has an older, more established feel to it, larger trees, etc...Collierville is newer, maybe a bit younger. The house that Jennp posted looks nice, but very close to a very busy intersection.

[sally.white]

Thanks "Collierville Mom".We are moving from southern California with 2 tweens and a teen that are very active in school and sports..We are especially looking for a neighborhood with lots kids..