Moving from Seatte to Memphis with 2 kids (Germantown, Collierville: transplants, crime)

[Tigertate]

I don't think they will find much in Belle Meade for under 350K. That is one of the most upscale areas in the city. Most houses in that area sell for 180$ to 250$ per square foot, with most houses being at least 2500sf.

[2nomadic4me]

Originally Posted by Tigertate

I don't think they will find much in Belle Meade for under 350K. That is one of the most upscale areas in the city. Most houses in that area sell for 180$ to 250$ per square foot, with most houses being at least 2500sf.

Well, I did a quick look and I found that you can find houses under 350k.. with four bedrooms.

[Anne-So]

Thanks everybody for your advice and info! We are going to Memphis next week to look around and hopefully find a house.

[Tigertate]

Originally Posted by 2nomadic4me

Well, I did a quick look and I found that you can find houses under 350k.. with four bedrooms.

Then you are not looking in Belle Meade. This area is east of Goodlett, north of Poplar, west of Grove Park, and south of Walnut Grove. Your map is a very good generalization of some neighborhoods, but it is not exact in name and location. I don't think anyone has an exact map. To create one you would have to look at old sub division plans and public records. Much of the area you are calling Belle Meade is actually Red Acres and Grove Park. These are also upscale areas, but not on the level of Belle Meade.

[jeni25]

Bartlett Station Historic District may be of interest to you.
Bartlett, TN - Official Website - Bartlett Station Historic District

Close to a park that is located across the street from Bartlett High School.
There are a few stores in the Bartlett area like subway, Baskin Robbins. Not alot in the way of real shopping though. There are many older homes with history. But, you can also find more updated homes. You might try looking on Yates Street or Guillory Street. Good luck on your move.

The historic district in Collierville would also be a great place to look.

Collierville Historic Town Square
~Collierville's Historic Town Square~
A beautiful park, a few restaurants (not chain) & quaint shops.
Not sure of streets to advise to live. Maybe someone else can chime in with some.

[PhillyIndy]

Originally Posted by Anne-So

PhillyIndy, I am looking forward to hearing from your weekend in Memphis. We are going to be there next week to do the same.
As far as why moving from Seattle to Memphis... it was a hard decision to make, but my husband is working out of there. We'll miss Seattle though!

We will miss Philly.

Central Gardens was nice, but very residential so it seemed like less to walk to. Evergreen is another Midtown Neighborhood; closer to things to walk to but then no guaranteed school.

Collierville and Germantown are the burbs. Nice burbs, but the burbs. Very safe, very clean, all the stores/strip malls are "toned down" with neutral brick colors and signage that is less in your face. They just built this thing called Life Fitness that is this huge gym, 2 cafes, 2 indoor pools (lap and huge kiddie) and 2-3 outdoor pools. Sort of a social club and a gym. NOTHING like this in a city. Will cost you ~$120 for a family (with 2 free hours a daycare when you work out). Probably a way to meet people?!

Huge houses, well maintained areas, a little sterile. Will take an effort to meet people as I didn't see people hanging out in the front yard; but that is similar for many burbs.

I don't know Seattle, but Midtown seemed nice, but maybe not worth some of the hassles that come with city life where I would guess Seattle is worth those city hassles (as is Philly). Not sure yet. For me it makes my commute very short so a consideration; but sooner or later Midtown will require private schools.

[Mom2My3]

We lived in Collierville and loved it. It is not that easy to walk places unless you live close to the town square though.
In Germantown - you might try the more historic part of town where you can walk to a few places...this would be south on Germantown Rd leading into the old downtown.
Both communities are great for kids. You will be closer to Memphis proper if you live in Germantown, and will have that burbs-city feel. Collierville is on the east side of Germantown so it is further away.
We chose to live in Collierville because it is further away from Memphis and the crime that comes with it. It is not a secret that Memphis has one of the highest crime rates in the U.S. It pays to do your research and see how you feel about an area. Good luck and enjoy the rich culture of Memphis!

[Tigertate]

Originally Posted by Mom2My3

We lived in Collierville and loved it. It is not that easy to walk places unless you live close to the town square though.
In Germantown - you might try the more historic part of town where you can walk to a few places...this would be south on Germantown Rd leading into the old downtown.
Both communities are great for kids. You will be closer to Memphis proper if you live in Germantown, and will have that burbs-city feel. Collierville is on the east side of Germantown so it is further away.
We chose to live in Collierville because it is further away from Memphis and the crime that comes with it. It is not a secret that Memphis has one of the highest crime rates in the U.S. It pays to do your research and see how you feel about an area. Good luck and enjoy the rich culture of Memphis!

Since you have been in the Memphis area have you ever been a victim of crime (Home/Car broken into, robbed, etc.)?

[thefineprint]

Originally Posted by Tigertate

Since you have been in the Memphis area have you ever been a victim of crime (Home/Car broken into, robbed, etc.)?

most people who live in memphis haven't been the victim of a crime. like anywhere - where you live increases/decreases the odds of you being criminalized. the difficult thing about memphis is that - inside the loop - the bad neighborhoods are scattered EVERY where - they aren't contained. so you will have a beautiful neighborhood like Central Gardens literally be 5 minutes north of a ghetto. outside of the loop to the east things are considerably nicer but more suburban

[(901)]

Originally Posted by Tigertate

Then you are not looking in Belle Meade. This area is east of Goodlett, north of Poplar, west of Grove Park, and south of Walnut Grove. Your map is a very good generalization of some neighborhoods, but it is not exact in name and location. I don't think anyone has an exact map. To create one you would have to look at old sub division plans and public records. Much of the area you are calling Belle Meade is actually Red Acres and Grove Park. These are also upscale areas, but not on the level of Belle Meade.

Theres nothing in Belle Meade under $800k, and probally looking more torwards 1.25Mil+

Originally Posted by PhillyIndy

We will miss Philly.

Central Gardens was nice, but very residential so it seemed like less to walk to. Evergreen is another Midtown Neighborhood; closer to things to walk to but then no guaranteed school.

Collierville and Germantown are the burbs. Nice burbs, but the burbs. Very safe, very clean, all the stores/strip malls are "toned down" with neutral brick colors and signage that is less in your face. They just built this thing called Life Fitness that is this huge gym, 2 cafes, 2 indoor pools (lap and huge kiddie) and 2-3 outdoor pools. Sort of a social club and a gym. NOTHING like this in a city. Will cost you ~$120 for a family (with 2 free hours a daycare when you work out). Probably a way to meet people?!

Huge houses, well maintained areas, a little sterile. Will take an effort to meet people as I didn't see people hanging out in the front yard; but that is similar for many burbs.

I don't know Seattle, but Midtown seemed nice, but maybe not worth some of the hassles that come with city life where I would guess Seattle is worth those city hassles (as is Philly). Not sure yet. For me it makes my commute very short so a consideration; but sooner or later Midtown will require private schools.

You will hate G'Town/Collierville....Very boring/predictable

There are a few very good Elementrary schools in Midtown

1)Idlewild
2)Snowden
3)And that 1 in Cooper~Young I can never remember

Grahmwood Elementary is superb, but you gotta get on a list I beleive