Midtown vs Germantown/Collierville: What are the People Like? (Memphis: fit in, transplants)

[Smila]

Thanks to those of you who responded to my previous post (and those of my husband, PhillyIndy) on neighborhoods in the area. We are officially moving to Memphis in mid Nov. We will have a few months of temporary housing so we have a little time to decide where we will buy. Here is what we are struggling with at this point:

We liked Midtown alot, but worry that it doesnt have enough of the benefits of urban living to offset the nearby grime/crime. As I mentioned before, we pay for private schools here in Philly so would be open to doing that again. It seems like Grace St Luke's is a good choice and we were pretty impressed with (and surprised by) Idlewilde Elementary.

The burbs of Germantown and Collierville have their appeal. After living in a 1600 sq foot row home for 5 years with a brick 10 x 10 square for a yard, the big homes, big yards, big game rooms and nice public schools have a certain draw. However, there are things about these areas that scare me. They seem to be very religious communities (which I, in turn, interpret as conservative/close minded - perhaps wrongly so) - I say this because it seemed like every large building we saw was a giant church of some sort. We are liberal, both have full-time careers (will I be one of only a few working moms?), and we don't really attend church. I worry that we will feel out of place and have trouble finding friends and other families "like us".

Which brings me back to Midtown....I assume (again, perhaps wrongly) that this neighborhood is home to many more "liberals" and transplants. It certainly feels much more like what we are accustomed to here in downtown Philly. There is a part of me that feels like we would fit in better and find more like-minded people.

Can anyone provide some opinions/comments on the people that live in each of these areas? I realize this may put some people on the spot and it may even offend others that I would ask. We are just trying to find the right fit for our family.

Thanks again - we are looking forward to the move (and some decent Bar-b-que).

[alan786]

I've lived in Germantown for almost 5 years. It's a great place to live. Malls, Restaraunts, Theatres, activities, library are just very close by. However, crime rate is still an issue in Germantown but it's alot better than midtown.

If price is not a matter then Collierville is a great place to live. Have not heard of any kind of incidents over there yet. Good luck with your research.

[Bowyer]

I can speak for Collierville and the burbs, having lived and worked there for several years. I moved here from southern California, home to liberalism!

The people in the Collierville suburbs are generally family oriented. Lots of families have two parents working and kids going to public schools. There is a fair percentage of SAHM's with just dad working, too. A lot of the SAHM's have very young children or babies and will return to work at a future time. Kids are usually involved in activities such as gymnastics, soccer, football, cheerleading, scouts, etc., etc.

I have found the people were great and made good neighbors who were stable and I could trust....ideal for raising kids\.True, there are way more liberals in midtown and it is more conservative in Collierville. There are lots of big churches in Shelby County, not just in the burbs. A lot of people attend church....some on Sunday's only, others are more involved and may spend a good deal of time at their church. Either way, it really won't effect you at all, especially in a negative way. Also, if you look, you could find like-minded people in any area if you wanted to.

I used to live in midtown and it has it's charms. Good restaurants, the proximity to the zoo, the Children's Museum and downtown is closer, too. But the burbs do offer the bigger, newer houses that are very comfortable (not necessarily better), large yards and safe neighborhoods. I have lived in Midtown, Hickory Hill and east Memphis, and at all three experienced property thefts (break-ins). Not once in the burbs for 10 years have I had any problems. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, because it can, but it seems to be a lot less frequently.

I have young kids and decided to live in the burbs and send my kids to public schools. They are very good in Collierville. Private schools in Memphis are highly regarded, but I have no personal experience witht the one you mention.

The suburbs aren't bad at all, the people are great, the crime is low, there are lots of things to do in Collierville and midtown is only 20 minutes away.

[Pearlbob]

If price is no issue, you can purchase a large home in midtown and still have a big front and back yard.

Midtown is definitely going to have more liberal people, and probably more transplants that come from other urban areas. (IE, people who lived in the burbs elsewhere are probably going to move to the burbs here.)

While your questions are normal, the fact is that you are going to find midtowners who hate the burbs and would never live out there. And you'll find surburban people who feel the same about the city of Memphis. It's a tough call, when you're moving from out of state and can't decide which you'd rather have.

I think y ou said your current home or something like it was around $600k? For that price in midtown you could get the following (just in case you didn't see these previously). Huge homes that seem to have large yards, since that is something you mentioned about the suburbs. Just something to think about.

1615 Central Avenue - Memphis, TN 38104 Details of Property Real Estate for Sale

646 Center Drive - Memphis, TN 38112 Details of Property Real Estate for Sale

2256 Court Avenue - Memphis, TN 38104 Details of Property Real Estate for Sale

[(901)]

All the advice above is very accurate.

[rinojg]

Just my two cents having moved to Collierville recently and having lived in "liberal" areas of DC, California and overseas. No problem what so ever with conversative church goers in Collierville, they are here in great numbers but are generally warm, open mided people who do not force their beliefs on others, that's been my experience at least. There are also plenty of "secular" folks here too.

[ColliervilleMom]

I second all the comments about Collierville, I have a lot of friends who don't go to church, they don't feel left out or judged for it. You'll get invited to church probably, but not pushed!

Good luck in your decision, you are looking at some great places, I don't think you can go wrong in any of your options.

[mjtinmemphis]

I thought maybe I could add a slightly different perspective as a single open minded Christian.

Yes Memphis was a very conservative place with a lot of "church going folks". If your from a large urban area and a single liberal you may have a problem with that. However, if you are bringing your job along with a family, that may be a big help in adjusting and the religion thing may not be a social issue for you.

As far as areas go, midtown is ok but its not going to make that big of a difference in your day to day living coming from a major urban city. Keep an open mind and go for what you know.

I try not to be too negative with my posts at the same time I had a seious issue with the southern red state ultra conservative rebel mentality that too many of the natives have. Once after your first 6 months or so you will then know you tollerance level. But its hard to say what someone elses experience will be.

[Smila]

Thanks for the responses. This forum has been great. My husband and I have both lived in the south (AL and GA) at some point, but have been "up north" for around 10 years and living in Downtown Philly for close to 6. Its really all we know in terms of our own "family life" so its hard to envision ourselves in the burbs anywhere - Memphis or otherwise. That being said, kids make these decisions all the more difficult. I agree that we have a lot of great options in Memphis. I will let you know where we land.

[(901)]

I don't know what your budget can stand. If it were me and was able to pay for private schools. I would live in Midtown and send the kids to:

Memphis University School(Boys/ co-ed)www.musowls.org

Hutchinson(Girls) www.hutchinsonschool.org