Is there anything good about Memphis? (Jackson, Dayton: living in, dangerous, centers)

[Pearlbob]

What?! There's more to Vegas than just the strip??!! That's crazy talk!

Exactly. It's like assuming everyone in Memphis hangs out on Beale St everynight, everyone in Miami goes to South Beach every weekend, everyone in New Orleans lives down by Bourbon St....

Just have to know where to live. I usually recommend anyone moving here to (if possible) rent for 6 months or so before buying a home. Get used to the city, familiarize with your surroundings, then make an educated decision. We can recommend things on this forum, but what I like or what others on here like may not be what you like. Some people do not want to put up with ANY type of crime; others can deal with so-so areas if it means being close to nightlife, restaurants, shopping, etc. Some people grew up in big cities and like "city" lifestyles, whereas others want the yard and picket fence.

Regardless...it's nice to hear people who can take some bad with the good and work though it, instead of just complaining 100% of the time.

Originally Posted by Emuche

I agree with PearlBob. After reading some of these replies, I was terrified to relocate to Memphis. However, I had to remember my own Cleveland roots and I settled down. I grew up in Cleveland and due to job promotions have lived in Philadelphia and Las Vegas. Cleveland and Philadelphia are both known for crime and Las Vegas is well known for something else. However, I raised my family in all these cities and I can say one thing. Cleveland had a high crime rate, however there were great places to live within the city as well as in the suburbs. The crime was low to none and the people were great. The same went for Philadelphia. We did expericence a couple of thefts (someone stole my car) however the overall experience was great. I worked in the city ( where my car was stolen), however I really never felt threatened or scared. I walked daily in the neighborhood to eat at the local restaurants and I was fine. The scenario is the same with Las Vegas. Las Vegas was definitely a sex-industry city. However, we did not live on the strip. We lived in the far west area of Las Vegas right outside of Summerlin. Although slot machines are a pervasive presence throughout Las Vegas, we managed to carve out a pretty good life there. And we rarely visited the strip except when our families visited. To make a long story short, crime is everywhere. Besides Collierville, Germantown, etc.. ; I am sure there are pockets of neighborhoods within Memphis (as there are in every large city) where there is less crime and there are good people. So, I am going to give greater Memphis a try. I respect and agree with everyones desire to live in a safe environment and I am sure there are communities within, as well as outside, of the Memphis area that provide a sense of security and community (just like in every other city). The task is trying to find that niche. Resources such as this forum and the Internet provide both objective and subjective information that allow us to make an informative decision.

[TN-rox]

Memphis has its ups and downs and when I say down I mean way, way down. I prefer to think of Memphis as a diamond in the rough. If they could get rid of some crime and fix-up the city a little it would be a mecca. The food (gotta have my BBQ!) the music, Memphis has it all. Schools are horrible, however. Alot of rezoning and the main problem, at least in northern Shelby County, is overcrowding which leads to many fights and racial tensions. Some very good private schools though. Try Tipton County for some country living while still having all the comforts of the big city. Its growing very fast (maybe a little too fast) but growth is good and it is still very rural with much, much better schools. Shelby County is losing alot of residents to Tipton because of its wonderful schools.

[psi2007]

Originally Posted by TN-rox

Memphis has its ups and downs and when I say down I mean way, way down. I prefer to think of Memphis as a diamond in the rough. If they could get rid of some crime and fix-up the city a little it would be a mecca. The food (gotta have my BBQ!) the music, Memphis has it all. Schools are horrible, however. Alot of rezoning and the main problem, at least in northern Shelby County, is overcrowding which leads to many fights and racial tensions. Some very good private schools though. Try Tipton County for some country living while still having all the comforts of the big city. Its growing very fast (maybe a little too fast) but growth is good and it is still very rural with much, much better schools. Shelby County is losing alot of residents to Tipton because of its wonderful schools.

The main problems with Memphis are racism, prejudice, nepotism and undeserved pride. Stupid is as stupid does.

[amiev]

Originally Posted by psi2007

The main problems with Memphis are racism, prejudice, nepotism and undeserved pride. Stupid is as stupid does.

wow, it's good to know that racism, prejudice, nepotism, undeserved pride and stupidity is limited to Memphis! Well, gosh darn... this hick here better get on over to whatever perfect city psi lives in.

[Pearlbob]

No, PSI lives here too.

I will admit, I see a lot of what is probably called "reverse" racism in Memphis. but it doesn't affect my life day to day. What did Forrest Gump say, Stupid is as stupid does. You want to act like a fool? Go for it. I'm not going to let it upset me. Unless you are actively being treated poorly because of race (being fired, being harrassed at work or school, etc), of course that is bad. but if you're just talking about a cross look from someone at the gas station....move on. I'm not saying it's right, I'm just saying you need to have more important things to worry about than some idiot's prejudism and foolishness.

Even King Willie...roll your eyes and move on. He's not going anywhere, so there is really nothing anyone can do about it but call him a fool and laugh at him in disdain.

Originally Posted by amiev

wow, it's good to know that racism, prejudice, nepotism, undeserved pride and stupidity is limited to Memphis! Well, gosh darn... this hick here better get on over to whatever perfect city psi lives in.

[London79]

Originally Posted by psi2007

The main problems with Memphis are racism, prejudice, nepotism and undeserved pride. Stupid is as stupid does.

I think what he or she means is it's prevalent here.

[lastminutemom]

As an outsider who studies philanthropy, I will tell you that one of the best things about Memphis is the amount of $ that your large donors give within the community. For a city Memphis' size and relatively poor population, the cultural institutions are fantastic. Atlanta can't even compare. What old money there is goes elsewhere and the new money (besides Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank) is hardly noticeable.

[tennreb]

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

As an outsider who studies philanthropy, I will tell you that one of the best things about Memphis is the amount of $ that your large donors give within the community. For a city Memphis' size and relatively poor population, the cultural institutions are fantastic. Atlanta can't even compare. What old money there is goes elsewhere and the new money (besides Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank) is hardly noticeable.

Memphis does have excellent cultural institutions for a city its size. Atlanta seems to have a propensity to export its cultural offerings to the suburbs. The opera isn't even located in the same county (and is instead in a county whose commission voted unanimously to condemn homosexuality).

[estona1983]

Check out Only in Memphis before moving to Memphis. It will give you a good idea of just how messed up this city is and why it is a horrible place to raise a family.

[Pearlbob]

Everyone loves websites where people have nothing good to say and only things to complain about. Take 10% of the effort you put into complaining, and maybe you could make the city a better place for yourself.

Originally Posted by estona1983

Check out Only in Memphis before moving to Memphis. It will give you a good idea of just how messed up this city is and why it is a horrible place to raise a family.