Memphis (Collierville: houses, neighborhoods, high school)

[KentuckyBlue10]

I am a teenager in HS, but am anxious to visit Memphis someday.

Is the trouble really that bad? Are there that many ghettos? I guess the major metro area I've been to that's comparible is Atlanta, GA.

Are there lots of stores to shop at, etc? Is anyone familiar with the areas around Birch Glen Drive? I have an online friend that use to live there. She ended up moving. Is it that bad there?

What are most of the Memphis houses like? I have definitely been considering a relocate to Memphis someday, so please give all the input you can!

[Pearlbob]

I don't really know if one can generalize the word "ghetto" or what that really even means. the word is more or less slang now. But there are a lot of very poor urban neighborhoods in Memphis, yes.

Most shopping is out of town, in the major malls. There is shopping in town of course, but it's more specific, designer stores, and not the generic mall type stores. Memphis is a major city, so there is plenty to do here.

Birch Glen Drive....no clue. Sounds suburban though. Memphis has a million people, and the metro area is huge. That street could be 30 miles away in Collierville

There is no way to say what "most of the houses" are like in any city. Memphis is huge. It's not a tiny country town where there are literally only 400 houses. Memphis has million dollar homes and run down homes.

If you are still in high school, if this post is for real, I think you have a lot more things to focus on right now other than where to move in a few years when you are an adult. Memphis, along with all other cities, will be here when you are older.

[defiepilex]

Originally Posted by KentuckyBlue10

I am a teenager in HS, but am anxious to visit Memphis someday.

Is the trouble really that bad? Are there that many ghettos? I guess the major metro area I've been to that's comparible is Atlanta, GA.

Are there lots of stores to shop at, etc? Is anyone familiar with the areas around Birch Glen Drive? I have an online friend that use to live there. She ended up moving. Is it that bad there?

What are most of the Memphis houses like? I have definitely been considering a relocate to Memphis someday, so please give all the input you can!

Definition of ghetto - Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Ghetto:

1 : a quarter of a city in which Jews were formerly required to live
2 : a quarter of a city in which members of a minority group live especially because of social, legal, or economic pressure
3 a : an isolated group <a geriatric ghetto> b : a situation that resembles a ghetto especially in conferring inferior status or limiting opportunity <the pink-collar ghetto>

is this your definition of a 'ghetto'?

and according to mapquest, Birch Glen Drive is near Kirby Pkwy and E Raines.

[Pearlbob]

Ah, yes, that's a bad area of town. I'm sure it wasn't a while ago though, so if you are still in HS there is no point in looking for "good neighborhoods" as it changes so quick here.

[KentuckyBlue10]

Originally Posted by Pearlbob

I don't really know if one can generalize the word "ghetto" or what that really even means. the word is more or less slang now. But there are a lot of very poor urban neighborhoods in Memphis, yes.

Most shopping is out of town, in the major malls. There is shopping in town of course, but it's more specific, designer stores, and not the generic mall type stores. Memphis is a major city, so there is plenty to do here.

Birch Glen Drive....no clue. Sounds suburban though. Memphis has a million people, and the metro area is huge. That street could be 30 miles away in Collierville

There is no way to say what "most of the houses" are like in any city. Memphis is huge. It's not a tiny country town where there are literally only 400 houses. Memphis has million dollar homes and run down homes.

If you are still in high school, if this post is for real, I think you have a lot more things to focus on right now other than where to move in a few years when you are an adult. Memphis, along with all other cities, will be here when you are older.

Thank you for the informative post! I appreciate it. I didn't mean to sound dumb or anything.

Oh, I concentrate on plenty of things. Good grades, my friends, etc. I just felt like asking some general questions about the city.

defiepilex--Most Americans are familiar as "ghettos" as bad areas of town. That may be the proper definition, but it's a common American slang. Sorry for the confusion!

[Pearlbob]

In Memphis, there is definitely a difference between "the ghetto" and just a plain bad area of town.

[bonniesaturn02]

It is common American slang however I believe the poster was just trying to educate everyone on the fact that it is a commonly poorly used term...

defiepilex - Have you checked out the book GhettoNation by Cora Daniels?

[defiepilex]

i can't say that i have.