Mud Island/Midtown Living for Twenty Something (Memphis, Germantown: apartment complexes, lease) - Tennessee (TN) - City-Data Forum

wilco27 · 05-29-2010, 10:52 PM

Hi, all. I am looking for an apartment in Memphis. I'm 22 and doing Memphis Teaching Felllows. I'll be doing SPED in MCS.

I'm looking for a 1 bedroom/1 bath apartment in a safe, relatively clean/quiet area that still have plenty of young people and things to do. I am actually from Memphis (Germantown) but went to college out of state. I know I want to live in either Midtown or Downtown/Mud Island but since the majority of my close friends my age aren't from Memphis, I'm having a little trouble narrowing down apartment complexes for myself. My maximum budget would be around $900.

Any strong opinions on apartments in Mud Island? I'm leaning towards this area because I know it to be safe, busy, and lively. I looked at Riverset but it seemed to have some poor reviews stating that the place was a bit run down. What about Belle Harbour? the Arbors? or Island Park?
Would Bristol or the Gilmore in Midtown be good choices?

I want to get the best I can for my budget but I also want plenty of opportunities to meet people my age and be active since I'm pretty far away from my close friends now.

Thanks for your advice! I appreciate it.

TonyBlaz · 05-30-2010, 01:26 AM

I would say no to Bristol due I have friends that live there and they are very unhappy, they are moving as soon as their lease is up! I've heard good things about Gilmore! I would try Peabody Place at Peabody Ave and Barksdale but there may not be any openings! I have friends that live there also! You would have to go to Revid Reality on Peabody Ave right before Cooper too see if there are any openings!

Downtown - Look into South Bluff apartments. Everybody I talked to said it was their best choice!

Mud Island - I would try Island Park and Estates( I think that's right) heard good things. I'm hearing mixed reviews on The Arbors and Belle Harbour.

If you are looking for people your age I would say Mud Island but there are people your age also where I listed too but your getting into the upper twenties!

I have ALOTS of friends that live in different area's of Midtown and Downtown! I like Midtown much better esp where I lived but I move to AZ and renting out my house to 2 friends then bought a condo Downtown where I would have a place to stay when in town!

gracie84 · 05-30-2010, 03:57 PM

I am a twenty-five year old guy and moved to Memphis on my own. I spent my first 6 months in Mud Island (Island Park) and didn't like it. The apartment was fine but there just isn't much going on there.

I've since moved downtown (Number 10 Main) which I would really recommend. Much more lively, more to do, more people our age.

Just my personal experience..

wilco27 · 05-30-2010, 04:09 PM

Thanks for the replies! They have been extremely helpful. Today I had a little time downtown and in Midtown so I just took a glance at Gilmore, Fielder Square, and the Bristol.

Didn't care for the Bristol. I realized that I have an acquaintance that lives in Gilmore. I really like where it's located but I think she's not too crazy about it so I'll have to get more details. The parking doesn't look too great either.

I thought Fielder Square looked pretty nice. I'm also looking at South Bluffs. I like Number 10 main but it looks like the rent might be a little higher. I will just have to go and see.

Only concern about living downtown- convenience to grocery stores, banks, shopping, etc? Is there much a difference between living in one of the Mud Island apts and one of the downtown ones?

natsherr · 06-01-2010, 09:27 AM

I know a couple people that live at fielders square and they love it there. i have been inside a couple of times and it looks very clean and up kept. the pool there looks nice and the people there seem friendly and young.

I live at the South Bluffs. I have been there for about 4 months now and I love it. It has that nice, clean, cozy neighborhood feel to it and I haven't felt unsafe there once. I dont know how much rent would be for a one bedroom though... I think they are remodeling the outside of the older section this summer too. These apartments are in a good location too. You can walk out and get on the trolley and go to the downtown core area to restaurants and stuff.

This is the only apartment i have had downtown though. I was in East Memphis before and wasn't a big fan.... Good Luck!!!!

strumpeace · 06-01-2010, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilco27

Only concern about living downtown- convenience to grocery stores, banks, shopping, etc? Is there much a difference between living in one of the Mud Island apts and one of the downtown ones?

Not much difference. If you live in Harbor Town (including The Arbors), then you could walk to Miss Cordelia's when necessary. You probably wouldn't want to actually do any regular grocery shopping there, though, unless you have deep pockets. If you live in any of the other apartment complexes on Mud Island, you're likely to have to get in your vehicle and drive -- even to Miss Cordelia's. And that, imo, defeats the entire purpose of urban living.

If you live Downtown, you're most likely going to have to get in your car and drive for groceries and many other conveniences. Your closest stores would be Schnuck's on Union, Kroger at Poplar and Cleveland (ugh!), the Pig on Madison (double ugh!) and Wal-Mart in West Memphis. Maybe, though, you could make it on Easy-Way, Walgreen's, and the Farmer's Market. Is it possible?

Best wishes.

wilco27 · 06-01-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strumpeace

Not much difference. If you live in Harbor Town (including The Arbors), then you could walk to Miss Cordelia's when necessary. You probably wouldn't want to actually do any regular grocery shopping there, though, unless you have deep pockets. If you live in any of the other apartment complexes on Mud Island, you're likely to have to get in your vehicle and drive -- even to Miss Cordelia's. And that, imo, defeats the entire purpose of urban living.

If you live Downtown, you're most likely going to have to get in your car and drive for groceries and many other conveniences. Your closest stores would be Schnuck's on Union, Kroger at Poplar and Cleveland (ugh!), the Pig on Madison (double ugh!) and Wal-Mart in West Memphis. Maybe, though, you could make it on Easy-Way, Walgreen's, and the Farmer's Market. Is it possible?

Best wishes.

Yea, I figured Miss Corelia's wouldn't be my go to grocery. Well, I'll be driving to and from school so it might be easier to get errands done if I coordinate around that. I did see on the South Bluffs website that they are near the Farmer's Market which is awesome! Thanks for your help.

Natsherr, thanks for the advice as well.

jmr193 · 06-03-2010, 07:16 AM

I have lived at Riverset for a year and really enjoyed it. I have friends that live in each complex on the Island, and when you consider how much more they pay for rent, I feel that Riverset is the best deal by a mile.

natsherr · 06-04-2010, 10:09 PM

i normally drive across the bridge and go to the west memphis kroger... its clean, never crowded, and always stocked. it would probably be closer to go to snucks on union, but i personally think that particular store is gross and too small

mikellen · 06-05-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natsherr

i normally drive across the bridge and go to the west memphis kroger... its clean, never crowded, and always stocked. it would probably be closer to go to snucks on union, but i personally think that particular store is gross and too small

My wife and I are highly considering on moving from Miami, Fl. to Memphis.
We took a trip to Memphis last week and went house hunting in the Harbor Town area.
Our concern also is where to go food shopping. We drove to the WalMart in Arkansas which is about 8 miles from Ms. Cordelia's.

Is the Kroger that you mentioned in West Memphis closer in distance than the WalMart?

Thanks.