High crime rate? (Memphis, Louisville: appointed, to rent, hotels)

[NebraskaNative]

I was extremly surprised to see the area had such a high crime rate. Using city-data.com's data I saw that the area had a crime rate between 700 and 825 over the past few years (highest murders were 17 per 100,000 and rapes at 88 per 100,000), the national average is 323.

Every category is much higher than the national average. Why so high?

We were researching a possible relocation since I had heard the area is beautiful, this absolutely throws a wrench into our decision.

[hml1976]

It is mostly a "neighborhood" problem. If you avoid certain areas the crime rate is quite low.

However, my personal opinion is that Nashville isn't doing enough to combat crime. It seems that the affluent areas see it as someone else's problem and don't advocate for change. It will take crime spreading to the nicer areas to really push people into action. I'm an ex-New Yorker and it wasn't until the investment bankers started getting mugged that stuff got better, much better.

[dreading the move]

I have never been robbed before until I came to Nashville. I have only been here one month, and my car was broken into at a hotel near the airport and cleaned out, laptop, breifcase, navigation aid, cds. I have never been robbed before living in CT, AL, OH, IL. Only TN. I am very disappointed with Nashville on many levels. I would not relocate here if I could do it again. I think TN is a great state, but that does not include Nashville.

[gbone]

Originally Posted by dreading the move

I have never been robbed before until I came to Nashville. I have only been here one month, and my car was broken into at a hotel near the airport and cleaned out, laptop, breifcase, navigation aid, cds. I have never been robbed before living in CT, AL, OH, IL. Only TN. I am very disappointed with Nashville on many levels. I would not relocate here if I could do it again. I think TN is a great state, but that does not include Nashville.

I'm sorry about your crime problem. I've lived in Nashville for eighteen years and have been fortunate enough to never have a problem with crime. I don't think Nashville is much different than most other large cities when it comes to crime though. Airport hotels in most cities are prime targets for theft, especially with all of the business travellers who might leave laptops, briefcases, navigations aids, etc. in their car. If a person stays clear of bad crime areas in any city and just does a little preparation about safeguarding valuables, it greatly minimizes the chances that person will be a crime victim.
I think the Nashville area is a great place to live. I hope you get an opportunity to start enjoying the pleasant side of Nashville.

[dreading the move]

I have to admit Gbone, we have had such bad experiences with Nashville in such a short time, we are going to rent and assess the situation. We do not feel Nashville is offering the type of lifestyle we envisioned. Maybe we will feel differently a year from now, but right now are going to just rent, so we have the option to leave if we continue to feel the same way as we do now. We are seasoned corporate relocaters, so we know the ups and downs of moving, but Nashville has been our worst location yet. Hopefully it will improve, only time will tell.

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by gbone

I'm sorry about your crime problem. I've lived in Nashville for eighteen years and have been fortunate enough to never have a problem with crime. I don't think Nashville is much different than most other large cities when it comes to crime though. Airport hotels in most cities are prime targets for theft, especially with all of the business travellers who might leave laptops, briefcases, navigations aids, etc. in their car. If a person stays clear of bad crime areas in any city and just does a little preparation about safeguarding valuables, it greatly minimizes the chances that person will be a crime victim.
I think the Nashville area is a great place to live. I hope you get an opportunity to start enjoying the pleasant side of Nashville.

I agree. I've lived in Nashville for 27 years and was in Nashville a lot before then. In all that time I've experienced one crime when someone stole my mower. Of course, like most people, I wish the overall crime rate was lower in Nashville too.

[kcnative]

If you're from Nebraska, Nashville is probably going to seem like Compton.

[scottv]

Yeah, the crime is isolated to certain areas of town and in general it's not bad...of course that is all relative to me-I moved here from Memphis, TN...LOOK THAT ONE UP IN YOUR CRIME STATISTICS, HAHAHA

[censusdata]

Originally Posted by dreading the move

I have to admit Gbone, we have had such bad experiences with Nashville in such a short time, we are going to rent and assess the situation. We do not feel Nashville is offering the type of lifestyle we envisioned. Maybe we will feel differently a year from now, but right now are going to just rent, so we have the option to leave if we continue to feel the same way as we do now. We are seasoned corporate relocaters, so we know the ups and downs of moving, but Nashville has been our worst location yet. Hopefully it will improve, only time will tell.

Louisville offers a great night life and many eclectic neighborhoods w/o all the crime. It ranks as the 8th safest large city in the US

By comparison, Nashville ranks as the 7th most dangerous
City Crime Rankings by Population Group

[kingchef]

Originally Posted by NebraskaNative

I was extremly surprised to see the area had such a high crime rate. Using city-data.com's data I saw that the area had a crime rate between 700 and 825 over the past few years (highest murders were 17 per 100,000 and rapes at 88 per 100,000), the national average is 323.

Every category is much higher than the national average. Why so high?

We were researching a possible relocation since I had heard the area is beautiful, this absolutely throws a wrench into our decision.

don't throw the wrench too far from where you are because you will need it to defend yourself from the criminals in this #7 ranked city of murder and mayhem. i have three friends who have suffered robbery at gunpoint, two have been physically assaulted, and one had his house nearly destroyed during a robbery. all but one of them is moving to other cities. moving lock, stock, and barrel and 4 children. you might want to try a better and safer city. germantown, collierville, barlett, arlington, or lakeland tn or olive branch, southaven, or hernando, ms are excellent choices. i know time has past, but hopefully you haven't made the mistake yet.