Memphis or Nashville for a young, conservative, homeschooling couple? (Knoxville: live, restaurant)
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I don't really have anything against the music culture. But every city has something that it is "centered" around, so to speak. And because I don't have much interest in country, blues, etc, a city that is built on that kind of a culture just doesn't appeal.
Good heavens, Nashville is so much more than country music. While a big chunk of Nashville's economy is based on the country music industry, the city attracts musicians from all backgrounds, and you could very easily go through life without ever being subjected to hearing country music (Nashville has more non-country radio stations, by far, than country stations, for example). You might be surprised to know that the Nashville Symphony has won more grammy awards than all but a small handful of American symphonies.
And with the dozen colleges and universities in Nashville, most of which have schools of music, there's always non-country music concerts and recitals going on, particularly at Vanderbilt's highly esteemed Blair School of Music.
Get a load of Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville. Memphis and Birmingham (and even Atlanta and Charlotte) have nothing like it:
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its - possession
it's - contraction of it is
your - possession
you're - contraction of you are
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they're - contraction of they are
there - referring to a place
loose - opposite of tight
lose - opposite of win
Good heavens, Nashville is so much more than country music. While a big chunk of Nashville's economy is based on the country music industry, the city attracts musicians from all backgrounds, and you could very easily go through life without ever being subjected to hearing country music (Nashville has more non-country radio stations, by far, than country stations, for example). You might be surprised to know that the Nashville Symphony has won more grammy awards than all but a small handful of American symphonies.
And with the dozen colleges and universities in Nashville, most of which have schools of music, there's always non-country music concerts and recitals going on, particularly at Vanderbilt's highly esteemed Blair School of Music.
Get a load of Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville. Memphis and Birmingham (and even Atlanta and Charlotte) have nothing like it:
Exactly, Nashville is Music City not Country Music City.
The nickname even predates the country influence. It came from Queen Victoria when she heard the famous Fisk Jubilee Singers on a tour of England. She said their voices were so pure that they must come from the "Music City."
I'll echo much of what has been said about Nashville. T think the OP would be more at home in the suburbs of Nashville than Davidson County. Nashville/Davidson County is fairly progressive and a historical Democratic stronghold. The halo counties around Nashville tend to be more conservative. I live in Hendersonville in Sumner County (Northeast of Nashville) and you will find a number of homeschooled kids there as you will in many surrounding counties. That said, the public school system in Williamson and Sumner Counties are very good (with Williamson often being regarded as the best in the state). Likewise, there are a number of faith-based private schools in the area, including Pope John Paul II High School in Sumner County. I wouldn't go so far as to say homeschooling is a part of the culture here, but it is not unheard of for sure.
Having never been a resident of Memphis, I can't speak authoritatively on the city, but I will add that they also experience the same "halo" effect of surrounding counties being more conservative.
Hope all that helps and good luck with your decision.
I'll echo much of what has been said about Nashville. T think the OP would be more at home in the suburbs of Nashville than Davidson County. Nashville/Davidson County is fairly progressive and a historical Democratic stronghold. The halo counties around Nashville tend to be more conservative. I live in Hendersonville in Sumner County (Northeast of Nashville) and you will find a number of homeschooled kids there as you will in many surrounding counties. That said, the public school system in Williamson and Sumner Counties are very good (with Williamson often being regarded as the best in the state). Likewise, there are a number of faith-based private schools in the area, including Pope John Paul II High School in Sumner County. I wouldn't go so far as to say homeschooling is a part of the culture here, but it is not unheard of for sure.
Having never been a resident of Memphis, I can't speak authoritatively on the city, but I will add that they also experience the same "halo" effect of surrounding counties being more conservative.
Hope all that helps and good luck with your decision.
I agree with this.
I hate this arguement, the two cities aren't even close to comparable.
In short, Memphis is more urban, Nashville Suburban. Memphis has a large Irish and Italian-Catholic population, but from what you wrote, Nashville is the place for you. Memphis is not the deep south, it's old south. Nashville is the new south. Take your pick what you would like better. Again, imo you're better off in Nashville.
Good heavens, Nashville is so much more than country music.
But Nashville brands itself as the 'Country Music', kinda like Memphis is the birthplace of Rock'n' Roll and Home of the Blues. It's perception, and thats what people who have never been to Nashville think of it as.
*******this post is sarcasm******beware
Get a load of Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville. Memphis and Birmingham (and even Atlanta and Charlotte) have nothing like it.
Really? One building? Three words: Trolley Stop Market. Nashville and Birmingham (and even Atlanta and Charlotte) have nothing like it.
Just joking, it's a beautiful building.
Last edited by knucklehead_vol; 03-23-2012 at 11:59 AM..
I posted this thread on the general forum, weighing the advantages of various southern cities. I'll repost it here, since I've narrowed it down to either Nashville or Memphis, with the possibility of Birmingham, AL as a third option.
My wife and I are considering a move to the south, and we're looking for a large city (at least 1.5 million plus metro population). Specifically, we're looking at Charlotte and Nashville, though we're open to a handful of other southern cities, too. We're a homeschooling, conservative, outdoorsy, and Catholic couple. We're young, and we're looking for a city with a lot of young families. And we'd prefer a city where there is a great deal of all of that. Moreover, we're looking for an area with a strong southern cultural kind of feel. Finally, while I'm not looking for a lot of hipsters, I would like a city with good universities, a decent amount of culture, and a mix of "big city" and "family-friendly suburban" life.
I haven't yet been to Memphis or Nashville, though I lived in St. Louis. I'm assuming that Memphis is a southern sort of St. Louis, though I could be wrong. What I find most appealing about Nashville is the newer, nicer, cleaner sort of city it seems to be. I like the sophistication it evidently has. I like the suburbs, the trees, the parks, the conservative population. But I'm also afraid of the "Nashvegas" element that I've heard of. I don't know how pervasive that is, but I that doesn't sound very pleasant.
Memphis sounds like it has a lot of character, nice parks, decent suburbs, and more of a "deep south" kind of feel, which appeals a lot to me. The crime, urban blight, and music-oriented culture does not sound so appealing.
Ultimately, the biggest considerations are the homeschooling environment, the church-going (especially Catholic) culture, conservative politics, and park space/hiking/tree-lined streets and neighborhoods.
Any thoughts?
After reading your post again, East Memphis may be a good place. Lots local restaurants, plenty of things to do in that area, and very freindly as well as Catholic. St. Louis, Holy Rosary, and I know I am missing a few more or in that area. Also, and I know you mentioned homeschooling, the schools are excellent with Richland and White Station.
But if you want this 'Memphis sounds like it has a lot of character, nice parks' (lots of trees), Midtown is the place for you. Crime is not bad, people are super friendly, several Catholic churches in Midtown as well as Downtown. St. Patricks's downtown is AWESOME. Its not as conservative, but there are conservatives. There is no place like Midtown in the state. So many family activities going on all the time, it gets tiring. The Shell in the spring and fall are magical.
Memphis is not really a southern St. Louis. STL has a much more midwestern feel to it.
I think he meant from a vibe or architectural standpoint, as far as historical houses and buildings. In that sense, Memphis and St. Louis is very similar.
Memphis is more deep South than Nashville. Memphis has suffered under a couple of decades of bad leadership, while Nashville has had great leaders in office during much of the same time. That's why Nashville "seems" cleaner, newer etc. They both are great places to raise a family.
I agree and disagree. Memphis had awful leadership the past 20 years that stagnated growth, but that has changed now. But, Memphians, for years, rejected changes through protests and court battles to save the identity of the city. One thing, people who actually visit say is it is so beautiful and historical, they never would have thought Memphis looks like it does (although some areas are very ugly). Surely you remember the Overton Park/I-40 fight. Memphis won that and many more, but we did just lose Union Ave Methodist Church unfortunately. But, Memphians that moved during the white flight era of the United States are moving back to East Memphis, Midtown, and Downtown making them even bigger.
Both cities have "music oriented culture," and I'm not sure what about that turns you off. Perhaps, since you home-school, you want to "protect" your kids from the wrong influences. The Internet will have more effect on that than just living in one of these cities will.
Thats one of the great things about this state, the music.
Last edited by knucklehead_vol; 03-23-2012 at 12:36 PM..
I just wanted to add one more thing for the OP. Either place is great. This state has so much to offer and if you can't find it here, you can't find it anywhere(well maybe a beach).
Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga all offer great things. Just depends on your personal choice.
You really can't go wrong with any place you choose. The state has no income tax, there are white, black, Asian, Hispanic, Irish, Italian, German, South African, Nigerian, and so on.
Again Nashville and Memphis are totally different, but two great places to live. Welcome to the state.
Thats one of the great things about this state, the music.
Agreed. Memphis has the blues, Nashville has country, Knoxville has Americana and the Tri-Cities has bluegrass. This whole thread is a bit strange, because everyone has a different opinion. My say is that the OP needs to visit Memphis and Nashville before uprooting his family.
Agreed. Memphis has the blues, Nashville has country, Knoxville has Americana and the Tri-Cities has bluegrass. This whole thread is a bit strange, because everyone has a different opinion. My say is that the OP needs to visit Memphis and Nashville before uprooting his family.
And the best BBQ. I went to the Rendezvous last night with the kids. Great food and time.
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