Most Urban Chattanooga or Memphis? (renewal, medical, commute)

[dc1538]

Originally Posted by eastmemphisguy

Memphis may be more "urban" than Chattanooga, but it still feels like a big small town to me. We have trees and big lawns everywhere and not much of a skyline. Not a value judgement. Just an observation.

When I was in high-school, one of my teachers from NYC described Memphis as a 'big small town'. I somewhat dismissed it since he was from NYC, but as I've been able to travel a bit, this description describes Memphis pretty well. Our skyline is not much to look at. The Mississippi River and Pyramid somewhat save it, but even Little Rock's downtown looks more urban from a skyline perspective.

Chattanooga seems to be a nice place. It had a more suburban/rural feeling to me compared to Memphis. It honestly left a better impression on me than Nashville. Although I was a teenager when I visited, and it was only one day. Also, to the poster who made the off topic-post about Sticky Fingers. That was one of the best barbecue restaurants I've been to and what I remember most about my visit to Chattanooga. If I ever making it back that way it's on my places to eat list. Their barbecue sauce is delicious.

[shinestx]

I live in Chattanooga, and I would agree that Memphis is not only more urban, it feels more urban. I would disagree with the statement above that Chattanooga is more spread out. It's actually a compact downtown, and even the old residential, much of its original stock still stands, is in a relatively tight semicircle around downtown. That is precisely because of the natural barriers, river, mountains, ridges.

[KeraKera]

Originally Posted by jwkilgore

I've never seen downtown Memphis, but Chattanooga's downtown is vibrant. A nearby "art district", very walkable, rental bike stands everywhere, free electric shuttles, lots of stores and restaurants (both chain and locally-owned) open at night and on weekends. There are apartments and condos in the area. UT-Chattanooga is nearby.

Oh, and no question, Memphis is more urban. Because of all the natural barriers (mountains, rivers, ridges) Chattanooga is quite spread out.

Memphis's downtown is no where near as vibrant as Chattanooga by a long shot. It's actually quite the opposite- dull and dingy as hell.

Oh and slightly off topic... the mountains in chattanooga are splendid! Hike your heart away!

[jabogitlu]

Memphis's downtown is no where near as vibrant as Chattanooga by a long shot. It's actually quite the opposite- dull and dingy as hell.

I'm not overly familiar with downtown Chattanooga, but the parts I've been to (waterfront, aquarium) are pretty cool. Downtown Memphis is segmented into a few distinct districts. The CBD / business center is definitely not full of pedestrians and street level activity. However, the area around the Peabody, Beale St. and South Main are colorful and lively, especially at certain times of the day. Memphis is slowly but surely trying to help its waterfront become more of a destination. I think you're right, but in 20-25 years, Memphis might be approaching Chattanooga's level of downtown activation. There's a *lot* of development activity occurring in M right now.

[Shakeesha]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

I'm not overly familiar with downtown Chattanooga, but the parts I've been to (waterfront, aquarium) are pretty cool. Downtown Memphis is segmented into a few distinct districts. The CBD / business center is definitely not full of pedestrians and street level activity. However, the area around the Peabody, Beale St. and South Main are colorful and lively, especially at certain times of the day. Memphis is slowly but surely trying to help its waterfront become more of a destination. I think you're right, but in 20-25 years, Memphis might be approaching Chattanooga's level of downtown activation. There's a *lot* of development activity occurring in M right now.

Is it mostly residential or is it mixed use? Why Is downtown Memphis not as vibrant as Chattanooga?

[the_commuter]

What a truly weird conversation.

The most visited downtown attraction in the entire state is in Memphis. Nothing else even comes close.

As far as which is more urban, Memphis hands-down. There are only a few truly urban cities (skylines, compact blocks, gridded street networks) in the South. New Orleans comes to mind. So does Charleston. And Memphis. Not much beyond that.

[Shakeesha]

Originally Posted by the_commuter

What a truly weird conversation.

The most visited downtown attraction in the entire state is in Memphis. Nothing else even comes close.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_..._National_Park

As far as which is more urban, Memphis hands-down. There are only a few truly urban cities (skylines, compact blocks, gridded street networks) in the South. New Orleans comes to mind. So does Charleston. And Memphis. Not much beyond that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_D.C.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah,_Georgia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilmington,_Delaware

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_Virginia

[jabogitlu]

Miami, DC, Baltimore, and Wilmington are a stretch to get included in "the south." The history of those cities is vastly different.

Richmond doesn't exactly come to mind when talking about urban centers. I'll agree with adding Savannah and Louisville to that list. These cities developed into large centers well before World War II when cities began spreading out rapidly.

[nashvols]

Originally Posted by shakeesha

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/great_..._national_park

DOWNTOWN attraction.

[nashvols]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Miami, DC, Baltimore, and Wilmington are a stretch to get included in "the south." The history of those cities is vastly different.

Richmond doesn't exactly come to mind when talking about urban centers. I'll agree with adding Savannah and Louisville to that list. These cities developed into large centers well before World War II when cities began spreading out rapidly.

I think Richmond, Louisville, and Savannah are all fair game....though my experience with Savannah is that it has a very nice historic core, but is not nearly as large or urban as Memphis. I think Richmond and especially Louisville are more on par as far as the size of the urban footprint.

DC/Baltimore/Wilmington may be considered Southern by Census Bureau definition, but I think you would be hard pressed to find a plurality of residents that identify as Southern.

Miami is a different animal altogether. I don't think it is comparable to any Southern city.