Information on Dyersburg/Ripley (Memphis, Jackson: to buy, high school, community college)

[ca2tn]

Hello, I am moving from California to Tennessee in August. I am a nurse and have an 8th grader and one just graduating from HS. I am interested in any info available regarding Dyersburg and/or Ripley schools, hospitals, etc. Looking for a safe, friendly town to settle into. Thank you so much for your time.

[Milo Bloom]

Best high school in the area is Dyersburg High. Dyer County is newer, but less academically oriented. Both are good though, and worlds better than Ripley.

Dyersburg has a small hospital, called Dyersburg Regional Medical Center. It used to be called Methodist, that's what the locals still call it. It's the biggest in the area, but almost every county has a small hospital.

I cannot speak to Ripley's friendliness, but Dyersburg is a typical small southern town. You will encounter some cliquishness from certain groups of natives, but for the most part people there are welcoming and friendly. You will want to involve yourself with either activities surrounding your child or some community/church groups, as those are your major outlets for activities. Not a whole lot to do in the area generally.

For your graduating highschooler, there are several colleges within a reasonable drive as well as the community college right there in town. Jobs are another story: Dyersburg has lost a couple of its manufacturing interests in the past year or so. That may be good news if you are moving there and want to buy a house, as the market has depreciated. However, there are some new plants starting up in the near future, so the slump may be short lived.

[Eladd]

Good Luck D'burg will be culture shock for CA person. Just be flexible, slow down and you will like it. Jackson if 45min away for a little bit of City and Memphis is ~85miles. Good for Concert scene etc.