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I don't think any major MSA will become a "ghost town," but one place that seems to be losing its profile is Memphis. It has the crime and poverty that St. Louis and New Orleans have, but it lacks the gravity and economic importance of St. Louis, and the ambiance and unique culture of New Orleans. Basically, it has the same problems as those two cities, but without the assets.
Culturally, Memphis seems to fit in more with Mississippi than it does with the rest of Tennessee, and Nashville and Knoxville seem to define "Tennessee culture" more than Memphis does. It doesn't help that the lower Mississippi River Valley is arguably the poorest region of the country, and is considered by many to be one of the most socially backward areas of the country as well.
When I visited Memphis, it struck me as pretty sleepy for a city its size, and didn't have much tourist appeal outside of Graceland and Beale Street. (Tunica doesn't count either; it's actually quite depressing.) Overall, I can think of more compelling reasons to visit St. Louis, New Orleans and Nashville instead. St. Louis is larger; New Orleans is more interesting, and Nashville is newer and trendier.
Agree on Memphis. It really is the Detroit of the south. When I lived in Little Rock, I would go to Memphis on the weekends sometimes and would many times hear gunshots even in supposedly "okay" parts of town. Memphis also doesn't feel have a Tennessee culture. It fits more with Mississippi and the Arkansas delta.
Agree on Memphis. It really is the Detroit of the south. When I lived in Little Rock, I would go to Memphis on the weekends sometimes and would many times hear gunshots even in supposedly "okay" parts of town. Memphis also doesn't feel have a Tennessee culture. It fits more with Mississippi and the Arkansas delta.
Maybe it can capitalize somehow on its Mississippi river valley culture? I mean, it's the biggest such city in the region, right?
Given its huge musical contributions, it'd be kind of ridiculous to not recognize its cultural value. Also, I wonder how sprawling the city is, especially in its downtown area. Did a lot of stuff get bulldozed for freeways and parking lots? Or is there a lot of old buildings still there, but just woefully underutilized?
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