Hello All,
I've been lurking city-data and this sub forum for well over a year now anticipating our potential move to Memphis. After a long process of narrowing down our options we’ve decided on Memphis, we’re excited with the choice and looking forward to everything the area has to offer. We will be making the move from Europe to Memphis in late 2011.
During the past year I’ve done extensive research on Memphis and the surrounding areas, leading me to feel comfortable about the move despite the many negative posts on the forum. Life is what you make of it, positive people can thrive anywhere. I’d like to ask people to keep the negativity out of this thread, let’s use this thread as a place to share knowledge on what Memphis and the surrounding area has to offer.
My wife and I have a wide variety of interests and are looking forward to take advantage of the Memphis to settle down and explore our interests.
Before diving into everything, let me first apologize for such a long post! Now, let me share a little bit about our background so you can get a general idea of where we are coming from. My wife and I are both in our mid-late 20s. I'm from the DC Suburbs of Maryland and my wife is from Greece.
We’ve been living in Western Europe for the past few years and are ready to move on to the next chapter. My wife has lived in the US before for the short period of 6 months and has been numerous times to visit my family. It won’t be a complete culture shock for her, though I think we will have it a bit after being away from the US. Not to mention moving to the South, of which we both have little experience with, though we are open and not set in our ways. FYI, I haven’t been to Memphis, or TN for that matter.
We’ve traveled extensively and are well aware that no place is perfect. Growing up in the DC Suburbs I was bombarded with crime on the news on a daily basis, I know most crime is gang related and restricted to certain portions of town. I’m not too concerned with Memphis as long as we’re living in one of the many safer areas of town I’m sure we’ll be fine.
Now back on topic, I have many questions, some may have been covered in previous threads, others I haven’t come across. I apologize in advance if I’m asking the same old questions, though I will try to avoid doing so unless I’m looking for an update. As you know many of the threads are dated and areas of the city change overtime.
I’ll try to structure the thread with the general topic highlighted in
bold, followed by questions pertaining to the topic. I’ll add as much as I can think of and will likely add many more overtime! If people could respond with the question followed by the answer it will keep things organized and easier to follow. Please feel free to provide links to other city-data posts and/or external links as you see fit.
I highly encourage anyone else who would like to participate by asking their own questions. While some of the questions I have are more personalized, most are generic and may be of interest to anyone. Let’s make this a destination thread for all things Memphis, ranging from daily live, housing, neighborhoods, recreational activities, road trips, etc.
Sports / Outdoor Activities
1. I enjoy playing table tennis, are there any places in town where you can play with like minded people? Where I'm from in the US we have a few table tennis centers spread out across the state where you can play with other serious players. I'm open to recreation level play as well; any suggestions on where one can find other people to play are welcome.
2. In addition to table tennis, I enjoy soccer. Are there any recreation leagues one can join? Places you go for a ‘pick-up’ game? Though I’d probably prefer the league!
3. Are there any mini-golf/putt-putt places in Memphis or the surrounding areas?
4. Are there any go-kart places?
5. Could you please list the amusement parks that are within a few hour range of Memphis. Please specify the distance/time from Memphis and give a few thoughts on the park. Keep in mind we like extreme thrill rides, roller coasters, water park type rides the best! List them all, even if a decent drive away.
6. What’s the public pool situation in Memphis/surrounding areas. How much do they cost to enter? What about a membership? Would you recommend going to them? Is there a specific one better than the rest?
7. We’re not big sport fans by any means, but perhaps we’ll catch a few games for the sake of experience while we’re there. I understand there is NBA/Minor league baseball. How much do tickets run for those?
8. Any special tours of X, Y, or Z? I can’t think of anything, but maybe there is something unique worth checking out.
9. Any other activity that may be of interest to us please feel free to mention.
Great Outdoors / Hiking / Trips
This is a big one for us, we love exploring nature, forests, rivers, lakes, parks, hiking, etc.
I have in progress an ever growing list of places to visit in Memphis and the surrounding areas, but would like to consolidate it all here. I’d love to hear all the suggestions, please try to break it down by the distance/time from Memphis. If you could include a brief description of the type of activities available at the location that would be great! We’re interested in just about everything, hiking, fishing, boating (kayak/canoe/rental boat), swimming, white water rafting, etc.
Please remember that we don’t mind traveling for a nice long weekend a few hours away. Don’t limit this to TN, surrounding states are just as welcome.
Here are some other points of interest, if any of the parks have any of these, please make a note or suggestion where I can find it.
1. Where can I find a good swimming location? Can you find clear blue water anywhere around here? This certainly isn’t required, but keep in mind my wife is used to the Mediterranean Sea and would love to see some crystal clear blue water.
2. Where is some of the best white water rafting?
3. Are there any zip line places around here?
4. What about caves, are there any worth exploring? I know up in KY they have quite a few massive ones.
5. I’m not even sure what to call this one, but any outdoor obstacle course type things – those can be fun!
Restaurants / Eating Out
1. As I mentioned before my wife is Greek. Any good Greek restaurants in the area?
2. Any specific recommendations for dining / fine dining? Please list the type of cuisine and if fine dining please include the price range.
3. What’s the typical price range for restaurants in Memphis? I’m a bit lost at American prices after living in Europe for a few years, not to mention where I’m living in Western Europe is very expensive to begin with, skewing my views of ‘cheap’.
4. What does a bottle of house wine go for in a restaurant? What about a cocktail?
5. Just out of curiosity, how common is it to card someone when you buy Alcohol in a Store/Bar/Restaurant. In the DC/MD area its pretty standard to get carded everywhere, though I’ve heard it’s much more relaxed down in Memphis, which surprised me and made me happy. After living in Europe where you’re not carded I’m not too fond of being carded anymore! What’s the big deal, right? Haha.
Seasonal Activities
1. I’ve read some information in the past about Halloween Haunted Houses/Corn Maze type places in the Area. Seems like there are quite a few. Any recommendations on the best of the best? As usual, willing to travel a bit if required.
2. What’s recommended on the 4th of July? Best place for fireworks? Any place with fireworks over a lake?
3. Are there any other seasonal activities Memphis has or is known for in particular?
4. I know of Memphis in May. This year is showcasing Belgium if I recall correctly, any word on next year? How do they decide on what the showcase will be each year? While we’re at it, if someone wants to describe the vibe Memphis has in May and what kind of activities go on each year in May, that’d be great! How is Memphis in May being affected this year with the floods?
Road Trips / Day Trips / Travel / Scenic Routes
My time in Europe has been spent without a car. Needless to say, it has had great benefits, but I’ve learned to have a new appreciation for the American way of the Automobile. We’re really looking forward to having one and being able to explore more freely.
1. Any suggestions on scenic routes/roads we should drive simply to enjoy the scenery? As usual, please specify the location and distance/time from Memphis (if it is outside the general area). I’m willing to travel for beautiful locations, though would love to find ones close to home as well.
2. Please list cities/towns/areas worth visiting. Please specify what the area has to offer (scenic views, activities, etc) and the distance/time from Memphis. Please specify if it’s a small town, city, etc. Everything is of interest.
3. Ghost town/abandoned towns/abandoned buildings/areas. I love this kind of stuff, if there are any places worth seeing please do share.
4. Haunted Locations – I’ve read there are quite a few locations worth checking. Any suggestions for the haunted locations? The Creepier the vibe and likely hood of experiencing something, the better! Please make a note if it is unsafe to visit the place at night (when else would you want to go, right?)
5. Any interesting/quirky/unique sights like world's largest X, funny shaped buildings, strange road side attractions, etc that are nearby are certainly of interest!
6. Are there any Native American sites/attractions in the area worth seeing? I’ve read a little bit about the Mounds of Memphis, but that’s about it.
7. Anything else I may have missed, I want to hear it!
Music / Concerts / Live
Both my wife and I are very much into music. We have very eclectic taste dominated by small independent bands, some fairly well known in the music 'underground' others more esoteric. With that said, the one downside about our move is that Memphis simply can’t compete with Europe and the DC/Baltimore/NOVA in terms of music, at least for our tastes.
It seems most of the small obscure acts skip Memphis altogether. However, I’m hopeful things will change as I’ve read things are improving. Certainly not a deal breaker for us, but we do enjoy a good concert.
Please let me know the venues where we’ll likely be able to see the artists that fit our tastes. We mainly go to Metal/Rock concerts, though we’re interested in just about anything. Are there any venues that cater to the obscure/avant-garde bands/electronic?
From the research I’ve done so far I’ve been able to conclude my best chance of seeing something we’d enjoy are the following venues.
• Orpheum Theatre
• New Daisy Theatre
• Hi-Tone Café
• Minglewood Hall
Anyone from the Baltimore/DC Area, I used to frequent a variety of venues including Ottobar, 9:30 Club, Sonar, The Talking Head, Rams Head Live, Black Cat, Jaxx, Thunderdome, Recher Theater Sidebar, etc. Are there any similar venues in Memphis? Specifically enjoy the medium size (500-1000 people) to (150-200) smaller venues that often host the more independent bands I enjoy.
Any good Stand-up comedy venues?
Any other live performances/venues worth mentioning? I’m open to hearing all the suggestions.
Driving/ Auto / Car Related
1. How much does insurance typically run in Memphis? I’ll likely have an older Honda Civic.
2. Can anyone recommend an honest, affordable mechanic?
3. How are the drivers in Memphis? Keep in mind I’m from the DC area. I hear traffic there is a breeze, at least in comparison. I’m looking forward to a short commute time.
4. How do drivers react in the snow/rain?
Daily Life / Cost of Living / Etc
1. What’s considered an average salary in Memphis? Good salary?
2. What are the high speed internet options? Cost/Comparison? I know there are threads on this (and other topics I will mention) but I think they may be a bit out of date, and it will be great to have all these questions in a central location. I think I’m going the Internet only route (no landline/cable), so I want the best possible while not being outrageously expensive.
3. What can I expect cost wise in terms of utilities? I know Summer’s are hot, though we will try to have windows open as long as possible assuming that’s an option. The wife grew up in Greece, with no A/C and prefers it that way. Though I think she’ll have a change of heart when she feels the humidity. Though I want to go without AC as long as possible myself! How common is that? Experiences welcomed.
4. Anyone from the MD/DC/NOVA area that lives in Memphis, I’d love to hear your general thoughts/comparisons on life in Memphis. Please share as much as you can, I really appreciate it.
5. While were at it, if any native Greeks live in Memphis, please share your thoughts as well.
6. How do Floods/storms/tornadoes/snow/etc effect daily life. What about work life? Will a company typically left people off those days paid or what? This is all new to me, not sure how it works.
7. What about power outages, how often do they occur and how long do they last?
8. I’ve read the tap water in Memphis is clean and safe. Thoughts?
9. What grocery stores are available down there? Any one better than the rest? I imagine warehouse retailers exist (Costco)?
10. How are the people you interact with on a regular day at a store/walking on the street/etc. Just curious if there is a pattern in behavior/etc.
11. I don’t want to play on stereotypes, but from what I’ve read is a large portion of the city is ‘uneducated’, basically I’m curious how this portion of the society interacts with the ‘educated’ people. Is there conflict? Do they get along? Like everything else I imagine it goes both ways, but I’m curious about this aspect of life. I suppose everyone is in their own bubble to an extent and this isn’t a big deal, but maybe I’m wrong?
Housing
1. What would you say the average rent is to live in a nice, safe, area of town? Ideally I’d like to keep it under 1,000, if not substantially less. I just don’t know how low is a ‘no go’ area.
2. Could you recommend specific areas/neighborhoods of town that are safe and high elevation (out of flood zone). We’re open to anything, we’re heavily considering Midtown. Recommendations of particular neighborhoods within Midtown would be great. We’re either looking at an apartment complex or house/townhouse.
3. One of my concerns of having a house/townhouse (renting), would be taking car of the lawn. Let’s say we live in house with a small yard. Would the owner of the house provide a lawn mower typically or are we expected to provide that? Would they provide a landscaper to come out and do that house? I’d love my own yard/house, but at this stage I don’t want to invest in lawn mower when we won’t be living there for more than a few years.
4. When you rent a house/apartment how common is it to have all the appliances included (washer/dryer/dishwasher/fridge/etc)? What about utilities? Hoping everything is included, though not too concerned about utilities (just curious).
Social Circles / Friendships
As mentioned earlier we’re both still young and have no connection to the area whatsoever. We’d love to get a few close friends we can share our time with while living in Memphis. What would you say the best way to go about doing that is? I know this is a generic question with no right or wrong answer but if anyone has some practical advice I’d love to hear it.
We’re aiming to feel out our new colleagues and start there. Additionally, I’m thinking we should try meetup.com to meet people with similar interests.
Work
While the wife has work lined up, I don’t. I’m leaving a good, permanent job here in Europe (they can’t fire you). That’s life and I’m not too worried about it with my work experience/background I think I will be attractive for employers in many different fields.
My current plan is to apply for jobs online a few months before the move and hopefully I’ll land some phone/skype interviews and/or schedule interviews for when I’m on the ground in Memphis.
Do you have any particular advice for someone with a general background with multimedia, web, video, marketing, internet, social media background? Any advice or recommendations?
While those fields are of interest, secretly I want to branch out from computer focused careers. Working as a 'grip' aka stagehand setting up Lights/Cameras/Video/Etc Equipment and Video editing/production is of interest. Local TV Stations, Radio, Music industry is of interest. Any market for that kind of thing? Any advice or job recommendations, suggesting, etc..even networking is certainly welcome
Weather
I’m from the DC/MD area, so this will a change for me. Not entirely sure what to expect, other than it being warmer for a longer period of time (much welcomed, where I live in Europe there is no true summer). Being from the DC Area I’m familiar with humidity, how does it compare to Memphis humidity? Perhaps someone from the MD/DC area can give a quick comparison and what to surprises to expect, if any.
Looking forward to a summer, brisk cool nights (while still being comfortable), open skies, thunderstorms, etc. The weather here in Western Europe is just awful, grey low lying clouds (overcast) most of the time.
I touched on this earlier a bit, but what’s the timeframe for open windows weather? I’d like to maximize this as long as possible!
Bugs / Animals
1. This is a new area for me, so I’m sure there will be surprises. What kind of wild animals do you see out in about on a country road?
2. How bad are the bugs? Any big nasty ones?
3. Do they get inside homes/apartments often?
Closing Comments
Well, that’s about all I can think of for the moment, though I’m sure I will think of plenty more in the coming months prior to our move. I apologize for such a long post, though I think many newcomers such as myself will find this extremely helpful. Any input you have is appreciated, and please feel free to contribute your own questions. The more the merrier. Thanks again! We’re looking forward to being party of the Memphis community!
Regards,
OM11
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