Family of 6 moving near Memphis? (Germantown, Collierville: house, neighborhoods, catholic schools) - Tennessee (TN) - City-Data Forum

jescape · 08-13-2007, 02:18 PM

Hi all! So glad I found this site. My husband is thinking about applying for a job in one of two places. One being in Memphis, TN. I telecommute and can work anywhere in TN (Mississippi isn't in our region). Here are the details. I'd appreciate any advice you have.

We'd be willing to spend up to $350,000 on a house that would be within 30-45 minutes from his office in Memphis. We have four children that we'd like to continue educating in Catholic schools. We looking for that safe "neighborhood" feel. Kids, dogs, American flags and apple pie.

The community we currently live in has a township park and rec. building, pavilion with a concert in the park each week in the summer and lots of other activities for families.

Can you recommend or steer us clear of any places?

Thanks!

Julie

Pearlbob · 08-13-2007, 02:26 PM

I think you could probably find a home in Germantown for that price. I imagine you are wanting a 5 bedroom house or more? I'm not sure on prices (I personally have no reason to ever pay attention to home prices on a 5 bedroom!)

but I think $350k is pretty do-able for Germantown. It is the wealthiest suburb of Memphis, and actually has very good safe public schools. You can find good Christian schools all over town.

Germantown (it varies vastly) can be 45 min from downtown memphis in rush hour, but I'd plan for more. However, maybe your husband will be working closer to Germantown.

defiepilex · 08-13-2007, 02:28 PM

Well, if you're going to drop $350,000 on a house, I don't think you'll find any in areas that you should "steer clear" of.

Are you wanting to live "near Memphis" or in the city? Suburbs such as Germantown, Collierville, Arlington, Lakeland, Eads, etc. would be a decent place to start looking and should provide that TV neighborhood feel. Also, do you know where the office is in Memphis?

Pearlbob · 08-13-2007, 02:31 PM

Agreed, Collierville would be great as well. Further out than germantown though. Eads is still a little country, IMO, the others are growing semi-urban cities (as in, shopping, restaurants, typical suburban feel...)

strumpeace · 08-13-2007, 02:36 PM

We have lots of good residential areas and lots of good Catholic schools.

Though it may be tempting, I'd probably steer clear of New Chicago and Orange Mound.

Best wishes.

defiepilex · 08-13-2007, 03:20 PM

WHAT???!!! I say start looking in New Chicago, Orange Mound, Hyde Park, etc. You should be able to find a great home at that price!

P.S. Ignore my sarcasm, those are terrible neighborhoods.

tennreb · 08-13-2007, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jescape

Hi all! So glad I found this site. My husband is thinking about applying for a job in one of two places. One being in Memphis, TN. I telecommute and can work anywhere in TN (Mississippi isn't in our region). Here are the details. I'd appreciate any advice you have.

We'd be willing to spend up to $350,000 on a house that would be within 30-45 minutes from his office in Memphis. We have four children that we'd like to continue educating in Catholic schools. We looking for that safe "neighborhood" feel. Kids, dogs, American flags and apple pie.

The community we currently live in has a township park and rec. building, pavilion with a concert in the park each week in the summer and lots of other activities for families.

Can you recommend or steer us clear of any places?

Thanks!

Julie

Germantown and Collierville are both good places. You'll get a newer house for your money in Collierville, though Germantown has trees and is closer to the city. There are several areas in both cities that are close to parks. Germantown has a large greenbelt running through the middle, and Collierville is working on building one to connect to Germantown's. Most of the Catholic schools are located in the city limits. There is one in Collierville (Incarnation) and one in Germantown (Our Lady of Perpetual Help). Both are relatively new and do not have high schools, yet. OLPH is planning on adding a high school. I don't know anything about the quality of Incarnation, but OLPH is excellent. In fact, they begin teaching Spanish in kindergarten. It is small compared to the other Catholic schools in Memphis. Most of the Catholic high schools in Memphis are single sex. Boys usually go to CBHS (9-12) and girls usually go to St. Agnes (K-12) or Immaculate Conception (K-12). They have several feeder schools including Holy Rosary (coed, K-8) and St. Dominics (boys, K-8) which is attached to St. Agnes (K-12) and share the same classes. There is one coed Catholic high, which is St. Benedict (K-12). It doesn't quite have the reputation of the others, but it is a quality up-and-coming high school with brand new facilities. There are large numbers of students from Germantown and Collierville that go to all these schools, and it should be easy to find a carpool. Note that Memphis Catholic Schools supports a large network of inner-city schools, including Bishop Byrne and Memphis Catholic High. While I'm sure they are fine schools, suburbanites typically don't attend these schools. Arlington is a newer suburb where you can get a bigger house for your money. I'm not as familiar with it, but I don't think it quite has the network of parks as Germantown and Collierville do, nor does it have the community shopping (everyone there goes to the gigantic Wolfchase Galleria and surrounding shopping mecca nearby). It is an easy trip to St. Benedict. I think Germantown is your best bet because it has parks within walking distance of everywhere in town and it isn't overrun with strip malls. If you live close to the center of town, you could walk to most of the shopping and the Germantown Center (fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, basketball courts, arcade, performing arts center). However, a large home for $350k will be 30 years older than a comparable one in Collierville. Both towns are extremely safe and everyone lets their children run free.

TheBigApple · 08-14-2007, 08:02 AM

I would recommend Germantown over Collierville, mainly because Collierville is farther out. Depending on what part of Germantown you live in, you can get to downtown Memphis relatively easy. I live in the western part of Germantown, closer to Memphis city limits, in walking distance to the Saddle Creek shopping center, and I love my location. I can get anywhere in the Memphis area in roughly 30 minutes or less. I have friends in Collierville, however, who commute anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. Other than that, the cities are very similar, very safe, and either would be a great choice. I also prefer the older homes and mature trees in Germantown. Collierville feels a little more cookie cutter (just my personal opinion). I guess it really depends on your personal preference - new vs. old. Keep in mind though, that old in Germantown is not necessarily "ancient". You can get a home built in the '80s or maybe even early '90s in your price range, but the newer homes don't stay on the market long.