Progressive Memphis (Central, Midtown, Huntsville: real estate, homes, neighborhoods)

[trailblazer33]

I have applied for a job in Memphis. I grew up in Tennessee, an hour north of Huntsville, AL, though I've only been to Memphis once, and have lived outside of the state for a decade. I am interested in cities/neighborhoods that are racially diverse, full of independently owned shops and restaurants and bars. I'm looking for progressive areas a la farmers markets, thrift stores, record stores, walkable, urban, community oriented. Does this exist in Memphis? I loathe the suburbs and would only consider pre-war, urbanized, historic inner ring suburbs. The more hole in the wall restaurants and bars, the better. Any insight would be appreciated.

[jabogitlu]

I don't live in Memphis, but I have been actively researching the area in preparation to get down there in August. Sounds like you want to look in Midtown: Cooper-Young, Overton Park area, Central Gardens, Broad Avenue.

Also check out this article: An Indie Music Scene in Midtown Memphis - NYTimes.com


There are lots of people on this forum that will know better than me but I thought I'd share what knowledge I have collected.

[Snake Plissken]

Originally Posted by trailblazer33

I have applied for a job in Memphis. I grew up in Tennessee, an hour north of Huntsville, AL, though I've only been to Memphis once, and have lived outside of the state for a decade. I am interested in cities/neighborhoods that are racially diverse, full of independently owned shops and restaurants and bars. I'm looking for progressive areas a la farmers markets, thrift stores, record stores, walkable, urban, community oriented. Does this exist in Memphis? I loathe the suburbs and would only consider pre-war, urbanized, historic inner ring suburbs. The more hole in the wall restaurants and bars, the better. Any insight would be appreciated.

Midtown

[Comingtomemphis]

South Main.

[trailblazer33]

jabogitlu, thanks for the article. Does Memphis have official neighborhood boundaries and designations, or is it fluid? What are home prices like in Midtown? I've done a quick real estate search and some solid, interesting homes can be had for 25k in many parts of the city, it seems. How is public transit?

[Ruthietwos]

Public transport is something you would only use if you didnt have a car.. its a driving kind of place. Mid town sound like the kind of place you might like, cooper-young area.. harbortown is kind of walkable to beale st, with lots of lovely bars and restaurants along the way, it has a trolly on the other side of the tracks after the bridge that links mud island to the city too which is pretty its safer and cleaner, and much nicer than midtown I think.. good luck!

[Snake Plissken]

Though downtown and midtown are going to be walkable for some day-to-day needs, you basically must have a car if you live in Memphis.

[jabogitlu]

Bikes Belong Selects Six Cities to Fast Track Protected Bike Lanes | Streetsblog Capitol Hill

Memphis is going to be receiving some major assistance in getting physically protected cycling infrastructure off the ground. To the OP, you'll probably want to watch what Memphis does with its Midtown neighborhoods in the coming months, planning-wise. I'm sure these developments will occur in the most walkable, urban and community-oriented areas.

[knucklehead_vol]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Bikes Belong Selects Six Cities to Fast Track Protected Bike Lanes | Streetsblog Capitol Hill

Memphis is going to be receiving some major assistance in getting physically protected cycling infrastructure off the ground. To the OP, you'll probably want to watch what Memphis does with its Midtown neighborhoods in the coming months, planning-wise. I'm sure these developments will occur in the most walkable, urban and community-oriented areas.

Did you move to Memphis yet?

[jabogitlu]

Nope, my undergrad classes don't wrap up till Aug 10. Gonna try to be settled into Memphis, somewhere, late July and finally move permanently sometime in August.