Anyone familuar w/Memphis's surrounding cities? (Knoxville, Germantown: transplants, sales, crime rate)

[Mom4boys]

My husband accepted a job in downtown Memphis. We have already sold our home here and need to be out by Nov 1st. (this all happened FAST!!) So, we do not have a lot of time to find a home. Can anyone tell us what surrounding cities have the best school system. We have 4 boys, oldest being in 1st grade. So great, safe schools are on the top of our list. We do not want to live in the hustle and bustle either. We also have been looking into Southaven, MS area, but, honestly, we have no clue about the area. Can someone please help? soon...... Thank you so much in advance for taking your time. Barbara

[MrsMichelle]

You may like Tipton County. It is a straight shot down the highway. It will be about a 30-40- min drive to downtown. It's very small town and quaint. The crime rate is low.

PM me and I can give you more info. I live out that way.

[teresa3t]

I live in the neighboring county, Fayette County. I have lived here all my life (45 years). I think we have a great county. We were primarily a farming county; however, we've experienced a housing boom in recent years due to Memphis "expansion." Our school system probably will get bad ratings from outsiders because our test scores have been low. But I think we are doing a pretty good job. The scores have been steadily rising. Most of the time families get out of a school what they put in. Please check us out, especially Somerville Elementary.

[Mom4boys]

Thank you ladies for your replies. This change in our lives has happened so quickly. I truly appreciate your advice. Thanks.

[ktforce]

I live in Millington which is just north of Memphis and a very good place to live. Tipton County is just north of us. Moderator cut: ad This is a wonderful area to live and the schools in Tipton County are especially good. I look forward to hearing from you.
Karen Thompson

[azmovers]

MOM, We just visited and are also moving soon, we have 2 girls older but schools were a priority. We liked the Olive Branch area MS.We drove around for 2 days lots of new bulid everywhere. We don't know much either just drove and asked lots of questions. Some nice areas in TN. around Mem. Cordova, Collierville, Germantown. ETC....

[jstump7697]

I live in olive branch, ms just south of memphis and love it. I have a 3000 sq ft home on a acre of land for about 240k in a quiet personable neighborhood. Kids playing, adults walking, etc. Off college road - Can't go wrong.

[MrMeisterMan]

I just wonder if you're the same person over on TA..hmm

Anywho....I would not live in The Great State of Mississippi....period. Southhaven is nice ,but understand this---the State of Mississippi is the poorest state in the United States of America, it also carries some enormous historical and socio-cultural baggage that I would never consciously live around and expose my children to..........Mississippi is friggen Mississippi, Dixie flags and all and it has not changed that much....that's why Memphis' proximity to such a backward state keeps Memphis from developing its potential (Nashvillians don't even like Memphis...helllllllo ?)...this is not of my making....it's just the truth.

Another thing, if you live in Mississippi you're going to PAY a high state income tax and the sales tax too !!!!!!!! Duh....Tenn has no income tax, much like Florida...

I spent a long time in Germantown while working in senior positions in regional banks such as Union Planters National, and National Bank of Commerce (both of which are now owned by Regions and SunTrust respectively), so I know what my experience has been, and I know a lot of fine people that still live in Memphis......and I know a lot ot transplants too (most of which 'suffer in silence' for fear of some sort of 'retribution' or criticism, stragnely enough..many of whom were 'advised' just to shut up, don't be too critical, 'become a Memphian' and 'pretend' it's heaven on earth !

Looking back I would never advise any progressive, thinking professional to move to Memphis, or worse case spend a lot of years there, particularly with developing children......there are too many other cities to live in.....but believe me I understand that career paths 'make you do' some things you would not normally consider !.....no city is perfect, but Memphis ranks near the bottom of my recommendations......mcuh better (southern) environments even in Nashville, Knoxville area, Huntsville, Alabama (really it's a surprise), Charlottle, Charleston, Atlanta (in some respects), many cities and towns in FLorida........Phoenix, AZ, Scotsdale, even Austin, TX....

Choices however should be made based on what is necessary and of course what is practical.....been there done that !

My first choice would be Collierville or Germantown...then maybe out towards Fayette County, or in the Arlington, Eads area.......just DON"T buy a dam thing in Cordova, I don't care how good a 'deal' it is , or how 'lovely' the house !.....better a smaller or older house in Germantown proper than a bigger, newer house anywhere in Cordova.......if I had family moving there I would recommend Collierville.....

I travel back to Memphis a lot, and it's odd....the city never changes and grows up...the politics never changes, repressive idealogues still blame each other, the schools are still underfunded, ignorant immigrants from MS still flow into the area carrying their prejudices, and the locals still like it and will invariably suggest that there is something wrong with YOU for not accepting it too.

Good luck, you'll need it

[Mom4boys]

RE:I just wonder if you're the same person over on TA..hmm

Not sure what you mean here.......TA???

[Dd714]

Originally Posted by MrMeisterMan

Anywho....I would not live in The Great State of Mississippi....period. Southhaven is nice ,but understand this---the State of Mississippi is the poorest state in the United States of America, it also carries some enormous historical and socio-cultural baggage that I would never consciously live around and expose my children to..........Mississippi is friggen Mississippi, Dixie flags and all and it has not changed that much....

Hahaha, thinking about a Lynnrd Skynrd song right about now...

"Now we all did what we could do.
Now Watergate does not bother me.
Does your conscience bother you..."

First you need to get over it, everplace has it's historical baggage. The northeast US used to burn females to death 400 years ago at a drop of a hat, do you not live in Boston because of that? Don't forget history, don't dismiss it out of political correctness, embrace it and deal with it. And if that fails, then - A southern man don't need you 'round anyhow.