Memphis Decline (Germantown, Collierville, Winchester: new house, neighborhood, theatres)

[ViolentDisasters]

And to be clear, I didnt even vote for Obama. I just think your racebaiting and derogatory remarks towards African-Americans as well as your partisan politics are part of what is driving a lot of educated people to leave the Memphis area in droves. I just met a group of U of M grads who were moving to New Orleans last week downtown. As you might have guessed, it wasn't crime that drove them out (New Orleans has lots of crime, too), but the racial segregation and political divides that haven't changed much since the 1960s. While the rest of the cities in the south and southwest are flourishing and attracting tons of new residents leaving the midwest and northeast -- from young people seeking a new pace of life to retirees looking for warmer weather-- the average Memphis area resident can still only talk about changing this city in terms of changing others or other groups. No one is willing to take any sort of responsibility for their own personal contributions to the current plight of the city. Changing the city starts with you. It starts with me. It doesn't start by reviving old racial conflicts that have been going on at least since the era of EH Crump.

[Geneyus]

Originally Posted by ViolentDisasters

And to be clear, I didnt even vote for Obama. I just think your racebaiting and derogatory remarks towards African-Americans as well as your partisan politics are part of what is driving a lot of educated people to leave the Memphis area in droves. I just met a group of U of M grads who were moving to New Orleans last week downtown. As you might have guessed, it wasn't crime that drove them out (New Orleans has lots of crime, too), but the racial segregation and political divides that haven't changed much since the 1960s. While the rest of the cities in the south and southwest are flourishing and attracting tons of new residents leaving the midwest and northeast -- from young people seeking a new pace of life to retirees looking for warmer weather-- the average Memphis area resident can still only talk about changing this city in terms of changing others or other groups. No one is willing to take any sort of responsibility for their own personal contributions to the current plight of the city.

Pretty sure it's the incompetent Memphis government, crime, and getting nothing for your higher taxes that's driving people out of Memphis. If people were leaving due to the racial strife in the area, the suburbs wouldn't be booming right now. People would want to get far away from here. I live in one of the suburbs, and I regularly meet people who have moved to my suburb from other states.

[Jardine8]

For all of the talk about Memphis declining, aren't some areas of Memphis, such as Cooper-Young (and other parts of Midtown) and High Point Terrace better today than they were say 15 to 25 years ago? I know some areas of the city have declined (Hickory Hill, Berclair, Whitehaven, Nutbush) but I was also thinking that some areas were better now than they previously were.

[VSRJ]

Originally Posted by Jardine8

For all of the talk about Memphis declining, aren't some areas of Memphis, such as Cooper-Young (and other parts of Midtown) and High Point Terrace better today than they were say 15 to 25 years ago? I know some areas of the city have declined (Hickory Hill, Berclair, Whitehaven, Nutbush) but I was also thinking that some areas were better now than they previously were.

Yes. But noting something positive about Memphis would go against the mission and beliefs of 90% of the people posting in this forum.

[bigman123]

Originally Posted by Geneyus

Pretty sure it's the incompetent Memphis government, crime, and getting nothing for your higher taxes that's driving people out of Memphis. If people were leaving due to the racial strife in the area, the suburbs wouldn't be booming right now. People would want to get far away from here. I live in one of the suburbs, and I regularly meet people who have moved to my suburb from other states.

I also live in one of the burbs. But I have to disagree with you here. Something tells me most of the folks that moved to your burb, were from the burbs in other states.

Some people like the city life, some like the suburban life. We all know this. But I think what is forgotten that most people who like the city life, seem to be realize city life comes with a bit more crime and bit more incompetence in government and higher taxation. Just about every large city has these problems. Although I have no doubt that crime and government play role a people leaving Memphis, I tend to think the whole Memphis mentality plays an even bigger role.

What burb is booming, and how do you define booming? IMO, the burbs of Memphis really arent all that, when compared to burbs of other cities, and I really cant say I see any of them booming. Im from the SW burbs of Chicago, and I for one dont think most of the burbs in this area would fit in the area I left, which really wasn't one of the top burbs of that region (Plainfield/Joliet). GT & C'ville would be considered slightly above average in many regions around the country. I only say this, because all of us in this region have room to improve. Pointing at Memphis and making Memphis the butt of your jokes may be fun. But, IMO, it allows us all ignore the fact that this entire area is in need of improvement on some level.

The Detroit region is a good example. As bad as Detriot is, the Detrioit burbs are able to support Pro basketball, baseball, hockey, and football teams. If Memphis were to end up like Detroit, does anyone really think this area could support even ONE Pro team? I dont think so.

Wife was down on Main St the other night. At a Martini bar. She loved it!! She talked about how she kinda felt like she was downtown Chicago for a while. We both feel Memphis is still the only place around here to get big city kind of customer service and apparently this place proved us right, according to her. IMO, Memphis is on its way back up and I think we all in the region should embrace it. I know I am..... I dont live in the city, but I am very excited about whats going on in Memphis and I plan to enjoy all of what the city will soon be offering! Bought tickets to see the Grizz play the Cavs in a few weeks again vs The Clippers.Plan to spend money and check out the new places up and down Main. Im ready for a Memphis rebound!

[Shakeesha]

Originally Posted by Geneyus

Pretty sure it's the incompetent Memphis government, crime, and getting nothing for your higher taxes that's driving people out of Memphis. If people were leaving due to the racial strife in the area, the suburbs wouldn't be booming right now. People would want to get far away from here. I live in one of the suburbs, and I regularly meet people who have moved to my suburb from other states.

What Memphis suburbs are booming right now?

[Geneyus]

Originally Posted by Shakeesha

What Memphis suburbs are booming right now?

Germantown and Collierville.

Just this week on Facebook, I've seen people asking for help finding houses in both suburbs because they're selling so quickly. I've seen people asking everyone in FB groups to contact them BEFORE they put their house on the market so they can look at it first. My neighbor's house just sold in less than a day. A lot of people are trying to get into the Germantown and Collierville school districts. Collierville is supposed to double its population in the next 2 decades, and houses are being built like crazy.

[UKWildcat1981]

Memphis is a city that everyone in the country seems to dislike but I kinda like it.

[Shakeesha]

Originally Posted by Geneyus

Germantown and Collierville.

Just this week on Facebook, I've seen people asking for help finding houses in both suburbs because they're selling so quickly. I've seen people asking everyone in FB groups to contact them BEFORE they put their house on the market so they can look at it first. My neighbor's house just sold in less than a day. A lot of people are trying to get into the Germantown and Collierville school districts. Collierville is supposed to double its population in the next 2 decades, and houses are being built like crazy.

This is really great news! I see both of those continuing to grow and attract new jobs, unfortunately at the cost of those jobs going to Memphis, itself. Do you think the growth is sustainable?

[BXboi]

Originally Posted by Geneyus

I've lived in Memphis my entire life, and I was a Memphis homeowner before moving to a suburb after being annexed. As you said, you aren't from the Memphis area, so I'm not sure why you bothered posting. I also didn't say anything racist.

I'm not one of these people that constantly bashes Memphis. I think there are great things here in Memphis that you won't find anywhere else. That being said, I stand by my previous post about Memphians not voting in the most qualified candidates. Some Memphians vote for candidates based on their last name or what they look like. Look up the Ford family in Memphis, and there's no logical reason why Willie Herenton remained mayor for so long unless you consider what he looks like. It's the same reason that 96% of one demographic voted for Barack Obama, while other demographics were evenly split. It wasn't because they thought he was the most qualified.

I don't care where you lived you have no right to call people uneducated and for what because they don't vote or think like you do its really people like you that I think contribute to the problem.