Living Downtown in memphis (apartments, houses, find a job)

[NicK Thomas]

Hello guys I have already started another forum, but I also need more advice in case I get a job in Memphis. What i'm wondering is how is living downtown in Memphis? Is it pretty safe of the city as a young professional? Im looking into South Bluff Apts, The renissance, Grand Island apts, Blair Tower apts and Riverset Apts. How are all of these Apartments to live in Downtown Memphis? Also which carrier works the best throughout Memphis AT&T, Verizon or Sprint? I currently have Sprint and just wanna get some input thanks guys.

[CristenS]

Technically speaking, the 38103 zip code is the safest in Memphis. At least it was a few years back when they were promoting downtown living

South Bluffs is near the South Main area, away from the main portion of downtown. Personally I like that better, it's less congested (not that our downtown is big and congested anyway) but it's more wide open, better parking, etc. You can walk to many things, and the core of downtown is completely walkable too. It's also in the same gated complex as some million dollar homes, zero lot line, right on the bluff. Everyone has access to the same pools and gym, I think.

Grand Island Apts must be on the island. It's a suburb of downtown, not walkable to the rest of downtown unless you're doing it for exercise. It's more quiet, family centered, zero lot line houses, etc. Riverset is there too - Riverset is the first apt complex on the island, so it looks older, feels older - although I believe they were doing some major renovations on it a couple years ago. The island is actually really long and not connected unless you're on the main road. So while there is a pizza place, a women's clothing store, a small grocery, and a coffee shop in the Harbortown side, it's still not walkable to the majority of the island. Hard to explain.

A big heck no to Blair Tower. Horrible area. Right next to LeBonheur and while LB is a great hospital, it's a horrible area of town. Don't even consider it.

I don't have any info on what cell service is best here. Can't help with that!

[SethyDuck]

Originally Posted by CristenS

Technically speaking, the 38103 zip code is the safest in Memphis. At least it was a few years back when they were promoting downtown living

South Bluffs is near the South Main area, away from the main portion of downtown. Personally I like that better, it's less congested (not that our downtown is big and congested anyway) but it's more wide open, better parking, etc. You can walk to many things, and the core of downtown is completely walkable too. It's also in the same gated complex as some million dollar homes, zero lot line, right on the bluff. Everyone has access to the same pools and gym, I think.

Grand Island Apts must be on the island. It's a suburb of downtown, not walkable to the rest of downtown unless you're doing it for exercise. It's more quiet, family centered, zero lot line houses, etc. Riverset is there too - Riverset is the first apt complex on the island, so it looks older, feels older - although I believe they were doing some major renovations on it a couple years ago. The island is actually really long and not connected unless you're on the main road. So while there is a pizza place, a women's clothing store, a small grocery, and a coffee shop in the Harbortown side, it's still not walkable to the majority of the island. Hard to explain.

A big heck no to Blair Tower. Horrible area. Right next to LeBonheur and while LB is a great hospital, it's a horrible area of town. Don't even consider it.

I don't have any info on what cell service is best here. Can't help with that!

Great info here ^. To OP I would suggest looking up reviews of these places; as well as, looking on google maps in street mode.

[bigman123]

The Downtown / South Main area has really come up since Ive been here (2009). If I were a young single professional or even a young couple, I would give this area much consideration.


I had dinner down there a few nights ago. I saw people walking dogs, jogging, etc... But what surprised me most was the diversity. In my experience, Memphis is very black & white, which is really no big deal. But when I go back to my home town Chicago or visit other larger, more diverse, cities, its almost a shock to see so many different cultures. While in the South Main area I saw Asians, Whites, Blacks, Middle Eastern, and a few others.. It was great to see. Plus a more diverse city usually means more diverse food!..lol..

Good luck where ever you decide to go!

[NicK Thomas]

Haha Thanks im coming to visit Memphis next weekend im stay for 5 days and check it out. But as oppose I find a job i plan to live downtown on mud island. Between either Riverset apts, Grand Island, Harbor apts or South bluff apts downtown i will be downtown though for sure. I love chinese food are there good chinese restuarants downtown? as a young professional I like to be downtown plus I like to see the riverfront.

[CristenS]

There used to be a Wang's on Main St, but I'm not certain it is there anymore.