Moving to Memphis, deciding where to live. (Germantown, Collierville: apartment complexes, rent)

[arjuntino]

I will be moving to Memphis to start my job out of college at FedEx corporate headquarters. Was deciding between apartments in the Midtown area or closer to the office (maybe Germantown?).

The biggest thing seems to be commute vs location. Seems lots of people have suggested DT/MT on the idea that they are more exciting for people in their mid-20's. My thought is by living close to the office, I could save 40-60 mins of commute each day and still have time on weekends to visit things.

I am interested in your thoughts and was wondering if there was anything insight you could provide.

[mattec]

You could split the difference and live in East Memphis. Have you checked out the Highland Row apartments? They're only around 25 mins from FedEx. You'd also be doing a reverse commute, so traffic wouldn't be so bad. When I was working in Collierville (a bit more than 10mins east of FedEx), I had a colleague who would commute from downtown and it only took him 30-40 mins to get out there.

As for the Southwind area around FedEx, there's not a whole lot their other than chain stores and apartments. I lived in a complex just south of Winchester and it was fine, but if I had the chance to do it again, I would've picked a place more in town.

[Comingtomemphis]

Right now everything is deader than a doornail: restaurants and shops closed, everyone needs a haircut, no activities. Main Street is abandoned. But unless you live in the Dakotas, it's probably the same, or worse, where you are now!

Before the Covid crisis, Downtown was booming. There's still lots of construction going on, but with unemployment up, the question is, who will move into all these apartments? On the plus side, it's probably a good time to negotiate a good rent rate.

For a young, single person or couple, I still think Downtown is a more interesting place to live than East Memphis or Germantown. We have young neighbors who commute from Downtown to Germantown - 25 minutes each way, so FedEx would be less.

[arjuntino]

Originally Posted by mattec

You could split the difference and live in East Memphis. Have you checked out the Highland Row apartments? They're only around 25 mins from FedEx. You'd also be doing a reverse commute, so traffic wouldn't be so bad. When I was working in Collierville (a bit more than 10mins east of FedEx), I had a colleague who would commute from downtown and it only took him 30-40 mins to get out there.

As for the Southwind area around FedEx, there's not a whole lot their other than chain stores and apartments. I lived in a complex just south of Winchester and it was fine, but if I had the chance to do it again, I would've picked a place more in town.

Thanks,
I will check out the Highland row area

[arjuntino]

Noted. The uncertainty of the job market is definitely something I'll keep in consideration. Would be a good negotiating point.

[AppalachianAngler]

I would just live downtown in the South Main area and commute. If you hop on 240 to 385, it will only take you about 25-30 minutes each way. You will be commuting against the traffic so absent a wreck, there really isn't any traffic. The commute in Memphis, although spread out, is really nothing like any major city like Nashville or Atlanta.

Downtown you will have much better demographics in terms of young, white collar professionals, lots of whom probably work at FedEx. I would personally rather live where I want to play than live where I work. Otherwise, be ready to drop $60+ for Ubers when you want to go out on the weekend with co-workers.

Also, I'm not sure if your job if this will apply to your position, but FedEx corporate HQ is moving downtown across from the FedEx forum if I am not mistaken, but I am not sure when that is happening. Construction is under way.

[Bamaman1]

If I was going to be working in the Fed Ex headquarters, starting off in one of the apartment complexes off Bill Morris Parkway would be good. They're very nice places for the most part and handy.

After you set down some roots, you'll figure out where you'd like to live.

I prefer Collierville for families or Arlington to get as far from the city as possible.

My nephew loves living in Mid-Town because all his yuppie friends live down there. But his $300K house cost $600K to build, and it's not even that nice. And remember that property taxes in Memphis city limits is 2x that of the county. And don't forget that sending two boys to MUS costs about $44K--after taxes.

Our daughter lives in Arlington in a very nice 3000 square foot house in a subdivision. It's peaceful enough that she avoids the city traffic and congestion.

[Geneyus]

When someone mentions Fed Ex corporate headquarters, which building are they speaking of? The small building where Fred Smith is, the world headquarters at Hacks/Winchester, the large campus on Bailey Station? There are so many.

[mattec]

Originally Posted by Geneyus

When someone mentions Fed Ex corporate headquarters, which building are they speaking of? The small building where Fred Smith is, the world headquarters at Hacks/Winchester, the large campus on Bailey Station? There are so many.

I believe that the OP is referring to the FedEx Express world HQ in Southwind. The large campus on Bailey Station is mostly back of house operations, not an HQ. FedEx Logistics is relocating from the Crescent Center in East Memphis to Downtown.