New crime question about memphis (Germantown, Collierville: low crime, home, neighborhoods)

[coachphillips41]

I am moving my family to the Memphis area this summer. My wife's parents are also moving there at the same time. We are staying with them for a few months until we find a place that we would like to buy.

I have two questions about the crime in Memphis that are a little more specific.

First, I know the numbers. Memphis has a lot of crime. But, the type of crime? Is the crime more random or is it crime that occurs from gang, drug related lifestyles? For example: I used to live in Las Vegas. The crime there is bad, but I never felt unsafe because I am not in a gang, do not use drugs, and my lifestyle is simple: family and work. If you live in Memphis, do people's lifestyles invite crime, or does crime easily find you no matter who you are or where you live?

The other question: we will be temporarily living with my in-laws in zip code 38118, about 3-4 miles east of the airport. Is this area safe?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

[Pearlbob]

The crime in 38118 has increased dramaticlly in the years past. This is around the Hickory Hill (Hood) area, correct? I'm sure it depends on the neighborhood though. Things change here street by street in some areas.

While the majority of crime is like you mention (gangs, drugs, people attacking people they know) not all is unfortunately. Crime does tend to find people in some ways, although of course if you use common sense and precaution, you can circumvent a lot. Defintely spend time researching the areas of town and finding areas you like before you buy anything.

[JoeCartpath]

38118 covers quite a bit of area...some areas are worse than others. My mother lives in that zip and hasn't had any problems with crime - other than a purse snatching 20+ years ago...

Property crime and petty thefts can happen anywhere, so you just have to be careful and use common sense. Violent crime is mainly in North Memphis, Frayser, South Memphis and Whitehaven. If you look at the almost-daily murders and other violent crimes in Memphis they almost always seem to be either gang/drug related, or people who are either related or know each other. Most occur late at night in the aforementioned questionable areas of town. I doubt you'll be going to those places at those times.

Don't worry, you'll be just fine. You'll avoid the crime in Memphis just like you did in Vegas....

[fittoac]

38118 is pretty sketchy. I would definitely not want to live there for very long.

As for crime, the violent crimes are more drug/gang/domestic issues. The "everyday" crime (break-ins/car thefts etc.) can happen anywhere. Some neighborhoods are safer than others though. Germantown & Collierville are generally considered safer. Downtown has issues with car break-ins, but is otherwise quite safe.

[jedc]

Last week I surveyed 6 friends that moved here within the last 6 months, each of whom actively searched for safe places to live. 100% had already been victims of crime, and one is moving because his wife can't take it anymore. Last night a friend's neighbor - in Central Gardens, mind you - was shot three times; a car stopped to ask for directions from a gentle, older man walking his dog, and then the driver shot him in the chest, shoulder, and stomach. In other words, even the violent crime is sometimes random. Of the 15+ cities I've lived in over the years (including major metropolitan areas w/ reputations for having high crime rates), Memphis is by far the worst in terms of crime. It's surreal.

[JoeCartpath]

I'd say that your friend's experiences are atypical.

I've lived here 60 years and been a crime victim once - 35 years ago I had a small tool box stolen from my unlocked car. Having lived here my entire life, I know a lot of people...and no one I know has ever been a victim of any kind of violent crime - and in those 60 years friends, coworkers, neighbors, etc., have only been victim to a couple of stolen cars, a couple of purse snatchings and a couple of home burglaries. That's it.

I'm not saying my experience is necessarily typical either, but for 6 people to all be crime victims within a 6 month period is really extreme.

[coachphillips41]

I checked the map of the house, and it is near the corner of tchulahoma road and the 175 (E Shelby Drive). It is about 2 miles from the TN/Mississippi border. Is that specific area better for anyone to give a more specific read on my earlier questions?

Thanks so much for the posts you have made already. Very helpful.

PS - How is the Cordova section, up by St. Benedict High School?

[JoeCartpath]

I can't help you with the Tchulahoma Road section, but I wouldn't consider that a high risk area. I wouldn't chose to live there personally, but it should be fine as long as you take the same sensible measures you should take anywhere.

As for Cordova, that's where I live....and I consider it a low crime, middle class area.

[MemphisMeantime]

Originally Posted by jedc

Last week I surveyed 6 friends that moved here within the last 6 months, each of whom actively searched for safe places to live. 100% had already been victims of crime, and one is moving because his wife can't take it anymore. Last night a friend's neighbor - in Central Gardens, mind you - was shot three times; a car stopped to ask for directions from a gentle, older man walking his dog, and then the driver shot him in the chest, shoulder, and stomach. In other words, even the violent crime is sometimes random. Of the 15+ cities I've lived in over the years (including major metropolitan areas w/ reputations for having high crime rates), Memphis is by far the worst in terms of crime. It's surreal.

I'm surprised by this. I've lived in Memphis 42 years and have never been the victim of a violent crime. My entire family lives here or used to live here (large family, too), and only one family member was ever the victim of a violent crime. That was 25 years ago, when my grandfather was accosted by a gunman outside his home, and the robber took jewelry, cash and two guns from the home. My grandfather was thankfully not seriously hurt.

I have had my car broken into a couple of times and my purse stolen twice, so once every 10 years I've been the victim of a property crime (and quite frankly, the purse stealings happened as a result of my own carelessness--I was younger).

Most people I know who've been the victims of crime have likewise only suffered infrequent property crimes. We live all over town.

From newspaper reports, I can tell you that most of the violent crimes, especially murders, are in the economically depressed parts of town. They're also usually gang- and or drug-related.

I'm careful but not paranoid, and I feel very safe in my neighborhood and area, East Memphis.

[Capt. Dan]

Have you looked across the river at Marion Arkansas? Or south of the border at DeSoto County Mississippi?