Memphis could be the gate to HELL..... - 9/13/2007

Well it does'nt matter if your driving down the street, walking the dog around the block, going to see a flick down the road, or grabing a bite to eat, there is just way too much crime in this town! I'm tired of watching the news and hearing about another murder in memphis or car jacking down the street, and not to mention, the worse Mayor we ever had, 16 years of a corrupt goverment. Do you want your kids to grow up in a town full of gang bangers? I grew up in a christian home and was born and raised here in memphis for over 30 years. Being the Navy, I have traveled all over in the United States and no place is as more racist as Memphis. Ever since Dr. King's death, the black and white community have been going back and forth. Well people, this will NEVER end!!!!! Quote ' NEVER END ' There's not too many nice community's to live in, unless you go alittle ways out, ' Arlington, Covington, Atoka, South Haven, MS 'but those cities will fall under, but hey, if you consider yourself part of the trash that lives here in Memphis, and still consider coming, more power to you because your one less person I have to deal about when I move from here, and I'm counting the days, unless i get shot or something, heck i had to apply to get my handgun carry permit, what a shame............. No wonder why people call this place the Gateway too HELL.

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Memphis - 8/29/2007

Overall I think Memphis is an OK place to live. Yes it has its faults, and some are pretty major. The city schools need help, plain and simple. There needs to be a term limit set for the mayor (who needs one person running an office for what, 19 or 20 years now?). They seem to love their corrupt politicians here. It does seem to have a high crime rate, but don't all cities. Memphis has it's positive sides too. They have plenty of museums and parks to see, there is always something going on if you only take the time to find it, as its not always advertised. The majority of people I have met here are really nice and helpful. Memphis may be a city of 600,000+ people, but (to me anyway) it has a small town feel to it. I grew up in the country in a town of no more then 12,000 people. Nearly all of them rednecks (I say that in the most complimentary way, because where I come from being a Redneck is not a bad thing). I love living in Memphis, because it feels like home. We drive around and its nothing to see trucks covered in mud, with big 'ol tires and the works. You drive down some streets that are closer to the outskirts of town and there are people riding 4-wheelers that are, of course, covered in mud. You can tell that this city has not lost its rural roots and hopefully never does.

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Crime, Storms, Heat, Racism - 8/8/2007

Currently living in beautiful, sunny Southern California, I moved back to my hometown of Memphis for a year in 2006. The crime rate is hurrendous, every night on the news that's all you hear about. And the constant thunderstorms and sweltering summer heat and humidity make going anywhere and doing anything downright depressing. Although the people are mostly really sweet, there is a tense racial undercurrent that makes living there quiet uncomfortable. It's so expensive here in California in comparison, but it may be well worth it. I own a home in Midtown Memphis and a farm property a couple of hours from it. My heart is still in Memphis, but I must say that physically I will remain in California. I get so sentimental and miss it every day.

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Not for non-southerners - 7/15/2007

As a previous resident of California and Arizona, I have found it difficult to feel at home in Memphis. The climate is hot and humid in the summers and can easily be classified as oppressive. Additionally, the city continues to struggle with race, class, ethnicity and sexism issues. In my work place, at one of the local universities, I was informed by my direct supervisor that women are a liability in the work place. Good points are BBQ, and the volunteer radio station. There are also a good number of museums including art, natural history, Asian artifacts, and everything Elvis. Music of course is well represented from Beale Street and Stax to Sun Studios (a great tour)and many small clubs with upcoming groups. One final note, do not- no matter how enticing it sounds take the river boat cruise in Memphis. It is one of the most torturous experiences lacking in commentary and sights.

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Memphis : an opportunity delayed or worse yet, MIS - 7/15/2007

I've lived all over the US. I did tow tours of duty in the Memphis MSA, in two different decades. I found that nothing really changes in Memphis. It is one of the most culturally repressive MSA's in the nation. It has immense potential however, but it is mired in anti-Semitism and racism, and bifurcation of popluations. Parochialism seems to rule the day....also a false pride. Memphis is one of the most xenohobic places imaginable. The locals acutally expect a tranferee or newcomer to 'leave their tastes, experiences, exposure, etc at the city limits'. I have never experienced so much resentment of outside thought, demand, style, and exposure in my entire professional career in banking....never. The town (and I do mean TOWN) is a classic example of what not to do in city and regional planning....it suffers from classic, MINDLESS 'white flight' across state lines to northern MISSISSIPPI, and even further east-bound flight. Memphis is running away from itself....sooner or later Memphis will be in Jackson TN (the next city eastbound on I-40). These people think they can actually run away from dealing with non-whites.....Amazing and sad stuff. Oh yes, the place has lousy food...well except barbecued PIG. I would never advise any professional to waste too much time in the Memphis MSA. Do your time, and get out...there are too many good choices in the South.....like even Huntsville, AL

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m e m p h i s - 6/19/2007

i like memphis i do many musicians are drawn here for its rich musical history and midtown has a diverse group of people downtown is being revitalized having grown so much in the last ten years alone but the high crime rate fosters a lingering fear and the racial rift is uncomfortable

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This City is a Dump - 6/15/2007

I have to rate this place as one of the worst places to live in America. Besides a few things here and there, this place is boring, crime and gang ridden, pollution and smoke everywhere, and very ghetto. I have lived in several other cities, but this is by far the worst. I am currently looking for employment in another city. This place is the pits.

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Life long memphian - 6/4/2007

I have lived in Memphis all my life. It has never gotten any better. High property taxes is killing the economy. The city government is a joke and they are running the city in the ground. All thats left is a large inner city getto with a very high crime rate. Dont leave anything outside or it will be stolen. Every one else lives as far out from the city as they can. We finally sold everything we had and moved to a smaller city in east tennessee. It killed us to leave our family and friends. We could no longer stand the thought of our kids growing up in a place like that. I would not advise anyone to relocate to Memphis.

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Not worth it . . - 5/23/2007

I was born and raised in Memphis and believe me, Memphis may be a nice place to visit but living here isn't worth it. It has culture and history but it's also full of crime, which is enjoyed by the smaller nearby cities as well (Germantown, Cordova, etc.) There are certain areas in the city that you don't want to get stopped by a red light in. If you want to live here, and live in a good area, look to the edge of the county. Cities like Arlington and Lakeland haven't developed the huge crime problem yet and the schools are still county. The city school system is horrible. The mayor is the most corrupt Memphian of all and there is plenty of racism, not all white to black either. Taxes are high, salary is low, but so is the qaulity of living. We are looking to get out of here very soon, I refuse to raise my daughter here. Memphis has it's ups, but the downs outnumber those by a long shot.

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Southern Hospitality - 5/4/2007

It really isn't just Memphis--but if you are not from the southern town or city you live in, prepared to be on your own. Southerners are very family-oriented. Family and church, the extended family, take up much of their week--Sundays, Wednesdays and depending on the group, probably some other time as well. Southerners are hospitable, but what does that actually mean? It means a kind of superficial "happy to see you," "never met a stranger" attitude. But the welcome ends if you are not of the group, not a member of the family or the extended family. Do not make the mistake of making eye contact or of speaking with a stranger because it is clear, after 30 years among them, that for southerners, eye-contact or casual chatting is a "shooting offense." This is even supported by clinical evidence--this is the code duello part of the world after all. Need help? Southerners are there to help. Want to make friends who will invite you over for a holiday or respond to your invitation if you are not related to them? Forget it. To live among them is to be fairly lonely if not downright rejected on a daily basis.

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Possibly relocating to Memphis. - 4/19/2007

I may be relocating to Memphis through my job. I was in Memphis last year for a few days. I didn't get out at all due to my work schedule. Drove through Germantown. Very beautiful. Loved the nicely manicured neighborhoods. Any suggestions on areas or suburbs for my family. Our office is a few miles east of 240 on 40. I don't mind an hour commute for a nicer neighborhood. We like going to the movies, out to eat, theme parks, good schools and being outside. thanks

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Memphis is a hole - 4/19/2007

I have lived here for 4 yrs. Memphis as a city is poorly run and maintained. For a major shipping hub, road and traffic control standards are pathetic. Crime is high and rising. If local officials are not corrupt then they are inept. Drivers, if insured, are reckless. Service standards are very low and common so the poor standards are accepted as normal...Joy! Cost of living is low, but with all this to offer it should be. A fine confluence of a ghetto and trailer park. Whoop dee do for the BBQ. I don't like crime with my brisket. And Elvis has been dead (I'll never go to graceland). What a hole - I'm out. Any doubts check out other posts.

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Beware of Memphis politics - 4/19/2007

Memphis is one of the most corrupt cities in the country politically...often the city will annex unincorporated cities to gain more tax revenue without providing services to that area...if our leaders cannot be faithful in handling what they have already been given, how will they be faithful in much larger matters...like most governement officials, they squander the tax money already given them and like ravenous wolves desire more money and power! In the case of 38016 (Cordova), the case is such as this! A once lovely town has now been sucked in to the corruption of Memphis governmental leadership and will soon be run into the ground like much of our once loved city. Pray for the leadership in Memphis, that God Almighty would send men and women of integrity to lead and restore our fractured city.

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Only a great place to live if transferred in - 4/5/2007

I have lived near memphis for 1.5 years. There are some nice things about it that everyone should know. Beale Street is a great place to visit. Lots of shops, bars, and relatively safe. Everyone should visit graceland. Graceland is a fascinating place if you are into Elvis. Now the not so good. Memphis does have high crime. I believe the highest in the nation as of late last year. Memphis can be safe if you know how to avoid it. The job market here sucks. If you don't transfer in here with your job or know someone, than life here can be very tough. Most jobs around here only pay like 9.00 an hour. Nobody can make it on 9.00 an hour. Thats a high paying job around here. I guess the demand for people who will work for 6.00 an hour is pretty high. I can speak for this because I was laid off from my past job last year and have had an extremely hard time finding a job that meets my qualifications. The schools here are ok. If you can go to schools in Desoto County (Mississippi), you are better off. Memphis is a nice city but I believe is better to visit than to live there.

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The most horrible schools - 3/28/2007

Memphis Public school officials could not care any lest about the childrens education, They only care about how much money they can make. If you are think about coming to Memphis BEWARE.

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Memphis TN Nice - 3/21/2007

I have been working in Aerospace as a contractor my whole adult life. I lived in Huntsville AL for most of that time from the 1960s. However, I have lived in Savannah GA; New Orleans & Slidell, LA, Florida (The Cape and Pensacola) and I must say Memphis is by far the cleanest and nicest place I've ever lived in. Yes, I work and spend most of my time in and around Germantown and Collierville, but my wife and I have been all over downtown Memphis too. We find the people nice and some of the best mannered we have ever been around (both black & white). Believe me; compared to New Orleans, Memphis is far safer, cleaner, and nothing close to what we found in NO. I grew up in Knoxville TN a life-time ago and after visiting back a few times I have no desire to return. I am fast approaching retirement and have not made any decision as to where that will be, however the West Tennessee area will be high on my list. As a side note: If you hate billboards and un-controlled development as I do the Germantown/Collierville Tennessee area is breath of fresh air

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not as bad as you think - 2/20/2007

i've lived here for 3 years and have loved it. i moved from nashville, so i have heard all the stories about the crime . . . which are true, but if you know where to avoid then you'll be fine. the places to avoid are not hard to learn about. downtown is lots of fun. you can walk from beale street to the fed ex forum to the redbirds stadium to restauraunts and feel safe. the downtown area is very new. apts are affordable downtown and there are tons of condos that are decently priced because they have built too many of them. i live in a home on mud island, and those now run in only the 200,000s for a starter home. mud island is full of young professionals and has a riverwalk to run on!

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Crime, Racial Tension and Uneducated People - 1/31/2007

I have lived in the Memphis Mid South area for 31 years. The crime in Memphis is bad. I live in a suburb of Memphis and the crime is filtering this way. The racial tension has always been terrible. Most of the customer service is horrible, although there are some places that the customer service will actually acknowledge that you are there. And drive safely. The drivers are terrible. Don't get into in a motor vehicle accident because if a motorist drives into you, they will usually drive off. I see that quite often. And I have never been to another location where the people are as uneducated as they are here in Memphis. I guess that is why our education system sucks... But if you love hot steamy summers, then come on down to M-town...

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Memphis is a great place to call home! - 1/29/2007

I moved here three years ago now, and I get so tired of hearing people bash it. Yes, there is crime, but it's not as bad as the media makes it out to be. The climate is wonderful, four beautiful seasons, and while the summers do get extremely hot, there is usually a breeze and the heat spell is usually not too long. People claim that it is humid but I came from hell (Florida) and they don't know what humid is until they lived there. This is down right arid to me. The housing market is delightful, lot of bang for your buck, and the construction is pretty good. Much better than in other places I've lived. The downtown is charming, not too large and very managable. The public school system is supposed to be bad, or at least that is the rumor but I don't see it. If a student wants an education, it's here. This city is a diamond in the rough and one of the few cities I have ever lived in where the African-American population is treated as equals, and quite frankly, I find it refreshing! (BTW-I am white) We get transferred approx. every four years, but we are hoping to remain in this lovely city for much longer.

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Horrible!!! - 1/16/2007

Crime is out of control in Memphis. Too many gangs, too much racism, and hate crimes. Please consider before moving here.

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