Reviews & Comments
Austin, TX
Visiting Austin-Great Impression -
7/10/2016I have never lived in Austin, but have visited many times and have received a good vibe from the city. First of all, people who live there really seem to love it and are welcoming. I've been in bars and had people come up to me (both genders) and start conversations and seem very friendly. Not just once, but on several occasions. And not in a I'm drunk and looking for companionship sort of way, but it a genuinely friendly matter. Being from the south, this was foreign to me, as people seem to converse with you only if you are in a mutual group or if they are intoxicated in most occasions. However, I do think this is more of a place for younger (20-35 year olds) people, rather than adults looking for a more mature setting. It feels like a laid-back, large college town, which is not for everybody, though it may have changed since I last visited (2013). Compared to larger, fast cities, it's probably a step back in terms of amenities, though I was impressed with some of the offerings (the Whole Foods Corporate HQ and its 2-3 story grocery is definitely worth a visit, and there is a Fry's, several Trader Joes, and Google Fiber). I live in Nashville, and for younger people who are looking for booming, friendly transplant cities, Austin feels like it is several generations ahead of TN. A very clean city with plenty of personality. If you are young at heart, this is the place for you.
Memphis, TN
Not as bad as it sounds -
7/9/2016I can understand the criticism, but honestly, I love Memphis. It is a city with personality, the place itself and the people. Crime is worse in many other cities than it is in Memphis. Many parts of it appear old and there are buildings downtown which look run down and abandoned, so combined with the crime (which takes place mostly in poor areas, you will know which ones to avoid by the sight of them), Memphis can give a poor impression to the uninitiated.
One reason to like Memphis is that shopping and other amenities of a large city are here, but the traffic is easy, depending on the construction taking place. Getting around never feels like a chore. The crime reputation gives the impression that all people are bad, but I have found a lot of genuine, sociable people in Memphis. They are aware of the shortcomings of the city, and as so are generally not pretentious and they are self-aware, and more down to earth than most cities. I have two siblings who are very liberal, one at the U of M, and they both love the city. So I don't think it is fair to claim that only backwards, racist people belong here. People don't really put on a false front, so if you see the good in people, you shouldn't have any problem with them. I currently live in Nashville, and I really miss the laid-back, sociable nature of the people in the Memphis area as opposed to the cold, pretentious, uninterested personalities of most people here. And the lighter traffic and cheaper cost of living.
Nashville, TN
Don't Buy Into the Hype -
7/6/2016I believe Nashville has been getting a false reputation of being a great destination for transplants, and I find this to be quite misleading. If you are looking for a friendly, open-minded city in which others are always looking for opportunities to interact with others and meet new people, look elsewhere, like Austin. The people who seem to enjoy the city the most are those that grew up and have made friends and have family there, or those that have a stable job in the music industry. If you come alone, and aren't an attractive female, you're likely to stay that way throughout your duration.
Despite being a southern city, the people just aren't that friendly. When I go to my home town in Arkansas, I see people interacting with strangers, smiling, and being welcoming in general. People keep to themselves in this city, for the most part. Even most clerks, bartenders, servers, etc. seem very closed off and not at all eager for a friendly conversation. When you go out at night, you see groups of people keeping to themselves and not really interacting with others or even acknowledging them. Even at work, people don't seem eager to converse with people outside of their group of friends.
The restaurants are okay-there are a few gems (Hattie B's hot chicken is moderately priced and wonderful), but it is mostly your corporate affair. Night life is not for everyone- you'll mainly find very crowded, very noisy venues serving $5 beers and featuring miserable looking musicians playing generic country songs. If you're in a group, you should be able to have a good time, but if you go in alone hoping to meet people, you'll be disappointed in most cases.
If your career depends on you moving to this city, then I can understand the decision to move here. But it is a very artifical, corporate town. You may hear the sound of that and not care, but the people feel very cold and fake as well. I've lived in and visited many different cities, and have never experienced troubled in meeting or befriending people. If you meet good ones here , they are the exception, not the rule. Just do yourself a favor and avoid, unless you absolutely aspire to be a country musician. Traffic sucks. Peoplr(for the most part) suck. No personality. Go on vacation here and move along.
Nashville, TN
re: This is not the city for singles or transplant -
7/2/2016Growing up in the south, I can attest that this is very odd for a southern city. I picture a place which is warm, modest, laid-back, and content, but Nashville is cold, corporate, uptight, and pretentious. People are not social, so you should move with a friend or know a few when you get there.
For a single, young professional transplant looking to meet new friends and be in a lively city, this is a terrible option. The night life is non-existent, unless you enjoy loud, abrasive cover bands playing bland country song wherever you go and are okay paying $5 per beer. If you're an attractive female, you'll be sure to get attention, but you know what the end goal is for people in those interactions. Otherwise, people shut pretty much everything else out.
Fake has been used to describe the people, and I get that. Not many genuine smiles or indications of people being content or friendly. Just the typical plastic flight attendant expression from most people, not much sign of life there. Most people in the service industry, stores, etc. who greet you (if they even acknowledge your presence) seem like they would rather be doing anything but. I've been shocked at the number of shopping outlets I have visited in which nobody acknowledged my presence.
This is a big destination for musicians, but the pretentious attitude carries over to them as well, as most will want to have a p***ing contest as to how many tours and labels each has been on, and will generally shoot down the idea of collaborating. It's all about the money for them, so if you're looking to be a creative musician and put together an original band, look elsewhere. They mainly want to form cover bands so they get exposure and hopefully meet people on Broadway who know of a professional who needs a new backup guitarist, etc. There are venues for original acts, but the support for the bands at these places is no more than you'll find at most other cities.
So agreed, it's basically a big tourist attraction so it's good for a visit, but that's it. It's suffocating if you're used to a place with any sort of authenticity or personality.