The school system in Overton Square is actually great.
The weather averaging 64F year-round is {weather_feel}. Unemployment at 5.3% is {unemp_feel}.
Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here. Public transit is surprisingly OK - you'll want a car.
73 upvotes
23 Replies
Isabella
+1
47 upvotes
parker_lover
I'd highly recommend checking out Bartlett. People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}.. Plus the food options around there are pretty good.
43 upvotes
Julian Reyes
OK since this keeps coming up, here's my definitive Memphis guide from someone who's been here way too long.
**Neighborhoods ranked (my opinion):**
Tier 1 (if you can afford it):
- Whitehaven: trendy, pricey, but worth it
- Cooper-Young: affordable with character
Tier 2 (best value):
- Bartlett: great community feel
- Crosstown: newer development, modern amenities
Avoid (unless you know what you're doing):
- I won't name names but do your research on anything significantly below market rate
**Cost Reality Check:**
- 1-bed decent area: /mo
- 2-bed decent area: /mo
- Groceries for 2: /mo
- Car insurance: pretty good compared to national avg
- Utilities: /mo average
**The Honest Truth:**
Public transit is {transit_feel} - you'll want a car.. Memphis is up-and-coming but it's not for everyone. If you value space over career growth, you'll love it. If it's the other way around, maybe consider Minneapolis.
Feel free to ask specifics.
43 upvotes
Vivian C.
My experience has been different actually. I found that Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable.. Maybe it depends on which part of Memphis you're in.
43 upvotes
Oliver Martin
Glad someone said it.
42 upvotes
Ezra Rivera
OK let me break this down from someone who's been here a while.
Mud Island vs Midtown: completely different vibes. Mud Island is more hit or miss with walkable streets and local shops. Midtown is established and better for families.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in Mud Island. In Midtown you can find stuff for /mo.
Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year.. I don't understand why more people don't talk about {hood}.
41 upvotes
Levi Price
I'll give you a thorough answer since I've been through this exact situation.
I moved to Collierville from St. Louis about 11 years ago. Initially I missed home a lot. But after settling in, People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}..
A few things I'd recommend:
- Check out Collierville and Downtown for housing
- Join local Facebook/Reddit groups for your neighborhood
- Give it at least 6 months before deciding if it's for you
The biggest adjustment was job market. Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.. Overall I'd give Memphis a 8/10 for couples.
38 upvotes
Joseph Evans
Downtown local here. Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.. If you need specific recommendations feel free to ask.
38 upvotes
Delilah Thompson
OK let me break this down from someone who's been here a while.
Harbor Town vs Whitehaven: completely different vibes. Harbor Town is more decent with a suburban feel with urban access. Whitehaven is pricey and better for young professionals.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in Harbor Town. In Whitehaven you can find stuff for /mo.
I feel like {city} is becoming more expensive without getting better.. Public transit is {transit_feel} - you'll want a car.
32 upvotes
Ezekiel Evans
Just to add another data point - we moved from Seattle about 1 years ago. Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.. No regrets so far.
32 upvotes
Luca James
Seconding this.
31 upvotes
Grayson
I've lived in both Mud Island and University area. Completely different vibes. The school system in {hood} is actually {adj}..
30 upvotes
Elizabeth Bennett
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a teacher in Germantown. Been here since 2019. Nightlife is decent if you know where to go..
Neighborhood-wise, Germantown has really transformed in the past few years. Cooper-Young is the up-and-coming spot right now. Midtown is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for engineering: excellent. For retail: established.
The school system in {hood} is actually {adj}.
Hope that helps!
26 upvotes
Maverick
OK let me break this down from someone who's been here a while.
Cordova vs Bartlett: completely different vibes. Cordova is more great with a suburban feel with urban access. Bartlett is quiet and better for remote workers.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in Cordova. In Bartlett you can find stuff for /mo.
I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.. Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.
24 upvotes
Matthew
I've lived in both Cordova and Collierville. Completely different vibes. Nightlife is decent if you know where to go..
23 upvotes
Abigail
Honestly it depends on what you prioritize. If affordability matters most, then yeah Memphis is great. But if you need diversity, might want to look at Collierville instead.
21 upvotes
Elijah Torres
Couldn't have said it better.
20 upvotes
Elizabeth Y.
Night shift worker - Memphis at 3am is improving. Public transit is {transit_feel} - you'll want a car..
20 upvotes
Lydia Perez
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a couple in our 30s in Crosstown. Been here since 2018. I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years..
Neighborhood-wise, Crosstown has really changed in the past few years. Harbor Town is the up-and-coming spot right now. Bartlett is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for engineering: hit or miss. For engineering: affordable.
Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.
19 upvotes
James Brown
Worked in legal here for 7 years. Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year.. The market is pretty good right now if you're in that field.
18 upvotes
Zoe R.
Parent of two in East Memphis. Schools are decent here. Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.. Would recommend visiting before deciding.
13 upvotes
tucson_camila
Saving this thread.
7 upvotes
Abigail Rivera
Food industry person here. The restaurant scene in Memphis is solid. The school system in {hood} is actually {adj}..
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