Memphis Area?

.

Our two sons have, at various times, lived in Memphis while going to college.

Like any other big city a person must be wary and watchful in Memphis. And just like other big cities, if you're looking for trouble it will find you first.

I like Memphis, but it is different from other big cities that I am familiar with in regard to where the bad (read dangerous) sections are and how easily they are to identify. In most big cities the high crime areas are rather distinct and you know when to be cautious. This is true for Memphis as well, clearly there are parts of Memphis where caution is necessary.

But Memphis, in my opinion, is not like other big cities in that there are many smaller sections of the city where caution and concern are needed by both residents and visitors alike. Memphis is almost like a checkerboard...one block is deemed safe while the next block isn't. The transition from wealthy neighborhoods to poor neighborhoods is very abrupt.

Having spent a quarter century in the Chicago area after living in more rural areas I now have a good sense for when caution is necessary. In both Chicago and in Memphis I don't shy away from traveling to any part of the city.

And Nashville? Sorry. I haven't spent any time there.

I hope this helps you quillgirl.



.

Having lived in Memphis and having at least one of my children in Memphis schools in the past I think the perception that the city of Memphis is a high crime area is spot on. In my opinion Memphis politics is and has been some of the most corrupt in the US. Many Memphis politicians are in prison with the last mayor under federal investigation for corruption. Understand there are many Memphis areas and all differ in one way or another. What Gotwood says is true too in that are many high crime areas instead of one or two that are well defined. To add to the confusion there are many well established areas within the city of Memphis that are almost void of crime. One should know or be able to recognize a high crime area when you live in or around Memphis. Personally I wouldn't want to move back to Memphis. The surrounding areas; Collierville, Cordova, Germantown, Bartlett, Arlington, and even the towns in Mississippi like Olive Branch and Southaven are part of the Memphis Metro area and each have their own pluses and minuses but for the most part are nice safe areas . My wife is a University of Memphis grad and my son was recruited by the University of Memphis and I think both of us were relieved when he declined the offer from UM.

While I have never lived in the Nashville area, the Nashville area is perceived as a much safer area but like any area does have it's fair share of crime.
Fungo

Thanks, guys! Duly noted.

.

Here is an article from the Memphis' Commercial Appeal from September, 2007.

The article is interesting, but you may find the comments which follow to be more revealing.




.

Wow Gotwood, that is an eye-opening article. I was shocked to see that SC had 2 cities in the Top 4. My son was being looked at by a JUCO in Sumter last summer. I would never in a million years thought to think about crime in a town such as Sumter, SC...

I live almost smack dab between Nashville and Memphis. I lived in Nashville a few years and in Memphis for about 4 months. I also lived a few years in Jackson (number 13 on the list in the article above) and most of Jackson's crime is a spill over from Memphis. I have no problem going to Nashville but wouldn't go to Memphis if I had to. Just like a previous poster said you can be walking down the street in a nice area and end up in a bad one real quick. Now I maybe a little biased toward Memphis because I lived in one of those bad areas and probably seen way more bad stuff than most.

Nashville isn't bad as far as big cities go. Most of its crime happens in just a few specific areas, and it doesn't take long to figure out where those areas are. Just watch the news for one night. Although in the past few years it seems to be spilling over into some of the nicer areas.

Personally I wouldn't raise a kid in either one of them but would have no problem living in some of the areas around Nashville. Murfreesboro being about 25 miles south of Nashville would be my optimal choice. As for Memphis if I never have to even drive through that gang infested hole again I will be very happy.

That is a very sad article.

I can only hope it has gotten a little better in the last 3 years since publication.

I've been there 3x and one thing I felt immediately was related to race. Nothing happened to me, no real incident to point to, but I perceived an immediate coolness/mistrust between people of different races that I rarely experience here in Atlanta. Here, it's usual for people to meet on a platform of equality and open dialog and give each other the benefit of the doubt, but occasionally you do run into old thinking (typically from older people.)

My first impression of Memphis was that it was the opposite: races generally do not have in place a sense of mutual respect or trust. It hasn't developed or been nurtured, and I can see that it makes for difficult politics and daily living. Really sad, because Memphis has a lot going for it: river, history, entertainment, weather, food, pretty neighborhoods, etc. Augusta, GA is very similar (but less dangerous) in it's politics and racial divide.

Now yall got me worried since my son flew out of Memphis to come home to TX during Thanksgiving and we were planning on doing that again. If you just stay on the main roads to the airport I guess you should be alright, right? He actually goes to school south of Memphis in Miss.

.

Have your son give Coach Scotty's Limousine Service a call. They'll get him to the airport safely in one of these...






.

quote:

Originally posted by Three Bagger:
If you just stay on the main roads to the airport I guess you should be alright, right?

Yes

This thread reminds me of when I went to visit a friend that was in med school at UT in Memphis around 20 years ago. He and his wife lived in a student apartment complex across from the UT med school and we were staying with them.

When I pulled in off the street I went through a gate and parked. The whole complex was surrounded with a high fence and was topped with razor wire. I had never even seen anything that looked like this with the exception of our county jail yard.

He said that it had to be that way even across from the hospital. But he did say that the weekends in Memphis was great for the medical school. The interns had all kinds of injuries to keep them busy. Gun shots, knife wounds, fights, etc. There was more than enough to keep the teaching hospital busy.

quote:

Originally posted by HiwasseeVol:
This thread reminds me of when I went to visit a friend that was in med school at UT in Memphis around 20 years ago. He and his wife lived in a student apartment complex across from the UT med school and we were staying with them.

When I pulled in off the street I went through a gate and parked. The whole complex was surrounded with a high fence and was topped with razor wire. I had never even seen anything that looked like this with the exception of our county jail yard.

He said that it had to be that way even across from the hospital. But he did say that the weekends in Memphis was great for the medical school. The interns had all kinds of injuries to keep them busy. Gun shots, knife wounds, fights, etc. There was more than enough to keep the teaching hospital busy.

Very true HV. I would never recomend someone attending school in Memphis!

Welcome back CBG! I hope your holidays were well.

Also, welcome back to HiwaseeVol! Where have you been hiding these days?

YGD

quote:

Originally posted by YoungGunDad:
Welcome back CBG! I hope your holidays were well.

Also, welcome back to HiwaseeVol! Where have you been hiding these days?

YGD

YGD,
Just trying to get through this darn recession, but I did get one son moved to Atlanta to start his career with Ernst & Young. Now I just have one more to get off the payrole.

I hope all is well with everyone.

I know exactly what you mean. I let out a big breath of air when I read your "trying to get through this recession". I am in sales which is directly tied to the construction market and 2009 was murder for me and my company. We are holding our breath on how 2010 is going to be. We are anticipating a very arduous and trying year. I don't look forward to it to be honest.

I'm glad to hear that your son has found employment at a very reputable company here in Atlanta. That's awesome to hear!

Is your other son a ball player as well? If so, high school, college...?

My son is at Volunteer State CC up in Tenn this year as a Sophomore RHP. I do wish you would make frequent visits back here from time to time to expound your wisdom and knowledge on the different college programs there in Tenn. CBG has been very helpful on here as well. But it's always good to hear from others who have maybe a different perspective.

YGD

quillgirl,
My wife grew up in Memphis, and I grew up about 60 miles outside it.

What has happened is the middle and upper classes have moved out to the burbs. Many areas inside of the Memphis city limits are not that safe to live in anymore.

We still have family that lives over in that area but we would in no way want to move back over there.

The Nashville area is significantly different. We live over there several years ago and still have family there.

(We lived in Murfreesboro last, and I would agree with Coach Scotty that it is probably the most optimal area to live there.)

Don't know much about the crime, but I do know that Memphis has great BBQ!

Last time through we stopped at Jim Neely's Interstate BBQ. This time we went to the one across the border in Mississippi. Nothing special about the place, just the best darn ribs and BBQ I ever ate. The sauce is special! Think I would duck a few bullets to get some more of that stuff. Bought a whole case of the sauce!

PG,
Next time find Central BBQ. We are partial to the pulled pork there! Ummmm-Ummmm!
Operatic flavor!

.

And you won't have to duck much!




.

quote:

Originally posted by coach scotty:
Nashville isn't bad as far as big cities go. Most of its crime happens in just a few specific areas, and it doesn't take long to figure out where those areas are. Just watch the news for one night. Although in the past few years it seems to be spilling over into some of the nicer areas.

I am interested in the "a few specific areas" in Nashville to not live and work in.

Regards
Bear

B,

Thank-you.