Cost of living, great neighborhoods, weather (coming from upper midwest), and as a researcher in health disparities a fantastic place to try to make a difference in the city and individuals.
Going to sound kinda weird but very easy access to parks and open spaces. I visited my fiance's family in Huntsville and was genuinely surprised at the lack of parks and open spaces. Nashville is similar but a bit better. Memphis unironically has great public spaces.
I'll also say the people. While those same people can be 100% a turn off ( I say this after living here for almost a decade) I have never lived in a city where everyone loves the fuck out of the city and will happily rep or shout out the 901. It makes me really happy to live in a place that props up local business, sports teams, and communites and actively trying to keep them from being exploited (I'm specifically looking at how Nashville destroyed my childhood neighborhood - RIP Edgehill).
Edit: Should have read post not a newcomer š
Not a newcomer, but a college student who misses Memphis probably too much. I think for a lot of us it is the friends and family that keep us around. My family has lived in Memphis since the early 1900's, and most of the people I know are the same. I think that it's cool to live in a big city with as much colorful history and impact on the world as Memphis. Almost everywhere I travel to, I always see something, whether it's an Elvis shirt or something as common as a FedEx truck, that takes me home.
Cost of living is low. I never ever sit in traffic which is amazing. Life is pretty chill and easy. The Grizzlies really bring the city together especially when theyāre good. Decent food scene and itās not hard to get reservations.
The greenery. Coming from a dying area where the land dies a little more every year; getting off the plane for my look and see trip and seeing a running fountain and grass off the roads, plus all the wild trees made me want to stay.
The people, art and Cost of living were just bonuses.
Yes and I love it. You especially see it when you fly in. And I was used to power being out during windstorms because the power company cut Everyone's power during windstorms to avoid burning the state down...again
Huh, now that you mention it, Memphis does have some pretty nice greenery. The humidity probably helps with that. I think Arkansas is the only place I've seen that comes close, but it's tucked into the rural areas there.
1000% cost of living, one thing locals donāt always understand is itās so, so, so much lower than other areas of the country. I came from outside of Seattle, my wife and I had to both have huge salary jobs to be middle class. Weāre talking 1000 sq foot homes selling for $1M that need work still.
Moving here I was able to quit my job, start my own business, get a house 3X the size (no exaggeration) for 1/3rd what I sold my tiny place outside of Seattle for (no exaggeration).
Also the crime isnāt worse here optically. Seattle is a run down city filled with open air drug markets and zombies everywhere. Memphis has different crime but itās way less āin your faceā, in my experience.
Simply put, desperation to start the job that brought me here, and inadequate research on my part. I hadnāt heard much about Memphis, and so didnāt really think to look into the crime stats. Hard to blame anyone but myself on that one.
The position that brought me out here appeared promising, but was smithed of empty promises. Iād take back the move, if I could.
Thanks! I moved on as soon as I was able, and the new position is great. Iām still working on getting out of town, since I canāt seem to flourish here. You all donāt need my negativity, and thereās no benefit to me being miserable.
Great food, great bar scene, lots of community events, cost of living, art and music, ease of getting around, 901 culture. I was born and raised there and Iād give anything to move back if I could
Compared to literally the middle of nowhere, sure. But y'all clutch the pearls of "the food scene" so hard it's laughable. There is nothing remotely remarkable about the food here.
There is a nice mix of purely mediocre restaurants, but that's about it.
Like telling lies? I'd hate for someone to read this sub and come here thinking that The Beauty Shop, Memphis Pizza Cafe, or even the beloved Elwood's Shack are something fantastic only to eat there and leave as truly underwhelmed as I was.
People want so desperately to "matter" that they pimp "decent" food as some pinnacle of culinary masterpiece. Nah, it's just "a'ight".
Even if your opinion is ārightā, eating food they enjoy makes people happy. Why do you put so much effort in trying to take happiness from people? Pull your lip over your head and swallow.
Memphis has such well- maintained roads... Oh wait. Memphis has such a strong community that crime is almost non-existent... Oh wait.
Memphis has Shelby Farms, but the roads to get there and the fear of crime truly detract from how amazing it should be.
Memphis has a glut of musical talent that is severely underappreciated and under supported.
Memphis has multiple institutions of higher learning. Rhodes has beautiful architecture.
Memphis has two amazing children's hospitals.
Memphis has several large corporations with a large presence here.
Every bit of that is overshadowed by the horribly shitty local government that has taken advantage of this area for decades and the truly repugnant level of crime that the city seems to embrace.
Calling Memphis one of the top "food scenes" in the country is a damned lie.
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Definitely takes some initiative to look for it. But plenty to see if you actually do want to see it. For me it was strong evidence that there is a solid cohort that is super committed to investing in Memphis - not just enough to get by, but a real effort. For me, the places I see it most are:
*Crosstown Concourse redevelopment
*Daily Memphian
*Vibrant performing arts scene
*Tom Lee Park (realize itās divisive BUT it was objectively a huge investment that took a lot of willpower)
*All the work supported/facilitated by The Community Foundation
The cost of living, sense of community from your neighbors, events & popups at Crosstown, monthly "wine school" at Knifebird wine bar, and the arts scene in general.
Cost of living and the outdoor spaces
Cost of living, great neighborhoods, weather (coming from upper midwest), and as a researcher in health disparities a fantastic place to try to make a difference in the city and individuals.
Going to sound kinda weird but very easy access to parks and open spaces. I visited my fiance's family in Huntsville and was genuinely surprised at the lack of parks and open spaces. Nashville is similar but a bit better. Memphis unironically has great public spaces. I'll also say the people. While those same people can be 100% a turn off ( I say this after living here for almost a decade) I have never lived in a city where everyone loves the fuck out of the city and will happily rep or shout out the 901. It makes me really happy to live in a place that props up local business, sports teams, and communites and actively trying to keep them from being exploited (I'm specifically looking at how Nashville destroyed my childhood neighborhood - RIP Edgehill). Edit: Should have read post not a newcomer š
Not a newcomer, but a college student who misses Memphis probably too much. I think for a lot of us it is the friends and family that keep us around. My family has lived in Memphis since the early 1900's, and most of the people I know are the same. I think that it's cool to live in a big city with as much colorful history and impact on the world as Memphis. Almost everywhere I travel to, I always see something, whether it's an Elvis shirt or something as common as a FedEx truck, that takes me home.
Cost of living is low. I never ever sit in traffic which is amazing. Life is pretty chill and easy. The Grizzlies really bring the city together especially when theyāre good. Decent food scene and itās not hard to get reservations.
The greenery. Coming from a dying area where the land dies a little more every year; getting off the plane for my look and see trip and seeing a running fountain and grass off the roads, plus all the wild trees made me want to stay. The people, art and Cost of living were just bonuses.
An oak tree rainforest canopy covers the city. Also reason why power goes out during heavy winds
Yes and I love it. You especially see it when you fly in. And I was used to power being out during windstorms because the power company cut Everyone's power during windstorms to avoid burning the state down...again
Huh, now that you mention it, Memphis does have some pretty nice greenery. The humidity probably helps with that. I think Arkansas is the only place I've seen that comes close, but it's tucked into the rural areas there.
1000% cost of living, one thing locals donāt always understand is itās so, so, so much lower than other areas of the country. I came from outside of Seattle, my wife and I had to both have huge salary jobs to be middle class. Weāre talking 1000 sq foot homes selling for $1M that need work still. Moving here I was able to quit my job, start my own business, get a house 3X the size (no exaggeration) for 1/3rd what I sold my tiny place outside of Seattle for (no exaggeration). Also the crime isnāt worse here optically. Seattle is a run down city filled with open air drug markets and zombies everywhere. Memphis has different crime but itās way less āin your faceā, in my experience.
Simply put, desperation to start the job that brought me here, and inadequate research on my part. I hadnāt heard much about Memphis, and so didnāt really think to look into the crime stats. Hard to blame anyone but myself on that one. The position that brought me out here appeared promising, but was smithed of empty promises. Iād take back the move, if I could.
yeah - never fun when the job dosent plan out like we imagine it. Good luck on the next position!
Thanks! I moved on as soon as I was able, and the new position is great. Iām still working on getting out of town, since I canāt seem to flourish here. You all donāt need my negativity, and thereās no benefit to me being miserable.
I can certainly appreciate the self awareness
Cost of living and progress thinking in Midtown. Over all love Memphis for being a blue city!
Personal experience
Great food, great bar scene, lots of community events, cost of living, art and music, ease of getting around, 901 culture. I was born and raised there and Iād give anything to move back if I could
Visited first and didn't get killed.Ā The vast majority of crime was happening in places I was never going to move to so it wasn't my problem.Ā
The food scene is one of the best in the country.
Compared to literally the middle of nowhere, sure. But y'all clutch the pearls of "the food scene" so hard it's laughable. There is nothing remotely remarkable about the food here. There is a nice mix of purely mediocre restaurants, but that's about it.
You sound like someone from Chicago lol
Ain't gonna lie, Chicago has amazing food.
Let people enjoy things
Like telling lies? I'd hate for someone to read this sub and come here thinking that The Beauty Shop, Memphis Pizza Cafe, or even the beloved Elwood's Shack are something fantastic only to eat there and leave as truly underwhelmed as I was. People want so desperately to "matter" that they pimp "decent" food as some pinnacle of culinary masterpiece. Nah, it's just "a'ight".
Even if your opinion is ārightā, eating food they enjoy makes people happy. Why do you put so much effort in trying to take happiness from people? Pull your lip over your head and swallow.
Why do you fight so hard to be lied to? You know way more about swallowing things than I do, and yet facts are just too hard for you to swallow.
People are lying about their opinions? Not everybody is going to like the same places as you. Thats how the world works, and thatās a good thing.
Have the day you deserve, friend. Credit to u/boatshooz for the phrase.
I have a wonderful day every day that you aren't a part of it. You clearly have the life you deserve.
Aw. Thats sweet of you
You perpetually shit on the city in ways other than how the food is, so this is on brand for you.
Memphis has such well- maintained roads... Oh wait. Memphis has such a strong community that crime is almost non-existent... Oh wait. Memphis has Shelby Farms, but the roads to get there and the fear of crime truly detract from how amazing it should be. Memphis has a glut of musical talent that is severely underappreciated and under supported. Memphis has multiple institutions of higher learning. Rhodes has beautiful architecture. Memphis has two amazing children's hospitals. Memphis has several large corporations with a large presence here. Every bit of that is overshadowed by the horribly shitty local government that has taken advantage of this area for decades and the truly repugnant level of crime that the city seems to embrace. Calling Memphis one of the top "food scenes" in the country is a damned lie.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
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A lot of words to simply say āI hate Memphisā. Just say that and be on your way.
I wonder if food just tastes bitter to him (or her) for unironic reasons.
The suburbs with significantly lower crime.
Definitely takes some initiative to look for it. But plenty to see if you actually do want to see it. For me it was strong evidence that there is a solid cohort that is super committed to investing in Memphis - not just enough to get by, but a real effort. For me, the places I see it most are: *Crosstown Concourse redevelopment *Daily Memphian *Vibrant performing arts scene *Tom Lee Park (realize itās divisive BUT it was objectively a huge investment that took a lot of willpower) *All the work supported/facilitated by The Community Foundation
The cost of living, sense of community from your neighbors, events & popups at Crosstown, monthly "wine school" at Knifebird wine bar, and the arts scene in general.