What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In Memphis?

The Southern United States has no shortage of cultural hubs that double as great places to live in. Even among that wide selection of remarkable Southern cities, Memphis stands out.

Memphis is the second most populous city in all of Tennessee. It’s second only to Nashville in that regard. Should you join the nearly 1.4 million people who currently call Memphis home by moving there as well?

The low cost of living and numerous entertainment options are among the reasons why moving to Memphis is a great idea. High quality public education is also easily accessible in the city. However, you should know about the high crime rates in Memphis if you’re thinking of potentially living there.

Is moving to Memphis, Tennessee a move that could turn out well for you and your family? Go through the pros and cons we’ve detailed below and find out what your answer is to that question.

Since Memphis is one of the largest cities in the South, many assume that the cost of living there is high. That is not the case at all though.

The cost of living in Memphis is about 25 percent lower compared to the rest of the country. Even if you’re looking only at Tennessee, Memphis still comes out on the low side in terms of cost of living. Compare Memphis to the Tennessee capital of Nashville and the gap in the cost of living is even more noticeable.

Simply put, living in Tennessee is a more realistic proposition for a larger segment of the population. So, why is the cost of living there so low? The cost of housing contributes greatly to the low cost of living expenses. The median price for a new home in Tennessee is right around $165,000. In Memphis, that number drops to around $86,000.

You won’t have to look long in order to find an affordable home in the city. Buyers may even spot numerous affordable options to choose from. The low cost of housing makes living in Memphis more affordable, but that’s not the only reason. Other common expenses such as groceries, utility bills, and transportation are also on the low side.

For many young families, moving to the big city is simply not an option. The high cost of living associated with that often makes such a proposition unrealistic. As you can see though, Memphis is one big city that does not saddle people with sizable cost of living expenses.

Once you become a Memphis resident, you will never run out of entertainment options. We can start with the music scene. Head on over to Beale Street and visit one of the many bars and clubs in the area. Introduce yourself to the city’s distinctive brand of blues and soul music. Catch a performance from one of the many great artists that call Memphis home.

Memphis rap has also turned into an emerging subgenre of music in the city. Take a listen for yourself and see if it’s the kind of music that resonates with you.

Are you in the mood to catch a play instead of a concert? Memphis still has you covered. Drop by the Orpheum Theatre and take in a Broadway spectacle.

Of course, we cannot discuss the entertainment scene in Memphis without mentioning sporting events. Back in 2001, the NBA franchise formerly known as the Vancouver Grizzlies relocated to Memphis. The Memphis Grizzlies have had their ups and downs since the move, but they’ve captured the hearts of many residents. The beloved “Grit and Grind” teams from the early 2010s are beloved by the community.

The Memphis Tigers who represent the University of Memphis in collegiate athletics have also garnered plenty of support from the locals. The collegiate football and basketball teams are especially popular in the city.

If you’re a pro wrestling fan, you can still watch some shows in the area to this day. Legends of the local wrestling scene are even known to drop by every now and then.

If you’re moving together with your family, you should remember to check on the schools in your target city first. You don’t want to finish the move only to find out later that there are no good schools there.

Thankfully, a lack of quality public education is not going to be an issue if you’re moving to Memphis. The city is home to a large number of public schools that have earned a reputation for providing quality education. You’ll find a lot of glowing reviews about the public schools in the city online.

It’s also convenient that there are several colleges and universities located within the city. There are great in-city options to consider for any of your college-age kids. Check out the pros and cons of living in Memphis.

We would be remiss if we discussed the perks of being a Memphis resident without touching on the city’s signature cuisine. Obviously, we are referring to none other than Memphis-style barbecue.

Memphis-style barbecue takes a long time to prepare, but is well worth the wait. Dry-rubbed pork ribs are probably the most popular form of Memphis barbecue. Once you’ve had a taste, you may not get enough of it. The food alone is probably reason enough to live in Memphis. You’ll certainly miss it if you decide to live elsewhere.

If there is one reason why you should reconsider moving to Memphis, it’s undeniably the prevalence of crime there. High crime rates have long plagued Memphis and that continues to this day.

According to Neighborhood Scout, Memphis is safer than only one percent of U.S. cities in terms of crime rates. That’s a troubling thing to learn for sure. It definitely makes you think twice about moving there especially if you have young kids.

Troublingly, both property and violent crime rates are quite high in Memphis. You have to be ready to invest in home and personal security if you’re planning to move there.

Being more selective when it comes to your neighborhood can also help. There are some neighborhoods in the city that are known to be significantly safer than others. When searching for a new home, you may want to look first in those areas.

Just a little over 81 percent of Memphis residents go to and from the office by car. That’s well above the mark for solo car travelers across the rest of the country, which stands at 76 percent.

More people also carpool in Memphis compared to the rest of the country. While around nine percent of people in the country carpool, that goes up to almost 11 percent in Memphis.

Clearly, many Memphis residents prefer traveling by private car one way or another. The reason for that is likely to be the city’s lackluster public transportation system. Public transportation options in Memphis don’t always take you where you need to go. Even when they do, they still tend to be on the slow side.

Important hubs in the city also tend to be spread out. That makes it tough to commute everywhere. It’s significantly easier to rely on your own car for commuting.

Memphis has a wide array of attractions and that’s a bit of a double-edged sword. While you get to experience those attractions yourself, that also means that they draw in a lot of people. The streets and popular venues being flooded with tourists during the weekend is a common occurrence.

With so many tourists in town, getting around can become a difficult task. If you failed to book a reservation at your favorite restaurant, you may also find it full during lunch hours.

There are simply times throughout the year when heading out is not a good idea. You may be better served just staying home and avoiding the tourist rush.

Related Questions

What Is the Climate Like in Memphis?

For much of the year, the weather in Memphis is typically on the warmer side but still pleasant. You can stay outside and relax if you want to.During the summer though, conditions are not quite as pleasant. Summers are humid in Memphis and they can be unbearable. Try to stay indoors as much as possible and turn on the air conditioner if you have one.

Does Memphis Have a Bug Problem?

Humid weather is not the only thing you have to worry about whenever summer rolls around in Memphis. Bugs also start to become more active during that time of the year.Mosquitoes and harvest mites are notorious for moving all over the place when the weather starts to get warmer. Make sure you’ve carried out the precautionary measures needed to keep those bugs at bay.