memphis area....tell me all you can about living and working in

[2Design]

this area
I was thinking I might live on tennessee side because of no income tax.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of arkansas side or tennessee side...

I am single white and over 50

what is the area like? What kinds of cultural activities? Plays, symphony, concerts, free music, activities????

what are rents like?
could one find land and put a mobile home on it? price range?

I may have a job interview there

Currently I live 6 blocks from the ocean in Virginia

[SharonAnn]

1. If you make more than $100,000, then worry about income taxes.

If you make less, the sales tax and special fees will get you.

And, with no income tax, every time the economy sputters, services are cut even further.

It's hard to believe that a state provides so little in the way of what I used to think were basic services.

[Claire Beth]

3. yeah, you are so right........

and I fear the sales tax will continue to get higher and higher. Maybe one day the people will see what is happening after there are NO more services to cut. Sales tax is the most regressive tax there is.

[Claire Beth]

2. sales tax is HIGH in TN....

and since we border states that have a cheaper sales tax, a great deal of revenue is lost by people going across the state lines to avoid paying our expensive sales tax (which is also included on food, btw.) I personally supported having a state income tax because I knew in the long run it would be better for the majority of Tennesseans.

[Mr Switters]

4. To answer your questions about Memphis....

Ok, so the income tax might be a good reason to live in Northern Mississippi or even West Memphis (Arkansas), but both of those areas usually have higher wheel taxes, property taxes, ect so keep that in mind. I spent 7 years in Memphis and know it fairly well. North Mississippi (like Byhalia, Olive Branch, Southhaven) tends to have fairly cheap real-estate and rent, but you'll be living in conservative central. West Memphis is fairly mellow, but it's about 10 miles west of town on I-40 and as a result if you have to drive "Into" Memphis (past downtown and into the eastern side where most of the "stuff" is) then it can be a haul. Avoid living in Shelby county (the suburbs), unless you want over-valued rent/real estate and like the urban sprawl.

I REALLY dig East Memphis and Mid-Town. I'm sure there are other DUers from those areas that can tell you more about rent, living spaces, ect. Mid-Town is considered the more artistic and bohemian area of town where you're more likely to find like minded liberals and bars where you can talk politics openly without fear of getting a pool stick cracked upside your head. East Memphis is the area directly east of the Mid-Town area but before you reach the outer edges of the "loop." This is a strongly liberal area as well with good schools and nice shopping. Rent or real-estate in this area might be a bit more than Mid-Town. The "240 loop" is a good indication of where the city stops and the "suburbs" start. Staying inside the loop and you are IN Memphis, outside the loop, you are not. This is a marker for the defacto segregation of this town. Something like 70% of residents inside the loop are African American, whereas about 80% of the residents outside the loop are white.

As far as a slip to park a trailer, your best bets for something like that will be in West Memphis, AR. Other than that I'm sure you can find some nice parks in North MS, or even in the Northeastern part of Shelby county (Arlington, TN).

Hopefully this has been helpful.

[Phil214]

5. "To answer your questions about Memphis...."

Since I attended University of Memphis 8 to 10 years ago, I think I'll comment about it. I totally agree with your description of Memphis!!!!! Yes, Memphis does have corrupt, non-progressive government. Yes, race tensions are high. But despite this, I found Midtown and East Memphis to be reasonably open-minded and progressive. In fact, even at that time (mid 90s), I saw more tolerance for gays and lesbians, non-Chrisitans, interracial couples, etc than I ever did in any place in the Middle South (in some ways, even rivaling New Orleans's acceptance of such people).

Midtown is definitely the best -- as Switters says, it's easy to find liberals with whom you can converse. The Cooper-Young Neighborhood (at the corner of Cooper St and Young Ave) is Memphis' beating heart of liberalism. This is the city's "hippest" neighborhood, with coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and "fix'er-up homes". Overton Square, near where Madison, Union, and East Parkway come together, also has some cozy places with a relaxed atmosphere, although not quite as high on the "buzz-meter" as Cooper-Young.

East Memphis is predominately residential, but it has the best schools in the CITY. Although this area is predominately white (at least in 1994-97, when I was there), it has consistently reelected State Sen. Steve Cohen - probably the most liberal member of the Tennessee Legislature! The area around the University of Memphis also has a fairly large liberal student population. U of M also has fewer rednecks and s---kickers than most other universities in the middle south area. The influence of the Greek organizations on campus is tiny compared to other mid-south universities despite being only 70 miles from Ole Miss (the ultiamte Greek paradise). Plus, it's infintely easier to find an TRULY intelligent conversation in Midtown and East Memphis than almost any other city in the Middle South (except perhaps New Orleans)

All and all, despite the fact that MLK was killed there, and despite the racial tensions, the CITY of Memphis is as open as any place I've seen in the USA. Take it from someone who's been to 38 states. With a little effort, you WILL find a place to fit in there.

[Blind Tiresias]

6. Live in TN

Shop in MS, just take 55 to Desoto County to do your shopping, the sales tax is pretty steep in TN. Don't EVER go to West Memphis, AR unless you absolutely have to. That town is the eeriest place I think ive ever been too. I live in Midtown and MS isnt far away.

Check out: Orpheum, Playhouse on Square, Grizzlies games, Music everywhere.