Memphis
With its low cost of living, amazing food scene, and great housing market, it's no wonder that people are choosing Memphis and its suburbs to settle down and set up shop. Ranked #2 by Realtor.com for Easiest Places to Live, Memphis brings its A-Game when it comes to affordable living. It doesn't matter if you're looking for a big city vibe, or a small-town feeling, this area can accommodate just about any buyer at any price range.
Downtown
Downtown Memphis, a bustling neighborhood in the western part of Memphis, differentiates itself from the rest of the communities with its sophisticated, upscale decor. Located right off the Mississippi River, Downtown Memphis is full of art galleries and antique shops, restaurants, bistros, and cafes. The population in Downtown Memphis continues to grow as condominiums, apartments, and houses are added. The FedEx Forum, where the NBA Grizzlies play, is a new, state of the art basketball arena adjacent to the Beale Street entertainment district, and the Memphis Redbirds attract huge crowds to their new Auto Zone Stadium. The world-class Cannon Center for the Performing Arts is a 2,100 seat, multi-purpose facility and is also the home of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and a multitude of other events including ballet, opera, pop, and jazz concerts, touring theatrical productions, and children's theater. In the spring and summer, Mud Island is a popular spot to visit for festivals, walks, and biking.
Miles from Airport: 9; Population: 23,000; Average Home Price: $200,400
Midtown/Chickasaw Gardens
With some of the city's oldest residential neighborhoods, Midtown boasts broad, tree-lined avenues bordered by stately homes, bungalows, and apartments. Overton Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, is located in the heart of Midtown and is home to the Memphis Zoo, Memphis College of Art, Brooks Museum of Art and the Overton Park Shell. Several colleges and universities, including the University of Memphis and Rhodes College, add greatly the area's eclectic ambiance.
- Evergreen is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Memphis, with many beautiful homes from the turn of the century. It also boasts some of the most beautiful new homes. With its gorgeous tree-lined streets and close proximity to attractions like the Memphis Zoo, Overton Park, fabulous restaurants, and great shopping, Evergreen is quickly becoming a walking community. The neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Vollintine-Evergreen is a 1920's era neighborhood, much of which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This Midtown neighborhood displays a diverse mixture of house styles, many usable green spaces, as well as beautiful street medians.
- Cooper-Young is a charming community with quaint and historic residential homes blended with one-of-a-kind shops, restaurants, and antique stores. More than 45,000 people are drawn to the annual Cooper-Young Festival featuring 250 vendors in a celebration of people, culture, music, and Memphis heritage.
- Overton Square, located adjacent to the Cooper-Young neighborhood, offers a lively array of restaurants and bars, live theater and entertainment, music and movie theaters.
- Central Gardens earned its name because it "centers" on Central Avenue in Midtown and its resemblance to New Orleans' famous Garden District. With stately turn-of-the-century homes overlooking tree-lined streets, Central Gardens has the feel of a simpler, more elegant era. In 1983, the neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is consistently listed in Memphis Magazine's annual survey as the 'Best Neighborhood' in the city.
- Chickasaw Gardens is located just to the east of Midtown. Elegant homes surround a park and lake filled with wildfowl. The Pink Palace Museum and Planetarium is adjacent to Chickasaw Gardens as well as the new Central Library.
Miles from Airport: 6; Population: 88,192; Average Home Price: (38104) $140,600, (38111) $69,600, (38112) $58,500
East Memphis
Many of the city's most reputable residential areas, shopping centers, and office center are located in East Memphis. Located centrally within the metro area, East Memphis is the home for Regions Bank's Memphis Headquarters as well as the Morgan Keegan Corporate Headquarters. Public and private parks and gardens, including the Memphis Botanic Garden, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Audubon Park, and the Lichterman Nature Center lend a special appeal to the community. The Racquet Club of Memphis, contains luxurious indoor facilities and is the only private club in the world to host a professional men's and women's combined indoor event, the Regions-Morgan Keegan Tennis Tournament. Some of the best places ot eat in East Memphis include Folk's Folly, Jim's Place East, Frank Grisanti Italian Restaurant, and Owen Brennan's.
Miles from Airport: 6; Population: 62,302; Average Home Price: (38117) $136,200, (38119) $147,600; (38120) $232,200
Cordova
Located in the eastern part of Memphis, Cordova is one of the fastest growing communities in the Memphis area. Up until the 1990s, Cordova was primarily farmland, forests, and fields. In the past decade, however, large, affluent houses on spacious lots as well as many moderate-sized homes have been being built here at an increasing rate. The state's largest urban park, Shelby Farms, is just west of Cordova and offers a wide variety of recreational activates. Located on the north end of the community, Wolfchase Galleria is the largest shopping mall in the metropolitan region. Restaurants, office centers, and churches are abundant in Cordova.
Miles from Airport: 13; Population: 25,358; Average Home Price: $134,900
Shelby County
Many incorporated cities and towns encompass Memphis. Each has its own unique character.
Arlington
Arlington is a former rural outpost located in the northeast corner of Shelby County. The town is now a rapidly growing bedroom community.
Miles from Airport: 23; Population: 3,041; Average Home Price: $206,722; Arlington Town Office: (901) 867.2620
Bartlett
Bartlett is a full-service, rapidly growing small city, located in the center of Shelby County, Bartlett is an aesthetically pleasing city, primarily of detached single-family homes, served by extensive retail, office, and industrial centers along Stage Road/Highway 64. In addition, smaller, neighborhood-serving commercial centers are springing up near the newer residential areas well to the north of stage Road, toward the Loosahatchie River. Families and businesses are attracted to Bartlett with its small-town atmosphere and appealing amenities.
Miles from Airport: 17; Population: 46,932; Average Home Price: $133,100; Bartlett City Hall: (901) 385.6400
Collierville
Collierville has experienced rapid growth recently, but this east Shelby County city still has plenty of small town charm. Excellent schools, and historic Old Town Square, antique shops, and a performing arts center are just a few of the amenities that attract residents to this southeast Shelby County community.
Miles from Airport: 21; Population: 31,816; Average Home Price: $284,705; Collierville Town Hall: (901) 853.2300
Germantown
Germantown, Memphis' premiere executive bedroom community, still bears traces of its origins as a village of white picket-fenced horse farms and narrow, hilly streets. The city features more than 300 acres of parkland, a large recreation center that includes indoor and outdoor swimming facilities, a community theater, chamber orchestra, and a state-of-the-art performing arts center."
Miles from Airport: 13; Population: 37,907; Average Home Price: (38138) $268,821, (38139) $410,513; City of Germantown information: (901) 757.7200
Lakeland
Lakeland features beautiful lakefront homes and new subdivisions with trees and shaded lawns. Residents feel this northeast Shelby County town is an ideal place to raise a family.
Miles from Airport: 24; Population: 7,015; Average Home Price: $206,722; Lakeland City Hall: (901) 867.2717
Fayette County
Just east of the Memphis metropolitan area and Shelby County, Fayette County is a rapidly growing county full of a long and proud history. Ten small beautiful towns make up this county, which is home to 33,000 residents. The town of Oakland is the fastest-growing neighborhood with convenient places to shop, dine, and play. The county is also considered prime hunting ground for whitetail deer, raccoon, squirrel, rabbit, and other small game. Fayette County offers the amenities of a peaceful, rural life but with the proximity of a bustling metropolitan area just 30 minutes away.
Miles from Airport: 22; Population: 38,785; Average Home Price: $100,100; Fayette County Chamber of Commerce: (901) 465.8690
Tipton County
Tipton County is located on the Mississippi River, 18 miles north of Memphis, and is one of the fastest growing counties in the state. Between 1990 and 2000, Tipton County's population grew 36.4% due to growth from Memphis, Tennessee. This county has plenty to offer with an abundance of agriculture and manufacturing industries. Its municipalities include Munford, Atoka, Brighton, Mason and the county sea of Covington. Tipton County offers the advantages of small-town living with the nearby amenities of a major city.
Miles from Airport: 26; Population: 59,495; Average Home Price: $91,500; Tipton County Chamber of Commerce: (901) 837.4600
Regions Bank, Keys to Discovering the Greater Memphis Region. Memphis, TN: Regions Bank/Morgan Keegan, 2004.