Moving to Memphis, TN

Memphis is inextricably linked to the Mississippi River that runs through it, so much so that the city was named after the ancient Egyptian city based on the Nile. The mighty Mississippi brings beauty, business and activities to Memphians still today.

But Memphis stretches beyond the banks of the Mississippi. It is a city with an up-and-coming arts community, endearing parks and trolly systems, and a music history that includes two kings (Elvis and B.B.).

Layout of Memphis

Memphis is located at the southwestern tip of Tennessee. It is situated on the Mississippi River near where the Wolf River breaks away from the Mississippi and heads East. The surrounding geography is flat (at the most severe it’s “gently rolling”) and covered with grasslands and forests. Besides the Mississippi River, there are few famous natural attractions.

Memphis is the heart of a greater metropolitan area that includes cities in both Arkansas and Mississippi state. The metro is home to over 1.3 million people. Memphis itself accounts for nearly 700,000 of that.

Positives of Moving to Memphis

• Music & Art – Elvis began his career here, and countless legends have lived in the city since. Their influences are widespread. The gospel, soul and blues genres all have Memphian versions that remain today. Additionally, the city has an arts and film scene, which continues to develop every year.
• Shipping Industry – Because of its central location, Memphis plays a large role in the transportation and shipping industry, and many logistics companies, including FedEx, have headquarters or offices there.
• Parks – Memphis has a few unique parks worth exploring, including Mud Island, which is located in the river and is reachable by a monorail, and Tom Lee Park, which provides a view of the city skyline.
• Memphis in May – May is known as one of the best months in Memphis, and the city hold a month-long festival with many music (including famous bands), food, and art events held at venues across the city.

Negatives of Moving to Memphis

• Weather – Memphis has better weather than its northern brethren, but when it’s sleeting in December or 91 and more humid than a sauna in August, that’s of little consolation.
• Transportation – Memphis’ public rail system is not limited to a monorail that brings people from the banks of the Mississippi to an island. It also has a trolley system, which resembles San Francisco’s. However, the cars are small, the routes limited, and the system runs on more of a luxury schedule than an I-need-to-get-to-work schedule.
• Culture – Memphis pales in comparison to many other American cities when it comes to unique and diverse culture. Though this is not to say that the city is cultureless, it doesn’t have the offerings of other cities its size on most fronts.
• The Gripe of Tennessee – This is purely anecdotal, but many Tennesseans voice their displeasure for Memphis, favoring Nashville and Knoxville for their cultures, cityscapes, and natural surroundings.

Want to move to Memphis? Talk to some Memphis moving companies. You can find them for free right here: Memphis movers.