This seems to be a recurring theme. But I'm guessing most Southern cities share this trait (New Orleans, Montgomery, Macon, Atlanta). All except maybe Nashville.
This part remains to be seen, and yes more than likely will be what tips the scales.
OT: Which city is better to live, Jackson, Memphis or Birmingham.....
- Thread starter Jimbob Cooter
- Start date
This seems to be a recurring theme. But I'm guessing most Southern cities share this trait (New Orleans, Montgomery, Macon, Atlanta). All except maybe Nashville.
This part remains to be seen, and yes more than likely will be what tips the scales.
Watkins is out of Farish Street now. Look for this to come out soon. It was just made official last week. A very big contractor is looking at taking it over now. If that happens, Farish Street actually has a chance. However, unless people feel safe down there nobody will go. I realize that downtown is not as dangerous as people think but perception of downtown, especially Farish Street, is not good.
I'll add my vote for Memphis
I replied to this post because I think there's a lot more going on in Memphis than Birmingham. Perhaps May's a bad time to compare it, but last night Memphis had a playoff NBA game and Music Fest (all weekend). Later this month will be BBQ fest. Plus, Memphis already has a successful downtown minor league ball park. Birmingham seems like a nice city, but is fair amount smaller than Memphis. Also, while a number of people have mentioned the suburbs, but Memphis (and the other cities mentioned) have good areas to live inside the city. Memphis has a lot of nice places to live downtown, plus good neighborhoods in midtown and east Memphis.
In the end, it probably depends on the size of city you want to live in. Jackson is pretty small for a city, but a state capital. Birmingham is a small-medium city and, I believe, a fairly decent sized banking mecca. Memphis is a solidly medium-sized city with a major league professional sports team and a few Fortune 500 companies.
I replied to this post because I think there's a lot more going on in Memphis than Birmingham. Perhaps May's a bad time to compare it, but last night Memphis had a playoff NBA game and Music Fest (all weekend). Later this month will be BBQ fest. Plus, Memphis already has a successful downtown minor league ball park. Birmingham seems like a nice city, but is fair amount smaller than Memphis. Also, while a number of people have mentioned the suburbs, but Memphis (and the other cities mentioned) have good areas to live inside the city. Memphis has a lot of nice places to live downtown, plus good neighborhoods in midtown and east Memphis.
In the end, it probably depends on the size of city you want to live in. Jackson is pretty small for a city, but a state capital. Birmingham is a small-medium city and, I believe, a fairly decent sized banking mecca. Memphis is a solidly medium-sized city with a major league professional sports team and a few Fortune 500 companies.
I loved living in Memphis.
And I lived in midtown, east Memphis, and downtown. Still own my house on Mud Island. I loved Mud Island. Everything you need and a trolley ride to Beale, yet it feels like a little beach town. I mean you drive a golf cart to your friends house for a crawfish boil, then to another's for a late night party.
And as stated, lots of really good restaurants, bars, music, whatever. Just stay out of about three zip codes and its fine.
And I lived in midtown, east Memphis, and downtown. Still own my house on Mud Island. I loved Mud Island. Everything you need and a trolley ride to Beale, yet it feels like a little beach town. I mean you drive a golf cart to your friends house for a crawfish boil, then to another's for a late night party.
And as stated, lots of really good restaurants, bars, music, whatever. Just stay out of about three zip codes and its fine.
I've lived in two and have a brother that lives in the other
I personally wouldn't live in any of the city propers, but let me give you a rundown of what I think. All three city leaderships suck.
Memphis - if you want more stuff to do, this is your winner. Memphis has the Grizzlies and a top-notch concert venue in the Fedex Forum, a good nightlife district downtown, etc. No state income tax in Tennessee, and some nice suburbs. You are four hours from St. Louis, if you want a little more. Its bigger, so there are more jobs, and more good companies to work for, but theres a lot of competition for those jobs - especially in the young recent college grad arena. Because it is bigger, there are some really dangerous areas.
Birmingham - probably the worse of the three in my opinion, unless you are in healthcare - lowest wages of the three. Schools are absolutely terrible. Hoover schools are good, not great, and you are paying a premium there so you expect more. Good shopping in Mountain Brook/280 corridor. 2 hours from Atlanta is a big, big plus in my opinion.
Jackson - Less populated = less stuff to do, but shopping is comparable to both Memphis and Bham. 3 hours from Memphis, NOLA and the coast. Madison and Flowood are really nice places to raise a family. There aren't as many high paying jobs, but f you can land one, your money goes further than the other two. But if you are young and always want something to do, somewhere to go - then Jackson isn't for you.
I personally wouldn't live in any of the city propers, but let me give you a rundown of what I think. All three city leaderships suck.
Memphis - if you want more stuff to do, this is your winner. Memphis has the Grizzlies and a top-notch concert venue in the Fedex Forum, a good nightlife district downtown, etc. No state income tax in Tennessee, and some nice suburbs. You are four hours from St. Louis, if you want a little more. Its bigger, so there are more jobs, and more good companies to work for, but theres a lot of competition for those jobs - especially in the young recent college grad arena. Because it is bigger, there are some really dangerous areas.
Birmingham - probably the worse of the three in my opinion, unless you are in healthcare - lowest wages of the three. Schools are absolutely terrible. Hoover schools are good, not great, and you are paying a premium there so you expect more. Good shopping in Mountain Brook/280 corridor. 2 hours from Atlanta is a big, big plus in my opinion.
Jackson - Less populated = less stuff to do, but shopping is comparable to both Memphis and Bham. 3 hours from Memphis, NOLA and the coast. Madison and Flowood are really nice places to raise a family. There aren't as many high paying jobs, but f you can land one, your money goes further than the other two. But if you are young and always want something to do, somewhere to go - then Jackson isn't for you.
Agreed. Memphis has a lot of great restaurants and bars and character in general. It gets a bad name because of the crime in isolated areas, but if you stay out of those areas, you'll be fine.
I also meant to add that, unlike the other cities mentioned, Memphis has a PGA tour event.
I also meant to add that, unlike the other cities mentioned, Memphis has a PGA tour event.
I have lived in Jackson (70's and 80's), Clinton (80's and 90's), near Gulf Shores, AL and for the past 3 years in Homewood, AL=over the mountain from downtown B'ham. We love this place! Great restaurants, shopping, hospitals and best of all 3 craft brewers in B'ham. This is the best place we have ever lived in!!! I work downtown and it takes me 20 minutes to be in the office including walking 2 blocks from the parked car and riding an elevator up to the office. This is the first place where I work with a lot of local people who came back after college. Never saw that in MS.
I'm not a big Memphis person, but it does offer the most out of the 3 towns listed. If you are single and enjoy nightlife, Memphis is better. Memphis has an advantage that the other two do not, tourism. Memphis hosts multiple annual events that draw, not only regionally, but worldwide, example,.. Elvis lovers. This is always great exposure for any city. But Memphis's saving grace isn't blues heritage, music, or Elvis, it's Fed Ex. Without Fed Ex, Memphis would be a wasteland. Mega company, mega jobs, mega money, it is the reason that Delta still maintains a mini-hub at MEM. Birmingham and Jackson lack a company and local operation of this scale. Other than a larger city and metro population, these things set Memphis apart.