Living and Working in Memphis

For those not familiar with Memphis, it offers the best of two worlds. Memphis is set in the Mississippi Delta. It’s a vibrant metro area that melds with the slow rhythms of the rural South. Adding to the city’s charm and attractiveness are the historical districts, memorials, and cultural legends such as Elvis Presley and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. And much much more. Every corner of Memphis permeates with the culture of the Deep South. As well as its worldwide contributions to music and food.

The People Make the Community

Along with being one of the largest metro areas in the Southeastern U.S., the region's small-town atmosphere fosters a close-knit community that makes it an attractive place for families to settle. Of course, the pulsating music scene is a magnet to artists looking to give their careers momentum. This all-in-one community is also a center of global transit and a crossroads of distribution, offering a wealth of job opportunities.

At the heart of the community are nonprofits and faith-based organizations contributing to and shaping the region. People take responsibility for the well-being of their neighborhoods, providing a strong sense of community, and a great way for newcomers to build social connections.

Living in Memphis is Affordable

Making Memphis one of the lowest cost large metro areas are rent prices and mortgage expenses that are markedly lower than national averages. Combine that with significantly lower food and services costs (especially in the more rural areas) and you have the dynamics of a big city with the advantage of affordable southern living.

Memphis brings you a wide variety of living opportunities. Are you active in the music scene? Music lovers looking to lay down roots – and potentially tracks – in Memphis find the city's below average home sale prices to be in their favor. Properties along the Mississippi River in downtown Memphis sell for an average of $200,000. More into the quiet rural life? Head a few miles north or south and you'll find homes for sale as low as $25,000. Of course, price isn't the only thing that matters. But you’ll almost certainly find what you want out of life in Memphis.

Get to know your diverse neighbors. While most of the country is graying, nearly 30 percent of the Memphis population is under the age of 20. The metro area’s 10 colleges and universities also bring in the younger, twenty something crowd. Those over 65 make up about 12 percent of the community.

A Democratic majority in a traditionally blue state, residents lean toward liberal views on political issues like health care reform and LGBT rights. At the same time, the religious community has a strong presence in and around the municipal area and there are more than 2,000 established churches. Over 50 percent of the population is said to affiliate with a religion, including more than 30 percent of those who identify as Baptist.

Getting Around Matters

While most people rely on private cars, the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) bus system and taxi services are the primary options for public transportation in the region. Memphis does have the usual rush hour traffic, tourists, and weekend events attracting crowds to the inner city. However, the Interstate 240 beltway that circles the city center keeps the traffic moving.

Memphis also offers multiple cross-country and international travel conveniences. Daily, travelers arrive and depart from the Memphis International Airport, which also serves as the headquarters of the FedEx Express cargo hub. Other options for cross-country travel are by Amtrak train or Greyhound bus. Memphis truly is a hub of the south. Please comment with your thoughts and insights about living and working in Memphis. Also, our weekly Ask Brian column welcomes questions from readers of all experience levels with residential real estate. Please email your questions, inquiries, or article ideas to .