Tennessee Memphis
Moving to Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee, blends authentic Southern charm with big-city energy, world-class music, and legendary barbecue right along the mighty Mississippi River. Just minutes from the neon lights of Beale Street, the city offers diverse, welcoming neighborhoods—from historic homes in Midtown and East Memphis to family-friendly suburbs like Germantown and Collierville—served by strong public schools in Shelby County and top private options. Residents enjoy one of America’s largest urban parks at Shelby Farms for trails, biking, kayaking, and even a buffalo herd, the scenic Riverwalk and Big River Crossing for sunset views, city pools and splash pads, plus the expanding Wolf River Greenway and nearby Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park. The unbeatable local scene delivers nightly live blues and soul, iconic eats like Gus’s Fried Chicken and Peabody rooftop parties, and signature events such as Memphis in May, the Cooper-Young Festival, and the famous Peabody Duck March—all at a cost of living 12–15% below the national average. With fast access to Memphis International Airport, a growing transit and bike-share network, and greenway connections like the Shelby Farms Greenline and Harahan Bridge, Memphis offers genuine Southern hospitality, rich musical and culinary heritage, and the perfect balance of relaxed riverside living with vibrant big-city excitement right at your doorstep.
Memphis by the numbers
City population
Median home price
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Discover Memphis: Top Attractions and Things to Do
Local Experiences
Local Experiences
Memphis, Tennessee, blends soulful Southern energy with outdoor adventure and unbreakable community spirit, all just minutes from the mighty Mississippi River’s natural rhythm. Locals live for strolling or biking the 10.5-mile Big River Crossing at sunset, paddling the Wolf River or Shelby Farms’ lakes, hiking the lush trails of Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, or cruising the ever-growing Wolf River Greenway and Shelby Farms Greenline that connect the city like veins of green.
Hiking, Biking & Trails
Memphis offers more than 200 miles of greenways and trails, including the Shelby Farms Greenline, Wolf River Greenway, Big River Trail, and the pedestrian-friendly Harahan Bridge. These paths wind past cypress swamps, river bluffs, and urban wildflower meadows, linking neighborhoods to Shelby Farms Park—one of the largest urban parks in America—and the Mississippi Riverfront.
Family-Friendly Activities
Families flock to Shelby Farms Park for kayaking, treetop adventure courses, and the famous buffalo herd, the top-ranked Memphis Zoo, Overton Park’s playgrounds and Old Forest trails, or the Children’s Museum of Memphis (CMOM) for hands-on fun. The Memphis Farmers Market (open year-round on Saturdays) brings farm-fresh produce, local artisans, food trucks, and live music to downtown.
Local Breweries & Dining
Memphis’s craft beer scene shines at Memphis Made Brewing, Wiseacre, Ghost River, and Grind City—all with laid-back taprooms, big patios, food trucks, and frequent live music. For legendary eats, locals swear by Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, the Rendezvous for dry-rub ribs, Central BBQ for pulled pork, and The Peabody’s rooftop parties or elegant Capitol Grill—pairing world-class Southern flavors with live jazz and river views.
https://www.shelbyfarmspark.org
https://memphisriverparks.org
https://www.wolfriver.org
https://www.memphistravel.com
Sports and Recreation
Sports and Recreation
Memphis, Tennessee, is a powerhouse for active lifestyles and die-hard sports fans, energized by the roar of the Memphis Tigers, the grit of the Memphis Grizzlies, and boundless outdoor recreation along the Mississippi River and beyond—all with true big-league action right in your backyard.
Memphis is home to the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum, the University of Memphis Tigers (competing in the American Athletic Conference with nationally ranked football, basketball, and baseball programs), and the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate) plus the USL Championship’s Memphis 901 FC at AutoZone Park downtown. Just across the river, the Mississippi Braves (Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves) play in Pearl, while high school rivalries light up Friday nights across Shelby County.
Top-tier facilities abound: the state-of-the-art Renasant Convention Center and local YMCAs offer indoor basketball, pickleball, swimming, and fitness classes for all ages, while Memphis Parks manages dozens of lighted fields, tennis courts, and recreation centers citywide.
Locals pack Shelby Farms Park for 5K/10K trails, paddleboarding on Hyde Lake, or the Go Ape treetop adventure course; hit the links at world-class public courses like The Links at Overton Park or Audubon Park; fish and kayak the Wolf River and Shelby Farms lakes; or bike and run the 200+ miles of greenways including the Shelby Farms Greenline and Wolf River Greenway. With mild winters, blooming dogwoods in spring, and that famous Memphis sun, the city keeps you moving and cheering year-round.
https://www.nba.com/grizzlies
https://gotigersgo.com
https://www.shelbyfarmspark.org
https://memphisriverparks.org
Adventures
Adventures
Memphis, Tennessee, is an outdoor lover’s paradise right on the Mississippi River and surrounded by Shelby Farms Park, Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, and the Wolf River watershed. Paddle or kayak the ghostly cypress-lined Wolf River and Harbor Town canals, hike or mountain bike over 100 miles of trails in Shelby Farms and Meeman-Shelby, run or cycle the 10.5-mile Big River Crossing (the country’s longest active rail-bicycle-pedestrian bridge), or explore the wild bottomland forests and bluffs of the Mississippi River Greenbelt. Thrill-seekers love the Go Ape zipline and treetop obstacle course at Shelby Farms, while families hit the playgrounds, disc golf courses, paddleboard rentals on Hyde Lake, and the famous buffalo herd roaming free.
History and culture infuse every outing. Step back in time at the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, stroll Victorian-era homes and blues landmarks along the Mississippi Riverfront, uncover ancient Native American mounds at Chucalissa Archaeological Site, or soak in the soul of Beale Street’s neon-lit music heritage.
Year-round festivals—from the month-long Memphis in May celebration (Beale Street Music Festival, World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, and Sunset Symphony) to the Cooper-Young Festival, Memphis Pride Fest, and holiday Riverfront lighting and boat parades—keep the energy electric. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline on the river or quiet sunsets from the bluff, Memphis delivers unforgettable adventures for every age and pace.
https://www.shelbyfarmspark.org
https://www.wolfriver.org
https://memphisriverparks.org
https://www.memphistravel.com
Seasonal Events
Seasonal Events
Memphis, Tennessee, celebrates year-round with a soulful calendar of festivals, music, food, and riverfront traditions that showcase its legendary music heritage, barbecue culture, and tight-knit community spirit.
Spring
As dogwoods and redbuds explode along the river bluffs, Memphis kicks into festival mode. The Memphis Farmers Market reopens downtown every Saturday with local produce, artisans, and live bands; the Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival brings Zydeco music and 20,000 pounds of crawfish in April; and the world-famous Memphis in May International Festival launches with the Beale Street Music Festival—three days of top headliners on the Mississippi Riverfront—followed by the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, where the air smells like hickory smoke for miles.
Summer
Heat turns up the rhythm: Sunset Symphony on the river, free outdoor concerts, and the Levitt Shell’s 50+ nights of free music under the stars keep crowds dancing. July 4th brings one of the largest fireworks shows in the South over the Mississippi, while families cool off at Memphis Rox splash pad, Shelby Farms water-play areas, and evening Movies in the Park series at Overton Park and Tobey Park.
Fall
Cooler nights and golden light set the stage for the Cooper-Young Festival—one of the largest single-day festivals in Tennessee—with 100,000+ visitors, live music, and craft beer. The Delta Fair & Music Festival rolls into the Agricenter with rides and cotton-candy vibes, the Memphis Greek Festival and Italia Festival celebrate heritage with food and dancing, and the RiverArtsFest transforms South Main into an open-air gallery. Football season packs the Liberty Bowl for Tigers games and high school rivalries under Friday-night lights.
Winter
Downtown glows with the Memphis Holiday Parade, the St. Jude Marathon weekend (with runners in elf costumes), and the Enchanted Forest of lights at the Pink Palace. The Peabody Hotel’s rooftop New Year’s Eve party overlooks fireworks on the river, and the daily Duck March keeps smiles coming year-round. Indoor markets and cozy events at Crosstown Concourse and the Memphis Brooks Museum round out the season.
Throughout the year, Memphis pulses with weekly farmers markets, porch concerts on the Greenline, and spontaneous second-line parades—proof that the city’s heartbeat never skips a beat.
https://memphisinmay.org
https://memphisfarmersmarket.org
https://www.memphistravel.com/events
https://www.shelbyfarmspark.org
Community Resources
Memphis, Tennessee, provides residents with convenient access to a world-class network of hospitals, medical centers, and specialty clinics throughout the city and Shelby County, delivering cutting-edge healthcare for all ages, from groundbreaking pediatric research to comprehensive adult care.
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis – This flagship 706-bed facility on an 80-acre campus in East Memphis serves as a major referral center for the Mid-South, offering advanced emergency services with 65,000 annual visits, surgical care including robotic procedures, nationally recognized cardiology through the Baptist Heart Institute with the region's only adult heart transplant and ECMO programs, oncology, maternity via the adjacent Baptist Women's Hospital, and orthopedics, with a strong emphasis on patient-centered care, stroke recovery, and community wellness programs.
https://www.baptistonline.org/locations/memphis
Methodist University Hospital – The largest in the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare system, this 583-bed academic teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center provides comprehensive services including urgent care, neurology, pediatrics through its partnership with Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, and women's health, focusing on innovative treatments, research, and specialized programs in oncology, cardiology, transplants, and stroke care.
https://www.methodisthealth.org/locations/methodist-university-hospital
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – A globally renowned pediatric research and treatment center dedicated to childhood cancer and life-threatening diseases, this 64-bed facility offers unparalleled expertise in oncology, hematology, infectious diseases, and sickle cell disease, with no-cost care for families, pioneering clinical trials, and collaborations that have raised survival rates worldwide, serving as a beacon for pediatric innovation.
https://www.stjude.org/
Baptist Medical Group Primary Care – This extensive network of outpatient centers specializes in family and internal medicine, preventive care, physical therapy, diagnostic imaging, and chronic disease management, helping residents transition from hospital stays to home with personalized wellness plans and same-day appointments.
https://www.primarycarememphis.com/
Regional Clinics and Medical Practices – Memphis and surrounding areas boast numerous primary care offices, urgent care centers like Oak Street Health and Care Memphis Clinic, and specialty clinics affiliated with networks such as Baptist Memorial Health Care and Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, providing accessible preventive, diagnostic, and routine services close to home.
https://www.oakstreethealth.com/locations/memphis-tn
Together, these hospitals and medical facilities ensure Memphis residents have reliable access to advanced healthcare, rapid emergency response, specialized pediatric treatment, and lifelong wellness services that strengthen the health of the entire community.
https://www.baptistonline.org
https://www.methodisthealth.org
https://www.stjude.org
https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/memphis-tn
Memphis, Tennessee, is a dynamic family hub renowned for its commitment to education across all stages. From robust public schools and elite private options to accessible higher education and lifelong learning programs, Memphis cultivates a comprehensive academic ecosystem that nurtures innovation, growth, and achievement for learners of every age.
Public Schools & Education - Memphis is served by the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district, a large system covering PK-12 with over 200 schools focused on academic progress, equity, and holistic student growth. Flagship high schools like East High School deliver rigorous curricula, athletics, and arts in a supportive environment, with an 84.4% graduation rate and strong college readiness through AP participation rates up to 82% at top performers.
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/tennessee/districts/memphis-shelby-county-schools-113060
https://www.publicschoolreview.com/tennessee/memphis-shelby-county-schools-school-district/4700148-school-district
Specialized learning tracks, including STEM initiatives, gifted programs, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and enriched arts and music education, empower students to customize their paths toward personal and professional aspirations.
Private & Alternative Education - Memphis families can choose from diverse private and faith-based schools emphasizing tailored instruction and character building. Lausanne Collegiate School serves PK-12 with an International Baccalaureate curriculum in small classes focused on global perspectives and academic excellence. Nearby options like St. Mary's Episcopal School (PK-12) foster creativity through hands-on, interdisciplinary experiences.
https://www.privateschoolreview.com/tennessee/memphis
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-private-schools/m/memphis-metro-area/
Higher Education Opportunities - At the heart of the region lies the University of Memphis, a public R1 research institution with over 21,000 students offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in fields like business, education, health sciences, engineering, arts, and sciences, with robust research and community engagement. Nearby, Southwest Tennessee Community College provides associate degrees, technical certifications, and continuing education just minutes away. These form a supportive network for degree pursuits, certifications, and career shifts.
https://www.collegesimply.com/colleges-near/tennessee/memphis/
Adult & Lifelong Learning - Memphis champions continuous curiosity via offerings from Memphis-Shelby County Schools' adult education programs, Literacy Mid-South's GED and ESL classes, and regional programs like the University of Memphis's Higher and Adult Education initiatives. These host workshops on digital literacy, ESL, and cultural events. Community venues offer classes in technology, wellness, languages, and finance, while Southwest Tennessee Community College and the University of Memphis provide non-credit certificates, online courses, and professional development for enrichment and advancement.
https://www.literacymidsouth.org/adult-literacy
https://www.scsk12.org/adult_education
Whether you're a parent seeking the ideal match, a teen aiming for higher horizons, or an adult craving new expertise, Memphis's enriching educational fabric empowers victory in every life phase.
https://www.scsk12.org
https://www.memphis.edu
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-private-schools/m/memphis-metro-area/
https://www.southwest.tn.edu
Memphis, Tennessee, is the largest city in Shelby County, operating under a mayor-council form of government for the city and supported by the Shelby County Board of Commissioners (13 elected members) that provide essential countywide services to residents and businesses.
Law Enforcement - Public safety in Memphis is provided by the Memphis Police Department for city residents and the Shelby County Sheriff's Office for unincorporated areas, both emphasizing community-oriented policing, crime prevention, and responsive emergency services to maintain a safe environment for residents, businesses, and visitors.
https://www.memphistn.gov/government/police https://www.shelby-sheriff.org/
Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services - Fire and EMS services are managed by the Memphis Fire Department, which includes over 1,700 professional personnel across 57 stations to provide reliable fire suppression, rescue operations, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical care throughout the city.
https://memphistn.gov/fire/
Weather & Climate - Memphis experiences a humid subtropical climate, with mild, wet winters and hot, humid summers. Average temperatures range from approximately 50°F in January to 91°F in July, supporting year-round outdoor recreation, community events, and seasonal activities.
Transportation & Mobility - Memphis is conveniently located along I-40, I-55, and I-240, providing easy access to regional hubs like Nashville and Little Rock. Public transportation is offered through the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA), connecting residents to local and intercity communities via 47 fixed-route bus lines, paratransit, and three vintage trolley routes across the city and parts of Shelby County. The area is served by Memphis International Airport (MEM) for commercial and cargo flights, with general aviation options at nearby Charles W. Baker Airport.
https://www.matatransit.com/
https://flymemphis.com/
Utilities & Waste Management - Essential services in Memphis are managed by Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW), the nation's largest three-service municipal utility, which oversees electricity (via Tennessee Valley Authority), natural gas, water from the Memphis Sand Aquifer, stormwater management, and sewer services. Waste management, including curbside trash and recycling collection, is handled by the City of Memphis Division of Public Works, promoting sustainability through recycling programs, yard waste processing, and environmental initiatives.
https://www.mlgw.com/
https://www.memphistn.gov/government/publicworks/
Additional sources:
https://www.shelbycountytn.gov
https://www.mlgw.com
https://www.matatransit.com
https://flymemphis.com
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