Are you looking for a new city to call home? If you’re serious about your BBQ, your blues, and your bible, it really is a no-brainer. But assuming you’re not, there are many other reasons to move to Memphis! It is as enjoyable as it is affordable, and has great weather to boot! Before you start to plan a long distance move elsewhere, let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons living in Memphis is a whole lot of awesome.
Cost of Living
One of the top reasons to move to Memphis is its low cost of living. Almost everything, from groceries to utilities through education and recreation, is considerably cheaper in Memphis and well below the national average. The real whopper, however, is Memphis housing, which is a staggering 35% lower than the national average. In addition, Tennessee doesn’t have a state income tax, which means you get to keep more of what you earn.
Great Job Opportunities
Speaking of earnings, Memphis is home to some of the best companies you could work for. Fortune 500 company FedEx is the city’s top job provider, employing over 30,000 Memphians. The company was included in Forbes Magazine’s recent list of best companies to work for, along with Nike, law firm Baker-Donelson, First Horizon, St. Jude and Medtronic. The city is also home to Fortune 500 companies AutoZone and International Paper Co.
It’s Fun!
As soon as you move to Memphis you can forget about ever being bored again. The city is simply buzzing with fun things to do, especially for those enamored with music and the arts.
- One mustn’t miss Memphis institution is the National Civil Rights Museum, located in the Lorraine motel where Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4th, 1968. The museum tells the story of the human rights movement using artifacts, films, oral histories and interactive media. Visitors can also see Dr. King’s motel room, where he spent the final hours of his life.
- You don’t have to be a fan of the King to visit Graceland, Elvis Presley’s mansion-turned-museum, where you can see the famous jungle room, his impressive car collection, and his prized planes, as well as pay your respects at his gravesite.
- Devout music lovers will not want to miss a visit to Sun Studio, the Rock ’n’ Soul Museum and the Star Museum of American Soul Music, which celebrate the unique music which emerged from the area.
- Many of the fun things you can do around the city are free too- simply hanging out on Beale Street is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening, especially on Wednesdays which are traditionally Bike Night.
- The University of Memphis’ Museum of Art is always free, and you can enjoy a variety of displays, from ancient artifacts to contemporary art.
- You can also pick up some new dance moves for free if you head downtown to the Rumba Room on a Friday when they have free dance classes with professional instructors.
- Even the Memphis Zoo, which is considered one of the nation’s finest, is free on Tuesdays.
- Street art is everywhere- visit the six “I love Memphis” murals created in recent years around town, or simply walk down South Main St. to enjoy a collection of sculptures and murals.
- And make sure your relatives plan their visits to the month of May when the city goes all out for four festive events, including the Beale Street Music Festival and the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (the biggest pork BBQ contest in the world!).
The Weather
Unlike some American cities, Memphis gives its residents a real taste of the four seasons. Summers are hot and sticky with temperatures rising into the 90’s while winters are chilly and wet, though relatively short. Spring is beautiful and mildly warm with April being typically rainy but not cold. From May on the sun is usually out, just in time for the city’s annual festivities. Autumn is mostly dry and warm, with lots of sales, deals and discounts (okay, that may not have much to do with the weather but who doesn’t like a nice deal?)
Movers in Memphis are awaiting your call!
