Top 7 Memphis Neighborhoods to Live

Welcome to Memphis, TN! This city along the mighty Mississippi in western Tennessee is known for its music, food, and culture. While it may be small compared to other major metros, Memphis offers a low cost of living, mild winters, and lots of entertainment.

If you’re considering moving to Memphis, finding the best place to live will help you make the most out of your Tennessee lifestyle. Here are our choices for the best neighborhoods in town.

Downtown Memphis

If you’re looking for an authentic urban living experience, downtown Memphis is the place to be. Wall Street Journal gave the downtown area high marks for its walkable and bikeable lifestyle. Of course, you can’t beat the views of the Mississippi River.

Downtown stays busy with live music and festivals. Cultural attractions like the Rock’n’Roll Museum, Orpheus Theater, and National Civil Rights Museum bring tourists into town. Daytime downtown is what you’d expect of an urban center: business, calm, and quiet. Beale Street Landing is a place to observe the river and to use the only local playground for kids.

At night, it turns into a bustling district with restaurants and bars. Beale Street Entertainment District lights up the strip for music venues and clubs, emphasizing the area’s blues history.

Over 30,000 people live in the downtown area, choosing between townhomes, condos, and single-family residents. Its overall cost of living for a downtown urban area was 14% lower than the national average. Forbes ranked its downtown in the top 10 for affordability. The October 2022 real estate market had 99 homes listed at a median of $369,000.

Midtown Memphis

Midtown’s hip, funky vibe shows this is Memphis’ artistic center. Here you’ll find some of Memphis’s best restaurants, bars, and shops around Overton Square. Many of the city’s cultural attractions, like the Memphis Zoo and the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, draw in visitors and residents.

Overton Park, a 342-acre public park, provides the locals with plenty of recreational amenities. The natural forest area is perfect for hikes and runs, while the dog park (called Overton Bark) provides a safe place to let your furry friend run around. If you want to relax, you can stroll around the lake or sit in one of the many picnic areas. And if you want to stay active, there’s a nine-hole golf course on site.

The eclectic nature of housing is one thing locals like. While walking around the residential area, you’ll find stately, old homes with wrap-around porches and elegant columns. But if you take a few steps down other streets, you’ll likely find worn-down apartments.

The median home price in Midtown was $279,000 in October 2022. Choose from apartments, condos, and single-family homes.

Cooper-Young

This is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Memphis, known for its live music scene, eclectic mix of shops and restaurants, and bohemian vibe. It’s located just south of Midtown and about two miles from downtown Memphis.

The neighborhood is home to many local businesses, including art galleries, antique stores, coffee shops, and more. This street has some of the most pubs, brewhouses, casual restaurants, shops, and more that the town has to offer! The 150-foot Cooper-Young Trestle sculpture is the best way to find your way to Cooper Street if you’re new in town.

Expect lots of activity when you live here. Every first Friday of the month, the Cooper-Young Community Association hosts an Art Crawl where locals can explore the various businesses and enjoy live music. With over 130,000 attendees annually, the Cooper-Young Festival is one of the country’s largest arts and music festivals. With hundreds of artisans showcasing their wares, this event is a must-attend for anyone interested in crafts or culture.

Housing options include apartments and smaller single-family homes, often with historic architecture like craftsman. Prices for homes in October 2022 were a median of $300,000 and ranged from $188,000 to $519,900. There were 31 homes on the market.

East Memphis

East Memphis is the city’s largest neighborhood, and it’s also one of the most affluent. A key indicator of its demographic: the city’s only Whole Foods is in East Memphis. Located outside the “loop,” it’s known for its suburban feel, with tree-lined streets and a quieter atmosphere.

This neighborhood has something for everyone, from shopping at upscale malls to exploring nature trails. Hog & Hominy, one of Memphis’ top-rated restaurants, operates from here. The Shelby Farms Greenline is a 10.8-mile rails-to-trails bicycle and pedestrian path that runs through East Memphis and connects to the 4,500 acres of Shelby Farms Park. Nearby are the Wolf River and the Memphis Botanical Gardens.

East Memphis is commuter-friendly, connecting to I-240 and other major Memphis city roads and Sam Cooper Blvd. The University of Memphis campus is a mile west. Inside the community, it’s easy to get around by bike or foot.

Architecturally, the homes favor mid-century and 1950s-style ranches. You can find various housing options here, from apartments to single-family homes. Neighborhoods include Normandy Meadows, Belle Meade, St. Nick, and Richland. The home prices ranged from $25,000 for a vacant lot to $2.7 million in October 2022.

Germantown

An affluent independent suburb of Memphis, Germantown is one of the most desirable places to live in the Memphis metro. The family-friendly vibe draws people here, as do the excellent public schools and abundance of parks and recreational activities. It was rated the second-safest city in Tennessee based on its low crime rate. Germantown is about 21 miles from downtown Memphis.

This community has a small-town feel, but there’s no shortage of things to do in Germantown. There’s the Shops of Saddle Creek, an outdoor mall with plenty of high-end stores for shopping. Or explore one of the city’s many parks, like Germantown Community Park or Exeter Park. Shelby Farms Park is just a few minutes northeast, and the Wolf River runs along the town’s northern border.

Housing options include apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes. The communities have a reputation for being more upscale in the Memphis area. Prices for homes in October 2022 were a median of $500,000 and ranged from $75,000 to $2.3 million. There were 170 homes on the market.

Cordova

Located east of downtown Memphis, Cordova is a large suburban community with a mix of families and young professionals. It’s about a 20-minute drive from downtown.

This community feels more spacious, being in the northeast part of town, with ample spaces for an outdoor adventure. For nature lovers, there’s the 4,500-acre Shelby Farms Park, one of the largest parks in Memphis. Plus, there’s the 10-mile Shelby Farms Greenline and Bert Ferguson Park for more outdoor recreation. When you need to do some shopping, head to Wolfchase Galleria, one of the largest malls in the Memphis area. Shopping is abundant at Wolfchase Galleria, which has over 120 stores, including name-brand retailers.

Housing options in Cordova include apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes. There were 164 homes on the market. Prices for homes in October 2022 had a median of $315,000 and ranged from $75,000 to $2.6 million.

River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral

Another one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Memphis, the River Oaks area is known for its large houses and tree-lined streets. It’s located east of East Memphis and North of Germantown; the downtown commute is about 25 minutes.

The highly residential region is home to many executives and professionals working in downtown Memphis. It’s also convenient for shopping and dining options in Midtown and East Memphis. Shelby Farms Park is just north of the district, but locals also have the Lichterman Nature Center to get outside and interact with wildlife. Culturally, Opera Memphis is based in this district. Several top private K-12 schools are nearby, including Memphis University School.

Housing options include single-family homes on larger lots compared to the inner city neighborhoods. Prices for homes in October 2022 had a median of $475,000, with River Oaks being more expensive and Balmoral being less expensive. There were 42 homes on the market.

Best Neighborhoods in Memphis

So there you have it! The best neighborhoods in Memphis for different lifestyles. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure or a night out on the town, one of these neighborhoods is sure to have it. No matter what your budget is, there’s sure to be a Memphis neighborhood that’s perfect for you.

If you’re new to Tennessee, check out 12 things you should know about the Volunteer State.