North Mississippi/Memphis suburb advice

[CadaverDawg]

Considering the possibility of moving to the North part of the State but have no idea where the best areas are. Does anybody have any recommendations or info on the best areas to live and raise kids in the North MS/Memphis area? I have a little bit of flexibility with work. Looking for a safe area with good schools, and would love to find a neighborhood that has the golf cart, close knit community feel if possible.... Would be interested in building a house.

Not in a huge hurry but would love to move within the next year or so, even if that means renting while deciding on where to build.

I am pretty familiar with the Jackson Metro area and Hattiesburg area, but just don't have much knowledge of the North half of the State in terms of communities and neighborhoods. I appreciate any insight, advice, recommendations you guys may have. Thanks in advance

 

[Maroonthirteen]

In Desoto county, I recommend Hernando. Great community that has a small town feel but easy access to southaven shopping and Memphis. I really like those subdivisions off of Jaybird.

Lewisburg is a good school and offers more rural living. Belmore lakes is a nice subdivision and is close to all the shopping. But if you want a few acres and a good school, Lewisburg.

If you want more city type living, the Desoto Central school district offers a lot of housing options. Everyone will tell you Hernando or Lewisburg. However Desoto Central is a good school too. There is nice housing around Snowden park and east of getwell all the way to craft.

In Shelby county, I would recommend Collierville and Arlington. Both have very big schools. Bigger than any in Desoto county. Collierville is a little more city. Arlington is a bedroom community but has a Kroger restaurants etc.

 

[msstatelp1]

Lewisburg and Hernando are the hot places at the moment. If schools are a top priority I'd look in the Desoto Central, Lewisburg, and Center Hill areas. Stay away from Horn Lake as it's older and more run down.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

If you look in Desoto County and are deciding by schools then it’s whatever is in the Lewisburg, Hernando, and Desoto Central school zones.

Hernando still has somewhat of a “small town” feel to it for living. Lewisburg is the up and coming area with tons of new housing and I’m sure more retail will be heading that way. Desoto Central/Southaven Area is already established with tons of retail and restaurants and a great park system.

Taxes are the highest for Southaven and much of Lewisburg is about to be gobbled up by Olive Branch. Hernando taxes are not terrible yet. I guess we will see what happens with local economies and COVID soon.

 

[hatfieldms]

We live in Germantown and love it. Great schools and great neighborhoods to raise a family

 

[TrueMaroonGrind]

Considering the possibility of moving to the North part of the State but have no idea where the best areas are. Does anybody have any recommendations or info on the best areas to live and raise kids in the North MS/Memphis area? I have a little bit of flexibility with work. Looking for a safe area with good schools, and would love to find a neighborhood that has the golf cart, close knit community feel if possible.... Would be interested in building a house.

Not in a huge hurry but would love to move within the next year or so, even if that means renting while deciding on where to build.

I am pretty familiar with the Jackson Metro area and Hattiesburg area, but just don't have much knowledge of the North half of the State in terms of communities and neighborhoods. I appreciate any insight, advice, recommendations you guys may have. Thanks in advance

Desoto county has pretty solid schools all around. Top areas are Hernando, Desoto Central, Center Hill and Lewisburg. Don’t know what your budget is, but building and land are pretty nuts right now. PM if you are interested in land. I can give you details about some in my area.

Shelby County it depends on how rural an area you want. Collierville and Germantown are nice but more of a city feel. Arlington is nice as well.

 

[kired]

We moved to Tupelo few years after college (late 2006) & love it. My neighborhood fits the bill if you’re looking for a place to ride golf carts around, and want access to a golf course. Feel free to pm me. No houses for sale at the moment that I know of but there are normally 6-10 that sell each year.

It’s obviously not as close to Memphis as the Desoto towns, but not too far (I assume about 1:45 to get downtown from my house). We are about 1:15 to Starkville which is nice for game days... if sports ever start back.

We love the public schools here. Some don’t - and there’s a private Christian school they send their kids to. We moved recently and that was the primary requirement- new house had to be in the city school district.

If you can get past living near Ole Miss, I know a lot of people who love Oxford. There are a handful of smaller towns that some people like (<10,000 population—New Albany, Booneville)

 

[Seinfeld]

I spent about 25 years in the Memphis area, and it’s always interesting to me how practically no one (including myself)ever recommends moving inside the city limits. However, we’ve had two separate sets of friends sell houses during the last month, and both were gone within 4-5 days.

Memphis will always have a place in my heart, but for the life of me, I’ll never understand the seemingly undying demand for being inside the city. If we ever moved back to the area, we’d be in Collierville, Germantown, or Hernando

 

[Phil Wenneck.sixpack]

I'm in Hernando and like it alot. Still a small town feel even though it's

grown considerably in recent years. Many businesses are still locally owned. Way more local restaurants than the surrounding towns. Not that restaurants are a deciding factor but it gives you an idea of the small town vibe. Put it this way, I work in Germantown and I'm willing to make the drive and pay state income taxes as opposed to moving.

 

[PBRME]

In Desoto I’d recommend staying south of Church Rd and anywhere outside of Hernando stay East of Getwell. It’s a much quieter area, but still has subdivisions if you want to go that route. The closer you are to Getwell and Church the busier it gets. Easy access to I69, I55, and US78.

The area around Snowden Grove is about to boom. So if you’re wanting to live in the busier part of the county then look around Church Rd between Getwell and Pleasant Hill.

 

[jethreauxdawg]

I live inside the loop. There are numerous very good schools, almost all of them are not covered by your tax dollars.
I’d recommend Bartlett/Arlington area and Germantown/Collierville area. Both seem to be good, growing areas. You’ll get more house for your money in Bartlett. Bartlett and Germantown are kind of the buffer protecting Arlington and Collierville from Memphis crime. Both areas vigorously enforce traffic laws, which helps deter crime.
Not sure about Germantown but I know there are a few golf cart friendly neighborhoods in Bartlett. Hung out at a friends house in Bartlett on the 4th, golf carts everywhere.

 

[L4Dawg]

If you aren't set on the Memphis area I'd second the Tupelo area. It's close enough to MSU you can do weeknight games if you want. It's also booming with Toyota and its supply chain plus a lot of other stuff. There is most of the shopping you would want and the restaurant scene is getting better all the time. That's provided COVID doesn't kill those two off. I can't speak to the schools, I live in the orbit but not in Lee County. Tupelo is essentially the regional capitol of North East Mississippi. It's population is around 35k but it's estimated that there are around 130k there on your average workday. it has the kind things you would expect with a much bigger town. The Saltillo/Guntown/Baldwin area on the north side of Tupelo is booming. New Albany has a really cool downtown for a smaller town.

 

[desotodawg]

I lived in OB for a few years after moving back from New Hampshire. Ultimately we settled into Collierville around 2001. Great community and schools. Old Historic town square with great shops and restaurants. Lots of new neighborhoods going up.
PM me if you want to know more.

 

[Xenomorph]

Unless you need any semblance of a modern airport. Few things suck more in life than leaving home 3-4 hours before your scheduled flight.

 

[Car Ramrod.sixpack]

I don't know why there is no love for the Center Hill area of Olive Branch. You are just outside of the OB city limits but directly south of Germantown and Collerville. The taxes are lower and the schools are in the top tier of the state. At the moment the housing market is slightly lower than Lewisburg but will catch up very soon. There are several smaller subdivisions and one larger one in first phase of construction. 269 is just around the corner making travel to hernando / I55 and the east side of memphis a lot easier. Also access to 78 / I22 is not a problem and makes trips to Starkville a breeze.

Just pay attention to the land grab annexation OB tried last year. Lewisberg and some areas of the Center Hill were included in this annexation.

 

[Drebin]

I don't know why there is no love for the Center Hill area of Olive Branch. You are just outside of the OB city limits but directly south of Germantown and Collerville. The taxes are lower and the schools are in the top tier of the state. At the moment the housing market is slightly lower than Lewisburg but will catch up very soon. There are several smaller subdivisions and one larger one in first phase of construction. 269 is just around the corner making travel to hernando / I55 and the east side of memphis a lot easier. Also access to 78 / I22 is not a problem and makes trips to Starkville a breeze.

Just pay attention to the land grab annexation the OB tried last year. Lewisberg and some areas of the Center Hill were included in this annexation.

Center Hill is nice too. Lewisburg is probably the best place to be in the county right now. Hernando is nice too.

Great point on the annexation drama. There's another meeting on that coming up later this month. I bet Olive Branch was glad they hadn't annexed Lewisburg yet when that tornado came through in January.

 

[hatfieldms]

I don’t know what the laws are on golf carts but they are all over our neighborhood in Germantown

 

[xxxWalkTheDawg]

If you aren't set on the Memphis area I'd second the Tupelo area. It's close enough to MSU you can do weeknight games if you want. It's also booming with Toyota and its supply chain plus a lot of other stuff. There is most of the shopping you would want and the restaurant scene is getting better all the time. That's provided COVID doesn't kill those two off. I can't speak to the schools, I live in the orbit but not in Lee County. Tupelo is essentially the regional capitol of North East Mississippi. It's population is around 35k but it's estimated that there are around 130k there on your average workday. it has the kind things you would expect with a much bigger town. The Saltillo/Guntown/Baldwin area on the north side of Tupelo is booming. New Albany has a really cool downtown for a smaller town.

its realistically one of the two. Desoto County area or Tupelo-Lee county area.

It all depends on what you think is important. If you want to be near a metropolitan area, it’s Desoto County. The farther south you go the more rural it gets. And that’s not a bad thing. You want a city feel, close to entertainment, but a nice area? Find something close to Snowden Grove In Southaven. Or Church Road in Olive Branch Branch - Southaven Area.

Need to be close to Memphis area but want more open space? Lewisburg, Nesbit, or Hernando Area.

Would rather be near a smaller city that has anything you need and an Airport that can have you In Nashville in a half hour on the cheap? Tupelo and North Tupelo area is for you. Lee County Schools are better schools than Tupelo. Saltillo is a good area right up against of Tupelo, Guntown is a lil farther away but still close. Baldwyn is again farther away. Depends on how much room you want.

But absolutely don’t write off Corinth. It’s near Pickwick for boating, has very decent schools, good Neighborhoods, short drive to Memphis. Has a pretty good medical park, and again had everything you need.

 

[Maroonthirteen]

I spent about 25 years in the Memphis area, and it’s always interesting to me how practically no one (including myself)ever recommends moving inside the city limits. However, we’ve had two separate sets of friends sell houses during the last month, and both were gone within 4-5 days.

Memphis will always have a place in my heart, but for the life of me, I’ll never understand the seemingly undying demand for being inside the city. If we ever moved back to the area, we’d be in Collierville, Germantown, or Hernando

When i was young and single, I moved to Cordova first thing. If I had it to do all over again, I would have moved to downtown/midtown to experience that night life and etc. HOwever, with kids....i felt paying income tax was cheaper than private school tuition.

 

[mstateglfr]

I don’t know what the laws are on golf carts but they are all over our neighborhood in Germantown

For what? Are people walking their dogs Croom-style or something? They cant really be driving golf carts on roads to buy groceries or grab takeout, right?

 

[Nunya.sixpack]

Advice?

Dont.

 

[rem101]

For what? Are people walking their dogs Croom-style or something? They cant really be driving golf carts on roads to buy groceries or grab takeout, right?

Not that area, but golf cart related - Ocean Springs is booming with golf carts. And yes, people take them to dinner/bar/grocery store all the time. People ride them all over downtown/beach area, and some further out than that in neighborhoods. Obviously not on highway, but any road 30mph and under you are able to ride them. Just have to be registered with city, street legal and abide by traffic laws. There's even a golf cart rental business downtown and you see them out on the roads non-stop.

 

[Ingomardawg]

If you don’t have to have access daily to Memphis, Tupelo is great. Wonderful community, good schools, fine doctors and hospital, $29 flights to Nashville, growing restaurant scene, and much more. And - close to MSU.

when we moved back from CO two years ago we did a lot of research and it checked all our boxes.

we live in The Villages, a 55+ community. However only one of the 5 villages is exclusively for old folks. Lots of kids around. Probably 90% of the residents own golf carts. We have a great pool and 2 well - stocked lakes.

if I can help PM me.

 

[dawgdoug1962]

Been in Desoto County for 80 years...grew up on a farm on Church Road west of I-55. Been a home owner in Hernando since 1967. To me the most attractive location would be east of Hernando toward Lewisburg....Lewisburg has top rated school....easy access to I-269 and then west to I-55 or east to I-22 (former Hwy 78)

 

[hatfieldms]

No. Just to get around the neighborhoods. Going to friends houses, up to the baseball/football fields, etc...

 

[mstateglfr]

Not that area, but golf cart related - Ocean Springs is booming with golf carts. And yes, people take them to dinner/bar/grocery store all the time. People ride them all over downtown/beach area, and some further out than that in neighborhoods. Obviously not on highway, but any road 30mph and under you are able to ride them. Just have to be registered with city, street legal and abide by traffic laws. There's even a golf cart rental business downtown and you see them out on the roads non-stop.

I can totally see this for a vacation resort town and/or beach town. For some reason though, a Memphis suburb seems odd for heavy golf cart use in every day life. I wouldnt want to use one in my suburb as it would just be slower to get everywhere.

For vacations in a beach town though?...yeah they are great because I dont have a bunch of **** to do and I have all the time in the world. We vacationed on Ambergris Caye in Belize a couple summers ago and except for old *** Toyota minivans used as taxis, every vehicle on the island was a golf cart. Totally makes sense, given the limited roads, tight roads, and not having to get to places quickly.

 

[mstateglfr]

No. Just to get around the neighborhoods. Going to friends houses, up to the baseball/football fields, etc...

huh. pretty bitchin set-up.

 

[HWY51dog]

Sent you a PM. I'm an agent here, happy to answer any questions.

 

[johnson86-1]

I can totally see this for a vacation resort town and/or beach town. For some reason though, a Memphis suburb seems odd for heavy golf cart use in every day life. I wouldnt want to use one in my suburb as it would just be slower to get everywhere.

For vacations in a beach town though?...yeah they are great because I dont have a bunch of **** to do and I have all the time in the world. We vacationed on Ambergris Caye in Belize a couple summers ago and except for old *** Toyota minivans used as taxis, every vehicle on the island was a golf cart. Totally makes sense, given the limited roads, tight roads, and not having to get to places quickly.

It's amazing how much more likely people are to get out and about in the neighborhood with a golf cart rather than a car or on foot. We're apparently too fat and lazy to walk further than down the street, but also embarrassed to get in a car and drive three blocks, but a golf cart ride is fine. If there's nothing going on, people just hop on and ride and talk to people they see, and then that often ends up stopping in for a drink and hanging out. Something seems messed up about that but I'm not really sure what it is.

 

[1msucub]

Hernando sucks. Stay away. Far, far away. Tell a friend.**

**I may or may not live in Hernando and may or may not be sick of the traffic

 

[Car Ramrod.sixpack]

Hernando sucks. Stay away. Far, far away. Tell a friend.**

**I may or may not live in Hernando and may or may not be sick of the traffic

Glad I'm not the only one that is not a fan of Hernando.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

I live in that general area between 305 and Craft along College. They are building houses all over this area. With that addition of I-269 it will only continue to explode. They are maintaining larger homes and lots for the most part in this area. There is still land you can get and build on. You will either be in Central or Lewisburg schools in this area which rank the highest in the state.

The recent tornado did touch down in this area and we also had one about 10 years ago on almost the same track, so it could be tornado alley for Mississippi.

 

[CadaverDawg]

Man this thread turned out extremely helpful, thanks to all. I had never really even heard of Lewisburg but it seems to be a hot spot among others. Will definitely take these recommendations into consideration. Thanks again.

 

[RocketDawg]

Will the name osf Hernando and de Soto be under fire and have to be changed too? I don't remember how he treated the natives during his explorations, but I'm guessing not well since he was a Spanish conquistador. It's been a long time since I learned those things in elementary school.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

There’s about a dozen in our neighborhood.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Hernando’s infrastructure sucks. No question. The city outgrew its roads and they don’t have the ability to fix it now. When the McIngvale exit opens off of 269 next spring that will help some.

 

[Drebin]

Bruce, you and I are practically neighbors.

 

[TrueMaroonGrind]

I spent about 25 years in the Memphis area, and it’s always interesting to me how practically no one (including myself)ever recommends moving inside the city limits. However, we’ve had two separate sets of friends sell houses during the last month, and both were gone within 4-5 days.

Memphis will always have a place in my heart, but for the life of me, I’ll never understand the seemingly undying demand for being inside the city. If we ever moved back to the area, we’d be in Collierville, Germantown, or Hernando

He did add the two qualifiers of kids and golf cart. That pretty much rules out everything in Memphis. If he hadn’t mentioned the kids or golf cart I would have recommended a few areas in Memphis.

 

[My Bru]

It's amazing how much more likely people are to get out and about in the neighborhood with a golf cart rather than a car or on foot. We're apparently too fat and lazy to walk further than down the street, but also embarrassed to get in a car and drive three blocks, but a golf cart ride is fine. If there's nothing going on, people just hop on and ride and talk to people they see, and then that often ends up stopping in for a drink and hanging out. Something seems messed up about that but I'm not really sure what it is.

Yeah this golf cart trend is kinda troubling. Definitely in line with Yeti coolers and such.