According to Yahoo, U.S. News and World Report has included the “Home of the Blues” on its 2025 “best places to live in America” list. The publication noted and praised the rich history, historic districts, thriving music scene, and best neighborhoods in Memphis. The city also scored high for its affordable cost of living, given that rents, mortgages, services, and food costs here are significantly lower than the U.S. average and in other metro areas.
So, if you’re considering moving from your old place to a new home in Memphis, TN, your next step should be to decide which new neighborhood to live in.
Our team at We Buy Houses Memphis put together this guide on finding and choosing among the top neighborhoods in Memphis, so please read on.
Decide Which Factors Matter Most to You
Establishing your needs and preferences is one of the most crucial steps to finding the best neighborhoods in Memphis, whether you’re looking to rent or sell your current house and buy a new one. Remember: The “best” neighborhood is subjective and depends on personal factors, such as whether you’re single or moving with your entire family.
So, consider the following variables to help you create a shortlist of the most ideal neighborhoods for you and, if applicable, your other household members.
Proximity to Your Workplace
According to the latest figures from DataUSA.io, most Memphis residents drove to work, with the commute time averaging 21.3 minutes. However, if you choose a new neighborhood far from your workplace, you could face much longer drive or commute times. So, ideally, you should consider how close your new prospective neighborhood will be to where you work.
Nearness to Amenities and Schools
The amenities you prefer and prioritize depend on your household’s structure, as single-member households usually have varying needs and wants from families with children. For example, if you’re single, you may desire a neighborhood that’s near the following:
- Shopping centers
- Dining establishments
- Parks and green spaces
- Healthcare and wellness facilities
- Public transportation
However, if you have kids (or plan to have one or more), you’d likely want your neighborhood to be close to all of the above, plus well-rated educational institutions.
Crime and Safety Rates
If you do a quick Google search of Memphis’s crime and safety rates, you’ll see reports saying they’re higher than the countrywide average.
But there’s still some recent good news. According to the city government’s 2024 Crime Report and Public Safety Update, the total crime rate in Memphis has dipped by 13%. Motor vehicle theft rates are down by 39%, while homicide rates have decreased by 30%.
All those lower figures are welcome news, but always remember that some neighborhoods are safer and more peaceful than others. For this reason, conducting a more comprehensive review of safe, secure, and family-friendly Memphis areas is imperative, especially if you have kids to worry about.
Lifestyle Preferences
You should also consider personal and lifestyle preferences when establishing what you want from your new neighborhood. Ask yourself whether you prefer a:
- Vibrant urban area
- Quieter suburban feel
- Historic neighborhood with a strong sense of community
Research Recommendations Regarding the Best Neighborhoods in Memphis
Once you’ve established the above factors, the next step is to expand your knowledge of Memphis real estate trends, especially highly-recommended neighborhoods. You can then cross-check each area’s qualities and characteristics with your list of needs and preferences.
To help you get started, we’ve created a brief overview of some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods.
Central Gardens
Central Gardens, located in the Midtown area, is a charming, tree-lined neighborhood well known for its historic homes, such as the Schwartz Haüs, Crump Home, and Ashlar Hall. Here, you’ll find houses with varying characteristics, from cozy Craftsman bungalows to grander, more luxurious Victorian mansions.
According to NextDoor.com, Central Gardens is highly walkable and among the friendliest neighborhoods in Memphis, TN. Children can also walk to one of the two highly ranked schools serving the area: Idlewild Elementary School and Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School. Residents can also stroll around the neighborhood and the nearby attractions, including:
- Overton Park
- Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
- The Memphis Zoo
- The Children’s Museum of Memphis
- Overton Square
Harbor Town
Have you always wanted to live somewhere in Memphis with stunning views of the Mississippi River and quick, convenient access to the Downtown area? If so, consider Harbor Town, situated on Mud Island. The neighborhood is ideal for young professionals or families commuting into the city.
Harbor Town may be smaller than many other sprawling Memphis neighborhoods, but it still offers many apartment complexes and single-family homes. It’s also big enough to house Greenbelt Park, a pet-friendly green space with a dog park, and among the city’s 150+ parks overseen and managed by Memphis Parks.
Germantown
Germantown, one of the up-and-coming Memphis suburbs, is a charming neighborhood near Interstate 240. Thanks to its convenient location, it’s becoming a prized residential area for professionals who work in the Downtown area and students who commute to the University of Memphis. For families with younger children, know that the area boasts a fantastic public school system and a good safety rating.
Cordova
Located in East Memphis, the suburban neighborhood of Cordova boasts several famous attractions, from the massive Shelby Farms Park to the historic Cordova Train Station. The area offers residents and visitors alike numerous recreational, social, and physical activity opportunities, including:
- Lakefront dining
- Shopping
- Nature trails
Cordova has various housing options, from single-family homes to modern townhouses and apartment complexes.
Cooper Young
Cooper Young is among the more affordable Memphis neighborhoods and is one of the city’s most art-focused and lively areas. It’s home to establishments like the Jay Etkin Gallery, the New Ballet Ensemble, and Playhouse on the Square. It sits south of Central Gardens, offering a blend of:
- Eclectic shops
- Delicious dining
- Fantastic bars and pubs
- All things music, arts, and crafts
Given its unique characteristics, Cooper Young charms and calls out to young professionals, students, and artsy folks.
Factor in Your Budget
The next Memphis neighborhood you’ll choose to live in will largely hinge on your budget, whether moving to a new rental or buying a house. So, when researching and comparing prospective neighborhoods, find out how much their typical rents or average/median home prices are. What you learn can help you establish a budget range and threshold.
Here are some other budget-related tips to help you during the move or transition.
For Renters: Look for Tenant Incentive Programs
If you plan to move to another rental in your new Memphis neighborhood, don’t base your choice solely on the monthly fee. Instead, consider properties with higher rental rates on the surface, but may cost less in the long term due to fantastic incentive programs.
Many landlords now offer various financial perks to attract long-term tenants, such as discounted rates for leases of at least 12 months. Others may allow you to lock in the monthly rental rate if you take out a long-term lease, meaning you won’t have to worry about rent increases while the contract is still in place. Freebies, like complimentary Wi-Fi or internet connection, are also typical inclusions in tenant incentive programs.
For Buyers: Find Out How Much Your Current House Is Worth
First, get an accurate analysis and fair offer on your Memphis house. It can help you plan your moving and buying budget.
Knowing how much you can get from your old house can help determine if it’ll be enough to cover the costs of buying a new home. Even if it’s not, you’ll at least know how much the deficit is and how much mortgage you’d need to take out.
If you need or want to sell your current house and move to a new neighborhood as soon as possible, our company, We Buy Houses Memphis, can help. We’re your local, reputable team of real estate investors who buy Memphis houses for cash. We can give you a fair cash offer within 24 hours of seeing your property and speaking with you, and, if you decide to sell to us, we can close within a matter of days.
At We Buy Houses Memphis, we make fair cash offers regardless of the property’s condition. So, whether your home is in tip-top condition or disrepair, worry not: we’ll most likely be able to take it off your hands. To top it off, you don’t have to do anything; we buy properties throughout the city in as-is condition.
Enjoy Living in Your New Memphis Neighborhood
From deciding which factors are most crucial to you (and your family) to familiarizing yourself with the most recommended areas and considering your budget, these strategies can help you find and choose among the best neighborhoods in Memphis. So, as early as today, implement our tips and tactics. The sooner you do, the sooner you can decide which part of the Grind City is most ideal for you and your household to move to.
And remember: If you need to sell your current house, We Buy Houses Memphis is happy to help. We’re an A+-rated, BBB-accredited company trusted by over a million homeowners. We look forward to helping you sell your home quickly so you can move to your new dream neighborhood soon.
Call us today for your fair, non-obligatory cash offer!
