Are you moving to Memphis or just relocating within the area? The Bluff City is home to dozens of beautiful, historic, and exciting neighborhoods whether you’re looking for a great place to retire or you want to be close to the action. What are the best areas to live in Memphis? Find out in this complete guide to the top Memphis neighborhoods for young professionals, families, retirees, and more.
River Oaks – One of the Safest Neighborhoods in Memphis
River Oaks is one of the nicest neighborhoods in Memphis if you value safety and want a quiet, established community. Part of the larger River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral area with more than 42,000 residents, the smaller River Oaks area is home to some of the most exclusive subdivisions.
Looking for gated neighborhoods in Memphis? You’ll find three sections of River Oaks: The Cloisters with more than 60 new homes, the Gardens with large, wooded lots, and Chartwell of River Oaks with large, beautiful estate homes.
The neighborhood offers plenty of amenities for families and retirees. On the north end, it borders the large Shelby Farms Park with over 4,500 acres of fishing, kayaking, trails, dining, and community activities.
Planning to rent in one of the best neighborhoods in Memphis? It’s one of the most expensive areas of Memphis with average rent of $1,550. The average home price in River Oaks is $600,000.
If safety is your top priority, check our guide to the safest neighborhoods in Memphis for more information! Our guide to the Memphis crime rate also offers helpful insight into the best and worst neighborhoods in Memphis for crime.
Cordova – One of the Best Memphis Neighborhoods for Families
Home to the Memphis School of Excellence, Cordova seemingly has it all: low crime, shopping centers, established neighborhoods with large lots, and family-friendly attractions. Located next to Shelby Farms Park, Cordova is one of the best parts of Memphis for families and outdoor enthusiasts. It boasts attractions like the Cordova Skating Center and the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park so families always have something to do on the weekend.
Most of Cordova was annexed by Memphis, but some of it remained in unincorporated Shelby County for decades. In 2021, however, South Cordova and other areas of the community were de-annexed. There are benefits to living in the suburbs of Memphis just outside the city limits, though, including lower property taxes.
Read our complete guide to living in Cordova, Memphis to see why you’ll love this beautiful neighborhood!
Cooper-Young – Fun Memphis Neighborhood with a Large LGBTQ Community & Arts Scene
One of the most unique and diverse neighborhoods in Memphis, Cooper-Young is popular with young professionals, singles, and families thanks to its perfect location, great amenities, and young population.
Known for its iconic Cooper-Young Trestle sculpture, Cooper Street running through the neighborhood boasts tons of restaurants, brewhouses, and small boutiques. The community is home to the famous Phillip Ashley Chocolates and hosts the annual Cooper-Young Festival, one of the most anticipated annual events in the city.
Mostly a residential community of artists, LGBTQ residents, and young families, Cooper-Young is known for its charming 1920s bungalow homes. It’s been named one of the Top 10 Neighborhoods in America.
East Memphis – Affluent & Safe East Memphis Neighborhoods Offer Shopping & Quiet Residential Areas
Some of the best neighborhoods in Memphis, TN for families and retirees are located in East Memphis. The area is a mix of upscale shopping, dining, and commercial areas and 1950s ranch homes. Known for its affluence, East Memphis is home to the city’s only Whole Foods and some of the top-rated restaurants as well as the University of Memphis, the Memphis Botanic Garden, and the Children’s Museum of Memphis. You’ll enjoy convenient shopping at the Oak Court Mall, Laurelwood Shopping Center, and Eastgate Shopping Center.
East Memphis is the nicest part of Memphis to enjoy open, green spaces and the feel of a big city. One of the neighborhood’s most overlooked gems is the Shelby Farms Greenline that runs through the urban center to Shelby Farms Park, one of the largest urban parks in the nation!
South Main – The Southside Arts District, a Hip Memphis Neighborhood Next to Beale Street
Known as the South Main Arts District, South Main is one of the best areas to live in Memphis for Beale Street excitement and nightlife. The neighborhood is just one square mile and a block south of Beale Street. It was the first arts district and first Memphis suburb and where rock and roll was first played on the radio! Today, South Main is rapidly transforming thanks to new developments that are bringing shopping, restaurants, attractions, and upscale apartments. It remains popular with artists and musicians with galleries, boutiques, and locally owned restaurants to explore.
You’ll fall in love with the sense of community and never run out of things to do. The South Main street festival happens once a month with live music on Main Street! Hop on the Main Street Trolley for a night on the town, visit the nearby Tom Lee Park and take in Mississippi River views, or catch a performance at the famous Orpheum Theatre, all within two blocks. Just be prepared for the high cost of living in this Memphis neighborhood with studio apartments at the best buildings starting at $1,200 and rent topping $2,500 for larger homes!
Evergreen – Historic Midtown, Memphis Neighborhood for Young Professionals
Midtown is one of the best parts of Memphis for young professionals and millennials. With a central location, it offers an easy commute to the Medical District, downtown, and the University of Memphis with a wide range of housing options.
Looking for historic charm and a quiet, single-family neighborhood in the area? The Evergreen Historic District is an exciting place to live. It has one of the largest collections of early 20th century homes in the region and includes about 1,400 homes over 53 square miles. There are always community events happening in one of the best neighborhoods in Memphis, TN, and you’ll love living right next to Overton Park and the zoo!
Southwind – Prestigious Gated Community in Southeast Memphis
Southwind is a gated community in an unincorporated area. Considered one of the most prestigious rich neighborhoods in Memphis, Southwind is just south of Germantown, frequently ranked among the top Memphis suburbs. You can expect to pay between $300,000 to more than $2 million for a home in this exclusive community. It’s also one of the most expensive Memphis neighborhoods for renters with average rent of $1,500.
What makes Southwind the city’s best gated community? It’s home to TPC Southwind, an award-winning private championship golf course. Not a golfer? Many families belong to Windyke Country Club, a family-oriented country club with social activities, tennis, swimming, fishing, and dining. It also boasts three private golf courses.
High Point Terrace – Historic, Walkable Neighborhood in East Memphis
Looking for Memphis neighborhoods close to amenities and attractions? High Point Terrace is a great place to settle down! The community is one of the best neighborhoods in Memphis for families and millennials looking for plenty of space and walkability.
High Point Terrace is close to the Memphis Zoo, children’s museum, history museum, and the Memphis Botanic Garden as well as the University of Memphis.
Living in High Point often comes at a price with one of the highest prices per square foot in the city. You’ll pay about $218/sq ft with a median home price of $280,000. However, there are several apartments in the area if you aren’t interested in home maintenance and caring for a yard. The Grove at Hedgemoor is a popular choice!
The Edge | One of the Best Memphis Neighborhoods for Young Professionals Between Downtown and Midtown
The Edge Memphis is one of the smallest neighborhoods in Memphis and easy to overlook – but that would be a mistake! Located immediately east of downtown, the Edge was once a busy commercial and industrial sector but sat mostly abandoned for years. Over the last five years, however, it has been the focus on significant revitalization.
The Edge boasts an ideal location for young professionals and anyone in the education or medical fields. You’ll enjoy an easy commute to any of these destinations surrounding the neighborhood:
- Downtown
- Midtown
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital/ALSAC
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Southwest Tennessee Community College
- Baptist College of Health Sciences
- Memphis Bioworks Foundation
- Regional One Health
- Southern College of Optometry
- Southwest Tennessee Community College
- Methodist/Le Bonheur Healthcare
These titans came together to form the Memphis Medical District Collaboration of “eds and meds” who have focused on revitalizing the Edge.
Today, the Edge is one of the best places to live, work, and play in Memphis with great local hangouts, breweries, restaurants, lounges, live music venues, night clubs, murals, and more to explore within walking distance.
Memphis Neighborhood Map
Does one of these great Memphis neighborhoods sound perfect for you? Once you’ve settled on a new community, give us a call at Big League Movers. We’re the #1 Memphis moving company ready to help!
