Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. It’s the largest city on the Mississippi River with a population of 655,155 (2012). Because of its location, Memphis has become a national transportation hub with barge traffic, major interstate highways that cross through the city, and several freight railroads that serve the city. Memphis has many historic sites, parks and museums. During the 1960s, the city was at the center of civil rights issues, and will always be remembered as the town where the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. happened in 1968, the day after giving his prophetic I've Been To The Mountaintop speech. The city is also home to several well-known musicians. Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presly, is the most visted house in America, second only to the White House. In 2012, Forbes Magazine ranked Memphis as one of the top 15 cities in the United States with an emerging downtown area.
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The median sale price of a home in Memphis TN-MS-AR area was $232,900 in the third quarter of 2020, a 19% increase from the 3rd quarter of 2019, according to the National Association of Realtors
What is special about Memphis
Memphis is the largest city on the Mississippi River and is hub to many companies; Memphis has many places of interest and cultural events that celebrate it's history from civil rights to music. The former home of Elvis Presley, Graceland, is a major tourist attraction.
What is not special about Memphis
Memphis does have a high crime rate.
Who will like retirement in Memphis
Retirees who want a large city full of history and music would like it here.
Local economy is driven by
Due to its location on the Mississippi River, Memphis is a major shipping hub with barge traffic, interstate traffic, and railroad freight; The city is home to several Fortune 500 companies and other major corporations; Graceland attracts over 600,000 tourists a year.
Climate and Physical Environment
Memphis experiences all four seasons; January's average temperature is 41 degrees and July's average is 82 degrees; Annual precipitation is high at 53 inches, but is evenly distributed throughout the year with August through October the driest period.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Memphis is well known for its cultural contributions to the identity of the American South. It is the home of music legends of various American music genres, including blues, gospel, and country music. Many renowned musicians grew up in and around Memphis but moved from the Mississippi Delta. These included such musical greats as Elivis Presley, BB King, Johnny Cash and Justin Timberlake. Beale Street is a national historical landmark, and shows the impact Memphis has had on American Blues. Through out the year, Memphis hosts many festivals. One of the largest is "Memphis in May". This month-long series of events promotes the heritage of Memphis.
Crime
Memphis does have a high crime rate when compared to the national average.
Medical facilities
Baptist Memorial Hospital, Delta Medical Center and Memphis VA Medical Center
Transportation
Memphis International Airport; Amtrak services Memphis; The city is considered very walkable.
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