Almost anywhere other than Memphis would be a good place to rent for a year while you acclimatize, explore, and decide where you'd best fit in long term. Bartlett wasn't mentioned, but it's in the Lakeland/Arlington direction, and will likely have more rental options.
When you're settling on a permanent place, add Memphis "reserve" to the list of places to avoid. Most of unincorporated Shelby County is designated as "reserve" for one of the incorporated cities within the county. (Memphis, Millington, Bartlett, Lakeland, Arlington, Germantown, and Collierville). Unincorporated areas which are very nice tend to decline rapidly when annexed by Memphis, and by tend to I mean always have. Any of the other city reserves should be OK.
If you're looking for good things here, you'll find them. Conversely, if you look for the bad, you'll find it. There are plenty of things to keep a young family busy. Welcome! Enjoy.
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