propilot

That about sums it all up. I used to commute. Land around 2300ish, hang out in AOC hopefully get a room, show for my flight and takeoff around 4am, If all went as planned I could be walking into my home around 7 looking and acting like a zombie, and completely useless for most of the day. Now if things go right, and they usually do, I’m in my home by midnight and in my own bed by 0030 waking up with everyone else and living a much healthier life. Living here may not be for everyone, but quit with all the stereotypical bashing. I could point out just as much negative stuff about parts of every city in this country. It is what you make it. Like Tony said, if your view of Memphis is from a crash pad and that lifestyle, I get it. I felt the same way. We took a chance and 5 years later are happy with the decision.

Adlerdriver

Long time commuter in two FedEx domiciles. For the new folks who many not have developed ingrained habits yet.... sometimes there are other options than killing yourself to get home.
I realize not everyone's home city has access to multiple FedEx flights or a large variety of one-leg off-line jumpseats. But, if yours does, consider moderating your return commute if you can. If you don't have to take the AM jumpseat home and have the option to use a sleep room, crashpad or local hotel for a relatively normal sleep cycle and delay your arrival home by ~12-ish hours, give it a try sometime. You and your family might be amazed at the difference that first move toward normal circadian rhythm can make as you re-acclimate into your home schedule. Your older self will thank you too.

155mm

Sorry for the delay in reply, I just got back from skiing. My original post to the OP was that this isn't about "ME" or the commuting pilot or whether I "like it" or not! This is a decision that affects the entire family/team/partnership, so get their input! Yes, I agree that living in a domicile, or its "suburbs", makes the job a lot easier but what value is that if your family falls apart while you're on a long trip somewhere? My point is, It's a team decision to choose a place to live, not an individual one!

I've seen too many marriages fall apart because of this single pilot mentality of I'm going to live here because it makes my life easier and I can make more money or whatever. I'm glad you and many of you have made the "Memphis experience" a great one.

Cheers back to you!

MEMA300

If you have young kids you don't know whats in store for you but GTown, East Memphis, Collierville, Etc all have access to kid activities (sports starting at the age of 5 and continuing till they quit or you Peter out). Travel Baseball, Travel Volleyball and Basketball, Lacrosse, Soccer. Hell maybe even Rugby now days.

Schools are probably better in Collierville and Germantown and if you can swing 15-20k per kid private school live in East Memphis.

If you don't mind a little longer drive and more country feel go north toward Mumford/Covington/Dberg.

MS has good options also.

Sunny1

It’s been my experience that most people who are commuters and trash talk living in the Memphis area are just trying to make themselves feel better about commuting.

I retired from the military and had a high school junior when I was hired. We decided to stay put for him to graduate. I had a miserable commute during that time. Either a 2.5 hour drive to get to a FedEx ramp, or 2 legs offline. It totally sucked being junior and a commuter. After he graduated I asked my wife ‘Move to Memphis, or back to our hometown to be near our families, and I’ll commute from there?”. To my surprise she said - let’s move to Memphis. I can’t tell you how nice it’s been from a work perspective, and a family perspective. I’m home way more than I’m on trips because I tend to bid reserve lines. I very rarely hub turn, and we take plenty of trips back home to visit our families both together, and individually.

For those who commute because of wanting to be near family, or because of a spouses job I totally get that, and am glad we work for a company that makes commuting an option. For those that commute and dog on Memphis with comments like ‘I value my life too much to live in Memphis’, or ‘I just couldn’t do that to my family’ I simply say it’s worked out pretty darn well for me and my family so far.

I think the OP idea of renting for a few years is a really good one. You’ve been given some good suggestions on areas to consider.

TonyC

Amen!






.

Globemaster2827

If anything his post validated what's true about Memphis. The inner city sucks and no FedEx pilot making a minimum of $160k on 2nd year pay lives there due to the crime, property values and schools.

Everyone lives in Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, Arlington, Hernando and Olive Branch which were all listed in the top half of the suburbs. They're all very nice with little crime, high property values and great schools.

In whatever town he's from there's a bad part of town. He doesn't live there... However, his crashpad is probably in a crappy part of Memphis and he either has to be super senior to hold a specific line or he spends a ton of time commuting. It probably costs him money to do so.... To each his own, but I'd choose living in Memphis over Duluth MN...

Huck

I thought this was a good short primer on the history of crime in Memphis:

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJourn...70c13e096fa199


Also, and this is a delicate subject: 90% of murder victims in Memphis are black ... at least they were in 2016 when this was written:


Analysis: Homicide victims in Memphis far more likely to be black men

I would have no problem at all living in Memphis. I choose to live in a city I can drive from - which is another option. Pick a town 1-4 hours away by car, and drive to work 1-3 times a month.

SonicFlyer

Because the vast majority of people in Memphis are black:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_flight

3pointlanding

I may not be the best to ask but it is not as bad as you might think. I have a military retirement and other retirement incomes that are not taxed by the state. The tax bracket for you will be 5% (that came from my tax lawyer). So if you made $200,000 your tax will be $10,000. However if you look at the state sales and property taxes in TN vs MS, it is pretty much a wash.