This is a question i am often asked by my friends who live in major US cities. The conversation typicals goes….”Why do you still live there?” “Why would you continue to put up with the same thing over and over?” “Has anything good happened there in a long time?” “Memphis is tired and unprogressive! Why don’t you move?
My response is….”Why not Memphis!” Why Memphis for you?
I moved back to Memphis largely to get away from Atlanta traffic and have a better place to raise my kids! It truly is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Like Cory Booker said, Memphis is large enough to be relevant, yet small enough for individuals to make a difference. That is sooooo true!
Sadly, I find that most Memphis naysayers are usually the ones without the initiative be progressive and start things themselves. They usually want to ride the bandwagons of others progressive ideas and hard work, all without having to look for it. There’s room here for such people also…we just can’t let them drag the whole city down with their loud complaining.
Aside from the naysayers, Memphis is otherwise tremendously progressive! We have a long tradition in this regard when looked at objectively. I’m tremendously excited to be an active part of continuing this city’s forward momentum!
Memphis is for me – because I say the same thing as you! Memphis is an amazing community where an individual can make a real difference. I also believe that Memphis is a city that the effort you put in will be reaped in spades.
My mother always said, home is where you make it. I have made a conscious decision to make Memphis my home, not just where I live.
To those who ask “Why Memphis?”, I always respond, why do you live where you do? The answers for Memphis are often the same (work, family, etc). What our responsibility is in this conversation is to show that Memphis has everything their chosen locales have and more.
What they don’t have is the unique mix that IS Memphis – the interesting residents, the vibrant art scene, the live music, the access to the political process, the people who care enough to devote their lives to others, the river, the weather and all that combine to make Memphis, well, Memphis.
So go forth and preach the Gospel of Memphis!!
Amen!
I like your response, “Why not?”. I love this city! You can find just about anything you are looking for but you don’t have the rush rush of larger cities. Plus we have an entrepreneurial spirit that is alive and attainable for anyone. I’ve been here 8 years and don’t see myself living anywhere else.
Why Memphis? Because of the Church Health Center and Scott Morris. If you do not know what he has done for this city, check out the Center on Peabody and on Union. over 56,000 working uninsured have health care and wellness education because of the Center. It is people like Scott and places like the Church Health Center that make Memphis. I love my city and its people.
Don’t forget about HopeandHealing.org! This is a new mission of the Church Health Center as we here at the CHC seek to spead our mission – to reclaim the church’s role in caring for our body in spirits. This website seeks to take this to world – but it’s “homebase” is MEMPHIS!
My wife and I moved to Memphis a couple years ago. In short, we love it. It has been a good mover for us. Here are just a few of the reasons:
1. You can find almost any kind of music in Memphis. From indie bands to national recording artists, there is something for you to listen to. My favorite places to watch a show are the Orpheum and the New Daisy.
2. The food is GREAT! In my line of work, I do lunch meetings. I can’t get over how good the restaurants are. My personal favs are Brother Juniper’s and Pita Wraps.
3. My son was born with a complex medical condition. We have been so impressed with the medical community in Memphis. I knew we were in the right place when one of our doctors gave us his cell phone number.
4. I have also been impressed by how the religious organizations and the community organizations have a history of working together to solve some of the problems associated with living here. There are so many places where these types of organizations seem like they are in competition with each other. I love the spirit of cooperation here.
Thanks for asking, Tyree. It’s a good question.