Greater Memphis Features Many Distinct Neighborhoods
Region offers several housing options and amenities
Greater Memphis
In This Article
Harbor Town
The flourishing Harbor Town neighborhood is just outside the main downtown business district and features great views of the Mississippi River. Harbor Town is actually on the north end of Mud Island, and a scenic greenbelt there is ideal for walking, jogging and bicycling. Other amenities include an outdoor amphitheater, two private schools, ethnic restaurants and Mud Island River Park.
Cooper-Young
Named for the main intersection of Cooper and Young in the Midtown district, Cooper-Young is a residential neighborhood dotted with small businesses, independent restaurants and popular nighttime destinations. The neighborhood welcomes a number of arts and music festivals throughout the year, including its own Cooper-Young Festival every fall.
Downtown
The downtown riverfront district was formerly just for warehouses and businesses that shipped goods via the Mississippi River, but today the area features beautiful homes along the bluffs as well as hotspots like the Peabody Hotel, Orpheum Theatre and the National Civil Rights Museum. Also in the neighborhood is Beale Street along with Autozone Park where the Memphis Redbirds play baseball.
Midtown
Described as the true dynamic of Memphis, Midtown is robust and diverse, home to attractions such as the Children’s Museum of Memphis, Memphis Zoo and Memphis College of Art. The neighborhood spans from East Parkway to Interstate 240, and there are several architectural choices for homeowners and apartment dwellers. Good restaurants are in abundance, and most businesses are thriving.
East Memphis
The tree-lined neighborhood of East Memphis offers residents an array of housing opportunities, with prices ranging from $125,000 to $400,000. The district houses some Fortune 500 companies and several parks that showcase a variety of cultural events. Two popular attractions are the Memphis Botanic Garden along with Theatre Memphis.
University District
Also known as the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, the University District is home to the University of Memphis that was founded in 1912 and has more than 21,000 students today. Distinct housing areas of the University District include East Buntyn, Joffre, Messick Buntyn and Red Acres.
Collierville
The town of Collierville is a few miles east of Memphis, and perhaps its best-known attraction is the downtown public square. The square features a variety of interesting sites, including specialty stores, locally owned restaurants and a spacious public park. Collierville residents can enjoy several recreation choices, and outdoor concerts occur throughout the summer weekends.
Germantown
Just east of Memphis is Germantown, a scenic community along the Wolf River that features multiple parks and a greenway system. Residents have access to many housing options along with specialty shopping and multiple independent restaurants, and there are several outdoor recreation opportunities. For culture, the Germantown Performing Arts Center often books world-class entertainment.
Bartlett
Just northeast of Memphis is Bartlett, a city whose amenities include several parks along with four small lakes. Bartlett City School District launched as its own independent school system in August 2014, and the median income for families in Bartlett averages more than $80,000. Community amenities include Bartlett Recreation Center and the Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center.
Cordova
Mostly an unincorporated community, Cordova is bordered by the Wolf River on the south and I-40 on the north, and the town features many shopping centers, several housing options and more than 1,200 businesses. Cordova is one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in the Greater Memphis area, and its Bert Ferguson Community Center hosts many athletic events and activities.
Millington
The community where entertainer Justin Timberlake grew up, Millington, is just north of Memphis and offers easy access to Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park and the Mississippi River. The city is known as a military community thanks to the Naval Support Activity Mid-South naval station that has more than 7,500 military, civilian and contractor employees on its 2,000 acres.