Posted on 06/14/2005 1:05:28 PM PDT by sandiegocouple
Down through the years, I've made it a point when talking to those who aren't familiar with New York State, geographically speaking, to tell them I'm from "upstate NY" else they immediately assume anyone from NY is from NYC. What you said though with respect to me growing up in the Hudson Valley (Cornwall and New Windsor actually) is correct. Only people from NYC would actually consider that area to be "upstate." As for Westchester County, my grandfather & grandmother (now deceased) lived in Briarcliff Manor, and my former dentist, who was a family friend, practiced in your home town of Scarsdale. My mother and father are still back East, living in the lower village of Cornwall; my father continuing to practice criminal law in Newburgh to this day. Newburgh, as anyone who is familiar with Orange County knows, is a bona-fide ghetto with high crime, so business for him remains strong - LOL. As for your eldest son at OCS, I can only say that I never saw the place - I dropped out of college and enlisted in the Corps so I went down to Parris Island, South Carolina as non-rate, no-rank cannon fodder. I do, however, wish him success and the best of luck over at Quantico this summer. Personally speaking, after I got out, I immediately went back to college and got my degree, seeing how I quickly found out that it was far better to be directing the working party rather then being on it. It was a good experience and I now see the merit in having done my time pulling my fair share of sh_t detail. You never truly realize how good you had it until you have been made to live, work, and been treated like, a total dog. Hell, after that, I considered practically everything else to be positively uphill! On a more serious note, I'd like to thank you for your invitation to help my wife and me get better acquainted with the Memphis/Germantown area; when we pull into town, we'll be sure to drop you a line.
GailA, what's your take on the differences, if any, between Germantown and Collierville?
When noting Kerry's vote in Shelby County, I think it's important to note a few things
Last time I checked, there were 950,000 people in Shelby County, and 650,000 of them are in Memphis proper.
Memphis proper is 55% black, so I would assume that accounts for the bulk of the Kerry vote in that county.
Compared to what we get on the coast, Huntsville is practically Arizona (humidity wise, anyway)
Cost of homes, C'ville is smaller more urban/rural, where as G'town is more city. If you prefer smaller town living vs city living C'ville would be the better bet. Shelby Forest in Millington has lots of growth and big homes being built. Just be sure you choose an area that king willie will not be annexing as that is how he grows his tax base and delutes his crime stats. Memphis can't provide the essential services for more areas but that does not stop king willie from annexing them.
Hey! I know I'm a late-comer here, but thought you might still want some input.
We live in unincorporated Shelby County, near Collierville. Not too bad, but like they have all said, Memphis gets a lot of our tax dollars and WASTES them. And guess what? We get no vote. Except for the occasioanl letter to the editor, there is nothing we can do.
Race is an all-consuming issue here. Some city councilman is now waging an effort to re-name all the city parks named after Confederate heros or memorials.
About half the people in my upscale Collierville neighborhood are black, and I'm happy with them. On the other hand, it only takes a few self-styled "leaders" to poison the whole atmosphere, and that's exactly our situation in Memphis and Shelby County.
The violence spoken of at Germantown High School in one of the previous posts is a direct result of busing in kids whose parents don't or can't give them a good example to live by. Some of those kids will be moving to Houston High School in the next couple of years - Because the Germantown High parents pitched a fit. Houston is a good school right now. My oldest son is near graduation, and he will stay, but we've made arrangements for my youngest to go to private school, at much expense.
We are looking at moving east to Fayette County. Since our youngest will be going to private school, that's OK, but if you are depending on public school, Fayette is not the place to be.
I think you'll find that if you get in a good neighborhood in Shelby County, or even in Memphis, that there are a LOT of nice, hospitible people, but the problem is, that so many of us are so tired of putting up with all the crap, that the good neighborhoods are often disappearing.
I know most about the South and East sections of the county, which includes Germantown and Collierville. Germantown isn't bad, but be prepared for high city and county taxes, compared to surrounding areas. Collierville is the same way, but it's a little more "country". Germantown is more "city". Collierville has more farms and open space left - but not for long.
When you move, find a good group of friends and a good church, and you'll find you might be able to ignore some of the more irritating things, because you will enjoy the nice folks so much.
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