Anyone from TN or MS??

[webprinter]

I need help. DH had a job offer from a company on the TN/MS border. We currently live in WA. They offered him about 10,000 less but our house payment would probably be cheaper. Our current house has a mortgage of $200K and we could sell it for around $300K, so we would have quite a bit to put down although I'm sure realtor fees would be pretty high. What I need to know is what are the schools like in this area, would DD14 be accepted coming from the west coast, or would she be shunned as a northerner? I know the weather is more hot and humid but we are originally from MN, so are used to humidity but not such high temps. The biggest plus for me is that it would be only a long day's drive to WDW!!! Can anyone give me pluses or minuses to this move? We are looking at Southhaven or Olive Branch, MS or Germantown or Collierville, TN. The actual job is in Olive Branch. Any thoughts or helps for us? DD14 is ambivalent over the thought of moving and isn't too excited about leaving her friends, but says she is willing. Thanks. Debby

 

[MidNite]

I need help. DH had a job offer from a company on the TN/MS border. We currently live in WA. They offered him about 10,000 less but our house payment would probably be cheaper. Our current house has a mortgage of $200K and we could sell it for around $300K, so we would have quite a bit to put down although I'm sure realtor fees would be pretty high. What I need to know is what are the schools like in this area, would DD14 be accepted coming from the west coast, or would she be shunned as a northerner? I know the weather is more hot and humid but we are originally from MN, so are used to humidity but not such high temps. The biggest plus for me is that it would be only a long day's drive to WDW!!! Can anyone give me pluses or minuses to this move? We are looking at Southhaven or Olive Branch, MS or Germantown or Collierville, TN. The actual job is in Olive Branch. Any thoughts or helps for us? DD14 is ambivalent over the thought of moving and isn't too excited about leaving her friends, but says she is willing. Thanks. Debby

I don't live there, but I've been through Germantown and it is beautiful.

 

[MScott1851]

Olive Branch, Olive Branch, Olive Branch, Olive Branch, Olive Branch.

Did I mention Olive Branch?

Shelby County, TN (which Germantown and Collierville are part of) is a gaping hole which sucks the life out of anything near it. County and city government are shady, shady, taxes are unreal, and the school system is going to hell in a handbasket.

Median new home price in Olive Branch is about $215,000, I believe. Nice area, growing quickly, everyone in Memphis wants to move there.

Germantown is quickly becoming less desireable.

Southaven has exploded in the past five years, they are in the process of building 10 new schools as we speak. The only problem is, Southaven is only separated from Whitehaven and Hickory Hill (two of the WORST areas in Memphis) by about a couple of miles and an imaginary state line. I wouldn't build or buy there. Traffic is a nightmare...too many people came in too quickly, and the city can't handle it.

Hernando is nice, too. Just a thought. My money is on Olive Branch, and I even know a house for sale there you could look at...one of my best friends has her house for sale and it's NICE!!!

P.S. Your "yankee" daughter will be fine.

Also, WDW is NOT as close as you think...We have to fly there. It takes 8 hours just to get to Destin or Panama City, and at least another 6 to Orlando. Still...I guess it's better than two or three days. Whoa!! I just mapquested it...and it says only 13 hours....but that's crossing across Alabama to Atlanta, then heading south. Hmm. We might have to try that way one day! We've been heading the wrong way all this time!

 

[lemondog]

I live in Nashville, but one of my good friends is from Olive Branch and she loved growing up there. From what I understand it's a nice area, although I have never personally been. Good luck with your move! Can't speak for the schools -- most of my friends send their children to private in TN because the school systems for the most part are not great.

 

[RadioNate]

Olive Branch, Olive Branch, Olive Branch, Olive Branch, Olive Branch.

Did I mention Olive Branch?

Shelby County, TN (which Germantown and Collierville are part of) is a gaping hole which sucks the life out of anything near it. County and city government are shady, shady, taxes are unreal, and the school system is going to hell in a handbasket.

Median new home price in Olive Branch is about $215,000, I believe. Nice area, growing quickly, everyone in Memphis wants to move there.

Germantown is quickly becoming less desireable.

Southaven has exploded in the past five years, they are in the process of building 10 new schools as we speak. The only problem is, Southaven is only separated from Whitehaven and Hickory Hill (two of the WORST areas in Memphis) by about a couple of miles and an imaginary state line. I wouldn't build or buy there. Traffic is a nightmare...too many people came in too quickly, and the city can't handle it.

Hernando is nice, too. Just a thought. My money is on Olive Branch, and I even know a house for sale there you could look at...one of my best friends has her house for sale and it's NICE!!!

P.S. Your "yankee" daughter will be fine.

Also, WDW is NOT as close as you think...We have to fly there. It takes 8 hours just to get to Destin or Panama City, and at least another 6 to Orlando. Still...I guess it's better than two or three days. Whoa!! I just mapquested it...and it says only 13 hours....but that's crossing across Alabama to Atlanta, then heading south. Hmm. We might have to try that way one day! We've been heading the wrong way all this time!

It's been about 18 months since we lived in that area but I agree.

I'm not 100% sure about Olive Branch schools but there was no way we'd send DS to Shelby Co public school. At 2, we had him lined up with a private school already. I don't know anyone who had their kids in public school.

As a community Olive Branch was growing by leaps and bounds when we left. Many people we know were moving there.

The biggest downside is that TN has no state income tax but I think they more than make up for it in property taxes. I lived in a 1300sq ft zero lot line home and still paid nearly 5K a year.

 

[lovemygoofy]

It's been about 18 months since we lived in that area but I agree.

I'm not 100% sure about Olive Branch schools but there was no way we'd send DS to Shelby Co public school. At 2, we had him lined up with a private school already. I don't know anyone who had their kids in public school.

As a community Olive Branch was growing by leaps and bounds when we left. Many people we know were moving there.

The biggest downside is that TN has no state income tax but I think they more than make up for it in property taxes. I lived in a 1300sq ft zero lot line home and still paid nearly 5K a year.

This I have to agree with. Live in Olive Branch because the property tax and sales tax, especially living in Shelby County, will eat you alive. Also though it doesn't seem that long of a commute the traffic is horrible and you dh would be in a for a hurry up and wait in traffic sort of day. I think Southern people are pretty easy going and might tease your dd but not in an ugly manner. Good luck in your choice.

 

[webprinter]

Thanks for your help everyone. We are still waiting to hear. Debby

 

[MScott1851]

Radionate, you guys must have lived in the city limits...I would LOVE to live down in Harbortown, South Main, or near Overton Park, but we simply couldn't afford the property taxes!

We just got our property tax notice yesterday. We have a 0.3 acre corner lot, 2900 square feet, and it was $1755....up from $1358 last year!!

It's ridiculous. My parents pay only about $450 a year in AL for a 1800 square foot home on 2 1/2 acres.