Primarily outside of the “loop” eastern Memphis includes the Hickory Hill and East Memphis areas. Both are home to major businesses and are easily accessible through the interstate system. East Memphis offers suburban-style living with a shorter commute into the city and downtown.
East Memphis
Trying to decide between the wide-open green spaces of rural areas and the big city? East Memphis would like you to know that you don’t have to choose. East Memphis is home to the Shelby Farms Greenline, which runs through nearly 11 miles of urban landscape before reaching Shelby Farms Park, one of the country’s largest urban parks. You can walk, run or bike the Greenline, so you have plenty of options to meet your neighbors, enjoy the scenery and stay in shape. To get up close and personal with some of the region’s most intriguing flora, take a day trip to the Memphis Botanic Garden, which welcomes visitors year-round and offers programming for all ages and levels of botanical knowledge.
When those hours of enjoying nature leave you hungry, you won’t have to venture far for sustenance. Health nuts need look no further than Sprouts Farmers Market and Good Life Honeysuckle HealthFoods to meet their natural and organic grocery needs, but if you’re in the mood to treat yourself, some Memphis barbeque should do the trick. Stop by One and Only BBQ on Perkins Extended for a taste of the smoke that will light your fire, or head to the Germantown Commissary for a menu that unites BBQ and Mexican fare.
If the quality of neighborhood schools is a factor in your move to Memphis, then you’re in the right place, as this area is home to some of the city’s finest religious and secular schools.
East Memphis is commuter-friendly, and most East Memphians can count on a commute of less than 30 minutes. Combined with the area’s affordable living costs, the easy commute makes East Memphis a great choice for anyone who works downtown but wants to get away from the city bustle at the end of the day. That said, don’t think you’ll have to rely on your car to get everywhere, as East Memphis is home to some of the city’s most pedestrian-friendly areas. Taking a stroll to a neighborhood restaurant or walking to your local church or synagogue is not only optional but encouraged!
East Memphis has so much going for it that it’s hard to know where to begin, but one thing’s for sure: Memphis is a jewel of a city, and East Memphis is one of its most brilliant facets.
East Memphis is one of the more affluent sections of our city, with access to all kinds of amenities including specialty shops, doctor’s offices and hospitals, private schools, premier restaurants, and much more. Housing options are primarily single-family dwellings with apartments complexes scattered throughout the area, as well as homes through the White Station, High Pointe Terrace, Belle Meade, Balmoral, and Ridgeway neighborhoods.
East Memphis is a major business center and home to some of the area’s largest employers including the FedEx Global Headquarters, International Paper, and Hilton Worldwide. Many of the people who work at those companies choose to live in East Memphis and have played a role in building up the community and entertainment options. There are both public and privates school options in East Memphis for students in K-12, as well as the University of Memphis’ main campus.
There are tons of popular, locally owned restaurants ranging from upscale experiences including James Beard finalist, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen. From restaurants to diners other notable establishments locals love include Erling Jensen, Owen Brennan’s, Buckley’s, Hog & Hominy, Soul Fish Café, Las Delicias, Gibson’s Donuts, and Brother Juniper’s. For shopping, there’s the Oak Court Mall, Laurelwood Shopping Center, and several smaller retail centers offering boutique shopping experiences. For outdoor fun, you can visit the Memphis Botanic Gardens, the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, the Litcherman Nature Center, and the Crystal Shrine Grotto.
Hickory Hill
Hickory Hill has faced challenges, but features amenities and housing options that make it a great place to live. It is close to some of the larger employers in the area and the 385 Highway/ Bill Morris Parkway allows for quick access to other parts of the city.
Hickory Hill has an abundance of affordable housing and apartment complexes. With good schools and affordable shopping options, Hickory Hill is a great place to begin raising a new family. The Hickory Hill Community Center is a great place for families and youth, as it features basketball courts, a dance studio, fitness center, game room, playground, and indoor pool.
Hickory Hill has clubs, lounges, and restaurants that offer recreational options for adults, including Memphis Rapper Yo Gotti’s Restaurant and lounge, Prive, In Love Memphis Lounge, gyms, boutiques, and more.
A symbol for the community would be the Hickory Ridge Mall. Once bustling with stores, the mall was severely damage by a tornado in 2008 and could have been permanently closed. A local church- World Overcomers Ministries bought the mall and reopened it as a town center and an investment in the revitalization of the community, and that’s exactly the type of spirit you can find in Hickory Hill- true perseverance.
