We have a Memphis address although we live closer to Germantown. Our children are in the Germantown Elementary, Middle & High School zone. We live at Lincoln on the Green apartments & probably will until our household settles more. We have 5 children, 2 moved back to Texas this year & the 3rd is getting married in January.
Collierville is a very nice place to raise a family. The prices of homes there & in Germantown are a bit pricey but you are paying for good schools, safer towns and good community. Memphis has many problems and I would not go downtown at night either. They have done a lot to improve downtown, and I enjoy going there during the day, but I still don't feel safe there at night, especially on Bealle Street.
The Memphis Zoo is great, Mud Island is a lot of fun, the Peabody Hotel is some place you should visit & I hear Graceland is fabulous although I've not been there yet (we've been here almost 2 years). I travel on Poplar Avenue many times for the main branch library and health food store but seldom at night alone. Just my preference.
Memphis city schools have many issues that have caused many people to move to Shelby County schools where stats are much better. IMHO, Memphis could be a wonderful city. But it has many problems from the Mayor down to the schools. Homes are less expensive there, but not worth buying due to where you havae to live & schools you have to attend. I hope I don't offend anyone here, but it has many problems.
But in all honesty, don't be afraid to move here. Collierville is a great community. We prefer to stay where we are because of the International Baccalaureate program my 10th grade daughter is involved in at Germantown High School, it's the only high school on this side of TN with that program. Collierville has a great downtown and this summer they had free concerts on the square every Thursday. They gave away door prizes, had concession/vendors, and people brought lawn chairs & picnic baskets, it was lots of fun and such a feel of small town (which I love).
I don't know much about state taxes, only seems you can write them off your taxes? But I hear Olive Branch is great too, many people live there & work here.
And one last thing. I don't know if yall will be looking for a church, but we attend Central Church in Collierville & it's wonderful. www.centralchurch.com They also have the least expensive private school in the area, Central Day School...www.centraldayschool.com
Hope you find something soon & keep in touch! We also moved from Texas, Ponder to be specific. Where are you coming from?