Memphis vs Nashville

[briang]

Just asking about conditions and differences between these two cities.
I'm thinking about moving to one of these two cities from Portland OR, currently working in the ER.
Nashville is a lot closer to family, memphis seem's to pay better by 6K yr.
Both have home prices exponentiall lower than Portland!
Thanks for any info!
Brian G

[cassioo]

I don't know about working conditions but I just like Nashville better as a city.

[OldSquidNewNurse]

Nashville is the bigger of the two; however Memphis has a lot to offer as well. I saw stationed in Memphis for two years when I was in the Navy and traveled to Nashville a couple times every year.

[briang]

Thanks for the input!
I am hoping someone with first hand experience will chime in, I've heard recently that Memphis is not the place I want to go....
I am now considering Austin tx.
Anyone? opinions?
Thanks all.

[amberdouglas]

Memphis is HORRIBLE, worst crime rate in the country. A friend of mind moved into a gated community in Cordova (good part of town) and was carjacked in her apartment complex parking lot. Politics are really bad there and the memphis light gas and water company are so corrupt...MLGW bills range into the 500-600 dollars a month for people just to cover where the politicians have been racking off funds and not paying their own bills. I heard on the radio a few weeks ago that the latest polls from the police states that somewhere around 35 percent of the people that drive around in memphis don't even have drivers lic. or insurance ( don't know how true that is), but traffic is a nightmare, people drive like crazy. Memphis drivers are famous for how reckless they are. The city won't allow police offiercs to work in the city unless they live in the city, so they don't have enough cops. Average ratios at the hospitals run you around 8 pts per nurse in M/S or Tele...I could go on.

[rn9104]

My brother lived in Memphis for awhile and the crime rate is pretty bad. I don't have any experience with Nashville. However I am currently on a travel assignment in Johnson City Tennessee and this place is really nice. Also Johnson City Medical Center is a magnet hospital and seems to be a great place for travelers, they use alot of them here. Alot of the travlers have been here several times and I have even met some who were traveling and came here to settle.

[OncRN81]

I live in Memphis...there are some great hospitals here. However, the crime rate is HORRIBLE. You really have to watch where you go. I've never experienced my MLGW bill being that high as stated above, nor has anyone else I know. But it is true that Memphis politics are currupt.

That being said though, there is a lot to do here. Great food---probably my favorite thing about Memphis! Lots of things to do & Beale St & the Redbirds stadium are great. Can't forget Graceland & the Memphis Zoo!

I work at Baptist Memorial Hospital Memphis & have usually 4 patients in the unit I work in (I work in adult oncology Myelosuppression). It varies from unit to unit though.

However, Nashville is a really really great city. Heard wonderful things about working at Vanderbilt!

[Robert F]

Nashville is the bigger of the two; however Memphis has a lot to offer as well. I saw stationed in Memphis for two years when I was in the Navy and traveled to Nashville a couple times every year.

Actually, Memphis is quite larger than Nashville. Memphis is the second largest city in the Southeastern US.

Yes, working at Vanderbilt, in my opinion is wonderful.

[rachelinala]

I lived in Nashville for 3 years and absolutely loved it. Vanderbilt is a wonderful place to work for your entire career. I'm not sure about as a traveler, but as staff you have great benefits. weekend diff is $6, night is $3, they pay for you to go to Vandy if you want to get your masters, and it's just a great working environment w/good people. Nashville as a city is a lot of fun too. Lots of young people and fun bars if you're into that.

Memphis I've heard pretty bad things about.

[Robert F]

I lived in Nashville for 3 years and absolutely loved it. Vanderbilt is a wonderful place to work for your entire career. I'm not sure about as a traveler, but as staff you have great benefits. weekend diff is $6, night is $3, they pay for you to go to Vandy if you want to get your masters, and it's just a great working environment w/good people. Nashville as a city is a lot of fun too. Lots of young people and fun bars if you're into that.

Memphis I've heard pretty bad things about.

Vandy is currently paying 70% for my masters with the school of nursing. They will also pay your child's tuition if you work with them over a certain period of time, I think it is 5 years. I'd have to check HR to be sure, but Vandy nurses get some of the best benefits out there, discounts on rental cars, hotel stays, mortgages, theme parks, not to mention full medical coverage, employee spending accounts, and full access to the Eskind Biomedical Library & digital archives. Priceless.