Eads Wins Hands Down for Memphis Relocation

Memphis has gotten so crime-ridden and large that people have been trying to relocate somewhere that has more of a community feeling and a small-town sense of safety. Many Memphians have gotten fed up with the lack of leadership and the corruption of many city council members. Crime is up, but so are taxes, which have risen quite a bit in the past few years. Don't get me wrong, the city is one of the most beautiful in the nation, with its parkways, huge hardwood trees, flowers everywhere and the magnificent riverfront. But some people are dissatisfied enough with the city's direction lately that they are looking for somewhere that is a relatively easy commute to their work in the city. Executives with companies located in nearby subburbs also make Eads is one of the best places going, hands down, for a permanent domicile. Eads residents will only pay Shelby County property taxes here, as far as I know.

Eads lies just northeast of the city, between Collerville to the south and Arlington in the north. Memphis is to the west and is accessible via I-40, with about 25 minutes for the commute if traffic is slow to moderate. What is so appealing about Eads over Collierville and Germantown is its fantastic forest and the trees. There are estates here that can't even be seen from the road. Some smaller developments have been built with smaller lots, but there is a pretty protective attitude by the Eads community regarding restricted development. The rolling terrain is also a relief from the flat Bluff City area. Eads is one of the fastest growing.

About 74% of the population of this town are married couples, which compares with a 58% of the general American population. Eads is definitely a family town, with many empty nesters who do not have children still living with them. It's and upscale community with lovely country roads and a feel of privacy and peace. The median home cost here was just over $300,000 as compared with $208,000 for the U.S population. There is an 83% homeowner occupancy here, which is very high. Household income is about $70,000, far above that of most of the country. Many people are retired, but most people not retired are making their living in Germantown or Memphis.

Recent listings include a house over 5,000 sq. ft. with 5 beds, and 6 baths for just over $601,000. Another listing for $950,000 has around 8,000 sq. ft. and has 7 beds, and 6 baths. The least exopensive home I found listed from one web site was asking $599,000 with 5 beds, 4 baths, and around 4,000 sq. ft. It is new construction too. Another site came up with a 4 bed, 3 bath home for just under $410,000, but there was no sq. ft. data listed. Eads is clearly a place for executives. The proximity of International Paper and the Fed Ex Corporate location in Collierville make Eads a great place for executives and upper level management in these companies.

Eads is also a great place for retirees from all over the country to relocate. Retiring executives can appreciate the fact that in Tennessee they will pay no state income taxes. The state Constitution forbids it. Only a few states have no income tax but some are realizing how regressive this tax is for growth and for business. Its location near a major city plus the ease of travel to the eastern mountains are also a real draw. There is a small tax, the Hall Tax, on earnings from stocks, but it is well below the regular income tax rates--easy enough to swallow compared to what other states take from your pocket.