Originally Posted By Mr X Hey Chris. I was wondering (and anyone else familiar with the area is welcome to chime in as well), a Japanese friend of mine is moving to Memphis for a year and she was wondering how far away the "big" cities are from there. Of course, I mentioned Nashville. But beyond that Memphis seems kind of isolated. I'd say it's "relatively" close to Atlanta, New Orleans, and even some Texas cities! So anyway, I was wondering if you could answer two questions she posed. How many hours drive is it? And do you have good sushi there?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Well, Memphis isn't all that small. It has a population of about 677,000; which is the size of Minneapolis and St. Paul combined (without our suburbs). It is 3 hours to Nashville (which is slightly smaller than Memphis), 6 hours to Atlanta, and 7 hours to Dallas. Couldn't tell you a thing about sushi. I like my fish cooked, making an occasional exception for Ahi Tuna.
Originally Posted By Chris in Atlanta LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Memphis...ahhh yes. Memphis is a wonderful southern city. She will be very well accepted there and will love it. Relaxed, slow, easy, laid back...I would live there anytime. But it is hell and gone from anywhere. It is right on the Mississippi river and sort of a sister to Little Rock, though people from that area would probably get offended at me saying that. You have heard of the Mason Dixon line, where North and South divide...well Memphis is on the western edge of the southern states as well. Arkansas thinks they are southern, but they are really just hill billy step children. I would say that as for visiting big cities, Little Rock is kind of well little. There is however a lot of fun things to see IN Memphis itself. Graceland. No explanation needed there. There is a big Civil Rights museum there. There is a really interesting Botanical Garden with a Zen area there that is like nothing else I've ever seen. I spent all afternoon there once, alone! This was before kids. New Orleans is right at 400 miles, and it's a super super easy drive straight through Mississippi to get there. Trust me on this one, don't speed in Mississippi. St Louis is about the same drive, but only going directly North instead of south. Given a choice, no offense to anyone, I would go to St Louis before NO. Lots to do and see in both places. Gateway Arch, Bush Zoo, Bush everything actually in St Louis...lots there and great Bar-B-Que and Blues. I have been to St Louis a few times. Nashville is about 3 hours directly east. If she likes Country Music or Christian/Gospel music, then Nashville is a wonderful place. There is more to it than music, but I love Nashville. It's full up with kind and nice people. Atlanta is too far really. I think it took us about 7 hours to get to Memphis from Atlanta. Lots to do and see in ATL, but probably not worth the drive, and if you are going to fly, pfffff, just use Atlanta as a hub and hop on a connection to somewhere like Orlando, only another 45 minute flight from ATL. Dallas is way way too far. I mean that's about it. Memphis really is WAY out in the middle of the sticks. It's urban and progressive enough, but it's just not a close drive to anywhere. It is beautiful though. One of the best drives we ever made was driving from Memphis to Richmond VA. We crossed TN the LONG way, from West to East and it is a VERY beautiful state in the Autumn. I would live in and be happy in Memphis. I hope that helps.
Originally Posted By Chris in Atlanta >>>Arkansas thinks they are southern, but they are really just hill billy step children. <<< And for the record, this is a JOKE and in no way meant to offend anyone. I loved my visit to Little Rock, and I seriously doubt that anyone living there would be offended at this good natured joke. But alas, if even ONE is offended I apologize in advance.
Originally Posted By Chris in Atlanta And besides, Arkansas did produce a pretty good President of these United States, and just night produce another one! Who knows? Hillary in da house, I can see it all now.
Originally Posted By Chris in Atlanta >>>And do you have good sushi there? <<< Well I'll say it this way..." Memphis isn't smallish, but it's country. There will be plenty of places that will have GREAT sushi, even by standards of someone from Japan. Of course, it will never be as good as the BEST sushi in Japan, but it will be really good. Think of it as eating a Cheese Burger in Russia. You know they got 'em over there, and I'll bet you can find a good one now and then too.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip What can you say? Just like Texans consider it an honor to be called rednecks; Arkansans consider it an honor to be called hillbillies. Go figure. Jokes all around everyone... don't get your undies in a wad.
Originally Posted By Chris in Atlanta >>>Memphis isn't all that small. <<< Uh... yeah it's kinda small RT, there aren't a lot of huge urban sprawling suburbs like say in Chicago, St Louis, MN/ST Paul and Atlanta. But again, if I had to live in a different southern city, Memphis would rate maybe 4th or 5th. First alternate would be Savannah, GA. Second would be Hilton Head Island, SC. Third would be Richmond, VA. Fourth would be Charlotte, NC so that means fifth would be Memphis...and on the right day I might choose Memphis over Charlotte. Fourth would be
Originally Posted By Chris in Atlanta little? LITTLE?! Did she crack a derogatory joke???!!! I seem to remember you mentioned once that you consider yourself to be shorter than average. Hummmm.... Ohhhh Pixie, you're gooooood.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip No, Memphis isn't kind of small. The city I'm moving to has a population of about 8,000; the entire region is maybe 20,000-30,000. That's kind of small. I'm kind of small too. In height. In other areas I've surprised more than one woman. LOL
Originally Posted By Mr X Thanks for all the info, guys. Okay, she had one more question I just remembered...how far are the nearest beaches from Memphis? (I'm thinking Gulf Coast of Texas maybe?)
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Hey... Pixie (being a typical Texan) challenged my manhood. I had to respond.
Originally Posted By Chris in Atlanta lol @ RT *shakes head* Anyway.... I would say probably Gulfport / Biloxi area. New Orleans might be closer but for traditional sandy beaches and what not... Gulfport and then EAST of there. I'm going to say 7 or 7.5 hours to get there. There are some nice places on the coast of Mississippi, and there are some cool river boats and casinos and shizz too. My In-Laws go to Biloxi about once a year for the Beau Rivage Casino for Riverboat style gambling. They love it and it is absolutely beautiful, great golf in Biloxi, some of the best in the US IMHO. But it gets DAMN HOT there in the late summer.
Originally Posted By Chris in Atlanta Google says 6.5 hours drive, but THAT 6.5 or 7 would be well worth it.
Originally Posted By Mr X Definitely, as a weekend getaway or something (I doubt it'd be worth a day trip lol). I will pass along your info to my friend, I'm sure she'll appreciate it!
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt Isn't there a HUGE aquariam (can't spell sorry) in Chattanooga? It was always on my to-do list when I lived in the South but, I never mad it!
Originally Posted By Mr X A quick google search says you're right, Haunt! Thanks! I'll pass that along too! (how far is Chattanooga from Memphis now? this is all educational for me, as I've spent very little time in the South though, with this topic...I kinda want to lol!)
