Moving to any new city is challenging. Unless you have friends or family in your new location, it can be a daunting task to familiarize yourself with the geography, points of interest and especially housing needs. SCO has assembled resources and guides to ease the transition and help students see themselves as members of the Memphis community.
It’s never too early to research housing opportunities. We can answer questions about specific neighborhoods, provide referrals to real estate agents for those looking to buy and put you in touch with current students to get their input on living in Memphis. We also offers a roommate match database and discussion boards for students to communicate about moving to Memphis. Each Spring, we host a housing fair for deposited students where you can personally tour several apartment complexes and hear from a panel of current students about their experiences.
Everyone has preferences when it comes to housing. Most students choose apartments, while others look for a single-family home. Regardless, the Memphis area enjoys a low cost of living and a diverse range of housing options. If you’re wondering how the cost of living in Memphis compares to other cities across the nation, check out the below websites:
Even though we are the 29th largest city in the U.S., Tennessee is one of the lowest-taxed states per capita in the nation, without an income tax. Keep this in mind if you ultimately end up choosing housing in Arkansas or Mississippi, although property taxes in these states are often much lower than Memphis.
Memphis is known for its neighborhoods and communities. While SCO students reside throughout the Memphis area, a majority choose to live in the Downtown and Midtown areas for convenience and the proximity to the city’s social/cultural center. No matter which community you choose to call home while attending SCO, the staff in Student Services will be happy to assist you with more information about housing options.
Many SCO students choose to live in Downtown Memphis — specifically the island community called Mud Island — for a number of reasons. Downtown is only a few miles from SCO’s campus, making for a short and easy commute of no more than 10 minutes one way. This short commute also means less gasoline consumption, mileage and wear to your car.
But for many students, the draw to Downtown is the River. Most of the Mississippi River shoreline is fronted by parks, making it an ideal place for exercise, sports, exploring or simply relaxing after a long day. Downtown’s night life also puts you in the center of the action, with the city’s sporting arenas, the historic Beale Street and award-winning restaurants only steps away.
Downtown Memphis features an eclectic mix of apartments, condos,
lofts and homes. However, because of the range of attractive amenities offered Downtown, housing prices will be higher than other areas. To help manage costs, many students typically choose to share expenses by finding a roommate.
The Downtown/Mud Island apartment complexes that are popular with SCO students include: Mud Island:
• Arbors Harbor Town
• Belle Harbour
• The Estates at River Pointe
• The Grand Island Apartments
• The Harbor Island Apartments
• Island Park/Harbor Town Square
Downtown:
• Fielder Square
• Gayoso House at Peabody Place
• Museum Lofts
• The Rise Apartments
• South Bluffs
• South Junction
• South Line at Central Station
• The Tennessee Brewery
• Uptown Square
Midtown is the city’s most eclectic area, both socio-economically and culturally. Here you will find turn-ofthe-century homes, duplexes and apartments, all conveniently close to social, cultural and historical hubs. Even though single-family rentals are common in the Midtown area, the apartment complexes that are popular with SCO students include:
• The Art Lofts @ Overton
• The Bristol on Union
• The Gilmore
• Madison @ McLean
• Madison Midtown Apartments
• Orleans Station
• Parcels @ Concourse
East Memphis is ideal for those looking for a more residential, suburban community. Many residents balance longer commute times and traffic with more convenient retail shopping and green space. East Memphis is vast, including communities such as Germantown, Collierville, Cordova and Bartlett.
The East Memphis apartment complexes that are popular with SCO students include:
• Appling Lakes Apartments
• Kirby Station
• Madison at Shelby Farms
• The Park Estate
• Reserve at Dexter Lake
A few miles south of Memphis, Desoto County is one of the fastest growing regions of the country. In just a decade, the population growth has substantially increased. Retail and housing choices in the cities of Southaven, Horn Lake, Hernando and Olive Branch have kept pace, offering a comfortable and affordable alternative to life in Memphis proper.
The bustling growth of this area is appealing to many people, and the public school system is often considered one of the best in the Memphis metropolitan area.
The Southaven apartment complexes that are popular with SCO students include:
• Hamilton at Turman Farms
• North Creek
A few miles across the Mississippi River to the west, the Marion area offers small town charm in a more rural setting. The area is linked to Memphis via I-40 or I-55.
The Marion apartment complexes that are popular with SCO students include:
• Angelo’s Grove
• Greenways at Marion North and South
• Memphis Chamber of Commerce
• Choose901
• The Daily Memphian
• I Love Memphis Blog
• Memphis Light Gas & Water
• SCO Admissions
• Bartlett City Schools
• Collierville Schools
• DeSoto County Schools
• Germantown Municipal School District
• Shelby County Schools
