Cordova

Cordova is a very family-oriented neighborhood.  Youth sports, school activities and church life are very important aspects of daily life.  While there are young singles and young professionals who live here, they are outnumbered by families.  The reasonable cost of living means there are a lot of starter homes and second homes, but there are pockets of palatial estates on the south and east sides of Cordova.  If you are on a budget, Cordova may be a good place for you as apartment rents tend to be relatively low.  Rental homes can be found with some effort.  It is a relatively diverse neighborhood.  Famous residents have included the late Isaac Hayes, who passed away at his Cordova home in August 2008, and romance novelist Patricia Potter.

The bar scene is limited to chain restaurants so most locals go into Memphis for a "real" bar or club.  Fine dining is limited, but there are plenty of good restaurants, most of them national chains which stay busy on any given night.  Cordova's growth has been rapid, but it has done a nice job of adding restaurants to keep up with its ample population.  If you're looking for a quick after-work cocktail or a simple family dinner, you can find it on almost any corner.  If you want to make an evening of it, it's best to head into Memphis where there are plenty of eclectic bars, clubs and restaurants.

Apartment communities can be very affordable in Cordove, particularly those that are a little older.  Reasonably priced one- and two-bedroom apartments are easy to find.  Be sure to search for communities that offer special incentives, such as "first month free" or a short-term lease because they are readily available.  There are plenty of newer apartments in the area that offer nice amenities, including walk-in closets, computer nooks and covered parking. It's worth your time to visit several complexes before making a decision so you can make good comparisons.  The quality of living is excellent.  Most communities offer pools and work-out facilities with some even offering tanning salon privileges.

You must own a car to live in Cordova.  While individual neighborhoods are pedestrian friendly, the city itself is not.  There is heavy traffic congestion on the main thoroughfares, making it virtually impossible to get around on foot or by bike.  There is currently no rail service to Cordova though there is talk of turning the old rail line into a walking trail and commuter rail.  Any realization of this is still several years away.  There is limited bus service to Cordova through the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA).

• Visit several apartment communities so you can compare amenities.
• Look for specials - free month's rental, short-term leases, referral bonuses, etc.
• After your initial visit, drive through the complex at night or on a weekend to get a feel for how many children and pets live there.  Weekday visits can be deceiving when people are generally at work and children are in school.  Make sure the community fits the profile you are looking for.
• Scout the neighborhood for convenience to services you use regularly, such as dry cleaners, restaurants, grocery stores and retail centers.

Pets are very popular in Cordova, but there are leash laws. License laws vary according to whether you live in the city limits of Memphis or not.  A popular destination for pet owners is on the western boundary of Cordova.  Shelby Farms has more than 4,500 acres and is one of the largest urban parks in the nation.  More than five times the size of Central Park in New York City, it is a recreational park that is frequented by cyclists, joggers, hikers, dog lovers and those just looking to relax for an afternoon.  Certain areas of the park are "off leash areas" but owners must carry a leash at all times, dogs must respond to voice commands and only one dog off leash is allowed per person.

For concerts, museums and art galleries, residents must travel outside of Cordova.  Opportunities abound in Memphis, just a short drive away.  Area bars and restaurants do provide periodic live entertainment, but venues are limited.  Many residents utilitize Shelby Farms, a large, urban park that is nearby, for outdoor recreation.  There are also plenty of area golf courses, including Colonial  Country Club, Cordova Club and Stonebridge.  Shopping is a favorite pasttime here with the large number of shopping centers, big box retailers, off-price stores and the Galleria close by.

The most heavily populated areas are around Germantown Parkway at I-40 and at Dexter Road, both on the north side, and Trinity Road on the south side.  Germantown Parkway is the most heavil traveled thoroughfare in Cordova, making it both convenient and a nightmare, depending on the time of day.  For that reason, many people have chosen to venture farther east where apartment communities and townhomes have sprung up in the Macon and Houston Levee area.  All areas of Cordova are relatively safe though its proximity to Memphis does lend itself to the random criminal act. 

There are plenty of movie theatres, gyms, dry cleaners, grocery stores, banks and medical offices in Cordova.  Whether you are looking for 24-hour fitness, a 24-hour pharmacy or a grocery store that's open all night, you can find it easily.  Popular grocery chains include Kroger and Schnucks.  Locals like to say there is a Walgreens pharmacy on every corner, which is just about right, but other drug chains are also prevalent.  Banks are readily available, but many are either not open on Saturdays or have limited hours.

Those who can afford to put their children in private schools generally do.  There is an abundance of private schools within easy driving distance - Evangelical Christian School, Briarcrest Christian Schools, Harding Academy, First Assembly Christian School, St. Benedict at Auburndale, to name a few.  Cordova Elementary, Cordova Middle School and Cordova High School are all part of the Memphis City Schools district.  Several public elementary and middle schools are still under the jurisdiction of the highly-regarded Shelby County Schools district.  If you are moving to the area, you may want to check on what school district you would be in.