Where to Grow Business

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Hey BP! I was looking for some insight into whether or not to move from my hometown to start my real estate career. I am currently a senior in college graduating with a finance degree from the University of Memphis. I also play baseball here, which is a big part of why I am considering staying. I have lived in Memphis my whole life. But with the rising crime rate here, I do not see myself staying for the long term. I have considered moving to outside of Nashville or even farther east. For context, I will have my real estate license and plan to become a realtor to make active income. My dilemma is that I have a lot of connections here in Memphis. Connections to people who would like to back me on future real estate investments, whether that is in Memphis or not. I fear that if I don't move and start to grow the connections somewhere else, I will end up building too much here to leave in the future. Has anyone ever moved away from a place you already have connections in for the possibility of better long-term sustainability? Maybe I am overthinking this, but I would love to hear some feedback! Thanks everyone so much!

Douglas Skipworth · Answer

Great news that you're staying in Memphis, @Michael Dallas!  I made the same choice years ago and I am very glad I did.

Matthew Cates · Answer

@Michael Dallas I started off with house hacking a single family residence my senior year.  Bought a 3bed/ 2 bath in Balmoral (Quince & Ridgeway) and rented out the other two rooms to friends of mine.  I kicked everyone out and rented it to a family once I bought a foreclosure in Germantown.  I wish I had started out with a multi-family property like you are planning.  More doors as quickly as you can, before you add someone as a dependent, will put you way a head of the game."Know they self," Greek someone... this is incredibly important when it comes to property management.  I quickly found out, I'm too nice of a guy and, I do not need to be managing my own properties.  Before I could have someone on my team to PM under me, I always used a property manager.  If you're house hacking, it's a different story since you are living with your tenants.  That said, you might find out you don't enjoy managing tenants OR don't have the patients for it OR you'd rather be swinging a hammer OR talking to sellers to find your next property OR a multitude of other things.

Reed Rickenbach · Answer

I am a UofM grad (2019) and broker/investor in Memphis. I'm sure you know that Greater Memphis cities (Germantown, Collierville, Lakeland, Arlington) are amazing and low-crime areas. I live in Collierville and invest in Collierville, Germantown & Memphis. If you don't want to live here long-term that's one thing, but I wouldn't point to crime in bad areas as a reason for being bearish on the entire zone here.

Bryce Jamison · Answer

Based on your post, I'd move somewhere else. If you know you don't want to be there long term, the sooner you move the sooner you'll start building a new network.

Starting as a brand new, early twenties, real estate agent with no experience or connections is going to be very hard. I'd recommend connecting with a local trusted firm and start doing open houses for the experienced agents to start meeting clients, getting reps, and learning.

Also get active in the community to meet folks. You could coach pee wee ball and pick up parents as clients! Attend every real estate meetup you can. You may even be able to work for a property management company. Your current renters could become future buyers. You could get a part time job at Lowes, Home Depot, or wherever to start meeting contractors in the area.

Michael Dallas · Answer

I love to hear that! I hope to look back and think the same thing!

Lindsay Davis · Answer

@Michael Dallas,

It’s great that you’re thinking about these factors early. If you choose to relocate, the good news is that you won’t have to move too far. Tennessee has a bunch of lower-crime and fast-growing cities—places like Chattanooga, Knoxville, Murfreesboro, and Clarksville come to mind.

Besides, moving isn’t an irreversible decision. If you move to a different market and don’t feel like it’s serving you well, you can always move back home.

Michael Dallas · Answer

Great point. Over the last few days and after a lot of conversations and responses here, I think staying is the best idea. I have built a pretty strong network here without knowing it. And as long as I invest in the areas that I like, I should have no problems. Thank you so much for the response!

Matthew Cates · Answer

My brother actually was a catcher at Memphis for 2 seasons.  What position do you play?

Do you know what type of real estate investing you are wanting to do?

Tenzapa Wakombe · Answer

Congrats — you’re thinking about this the right way. Real estate careers are built on relationships, no question, but long-term lifestyle and market fundamentals matter just as much.

Here’s my honest take:

• If you stay in Memphis short-term, you can absolutely leverage your connections to build cash flow, gain experience, and start stacking capital.
• But if you already know deep down you don’t want to build your life in Memphis long-term, you’re smart to think about moving sooner rather than later. Otherwise, the longer you stay, the deeper your roots get — and moving later becomes way harder (personal, professional, emotional).
• Places like Middle Tennessee (Nashville suburbs) or East Tennessee are still booming and much more sustainable over the next 10–20 years than Memphis is right now.

If you stay in Memphis short-term, you can absolutely leverage your connections to build cash flow, gain experience, and start stacking capital.

But if you already know deep down you don’t want to build your life in Memphis long-term, you’re smart to think about moving sooner rather than later. Otherwise, the longer you stay, the deeper your roots get — and moving later becomes way harder (personal, professional, emotional).

Places like Middle Tennessee (Nashville suburbs) or East Tennessee are still booming and much more sustainable over the next 10–20 years than Memphis is right now.

One strategy: use your Memphis connections for investment (you don’t have to live there to own there), but plant yourself personally and professionally somewhere you actually see yourself long-term.

Bottom line: It's not just about where you can make money right now — it's about where you want to build your life. Money follows clarity.

You’re not overthinking it — you’re actually ahead of the game by thinking this through before you're locked in.

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