Memphis Retirement Communities

The Bluff City is an attractive alternative for seniors looking for inexpensive assisted living facilities. Whether you live downtown or in a suburb, housing costs are among the lowest in the country for a city its size.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Memphis's cost of living is 14% below the national average. Within the cost of living are some key factors such as median home sales price of $75,100; an average property tax of $2,174; average auto insurance premiums of $1,484. And the Tax Foundation puts Tennessee's state and local tax burden at 7.6%, one of the lowest in the country.

Though Memphis is a relatively inexpensive place to retire, it does come with one drawback: the city's crime rate in all categories is significantly higher than the national average. For example, the "all" violent crime (murder, rape, etc.) rate is 2.5 times the national average. Property crimes are almost two times the national average. That said, there are still plenty of safe assisted living neighborhoods.

Consider the suburb of Germantown - 17 miles from downtown Memphis - and the assisted living community of Southerland Place. Germantown has a considerably lower crime rate than Memphis proper and one of the lowest in the state for a city its size. And it has all of the amenities - 700 acres of parkland, for example - you'd find in any community. In addition, Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare has ER and outpatient services, orthopedic and obstetric care, and a cardiac wellness center. Germantown has a range of other health care facilities including a neurological surgery center, radiation oncology center, and a heart institute. Another assisted living option is Heritage Place, in the Hickory Hill neighborhood. It's just a few blocks from the public Fox Meadows Golf Course.

In Memphis, you'll likely never run out of things to do. Among the outdoor activities there's Shelby Farms, 4,500 acres of walking and biking paths, fishing, and horseback riding; Audubon Park and Memphis Botanic Gardens; Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, and Overton Park with the Memphis Zoo. Cultural activities include the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Memphis, Opera Memphis, the Pink Palace Museum, and Mud Island among many others.

With Memphis's low cost of living, you'll have more money to do the things you want to do. Consider assisted living options in the suburb of Germantown. It's one of the safest small cities in the state and is still close to downtown Memphis. For a listing of communities, use our advanced search option.