re: Jackson MS vs Memphis TN - which is more dangerous?

I think Memphis is more dangerous. It has a serous gang and drug problem...not to mention random acts of violence.

I lived in the Memphis area for 4 years (Memphis city and eventually a suburb "out east"). I know the city is dangerous and even some of my friends from New Orleans were a bit reluctant to go there. Some of my in-laws made a wrong turn and got a little spooked (and they are from Baltimore). I guess I kind of just got used to knowing where I was safe and where I wasn't. I became very familiar with the area.

After having moved to Pittsburgh, I don't miss worrying about my wife working night shifts at an ER in downtown Memphis. I don't miss Tornado season there and I don't miss the hot summers.

What I do miss about Memphis is the food and the people. It's a friendly town and the people who grew up there have no illusions about the problems Memphis has. The mid town area (especially around Overton Square) has turned into a great community with a lot of entertainment and dining options. Go east on Poplar, and you pass Germantown and Collierville. Both of them are posh suburbs that has everything you could possibly need, and I felt spoiled after we moved there from Memphis. If I were to move back to the Memphis metro, I'd definitely go back to that area.