Best suburbs around Memphis for families who want more space

The suburbs around Memphis for families who want more space deliver what the city center can’t: bigger homes, larger yards, safer streets, and some of the best schools in Tennessee. Every year, more families moving out of the Memphis city center head to Collierville, Germantown, Bartlett, and a handful of towns just across the Mississippi line. This guide compares all of them so you can pick the right one for your budget and lifestyle.

Which Are the Best Suburbs Around Memphis for Families?

The best suburbs around Memphis for families are Collierville, Germantown, Bartlett, Arlington, Lakeland, and Cordova in Tennessee, plus Olive Branch and Southaven in Mississippi. Collierville and Germantown lead on schools and safety, Bartlett and Cordova cost less, and the Mississippi towns offer the lowest property taxes in the metro.

Memphis Suburbs Compared at a Glance

Collierville

Collierville tops most families’ lists for a reason. Its schools rank among the best in Shelby County, with small classes and strong parent involvement. The historic town square anchors the community with shops, restaurants, and year-round events, and W.C. Johnson Park adds walking trails, a playground, and a splash pad. Homes here run larger and newer than in most of the metro, with yards to match. Collierville movers stay busy for a reason — demand for this suburb rarely slows down.

Germantown

Germantown pairs top-rated schools with some of the lowest crime in the metro. Cameron Brown Park and the Germantown Greenway give kids room to run, and community centers offer sports and art programs for every age. Most homes sit in established neighborhoods with mature trees and generous lots. Expect prices near Collierville levels — you pay for the schools and safety, and Germantown movers will tell you most families consider it money well spent.

Bartlett

Bartlett delivers the best value among the Tennessee suburbs. It mixes older homes with newer developments, so budgets of all sizes find options with real yards. Schools have improved steadily, and the Bartlett Recreation Center — pool, gym, and sports courts under one roof — is a genuine family perk. The commute to Memphis is among the shortest of any suburb, which is why Bartlett movers handle so many young families’ first suburban moves.

Arlington

Arlington keeps a small-town feel while growing fast. New construction dominates, so families get modern layouts and spacious lots at prices below Germantown. Schools rate highly, crime stays low, and events like the Arlington BBQ FallFest and the Christmas parade make it easy to plug into the community. The trade-off is distance — the drive into Memphis runs longer than from Bartlett or Germantown.

Lakeland

Lakeland is the quiet pick. New housing developments, large lots, and clean streets define the area, and the small Lakeland School System earns strong ratings. Families get walking trails, parks, and a community lake, with shopping close by and Memphis a short drive away.

Cordova

Cordova offers the most affordable entry into suburban life on the Tennessee side. Housing ranges from older properties to newly built neighborhoods, and shopping centers, restaurants, and parks sit within minutes of every doorstep. Schools serve a diverse student body, and the location keeps commutes short in every direction.

Olive Branch and Southaven: the Mississippi Option

Just across the state line, Olive Branch and Southaven give families more house for the money thanks to Mississippi’s lower property taxes. Olive Branch pairs well-rated DeSoto County schools with quiet neighborhoods and its own shopping and dining, so daily errands never require a Memphis trip. Southaven adds big amenities — Snowden Grove Park’s baseball complex, an amphitheater, and major retail corridors. A move here crosses state lines even though the drive is short, and interstate movers from Tennessee handle the licensing and logistics that come with it.

How Do You Choose the Right Memphis Suburb?

Rank what matters most before you tour a single home. If schools decide it, shortlist Collierville, Germantown, and Arlington. If budget leads, start with Cordova, Bartlett, and the Mississippi towns. Then test the commute at rush hour — a suburb that looks perfect on Saturday can feel very different on Monday at 7:45 am. Visit neighborhoods at different times, talk to residents, and check crime reports before you commit.

Plan the Move Once You Decide

Once you pick your suburb, book your move four to six weeks out and enroll the kids in school early — the top districts fill fast. Spyder Moving and Storage helps families relocate to the best suburbs around Memphis for families, from packing and loading to transportation and move-day logistics.

Experienced residential movers from Memphis also know the surrounding neighborhoods, common routes, and access issues that can affect moving day.