My husband was raised in Memphis. He has been wanting to take me and our children there for the longest time. We have yet to go. Hopefully this summer. We are all looking forward.
I’ve met quite of few Memphis friends of my husband and my in laws. They have come here to visit. In fact some came in for our sheva brachos almost 22 years ago. Then a few came in when we celebrated my in laws 50th anniversary approximately 7 years ago. They are a very warm and close knit community.
BTW – I am a born and bred New Yorker who now lives in Chicago. Growing up in NY, you think it’s the be all – end all of places. You can’t imagine a frum community anywhere else. And certainly any place like Chicago or Memphis or any other OOT place can’t possibly have “regular, normal” people. Well guess what! That is totally false! There are many wonderful frum communities outside of New York.