<p>No. Transportation is needed for malling.</p>
<p>We lived in a very decent/nice neighborhood in Memphis and worked at Rhodes for a number of years. We really enjoyed our seasons there. That said, we discovered lots of crime that unfortunately impacted us … had many bikes, 2 lawnmowers, pots/plants, etc. stolen over the years. More than the pain and inconvenience of the losses was the disconcerting reality that someones had been in and around our home and garages.</p>
<p>Some of this touched on Rhodes, which like virtually all of Memphis is in close proximity to poor 'hoods. It’s a function of the city’s history … the locals call it the “checkerboard” effect. The public transportation system was historically so very bad and the hired help (read “black”) who virtually all enlisted in some ways in and around their homes needed to live nearbye so they might get to work. Consequently, that arrangement remains throughout much of Memphis today. Very poor downtrodden areas in close proximity to very upscale neighborhoods. It’s getting better, but it’s still a prevalent scenario.</p>
<p>So there’s no escaping it in Memphis and Rhodes being recognized as a very white, well to do campus becomes a target on many occasions. Security is high and appropriately good.</p>
<p>Now to put it in perspective, it’s “no worse” than a Pitt, Penn, Temple (whoa! this is terrible!!!), GWU, and many other urban colleges. It’s the unfortunate nature of the beast. </p>
<p>Rhodes is a very fine and hidden gem in the higher ed world. One of the most attractive, uniform campuses anywhere. And being in Memphis has some very significant advantages for strong students as well, especially those who want to do senior theses on Handy and Elvis and Mud Island. And the Peabody Hotel dux’ll quack you up. jk, of course. But the really great part is that if you don’t mind some of the noted downsides, RC offers exceptional FA often to good students who need not necessarily be Rhodes Scholars. Although Rhodes, formerly Southwestern at Memphis, has had several handsful as I recall, including Dr. Alexander, the former U.S. Exec Director or the Rhodes Scholar program.</p>
<p>We really love Memphis, but it’s not for everyone. The locals claim it’s "down in a hole. 4 hours from anywhere, be it Nashville, Jackson (MS), Little Rock, St. Lou (actually 5 hrs.). The airfares are unbelievably high as it ain’t on the way to anywhere, and aside from FedExers and International Paperboys (who ruined the housing market in Memphis) and Evisiteseers, not a lot of reason for people to go and planes to land. And it’s the hottest/muggiest place on the planet in August! And one of the prettiest in May … make sure you get to Memphis in May by the way. Love those crepe myrtles!</p>
<p>One final thought re: Rhodes … it is a fairly cerebral and very “Southern” type of place. Students are bright, preppy, affluent, mostly Mid-Southern, cotton kids. The campus culture is an interesting one with many good profs who really care about teaching and scholarship. Student leadership has historically been dominated by women … all one need do is look at th pix of those who’ve presided over the Honor Council … nearly always a female. Even before it was PC, RC was pretty gay-friendly place as a result. Athletics is virtually non-existant so cheering for the “weak Lynx” is not the heart of school spirit. Interesting trivia … RC was once the home to the Memphis Showboats! 'Twas a strategic move to try and nurture a more masculine campus culture. Like the Showboats, it went “south.”</p>
<p>You would find a virtual world of difference between, let’s say the Elon student body vs. Rhodes. Very different type places.</p>