Moving to Arlington, TN: A Practical Relocation Guide

Relocating is a lot to manage, especially when you are choosing a town you may have only seen on a map. Arlington, Tennessee sits in the northeast corner of Shelby County, where I-40 meets the outer loop around Memphis. If Arlington and its 38002 zip code are on your list, this guide covers the practical things people ask about first.

Where Arlington is and how you get around

Arlington is a town of about 23 square miles. Its neighbors include Lakeland to the west, Bartlett beyond that, Millington to the northwest and the Eads area to the south.

Three major highways come together here. I-40 runs west to Memphis and east toward Jackson and Nashville. I-269 heads south from I-40 toward Eads, Collierville and Mississippi. Paul Barret Parkway (State Route 385) runs northwest from the same interchange for about 17 miles to U.S. Highway 51 in Millington.

That last road is worth noting for anyone relocating for work at Naval Support Activity Mid-South, which is located in Millington. Paul Barret Parkway gives Arlington a direct, limited-access route in that direction.

Within town, Airline Road (State Route 205) is the main north-south street, and U.S. Highway 70 crosses the north side. Town Hall is on Airline Road.

Depot Square, the old town and parks

Arlington was first incorporated in 1878 under the name Haysville and took its current name around 1900. The historic center is Depot Square, which has long been the gathering place for town events. Around it you will find reminders of the town's past, including the S.Y. Wilson and Company building, the Rachel H.K. Burrows Museum, a historic post office and a blacksmith shop.

Depot Square has hosted community events such as Arlington in April and Music on the Square. Dates change each year, so check the town or chamber calendar for the current schedule before you plan around one.

For a town its size, Arlington has a good list of public spaces. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce lists the Arlington Sports Complex, the Arlington Tennis Center, Forrest Street Park, Douglass Street Community Park, Hughes-College Hill Community Park, Playground of Dreams and Julian M. Williamson, Jr. Lake, along with several smaller neighborhood parks.

If outdoor space is important to you, map the parks against the neighborhoods you are considering. Some are an easy walk from nearby subdivisions and others are a short drive.

Public schools: the facts

Arlington Community Schools is the town's municipal school district. It opened in 2014 and has four schools: Arlington Elementary, Donelson Elementary, Arlington Middle and Arlington High. Under an agreement between the two districts, high school students from neighboring Lakeland also attend Arlington High.

The district serves addresses inside the town limits. Some homes with an Arlington mailing address are outside the town boundary, so always confirm school zoning for a specific address directly with the district.

Taxes, utilities and town services

Homeowners inside the town limits pay both Shelby County property tax and Town of Arlington property tax. The town's proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 to 2027, presented in spring 2026, kept the town rate at $1.13 per $100 of assessed value with no increase. Rates are set each year, so confirm the current figure with the town before you budget.

The town operates its own sewer system and solid waste collection, both funded mainly through user fees. When you buy, ask which providers serve the specific address for water, electricity and gas, and set up accounts before closing day so nothing is interrupted.

The same budget listed road work as a priority, including Donelson Farms Parkway, Airline Road and street and sidewalk repairs. If you are looking at a home near one of those corridors, it is reasonable to ask the town about project timing.

Tips if you are moving from out of town

Visit on a weekday if you can. Drive your likely route at the time you would really be on the road.

Confirm town limits. Taxes, schools and services depend on whether an address is inside Arlington, in another town or in unincorporated Shelby County.

Ask about the HOA. Many newer subdivisions have a homeowners association with dues and rules. Read the documents before you commit.

Plan for a remote closing if needed. Much of a Tennessee purchase can be handled from a distance, and video walk-throughs can fill the gap when you cannot be here in person.

Moving to a new town comes with a hundred small questions. If it would help to have someone local answer a few of them about Arlington, or to compare it with Lakeland, Bartlett or Eads, please feel free to reach out. I am glad to help however I can, on your timeline.

Kelly Day, SRES, SRS, AHWD, PSA, RENE
Multi Million Dollar Club
Broker Lic # 365811
simpliHOM
901-289-9227
855-856-9466
[email protected]
https://memphishouselistings.com