Moving to Memphis for St. Jude?
Housing guidance for researchers, fellows, clinical staff and support employees relocating to Memphis — including international arrivals and remote leasing.
Nearby apartments: ELM manages Raleigh Pines in Raleigh, Memphis (38128) — view current availability.
Quick answers for renters
- Can I apply before I move? Yes — out-of-town applications are routine. How remote leasing works.
- Can I tour on my own schedule? Yes — book a self-guided tour, including outside office hours.
- What documents do I need? Photo ID for every adult, proof of income or a written offer letter, and rental history. Full list.
- How do I time move-in? Aim for a few days before your first day. Planning around a start date.
- What is currently listed availability? View current availability — it changes weekly.
Relocations into research and clinical roles have a distinct rhythm: a defined appointment length, a start date tied to a program calendar, and often an international move with paperwork that has to clear first. The apartment search has to fit around all three.
St. Jude sits within the Memphis Medical District, near the city core — which means your housing question is usually about how far out from that district you want to be, and what you get in exchange.
About travel times. We do not publish drive-time figures for any employer or worksite. Any travel time you see elsewhere is an estimate; confirm your worksite address with your employer and drive or map the route yourself, at the hours you will actually travel it.
Relocation considerations
Appointment length drives lease length
A one- or two-year fellowship, a rotating appointment and a permanent role each suggest a different lease term. Ask before applying.
Medical District proximity
Living close to the district shortens the commute; living further out generally changes what your budget buys. Neither is automatically right — drive both.
Arriving from another country
If you are relocating internationally, expect questions about US rental history and credit that you may not be able to answer yet. Tell us up front and we will explain what is workable.
Parking and shift hours
Ask what parking is available where you will be working, and whether your hours are fixed. It changes which side of a commute you want to be on.
Family and partner timing
Many research relocations arrive in stages. Plan the lease around when the whole household actually lands, not just you.
Program start calendars
Program cohorts often start on the same date, which means other people are searching the same week you are. Start earlier than feels necessary.
Arriving for a fellowship or research appointment? Tell us the start date and appointment length and we will match a lease term to it.
Leasing before you arrive
Most researchers and clinical staff we lease to sign before they arrive in Memphis, frequently from another country. The process is designed for that.
- Confirm what is available for your date
Start from our current listings rather than an older search result. - Tour it
Book a self-guided showing, or ask us for a video walkthrough of the specific unit if you cannot travel. - Ask your questions in writing
Utilities, parking, pets, lease term and move-in timing — before you apply, not after. - Apply online
Submit through our application with your documents ready. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval. - Read and sign the lease
Term, rent due date, utilities, maintenance process and end-of-term conditions. - Set up move-in
Utilities in your name and renters insurance active for the move-in date, then schedule your key handover.
Documents to prepare
If you are arriving from outside the US, standard documentation may not apply to you. Ask before you apply rather than assuming you will be declined.
- Government photo ID for every adult on the lease
- Proof of income — recent pay stubs, or your offer letter if you have not started
- Rental history with contact details for recent landlords
- Employer contact details and personal references
- Appointment or offer letter showing start date and term
- Visa or immigration documentation, if you are relocating internationally
- An explanation of any gap in US rental history or credit file
Showing options
If you are overseas or finishing a prior appointment, a video walkthrough of the specific unit is usually the practical option; self-guided showings work once you are in town.
Featured ELM rentals
Our Memphis rentals include apartments in the Raleigh area of northeast Memphis. Availability changes frequently, so the listings page is the current source of truth.
Research and clinical relocation checklist
- Appointment start date and term confirmed in writing
- Lease length matched to the appointment length
- Worksite and parking arrangements confirmed
- Immigration or visa timeline understood before committing to a move-in date
- Documentation gathered, including an explanation of any US credit or rental gap
- Household arrival dates planned if the family arrives separately
- Utilities and renters insurance scheduled
- First-week essentials planned if shipping arrives later
Related guides
Healthcare worker housing
Researchers and fellows
International researchers
Medical District
Frequently asked questions
Is ELM affiliated with St. Jude?
No. We are an independent property management company. No apartment we manage is affiliated with or endorsed by St. Jude or any hospital or research institution.
I am moving from another country and have no US credit history. Can I rent?
Tell us before you apply. Applications are reviewed against the property’s criteria and we cannot guarantee approval, but the situation is common and worth discussing rather than assuming.
Can I sign a lease that matches a one-year fellowship?
Ask us about term options before you apply. Matching the two avoids an awkward overlap at the end of your appointment.
Can someone else tour on my behalf?
Yes — many arriving researchers have a colleague or family member view the unit. We can also provide a video walkthrough of the specific apartment.
How early should I start?
Earlier than you think, especially if your program has a common cohort start date.
Ask Lia
Lia is ELM Property Management’s leasing assistant. If you are arriving for a fellowship or research role and need a lease that matches your appointment, ask. Send your question through our contact page, email info@elmpropertymanagement.com, or call 901-350-5502, and a member of our team will follow up.
Relocating to Memphis for research or clinical work?
Send us your start date and appointment length. We will tell you what is available and what lease term makes sense.
ELM Property Management is not affiliated with or endorsed by the employer referenced on this page. Employer names are used solely to help prospective residents evaluate rental and relocation options in the Memphis area.
Renter guides for this move