Located at the delta of the Mississippi River, which is sometimes referred to as the “American Nile,” Memphis takes its name from the ancient Egyptian capital city at the head of the Nile River delta. Like Egypt, the cotton industry has played a major role in the Memphis economy. The Memphis Cotton Exchange is still in operation downtown, although trading is now done by computer and the trading floor has been converted to a cotton museum. The Beale Street historic district, known as the birthplace of the blues, and Overton Square, in the heart of Memphis, are filled with nightclubs, restaurants, shops, parks and museums. In the Pinch Historic District, along North Main Street, live music abounds, and the South Main arts district downtown features the renovated, historic Central Station along with theaters, museums, art galleries, lofts, open markets, and trendy restaurants and shops. Memphis is a safe place to live. If you are considering moving to Memphis, renting an apartment may be your best option to getting settled into the life of this vivacious city. A studio apartment rental in midtown Memphis is $440 per month including utilities. A one-bedroom luxury loft apartment in the historic South Main arts district in downtown Memphis rents for $1400. A two-bedroom apartment in east Memphis rents for $470 and in midtown for $675.