Relocating to Madison/Jackson from Miami/ft lauderdale (Pearl, Ridgeland: fit in, transplants)

[Northeasterner2548]

I am a professional reloacating for job reasons to Jackson and plan to live in Madison. I grew up in suburbs of New York, Philadelphia and have lived in suburbs of Ft. Lauderdale or Miami for the last 15 years. I have 2 kids 13 and 10. We know little about living in the South. When I visited the people and the town seemed very nice. People in Fl are giving me a very hard time about MS. Any advice for a northener going to MS? Will my kids be treated well in Madison? What do you think the adjustment to living will be like. How are non-southerns and people more used to larger cities looked upon.

Thanks

[tennreb]

Originally Posted by Northeasterner2548

I am a professional reloacating for job reasons to Jackson and plan to live in Madison. I grew up in suburbs of New York, Philadelphia and have lived in suburbs of Ft. Lauderdale or Miami for the last 15 years. I have 2 kids 13 and 10. We know little about living in the South. When I visited the people and the town seemed very nice. People in Fl are giving me a very hard time about MS. Any advice for a northener going to MS? Will my kids be treated well in Madison? What do you think the adjustment to living will be like. How are non-southerns and people more used to larger cities looked upon.

Thanks

Madison is very nice and upscale, even compared to better areas of Miami and New York, but it is rural compared to those areas. There are plenty of "transplants" living in Madison. The only northerners that aren't accepted are the ones that talk about how much better they do it up north. Most northerners find they enjoy Southern culture and assimilate quite well. Mississippians are very hospitable but are somewhat secretly guarded because of past history. If you demonstrate you are open to their hospitality and not condescending, you will be showered with their hospitality. Of course it is true anywhere that you will fit in better if you have an agreeable, likeable personality. And you will find plenty of northerners in Madison. Boating at the reservoir and golf are very popular activities in Madison. Most people are active in their churches, though that isn't a requirement to fit in well there.

[Bravo35223]

I have a cousin who is an attorney in Jackson and a close friend who was just transferred there with AT&T. They both like it fine (but are southerners anyway so there's not a cultural adjustment to be made).

One thing you need to know is that your children will have to attend private schools as the public schools in Jackson are not college-prep quality.

My friend who just moved over there from here (Birmingham) said he had "sticker shock" regarding the cost of private schools for two girls: $19,000 per year. If you are used to this type of expense, then it will not be a problem for you. Also, if you have a nice home in South Florida, you will be able to buy a much larger house in Jackson bc the prices are considerably lower as well as are the property taxes....

[Sam I Am]

Madison schools are different than Jackson, though...right?

My folks live in Madison on the golf course...it's a great little town and the downtown has been re-done with a lot of though toward keeping the character of small town Southern charm. There are a lot of retirees and transplants there - other than getting teased about being Yankees and having Yankee accents (and all in good fun, by the way), I don't think there will be much of an adjustment in that way. I honestly don't know what your kids will think if they are in Madison - it really is small town America - but I think you will be pleased overall.

I'd pick Madison ANY DAY over Jackson...I think the taxes are actually higher there than in Jackson, but the quality of life is just wonderful. There are lots of kids and teens in their neighborhood, so it's not just a bunch of retirees living on the golf course. I like it a lot, I miss Mississippi - I'd move there in a minute.

[auntbee]

If you live in Madison, your children will not have to attend private schools. The public schools there are just fine.

[Northeasterner2548]

Thanks, the plan is to move to Madison as I was told the schools were very good. Is that true?

[auntbee]

Yes. Madison has very good public schools.

[SassyGirl2]

Madison is a great choice. However, be prepared for heavy, heavy traffic especially during work hours. Seems everyone in the greater Jackson area are moving from the city limits to outlying areas in the Hinds, Madison, and Rankin counties. Can't blame them at all. Jackson is in decay since losing their tax base to the surrounding cities.
Sorry if I sound negative about Jackson but I have been here all my life and feel completely entitled to my IMHO opinions.

[strikers]

I made the same move 25 years ago. It may take a little while to get used to it but it is a nice slower lifestyle. You'll see the positives after about 6 months.

[kadeadam]

Madison is a wonderful area. I moved from Navarre Beach, Fl to Mississippi a few years ago, and whereas I had negative experiences with North MS, the Jackson area is nice. Really, the Madison County area is wonderful. The city of Madison has Madison Central which is one of the top public schools in the state. Canton and Ridgeland are also nice areas, sharing their city limits with Madison. Ridgeland is mostly reservoir property and is pricy. All of these areas are growing into one another with amazing new developments. Madison has amazing property values thanks to the efforts of a very strict and progressive mayor who has insisted on a certain look for the town. i have several friends who live in the Madison/Ridgeland/Canton area.
Now, in a more homey, suburban area you have Brandon, which is really the Madison area of south Jackson. It has been highly regarded for years as a good area. Brandon high school is also a very amazing school. Top education. Rankin County School district was named number one in the state last year. The superintendent being Superintendent of the year. Brandon has beautiful homes and is the same distance from the Jackson area. There are also exciting new additions to the Brandon area coming. Brandon and Flowood bleed into one another, Flowood being the newest Rankin county area to prosper enormously thanks to Lakeland Drive which boasts Dogwood Festival Shopping Center, hip boutiques and restaurants. I live in Brandon and am personally very pleased with it. The commute to Jackson is quite short and Madison, Flowood, and other shopping areas in Jackson are from 2 to 5 minute drives away. So really you can't go wrong with these suggestions.
Stay away from downtown jackson, west jackson, Byram, and certain areas of Pearl.