Mississippi VS Louisiana (Gulfport, Long Beach, Oxford: real estate, how much, house prices)

[aiangel_writer]

Whatever you do, make sure you call a reputible insurance company to find out IF they insure and if so, how much it would set you back per year.

From what I heard on my last trip down, many locals were moving inland just north of I-10 to be able to afford good insurance and nice size home, unless one was rich.

There are many new high rise condos being built in Biloxi, and many properties on the coast are still vacant. The further inland you go, the better your chances of finding a nice size place to rent.

Remember, I-10 is not that far from the coast, just a few minutes drive actually. I would start with the chambers of each town there and get information from them as to who to contact for rental property, also you might try googling some of the local newspapers and look at their classifieds.

[Faerie88]

I have been searching the Sunherald almost every day for rentals, and also jobs. I have been told by more than one to try to get north of I-10, I have also heard that crime is worse south of here? Does anyone have any comments on crime in certain areas?

Originally Posted by aiangel_writer

Whatever you do, make sure you call a reputible insurance company to find out IF they insure and if so, how much it would set you back per year.

From what I heard on my last trip down, many locals were moving inland just north of I-10 to be able to afford good insurance and nice size home, unless one was rich.

There are many new high rise condos being built in Biloxi, and many properties on the coast are still vacant. The further inland you go, the better your chances of finding a nice size place to rent.

Remember, I-10 is not that far from the coast, just a few minutes drive actually. I would start with the chambers of each town there and get information from them as to who to contact for rental property, also you might try googling some of the local newspapers and look at their classifieds.

[aiangel_writer]

I do not live down on the coast, but have been down there 5 times in the past three months. One thing I found very disturbing was in the TGIF parking lot off 49 at I-10, they had a security guard patroling in the evening and night hours. When I asked about this, I was told that a number of people who were from gangs and such from New Orleans had moved to the coast and there was a lot more crime because of this. It is widespread all over the coastal area. That was not good news to hear. I also stayed at the Beau Rivage and would walk out on the wooden walkway they have right underneath the underpass and there are homeless people living under there.

Now, I have been to Biloxi for many years even before Katrina, on business and this is the first time I have ever seen this.

It broke my heart for sure. I think the crime is pretty much everywhere south of I-10. We were told to not go out walking alone.

[laini]

The MS Gulf Coast is wonderful. I was born in New Orleans & spent a lot of vacations & summers in Waveland, MS. The past 37 years I lived in San Franciso & recently moved back to the MS Gulf Coast to work as a Katrina relief volunteer. I love the Waveland, Bay St. Louis areas but you will find insurance has gone up. This area is close to New Orleans (about an hour), Slidell, LA (about 1/2 hour), Gulfport, MS (1/2 hour) and Biloxi (45 minutes). I love the small town feel yet we're so close to the larger cities, malls, etc.

[Faerie88]

The previous post was unsettling, but bay St. louis and Waveland sounds interesting. How is the rental market in this area?

Originally Posted by laini

The MS Gulf Coast is wonderful. I was born in New Orleans & spent a lot of vacations & summers in Waveland, MS. The past 37 years I lived in San Franciso & recently moved back to the MS Gulf Coast to work as a Katrina relief volunteer. I love the Waveland, Bay St. Louis areas but you will find insurance has gone up. This area is close to New Orleans (about an hour), Slidell, LA (about 1/2 hour), Gulfport, MS (1/2 hour) and Biloxi (45 minutes). I love the small town feel yet we're so close to the larger cities, malls, etc.

[ladyeclectic79]

If you're looking for beach-front property, definitely look into south Mississippi. Particularly along Hwy90 in Pass Christian, Waveland, Bay St. Louis and Pearlington. Gulfport and Biloxi are also on the ocean, but the aforementioned smaller towns are just wonderful and totally coming back from Katrina. Plus they truck white sand in to make awesome beaches which are beautiful IMO.

Biggest shock from someone used to Pacific ocean waves: it's more like a lap pool. But SO pretty.

[Huckleberry3911948]

Originally Posted by Faerie88

I lived in Pamama City Beach for most of my life, but got tired of all the spring breakers and partying! We moved to Beaufort, SC, which is a charming small town, but very expensive in the housing market. We want very badly to get back to the gulf coast, I miss it tremendously, so we have been looking at the coastal areas of Louisiana.
I get postive and negative feedback, so it is hard to decide between the cities there. I am unsure of the economy however, and would hate to move somewhere that we would be struggling, (my husband is a trim carpenter, I am currently a property manager).
I wondered if anyone had opnions on the comparisons of La and Ms's gulf coast? If we were to move to MS, where on the gulf coast would be best? What are your thoughts on the rebuilding since the storms? I am looking for that laid back small town, but still with the comforts of malls and such close by!
If you had a choice which state would you move to?

we will have more storms so build and locate accordingly.

[ladyeclectic79]

Originally Posted by Bunky39

we will have more storms so build and locate accordingly.

Quite right.

[Mississippienne]

Originally Posted by Faerie88

How about housing cost when we decide to buy? We ultimately want an older home, something we can work on and restore over time. Are there places like that in this area?

Yes! I am living right now in a beautiful 100-year-old home just a few blocks from the beach that we have been rehabbing. From my computer desk, I can look out our giant half-circle window and see palm trees. You'll freak when you found out how much this house cost after Katrina: $30,000. The previous owner sold it for the value of the lot. That doesn't include rehab costs, of course.

One area to avoid is right around Memorial Hospital in Gulfport. I haven't seen many homeless people, there used to be some vagrants who slept out in the woods outside of Home Depot. When I visited New Orleans, under every underpass you'd see dozens of people camped out under the bridge.

[inave]

I agree, TennReb. I lived in MS for 20 years before I was fortunate enough to be able to move out. While MS [i]seem[i] friendly, I found it all to be superficial. They are so surrounded by family, they never let an outsider in. On the other hand, Cajuns [i]seem[i] less friendly but, beneath that gruff exterior, you will have a friend for life!