Is Gulfport a nice place to live/retire? (Biloxi, Hattiesburg: for sale, homeowners insurance)

[Dino1]

Any advice/opinions from residents or former residents very much appreciated. My wife and I are thinking of buying a small home there to retire in a few years. Flood insurance and taxes have gotten insane in Florida. Thanks much!

[mscoast]

I would go with north gulfport as the insurance is cheaper!!

[brickpatio]

Yes, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is lovely and cost of living is low. Insurance is high near the coastline but less so north of the coastline. The Florida threads talk a lot about housing prices, crime, rudeness, and traffic - none of which are the case by and large in Mississippi.

For an affordable home in a quiet, charming community, you should look at Bay St. Louis, Diamondhead, Pass Christian, Long Beach or Ocean Springs. You can also look north of I-10 in the area north of Gulfport and Biloxi, which feels like a mix of rural and suburban.

There are also plenty of very affordable homes right in the middle of Biloxi and Gulfport south of Biloxi Bay and north of the beach. This is more or less the urban center of the Coast, but relative to Florida still very quiet.

[Dino1]

Thank you, brickpatio. Your time and kindness are appreciated.

[Cramazani]

I'm in the very north part of Gulfport... there are many little communities popping up that are outside of the city, but not more than 10 mins away, one I know for sure that is retirement-orientented. My family relies heavily on boating and riding a "terex" atv for recreaction, and often drive to pass christian or ocean springs for certain shops, farmers markets, and art festivals. Where I'm at we have one year around farmers market called "Jones produce," that sells all kinds of stuff. My area is no far from Flint Creek park, which is a wonderful 4th July alternative to the beach. Avoid certain areas- most neighborhoods off of Dedeaux Rd... The neighborhoods close to downtown. Umm... We have wonderful fresh seafood, & casinos that supply us with live entertainment. This area is close to Mobile, Hattiesburg, and New Orleans... is only a skip and a jump from FL. I think it takes me little over a hour and a half to get to Pensacola. message me if you need more info.

[Sam In Florida]

[quote=Cramazani;16536151]I'm in the very north part of Gulfport... there are many little communities popping up that are outside of the city, but not more than 10 mins away, one I know for sure that is retirement-orientented. quote]

Cramazani, could you give me any additional info on the retirement oriented community near Gulfport.

We retired to the Orange Grove area of Gulfport in early 2005. Loved it so much until Katrina. In late 2006 we moved to central Florida which has turned out to be not such a good idea. Would love to get back to the Coast but would prefer an active adult type community. I know Tradition has one planned but it's several years in the future. Any info you have would be appreciated.

[PITBOSS]

Have you looked at Diamondhead? Not a devout retirement community but close enough.

[PNightbird]

Like others here I would recommend areas North of Gulfport, as they tend to be safer, you get more house for your money, more land, which is nice if you want to plant a small garden or landscape, and you are still close to the coast and the entertainment venues like the casinos. We live in Saucier, which is just North of Gulfport and love it here, as you get the privacy of living in a rural area, but are still close enough to everything you want in Gulfport. There are some really lovely developments here, so you should take a look. There is a new luxury development called Tradition that is built here (though they managed to get listed under a Biloxi zipcode for whatever reasons) and their website is: The Town of Tradition, Mississippi

It is a very lovely place, they have their own man-made lake, and basically are building their own little town with their own supermarket, post office, and other stores and conviences. However, their homes are priced higher than other comparable homes in the area, but your not just paying for your home but also for the whole "luxury" experience with them. They have a few homes up now for sale and last I read on their website only have about 10 families on the whole development. We live right by them so that's how I know. So if you can afford a home in their development it looks like a lovely place to retire, but if you can't afford them take a look around at other homes in Saucier if you want quiet country living but still be close to the city. We love it out here, and are so glad we didn't choose anything inside Gulfport, Ocean Springs or the other congested cities. Good luck to ya, and let me know if you need any more info.

[WillowDeb]

Am very interested in relocating to MS gulf area - north of rt 10. What are the annual homeowners insurance costs. I am hearing that north of 10 are more reasonable. Looking in the Vancleave area.

[PNightbird]

I would suggest calling some local insurance offices and asking them, as they will give you accurate information and because things have changed so much after hurricane Katrina. You really need to talk to them because many factors now affect insurance rates.

The Vancleave area is nice and rural, but I prefer Saucier as you still get the rural feel but are closer to the entertainment and dining areas. Good luck!