Mississippi homebound (Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi: rentals, crime, houses) - (MS) - City-Data Forum

chaps · 05-09-2007, 12:35 PM

My family is from Michigan and we are planning to relocate to the Mississippi gulfcoast area. My husband is in the construciton business and Michigan's economy is horrible, housing is down and lack of jobs are forcing us to relocate. He has a job and is currently working and living in temporary housing in the Bay St. Louis area. He is really excited about the opportunities for him here and he loves the weather so far - obviously Michigan winters can be brutal. Coming from the Great Lakes area we do a lot of boating in Michigan and love the outdoors as a family.

We have 3 smaller children that will be in 1st, 3rd and 6th grade next year. I am coming down to visit in June and my primary goal is to scope out the areas, schools and housing that is available. I want to be in a family friendly area for my kids. They are used to subdivision life and always having a lot of friends to hang with. I also want to keep in mind that as they grow will the area still be nice for just my husband and I. The schools are extremely important and I am looking at housing, at least 4 bdrm for around $250 - $300K.

Without personally have visited MS yet, the internet has provided some information. Can anybody offer some advice as to where they would choose to call home if new to the gulfcoast area? Likewise, the areas that I should stay away from.

Thank you for reading and hopefully someone can give me some advice.

Mississippienne · 05-09-2007, 02:20 PM

Some time ago, Muhnay posted a similar thread. He's since moved down here. http://www.city-data.com/forum/missi...biloxi-ms.html

What appears to be the entire population of Detroit has moved to the Gulf Coast in the last year and a half, so you won't be alone. If you're looking into purchasing a home, I'd advise getting one several miles inland from the beaches, in case there's another massive hurricane. There's no young kids in my family so I don't know how the schools are. June will be HOT! Wear sunscreen and a hat if you go out to the beaches. Try the Cajun Crawfish Shack in Long Beach for the fried gator -- yum! There is still debris all over the city, but its getting cleaned up slowly but surely. The one major fault with Gulfport is the noise pollution -- we lived near the railroad track and the airport, and don't forget the military aircraft which fly over regularly.

cncguy2000 · 05-10-2007, 03:17 AM

Woolmarket, is my first choice.
new subdivisions popping up around 200K with nice big 2500+ houses.
My Bro - in law has one, and it's nice.
We take the kids there for trick or treating without worry.
few guys have tractors and do hay rides for kids.

chaps · 05-10-2007, 11:13 AM

Thanks for the information. I've been surfing through some other threads and am hearing bad things about Jackson and the crime is bad. Is that the city of Jackson or Jackson county? Just want to clarify. Can you tell me anything about Ocean Springs area, Long Beach or Diamondhead.

auntbee · 05-10-2007, 11:44 AM

The crime capitol would be the city of Jackson, not Jackson County. Ocean Springs is a nice little town on the coast too.

Muhnay · 05-10-2007, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mississippienne

Some time ago, Muhnay posted a similar thread. He's since moved down here. http://www.city-data.com/forum/missi...biloxi-ms.html

Yes Indeed! I moved here from El Paso TX, and it has been the best thing I have done in my life, well besides marring my wife of 15 years. =)

I live in Gulfport MS, and love it. The trains and planes can be a tad annoying, but you get used to them rather quick.. and the trains can be comforting hearing them clicker-clacker by.

There are a ton of construction jobs all over the area, the schools my kids are in are great, they attend central and I could not be happier with them. Great programs for kids here. And no damn school uniforms YAY!

If you will looking for work as well, there are plenty of jobs, all paying rather well. I work in a local casino as a Security Officer.. but I have applied for the Police dept.

Also if you have a chance volunteer with some of the local clean ups, it is hard work, but you meet nice people, and its rewarding. I always feel better afterwards.

Water.. water everywhere, I went Jet Skiing the other day, and man was that a blast. And there are Sailboat rentals, and ship island tours, as well as Cat Island day trips. So there are things to do.. just keep in mind we are a tourist attraction, people wanting to see the destruction as well as the beaches draw people in.. not to forget our casinos. So things can be a tad costly here. But I think its worth it.. I love living here, and I think you will too.

Oh yeah The coliseum has all sorts of things going on... concerts, festivals, all sorts of things.. just keep that in mind when looking for something to do.

Good Luck, I hope you make the move... I don't think you'll regret it.

Ocean Springs - Just across the Sound from Biloxi, its billed as the artsy city.. it is very nice and clean. Has great Shopping , and a cute downtown area.

Long Beach - Is right next to Gulfport, and is not that bad as I have seen, the locals talk about a place in Long Beach called the Quarters, stay away from there its a tad rough..

Diamondhead - Don't know much about it.. I plan on heading out that way today.. a friend I met at work lives out there and he likes it. Tell you more about it, once I know something.

chaps · 05-10-2007, 06:51 PM

Thanks for the information. You seem excited as I hope to be on my future visit. Honestly, I am looking forward to the move but sad to leave friends and family. With airline tickets cheaper than gas I'll fly for visits periodically.

Hopefully, meeting new friends will be easy especially if I get involved in community, church and school functions. I will gladly volunteer to help in any small way I can.

As for employment, I'm not sure what I will be doing. I'm sure I can find something or go back to school.

Feel free to offer any other advice. It will be appreciated.

cncguy2000 · 05-10-2007, 11:28 PM

Long Beach is also know for having the Highest Property taxes in MS.
why? who know, it's not because of the good roads....
Only bad part in LB. I know of is between LB and Gulfport in Gaston Point.
on other side of Memorial Hospital.
(I graduated HS from Long Beach in 82)

DiamondHead is a Gated Community - Sort of....
Nice Place, Country club, Golf course, ect. Membership Dues Monthly for residents. - they got hit bad in Katrina, south of I-10 is Gone.... Nothing left standing, very sad!, most houses on that side had Airplane hangers for garages.

Sorry if it seems that I am ranting, had a crappy night at work tonight.

beamseight · 05-16-2007, 11:31 PM

Jackson can be a dangerous area. The roads in Jxn are the worst I've ever seen. NE Jackson is safer though. I do not know much about the schools on the coast, but if they are anything like the schools in Jackson, I would stick to private schools. I recently went to Ocean Springs for a wedding, and was very impressed.

michelerae53 · 05-17-2007, 08:55 AM

My husband and I are joing the ranks for construction workers headed for the biloxi-gulfport area. we really need info regarding campgrounds for construction workers and companies to comtact for work. can anyone help?