Ranking the best places to live in Mississippi (Jackson, Gulfport: mortgage, real estate)

[jtatscha]

I agree, I have lived in Pearl pretty much all of my life, exept for ten years in Texas, and this place is so boring!!!!!!!! I have been trying to find a place to go and I think Greenville, South Carolina is it. My son had to move back to Texas with his dad because the only thing for teens to do here is get drunk, high, and hang out in parking lots. We are the fattest state in the union and that is why, there is nothing to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tama]

Jtatscha Nothing to do? How about sports, swimming teams, golf, classes,...? I don't how old your son is but if he could only "hang out" there is definitely something wrong somewhere?? My son grew up in H'burg and there were tons of things for him from the Interaction Factory, gifted studies, music(Suziki), sports, special classes for kids like horseback, golf, and there is a wonderful camp a few miles north of her near McGee. We aren't hunters or fishermen in our family and we had more than enough to do. Scouting, Hub Fins, Spanish classes, summer programs at the YMCA...? He loved going to the university football ganes-Brett Favre was here then-and he followed the basketball team as well. And that doesn't include all the stuff with school like debate, theater, or trips to Germany and France. I lived in one of the biggest east coast cities for years before coming here, so I know big cities and I also lived in Austin, TX, and couldn't wait to get back to Mississippi. Go figure!

[jtatscha]

Tama that sounds wonderful, did any of those activities cost anything? I was a single mom and could not afford some of the things that you are talking about. What I am saying about Mississippi is there are no community events that are free or cheap that adults and teens can participate in.

[Tama]

Hope this helps--also the universities have programs for kids particularly in the summer.


Official City of Jackson, Mississippi Website - Parks and Recreation
edZOOcation - Educational Programs offered by the Jackson Zoological Society - Jackson, Mississippi
Official City of Jackson, Mississippi Website - Planetarium
http://www.jacksonartscouncil.org/
Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau Jackson MS
Volunteer Opportunities in Jackson, MS
Official City of Jackson, Mississippi Website - Community Centers
Jackson - Hinds Library System
Official City of Jackson, Mississippi Website - Mayor's Youth Initiative
Nonprofit Organization Search Results
NYSC********** NYSP********** YES********** Hall Of Fame

[vasinger]

My father loved Oxford. It reminded him of Lexington, Virginia. Its a very nice area.

Natchez reminds me of RT 5 near Richmond- James Rivah plantations area.

[Tama]

When I first moved south we would drive back to PA through Virginia. It became "my favorite state". The food, the scenery, the history...I loved it. You are indeed fortunate to live there. If I weren't so lazy, I would consider a move to Charlottesvile. The town where they have the apples--is it Winchester--remember it well.

[RDionne]

We moved to Crystal Springs, Mississippi in 1995. We don't have to lock the doors to our home. We leave our keys in the vehicles in the driveway. There has not be anything stolen. We have never had to call the police. Our neighbors are great. Our location is in a "desireable" part of town.

Our public schools K-12 aka Attendance Centers are pitiful. Private academies come to the rescue, which gets expensive. Integration failed miserably here.

The community is small, about 5000. We're growing. The McMansions are arriving eating up pasture land.

Living is easy. The pace is slower. Retirement is near and it will happen right here.

The only option is Hattiesburg. We have a "cottage" in the historic district. Considered moving there before Katrina. Now it's high end rental. I like Hattiesburg. The university has a great influence.

I think alot of newcomers experience a cultural shock of sorts when they first arrive here in Mississippi.

[MagnoliaState]

I think a lot of people moving to Ms. are at first excited and blind-sided by the "great deal" they can get when purchasing a home. From my experience with individuals that moved here from the north especially, they were totally blown away by how much house they could purchase here. But then once they began living here many soon learned that it does take more than a "fancy house" to make one happy. I sympathize with parents that live in some of these small southern towns. They are truly a nice to place to live if your retired and want a totally peaceful and quiet life. But if your trying to raise a child, and don't have the means to join a country club or if your child attends "public" and not private schools; then your childs activities are VERY limited and much of their teenage years will end up being spent in the "Piggly Wiggly" parking lot on Friday and Saturday night.
As parents, we've been begging Batesville officials FOR YEARS to consider "the youth" of our town. They remain the city leaders lowest priority. But yet we have a Civic Center.

[Tama]

Magnolia State I think you are describing small towns everywhere-not just in MS. You can't compare small towns in rural areas to cities and then say it is the state that is different. Small towns in Maine, Texas, Pa, and California all have the same limitations.

[MagnoliaState]

Originally Posted by Tama

Magnolia State I think you are describing small towns everywhere-not just in MS. You can't compare small towns in rural areas to cities and then say it is the state that is different. Small towns in Maine, Texas, Pa, and California all have the same limitations.

No! I'm actually describing MY experience as they pertain to Mississippi. It is Mississippi that we are speaking of. Am I correct in that? If I had wanted to describe living conditions in the other states that you mentioned I would have to have had "experience" living there.
I am very much aware of what Oxford has to offer "youth". (for example) Do you consider that a "city" or "small rural town"? Oxford has the honor of being the worst "party town" in Mississippi. By that the media didn't mean "clean fun" either. Try drunk and rowdy.
While they do have a boweling alley and movies to attend. I think one poster's comment was well taken, and that is if you are a single mother, with no money....what does your child do in some of these towns/cities?

My main comment related to activities for youth in our area. I am not concerned about other states when I'm living here. I appreciate that you pointed out how similar Mississippi is to all other states in the nation. That won't help entertain the youth who move HERE and find they have nothing to do.