Retire in Mississippi? It's got some things going for it. (Jackson: real estate, credit)

[Jkgourmet]

We are a younger (68 and 54) retired couple looking to relocate from Phoenix AZ. Main reasons to relocate are that we can't do much fishing here. Our ideal would be an area that has a year round comfortable climate, but that does not seem possible. So, if we could find an area that met the rest of our preferences with only a 2-3 month period of impossible humidity, that would get our attention.

MS has no personal state income tax - very attractive. It's hot - we like that, and don't ever want to see snow unless we're watching TV. From what I gather, real estate taxes are low, and so is the price of housing. All good so far.

Our lifestyle would include fishing (prefer salt water inshore or intercoastal, but very willing to replace this with freshwater fishing), and boating.

Larger population areas (25,000 and up) do tend to give us more of what we enjoy (restaurants, especially ethnic, bars, pool halls for DH who plays about 5 days a week, shopping, happy hours, movie theaters).

We are not religious, and our social circle tends to not include those that place a heavy emphasis on religion in their lives (though we do live in a Mormon community with no problems whatsoever. Great neighbors!)

Does anywhere in MS come close to fitting these preferences? (I am looking at AL and FL as well, but really would like to limit the humidity to 2-3 months instead of 6. Plus FL real estate taxes take a big bit out of the bait budget.)

[brickpatio]

Biloxi sounds like a good fit. Diverse, not too conservative, plenty of bars, fishing, casinos, warm weather, and convenient to New Orleans and Florida.

[Listener2307]

I like it in Tupelo, but it doesn't sound like the area you are describing. We don't have all that much fishing close by.

Actually, I believe you are describing Huntsville, Al. There is LOTS of freshwater fishing, and it's a wonderful upscale town. I think you may like it.

PS.......snows there every couple of years. But it all goes away in a day or so.

[Jkgourmet]

Thanks, I'll look into both areas

[Tama]

Diamondhead might work. Also the Ocean Springs area. If you are hurricane adverse then take a look at my town, Hattiesburg. Fishing is king here!
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[peppermint]

Originally Posted by Jkgourmet

We are a younger (68 and 54) retired couple looking to relocate from Phoenix AZ. Main reasons to relocate are that we can't do much fishing here. Our ideal would be an area that has a year round comfortable climate, but that does not seem possible. So, if we could find an area that met the rest of our preferences with only a 2-3 month period of impossible humidity, that would get our attention.

You have not been to MS, have you? Two to three months? No, it's usually awful from at least May to September, sometimes March to September.

I immediately thought of Tennessee, especially Knoxville or Chattanooga.

Originally Posted by Jkgourmet

MS has no personal state income tax - very attractive. It's hot - we like that, and don't ever want to see snow unless we're watching TV. From what I gather, real estate taxes are low, and so is the price of housing. All good so far.

MS does have personal income tax: Mississippi (MS) Income Tax Rates and Tax Brackets 2010/2011 (http://www.tax-rates.org/Mississippi/income-tax/ - broken link) and State income tax - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Originally Posted by Jkgourmet

Our lifestyle would include fishing (prefer salt water inshore or intercoastal, but very willing to replace this with freshwater fishing), and boating.

Larger population areas (25,000 and up) do tend to give us more of what we enjoy (restaurants, especially ethnic, bars, pool halls for DH who plays about 5 days a week, shopping, happy hours, movie theaters).

We are not religious, and our social circle tends to not include those that place a heavy emphasis on religion in their lives (though we do live in a Mormon community with no problems whatsoever. Great neighbors!)

Does anywhere in MS come close to fitting these preferences? (I am looking at AL and FL as well, but really would like to limit the humidity to 2-3 months instead of 6. Plus FL real estate taxes take a big bit out of the bait budget.)

I think you should look into Tennessee. No personal taxes (unlike Alabama), humidity from May to August, scads of fishing, larger population, less emphasis on religion (for a Southern area), and something you didn't mention - good medical care.

I don't know what it's like on the coast. My parents live in north-central MS, and they have to travel two hours to Tupelo to get good medical care. It's something that should weigh into your decision.

My vote: Knoxville or Chattanooga.

[Tama]

I agree---the Knoxville area is beautiful! But Ms has easier access to the beach and saltwater fishing. I would say the weather in MS is quite ok from late Sept. to mid-June. There are exceptional years but that is my take for most years. The OP likes heat, so I think the winter in TN might be a bit cool for her taste.
Now for medical care I totally disagree. Jackson has topnotch medical delivery and Hattiesburg is a major medical hub. Very little you can't get done here. I don't know about the Biloxi area, but it is close to Mobile and Diamondhead is close to Oscher in NO. Medical care is not an issue from Jackson south.

[peppermint]

Like I said, I can't comment on the southern part of the state. Most people I know in the northern part of the state have to go to Tupelo or Birmingham for care. Personally, if I had a serious disease like cancer, I wouldn't go to Jackson. That's just my take on it based on friends and family. Two friends with brain tumors went to Birmingham for care. Two friends with breast cancer also went to Birmingham. That's a hike for good medical care. If a person has existing issues or once a person reaches a certain age, this should be a consideration. My parents are nearing 70, and I'm begging them to move. The medical care in their area is beyond sub-par.

[kiggy]

Originally Posted by peppermint

You have not been to MS, have you? Two to three months? No, it's usually awful from at least May to September, sometimes March to September.

I immediately thought of Tennessee, especially Knoxville or Chattanooga.



MS does have personal income tax: Mississippi (MS) Income Tax Rates and Tax Brackets 2010/2011 (http://www.tax-rates.org/Mississippi/income-tax/ - broken link) and State income tax - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.




I think you should look into Tennessee. No personal taxes (unlike Alabama), humidity from May to August, scads of fishing, larger population, less emphasis on religion (for a Southern area), and something you didn't mention - good medical care.

I don't know what it's like on the coast. My parents live in north-central MS, and they have to travel two hours to Tupelo to get good medical care. It's something that should weigh into your decision.

My vote: Knoxville or Chattanooga.

I went to high school in the Mississippi Delta -- very humid 5-6 months out of the year. The thing about TN is that you do run the risk of frost, ice and snow, especially in the mountains, so you have to take that into consideration. We had it in the Delta more than a few times.

[jhadorn]

Originally Posted by peppermint

Like I said, I can't comment on the southern part of the state. Most people I know in the northern part of the state have to go to Tupelo or Birmingham for care. Personally, if I had a serious disease like cancer, I wouldn't go to Jackson. That's just my take on it based on friends and family. Two friends with brain tumors went to Birmingham for care. Two friends with breast cancer also went to Birmingham. That's a hike for good medical care. If a person has existing issues or once a person reaches a certain age, this should be a consideration. My parents are nearing 70, and I'm begging them to move. The medical care in their area is beyond sub-par.

I don't have any personal experience regarding cancer care in Jackson, however, University of Mississippi Medical Center is rated as "high performing" for cancer treatment by US News and World Report. The article goes on to say " It performed nearly at the level of nationally ranked U.S. News Best Hospitals in 3 adult specialties, as shown below".

University of Mississippi Health Care is a teaching hospital. It is accredited by the Joint Commission (JC) and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

In patient satisfaction surveys conducted by the federal government, 83% of patients would definitely recommend University of Mississippi Medical Center, compared to a national average of 69%, and a state average of 68%.

I wouldn't be afraid of treatment there.

University of Mississippi Health Care - US News Best Hospitals