Call me crazy, but tell me about Greenwood! (Hattiesburg, Greenville: sales, real estate)

[Mississippi Mamma]

OK so I have posted on out of state forums about good Southern towns, but I would prefer to stay instate. Me and my boyfriend are currently living in Hattiesburg right now. I am from Greenville and he is from McComb. Greenville is god awful now and I would not want to raise my kids there. I know the Delta as a whole is pretty bad, but I have done some research, and Greenwood seems like it is not NEARLY as horrible as Greenville. I absolutely love the old homes along Grand Boulevard, and there are other nice neighborhoods around town. The downtown does not seem nearly as dead as Greenville's and from what I hear, you do not have to fear for your life as much as you do in Greenville.

I know this sounds crazy to move back to the Delta, but I would be able to be closer to my family in Greenville, and the Delta does have that charm that has been taken over by the crime and poverty in most towns there. So, could y'all please tell me about Greenwood, I have only been there a few times.

Thanks!!!
-Megan

[3a's]

Greenwood is great, however, the housing prices are overinflated due to Viking the biggest employer besides the hospital. If this company ever were to cut out anymore fat the housing prices will keep on dropping and what you see in Greenville is what Greenwood was less than 10-15 years ago. As for the schools unless you go to the private school there is no way of your child getting a half way decent education. The houses on Grand Blvd are great but they are old and expensive, unless you have a lot of disposable income to keep them running it will be hard. As for the crime, it is there most of it is not reported due to ignorance, look at the newspaper a 6 yr child was just reported with 2 STD's, burlaries, etc.. Many people in North Greenwood have money however if you did not come from money it will be hard to break into this group. If you do break into this group keep in mind the old saying "people whom were born and raised with money are usually more frugal than anyone else". Therefore, they are usually happy as long as you are keeping your money in Greenwood in their pockets. It is a small town and not much happens there so privacy is a big issue. You are limiting yourself in Greenwood since not many people can afford to buy a house there. Unless there is more business coming there it can soon be a ghost town just like Greenville just without the yellow water. It is all up to you and how you feel but why did you move away from Greenville in the first place is what you need to ask yourself?

[gvillesux]

if you are seriously considering moving to the delta you should ONLY consider Cleveland. Greenwood is no better than Greenville, just a little smaller.

[Mississippi Mamma]

Thank you for both replies. I actually moved from Greenville to go to college, and did not realize how bad it was until I left. I know the crime is most likely localized there, but was wondering if Greenville is overall more dangerous than Greenwood (or vice versa). I hear good things about Cleveland, but cannot find a lot of real estate there. If anyone recommends a good realtor, PM me...

Keep I am that I am just looking around for now. 6 months ago I would have NEVER thought of moving back to the Delta but now being closer to family would be a huge benefit...

Thank y'all!!!

[3a's]

I would suggest trying a rental at this time until you know you really want to stay and get to know the area. Any realtor I would give you would not be tied to the Cleveland area. I do know that the area is nice I had an uncle that lived there once when in the Armed Forces, he told me if he ever went back he would live there again. Good Luck!

[gvillesux]

yep, rent whereever you go here in the delta. i have friends that have had homes on the market for YEARS, nothing wrong with them or the neighborhoods just can't get a fair price. and no one is moving here, most sales are simply folks moving from one area of town to another, with the original owners leaving the area. so in other words there is a glut of homes on the market in most every neighborhood.

also, as said above Greenwood is very cliquish and if you were not born and raised there it takes years to be accepted, if ever. we bought a business there and as soon as folks realized the owner was no longer a Greenwood native many customers left us. some of the elected officials(this was 25+ years ago but things ain't much better) even had the nerve to say if we wanted their business it would take cash under the table! we stayed there for 15 years and never once did business with them either.

[Mississippi Mamma]

Maybe I'd find more real estate options in Cleveland if I broadened my search to "Mississippi Delta real estate".

[Mark Belk]

I was born and raised in Greenwood, my dad farmed Cotton and soybeans in the Delta and cattle in Carroll county. If I were to move back to that area I would move to the Carrollton/Carroll co. area, it close to Greenwood without the crime and depleted home values which is code for Black. In fact the reason for the decrease in population in the city of Greenwood is people moved to Carroll Co. to get away from the crime/blacks.

[Chris Balducci]

Cleveland, my hometown, is the "Cadillac" of Mississippi Delta towns due to the presence of Delta State University. Real estate also has "Cadillac" prices for that reason. I think there is a cartel of property owners here conspiring to keep real estate overpriced. It's been a long time since new apartments were built on the west (good) side of town.