Need some input on Columbus, Mississippi (Tupelo, Starkville: relocate, tornado, military)

[urbandweller2]

I will have to say that I spent 3 years in Columbus and thoroughly enjoyed it. The people were warm and welcoming and there were many things to do if you were open to the experiences. I enjoyed the annual "pigfest". Like you, BBQ was a little different but then, no place in the world has good BBQ like Georgia, SC and NC. That is some good eatin'! Having lived all over the US, I would have to say that it is all about your open mindedness and approach to learning about what makes each place special. There are easy weekend trips to places like New Orleans and Memphis. The countryside is pretty and the historical events are very enjoyable. I have been gone for over 10 years but cannot imagine the decline that you describe. There is a Univiersity in Columbus and MSU is just a short 30 min away where you can enjoy some great SEC football, basketball and baseball. Again, it is all about your mindset. BTW, Harvey's in Columbus was the first and it opened while I lived there. Glad to see it is still in business.

[Tama]

Mindset has something to do with it. However, I suspect that it is more of a lifestyle and personality thing. If someone is extroverted, young, and into a lot of interesting activities with new experiences coming at them on a regular basis, a town like Columbus wouldn't work no matter the mindset.
Someone with a lot of personal resources and into gardening, reading, golf, a few good friends to lunch with, and a book club or painting class with a busy family life could be perfectly happy. I think you have to know yourself. Instead of dissing a place like Columbus, I think it suits some and not others, and in that sense has its appeal and its drawbacks depending on what a person wants. Not all towns suit everyone. Size, tradition, type of lifestyle and activities can be different. One person loves hunting and fishing and another loves the ballet and opera. How can a place that only offers fishing suit both? And vice versa. Different strokes for different folks. Know yourself first.

[n8rgal]

it's kinda sad to think that one has to live close to a larger city to be happy. there are a lot of opportunities and things that i think are a lot better than a big city. i just relocated here from shreveport LA and yes there are downsides (limited shopping) but we're within an hour's drive of both tupelo and tuscaloosa. to me it makes more sense to live in the smaller town and be closer to work and have less of a drive and maybe occasionally going to the larger town for shopping than it does to live in the big city and drive here every day for work.
we had a great variety of homes available to us for sale, GREAT prices.
we live in an older neighborhood that is very quiet. there are still some issues but i think that that happens anywhere.
there are also 2 small towns that complete the golden triangle- west point and starkville. they are both quiet southern towns that if you're willing to dig a little will totally charm you.
i think columbus has a lot more to offer than people think. there is a mall with good basic retailers, there is a small arts gallery, there are great parks here- and we're blessed to have only a few big box stores and national restaurants. that means that there are some great local places to eat if you ask around! ps- for mexican- try la fiesta- they have good food there!

[Draperdoll]

I have lived in Columbus area since 1980. At first it was a culture shock coming from New England but since that time there have been many changes.
My children who are all gone from home except one have gone to all 4 public schools,and went onto college, two have graduated and went on to good careers. My youngest goes to Caledonia which is a 5A school its a very good school she in 7th now. One of my daughters graduated from New Hope its a good school but is having some problems which is why Caledonia is growing so much. I also have one daughter who graduated from city schools in the late 90's back then the school was 25% white and 75 Black now it is about 5% white and 95% black. The elementary schools seem to be doing great but i would not want to send my child to the highschool.
There also is West Lowndes which is where most of the industrial building is going on. Alot of new homes going up but their children go to private schools. West Lowndes is predominately black. Private schools are not as good as people think a friend's child recently switched from a christian based school to Caledonia and was behind in math, the teacher volunteered to stay afterschool to tutor her daughter so she could catch up. So we aren't as bad as some wrote about.
Food places there are good and bad, yes the Frontdoor/Backdoor is still open and has good lunches. Also Cafe on Main is excellent home style plate lunches. We also have places like Chili's, Peppers, El Rancho in East Columbus has a fantastic buffet breakfast and ask for the Belguim waffle. There is also several mexican restaurants which are good it all depends on where your from as to what you think is good. Hey i'm from Ct and it me it has the best fish and chips and pizza around.
Shopping isn't the best here but if you have school age kids they are going to want the latest fashion stuff from Reeds. Or you Old navy, Belk or drive to Tupelo or Tuscaloosa.
If you want to work in Tuscaloosa and your husband doesn't mind a 50 minute drive then you can live in Samatha, AL it has excellent schools, and is 20 minutes from Tuscaloosa. Your husband would drive though Fayette and Vernon then down 12 to get to Columbus its a drive but all country roads and they aren't busy. Or you can work in Columbus, Starkville, West Point there is plenty of Health type work available.
Things to do, in Philadephia (hour away) is a excellent water park and a casino if thats your thing. Columbus has in the spring Pilgrimage Antebullem tours, ghost tours, theirs not alot to do granted. Most people are river rats they love going to the river which i found quite brown water but that where you'll find alot of the town on hot summer days.
Hot its very humid here, when i first came here i called home and told them you can't go outside until night. I've adapted and its not as bad but it can still reach 100 in July and August. But the fall is fantastic its warm but it doesn't get cold until January sometimes. Christmas is sometimes in the 70's.
For those who have been gone for awhile Columbus kept growing and changing we are where Tupelo was 100 yrs ago and will continue to grow.

[jsherman9901]

Originally Posted by Draperdoll

For those who have been gone for awhile Columbus kept growing and changing we are where Tupelo was 100 yrs ago and will continue to grow.

Where was Tupelo 100 years ago??

[Okie7597]

Originally Posted by Draperdoll

One of my daughters graduated from New Hope its a good school but is having some problems which is why Caledonia is growing so much.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with New Hope schools. Academically and otherwise they are just as good as Caledonia, plus their sports teams kick butt while Caledonia's are pretty wimpy.

Caledonia is "growing so much" because that's where the builders are building. There is plenty of very flat land there (which is creating drainage problems in some areas). There is some building going on in New Hope but not that much available land.

[bran_smith]

I made a post before but no help...My husband may take a job in columbus at the peterbilt engine plant that is being developed...What I would like to know is the crime in the areas of starkville and columbus, where to eat (as I have seen everyone has mixed feelings), the best shopping(got to know this), and any other info you can give me please...If we move we are coming from White House Tn, about 30mins from nashville.. we have gotten use to the city life but we can handle the small town life (since we come from a small lil town hidden behind the mountains) LOL...
Also I would like to know about the colleges there lots of info I am finishing up my edu degree..We have no kids, I am 25 soon to be 26 he is 28....would it be hard for us to fit in, we dont go to chruch. thanks

[jsherman9901]

Originally Posted by bran_smith

My husband may take a job in columbus at the peterbilt engine plant that is being developed...What I would like to know is the crime in the areas of starkville and columbus, where to eat (as I have seen everyone has mixed feelings), the best shopping(got to know this), and any other info you can give me please...

The Peterbilt factory is about halfway between Columbus and Starkville. Based on your situation, I would recommend Starkville, home of Mississippi State University.

The crime stats you can check here on city data.com. Starkville has slightly better restaurants. Shopping is not great in either Columbus or Starkville. Your're looking at 2 1/2 hours to Memphis or Birmingham to find decent shopping.

[bran_smith]

oh thank you soo much we are coming for a visit on the 27/28 and we are staying in starkville...as far as he knows he has the job, we are just waiting on the money-also another question --house prices we have a house now, and townhomes/apartments how are they....we lived in a apartment for 4 years, and last year was a living H***...really the plp above us was soo disrepectful and I dont want ot go through that again....but thanks againfor th einfo

[jsherman9901]

Originally Posted by bran_smith

townhomes/apartments how are they....we lived in a apartment for 4 years, and last year was a living H***...really the plp above us was soo disrepectful and I dont want ot go through that again....but thanks againfor th einfo

Well, you have to keep in mind that Starkville is a college town, so lots of apartment complexes are dominated by 19-21 year old students. Also, apartments there are fairly expensive from what I understand, even though there is a glut of them on the market. I don't have any recommendations for where to live there, you probably should contact a realtor or a property management agency.