Relocating to Southaven (Olive Branch, Laurel, Tishomingo: insurance, crime, school district)

[marmac]

perhaps the reason is a house is a purchase while auto tags are a tax

[Jadastwin]

It's hard to believe that there are some counties in the south that are considered dry. But my husband and I are the king and queen of margaritas and martinis so we will travel to the nearest county to achieve our weekend goal. We are so looking forward to the fresh air and leaving the hustle and bustle of the big city behind us. More than anything I am looking forward to continuing our friendly dialogue here in the city-data forum. You guys are the best!!

[Jadastwin]

Thank you so much for that information. I like to be prepared, especially when it comes to taxes...(smile)

[Jadastwin]

Thanks for the employment information. I definitely will be looking very closely at FedEx.

[Jadastwin]

Okay guys and gals,

This relocation process is harder than I thought. I'm trying to find a home to rent until my family becomes familiar with the Northern Mississippi area, then we'll make our purchase. I've been doing my homework based on getting the most for my money. Between Cordova, Southaven and Olive Branch, this is a difficult decision. If anyone of you had to choose one of these places to relocate to, please select one and give me a little tid bit as to why. I have seen some very nice homes in all those areas, now my husband and I are having a huge debate about which one to select......help!!

[Pearlbob]

Hi there....is your child coming with you right now, and will need to be in 12th grade? If so, do not choose Cordova...those are Memphis city schools now, not county. Cordova has almost all been annexed my Memphis city. Or, if you can send him to private to finish out high school, it wouldn't matter if you lived in Cordova or not. You can find some big homes to rent from lower prices there, because of the annexation issue. Just keep the school issue in mind.

I have also heard annexation/border changing issues for Southaven and Olive Branch, but that might not happen until next school year.

[TimtheGuy]

Originally Posted by Jadastwin

It's hard to believe that there are some counties in the south that are considered dry. But my husband and I are the king and queen of margaritas and martinis so we will travel to the nearest county to achieve our weekend goal. We are so looking forward to the fresh air and leaving the hustle and bustle of the big city behind us. More than anything I am looking forward to continuing our friendly dialogue here in the city-data forum. You guys are the best!!

Beleive me you will find more than enough drinking in Desoto Co., Memphis and Tunica Co.

[Jadastwin]

Is there any information that I can find online regarding what the annexation consists of? Would that help or hurt the area?

[jmmjt]

Simple answer is move to Olive Branch and never look back. Cordova? Not with those schools and crime rate. Southaven? Good second choice, it is really either or, but OB is better in my opinion. I graduated from Southaven High back in the late 80's and am told it is not the same school. My sister teaches at Desoto Central off of getwell. Find a place in that school district for his senior year and you will pat yourself on the back for the rest of your life.

[Laurelite]

Here is some information from the MS State Tax Commission. You can google mississipp state tax commission and get all the info that you will need. I took the links out because some forums do not allow posting links and I was not sure about this one. You will find the automobile taxes higher but you will be delighted with the saving on real property cost and taxes compared to other parts of the country. Almost everyone owns an automobile but everyone does not own real property. MS is a poor state so it has to get money where it can. For instance when I travel from GA to MS I see more Highway Patrolman writing tickets from the MS line to Meridian than I do in GA and Alabama combined.

Mississippi
State Tax Commission

Mississippi Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Taxes
Mississippi owners of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 10,000 lbs or less must pay motor vehicle ad valorem taxes on their vehicles at the time of registration. Motor vehicle ad valorem tax is based on the assessed value of the vehicle multiplied by the millage rate set by the local county government. (Contact your local county tax collector for the millage rates.) Assessed value has been established as 30% of the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price plus a reduction of a certain percentage for depreciation over 10 years. A minimum assessed value is set at $100.00 for passenger vehicles. This ad valorem tax is revenue used by the local governments. Any exemptions of the motor vehicle ad valorem tax are found in Section 27-51-41 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated.
Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund
In order to provide a tax break to the registered owners of Mississippi motor vehicles, the 1994 Mississippi Legislature authorized a credit to the owners in the amount of 5% of the assessed value of the motor vehicle. This credit eased the tax burden of the individual, however it created a loss in revenue to the local governments. Therefore, the Legislature created a fund to reimburse the local governments for this tax loss called the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund. The revenue generated from the sales tax on motor vehicles goes into the fund. The tax loss created each month from vehicle registrations provides the figures used to reimburse the local governments each month. Every year the State Tax Commission must calculate the credit percentage based on the balance in the fund, the estimated sales tax revenue and the estimated tax loss to the local governments for the coming year. The intent of the Legislature was to maintain a minimum balance in the fund and a maximum credit to the owners.
More information on