What do Mississippians Think of Californians? (about, become)

[ColdAilment]

Well I am not a native to Mississippi, but I have lived here for nearly 4 years now, so I think I qualify to call myself a resident and I can say I have traveled most of the state pretty well.

Having never been to California I can only surmise of this place from what I know of people who are from California.

-Californians are high maintenance when it comes to entertainment. They refer to the south as places to avoid because of all the stereotypes and balogna that the media has fed them. They believe the South is backwards, highly racist, highly backwater, highly rural, bible preaching, incomprehensible, rednecks and hicks. While there is always an element of truth to most stereotypes, this is greatly exaggerated.

-Californians are kind of like the Texans of the west. They think they are the best state, they think they are the trend setters and that the rest of the nation follows them, they think California is years ahead of the rest of the country, they feel it is a melting pot of progressive ideas, cultures, and forward thinking people. Well...some of that is true, but it makes them arrogant.

-Californians look down on other people. Especially those from the south, they think of them as not nearly as civilized, not nearly as educated, not as fit and so on.

Mississippi is a beautiful state when it comes to the scenery. Heavily wooded throughout the entire state, the fertile delta in the west, rolling hills in the north east, a coast along the gulf, heavily wooded large state parks. Also, the towns and cities are all spread out, none too large and too dense that you would lose sight of the green foliage that dominates the southeast.

[ColdAilment]

Also, what area of Mississippi are you looking to move into?

-Northwest: I would avoid this area. While the Delta is beautiful in its greenery it is some of the most flat land in the country. Though it's rich in history and blues there is little left in this area to remember its former famed residents. The Delta really is a blackhole of poverty and nothingness. I hate to say it, but this is one section of the United States that resembles a 3rd world country

- Central: Jackson is an okay city. Highly divided still, high crime in the city limits, but being the largest city in the state it offers amenities that no other cities can. Jackson does have some very fine suburbs, Ridgeland, Madison, Pearl, Brandon, Flowood are all beautiful little towns. Vicksburg to the west is okay, a few casinos, tons of history, but a shrinking population. Meridian to the east is a decent city, doesn't really shine anywhere, but is pretty much exactly what a sound minded person would expect from a small southern city.

North/North East: Oxford, Southaven, Olive Branch, Tupelo are all very fine smaller cities. Still a pretty rural area, but you're close to Memphis, close to Nashville, close to the mountains in Tennessee. Columbus has a TON of Antebellum homes which are absolutely breathtaking, small but very historic and well preserved little city.

South/Coast: Hattiesburg, Gulfport, Biloxi are all nice cities. The coast boasts beaches, beach houses, casinos, pretty much everything you'd find in coastal Florida on a scaled down size and not as commercialized. Hattiesburg is a big college town, but offers a lot in the way of shopping and good housing.

Anyway, what area are you planning on moving to?

[Seadory]

Originally Posted by ColdAilment

Also, what area of Mississippi are you looking to move into?

-Northwest: I would avoid this area. While the Delta is beautiful in its greenery it is some of the most flat land in the country. Though it's rich in history and blues there is little left in this area to remember its former famed residents. The Delta really is a blackhole of poverty and nothingness. I hate to say it, but this is one section of the United States that resembles a 3rd world country

- Central: Jackson is an okay city. Highly divided still, high crime in the city limits, but being the largest city in the state it offers amenities that no other cities can. Jackson does have some very fine suburbs, Ridgeland, Madison, Pearl, Brandon, Flowood are all beautiful little towns. Vicksburg to the west is okay, a few casinos, tons of history, but a shrinking population. Meridian to the east is a decent city, doesn't really shine anywhere, but is pretty much exactly what a sound minded person would expect from a small southern city.

North/North East: Oxford, Southaven, Olive Branch, Tupelo are all very fine smaller cities. Still a pretty rural area, but you're close to Memphis, close to Nashville, close to the mountains in Tennessee. Columbus has a TON of Antebellum homes which are absolutely breathtaking, small but very historic and well preserved little city.

South/Coast: Hattiesburg, Gulfport, Biloxi are all nice cities. The coast boasts beaches, beach houses, casinos, pretty much everything you'd find in coastal Florida on a scaled down size and not as commercialized. Hattiesburg is a big college town, but offers a lot in the way of shopping and good housing.

Anyway, what area are you planning on moving to?

We are still approaching retirement, but have given consideration to several of the cities you mentioned above. To be more specific-Flowood, Columbus, Tupelo….Your advise about the Delta is well taken, however there are places here in California that are 3rd world countries.

As soon as circumstances allow, we are going to have to go to Mississippi and see it! I know I'll like it. I am going to have to do much, much driving! I've mentioned before how much I love natural beauty, animals, and (most people.) When I hear about the declining population I secretly think "Yay!"

My husband is the one who wants to move to the south, so I've been furiously reading about Mississippi, it's culture and history. Eudora Welty has long been a favorite of mine, so anything I knew about Mississippi was based upon her narratives and short stories. I've since learned a lot more about Mississippi and am inclined to dismiss all the horror stories simply as gross exaggerations.

Thank you so much for taking the time to address my initial question. I truly appreciate the effort you put into your most helpful post!

[Kranium]

I think of a lot of californians as very vain, they are way to into plastic surgery instead of natural beauty, very left wing, not traditionalists at all, practically another country.

[sammyreynolds1977]

Originally Posted by Kranium

I think of a lot of californians as very vain, they are way to into plastic surgery instead of natural beauty, very left wing, not traditionalists at all, practically another country.

Funny you say that because I think the traditionalist in Mississippi are killing it.

[Seadory]

Originally Posted by Kranium

I think of a lot of californians as very vain, they are way to into plastic surgery instead of natural beauty, very left wing, not traditionalists at all, practically another country.

Cosmetic surgery isn't that commonplace in California. I am guessing that most people in California would choose to put their hard earned money into something more practical. People in certain industries may feel they need to invest in their appearances more than others, but for the most part, the general population is more concerned with putting food on the table and finding affordable medical care for their kids.

When I joke about Botox it's an overstatement. Although, I do have a couple of friends who have had some "work" done on their faces.

There are plenty of provincial folks in California. Still, I would prefer not to live here.

[Glma]

We stopped in MS via California with the intent of landing in Tennessee. People here in the greater Jackson area have made us feel very welcomed. Had a great time at the gun range and heck might just settle down here. My biggest whine is wine prices are higher. But made up for the fact guns are more easily had

[Huckleberry3911948]

they think the world of camp pendleton.
they dont like the average hawaii shirt shorts ray ban loud mouthed rude citizen of the state.

[Mouldy Old Schmo]

California is not the only iniquity-filled state anymore. Many other states have "Californinanized".

[Glma]

Originally Posted by Mouldy Old Schmo

California is not the only iniquity-filled state anymore. Many other states have "Californinanized".

That state had really changed in the last 10 years. For the countries sake I hope it doesn't become Californinanzied...