If moving to Jackson metro area, know this... (Natchez, Ocean Springs: unemployment rate, school)

[glparker4]

It's true that Madison and the areas north of Jackson exhibit this "stuck-up" attitude to outsiders. However, as a person that grew up in Mississippi and has lived in other areas, I would agree with Phil75230 that this attitude is not just limited to Jackson. There are attitudes like this in every metropolitian city. I live in Cobb County just outside of Atlanta, GA and this area is just like Madison but more spreadout and with more subdivisions where you are judged by your 6-figure salary, obnoxious house, country club and church membership, etc. Residents are deliberately rude and reserved to anyone that is not rooted to this area. This includes people that moved from other parts of the Atlanta area as well as other states. I found people to be friendly and welcoming in the areas north of downtown. I have found the same to be true in Birmingham where Hoover, Alabaster, and the South suburbs exhibit this same elitist attitude.

I encourage you to get involved in community events, arts, organizations, and network with others that share your interests on sites like Yahoo Groups, Facebook, and MySpace. I know it is difficult to establish yourself in your new home. But, you seem like a confident, intelligent person and I know you will find your comfortable social niche once you get over this hump. Good luck to you!

[SashaBlue]

Originally Posted by Ellygirl67

My husband and I moved here due to a job transfer in 2000. While visiting, people were very friendly and welcoming, however, once you get here they change! The southern hospitality only extends to VISITORS. Once you live here you are an outcast if coming from outside MS. All of our friends are transplants as well because those who have lived here all their lives have their own cliques and don't know how to reach out. Also, there is an attitude of "have" and "have not" here. Very "old school" attitudes and steeped in tradition. You will feel like you have gone back twenty years if you are from a more progressive area. My husband is a successful executive and we live in a very beautiful custom built home on the lake, however, that does not warrant inclusion. "Your daddy had to know my daddy and his daddy had to know your daddy's daddy" is more important. (i.e. snobby and "who's who" attitude). Our child goes to private school, which is another funny thing. All the supposedly "have's" must have their children in private school. The schools here are not good, even the ones that claim to be good. The best one's are at least a year or two behind other state's "good" school systems. Crime is horrendous in Jackson (even worse than the Bronx in NY) and customer service is horrible as well, since these people don't know the meaning of true hospitality. You will find shopping carts scattered around parking lots rather than returned to the stalls, and people racing you to get to the closest parking space. I was amazed that Madison was ranked one of the 10 best cities for families because I was actually humiliated to have visitors from out of town. Yes, of all the area's around Jackson, Madison and Ridgeland are the nicest, but even here the landscaping and roads are horrific. Pot holes and weeds line the streets. We are nature lovers, but there is only one nature trail around. There isn't much to do around here to be honest. The few nice things about living here are: the tall pine trees, lots of lakes and ponds, and weather in the Spring and Fall. Winters are okay, but summers are humid and unbearable. Sorry if I sound really negative (I'm generally a very positive person!) I just wanted everyone to have a realistic picture of what they are coming into before moving. If you are superficial, steeped in tradition, and from a smaller southern town, you may like it. However, if you want authenticity and true beauty, and from a larger metropolitan area, you will probably want to look elsewhere. Hope this helps anyone thinking of relocating to the Jackson metropolitan area!

I agree with everything you said. Everything. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. My experience exactly.

[darhe3425]

I'm really not going to start slinging mud back at anyone. I thought this was a forum for sharing opinions by adults. I've been a teacher for 14 years in Mississippi and I can clearly see why children have such a hard time learning to get along with each other. If a child is different from others in the group, then another child starts to unkindly point that out, then someone else, then it becomes a bullying situation. I wonder where chidren learn this behavior? Opinions are just that, people can discuss them rationally or they can resort to crude, nasty comments which serves one purpose, avoiding the topic. And as a matter of fact, my therapist agrees with me!

[darhe3425]

I encourage others not to visit Mississippi, but to move here. The more diversity the better!

[nissybee]

To EllyGirl67I couldn't agree more, which is exactly why I moved away 2 weeks ago! The crime there is horrendous, many people are extremely rude, and customer service is terrible. I moved to Idaho where everyone greets everyone with a friendly smile. I would never suggest anyone move to the Jackson Metro area.

[Sam I Am]

MODERATOR: Okey-dokey, I think we've bashed Jackson enough...not everyone in Jackson is horrible, not every place is horrible, no one needs a therapist to get over living in Mississippi, no one's momma is at fault here. Let's cool the pot shots and talk reasonably - and thank you to those that have.

[jsherman9901]

Originally Posted by Sam I Am

Okey-dokey, I think we've bashed Jackson enough...not everyone in Jackson is horrible, not every place is horrible, no one needs a therapist to get over living in Mississippi, no one's momma is at fault here.

Thank you.

[darhe3425]

Originally Posted by Sam I Am

MODERATOR: Okey-dokey, I think we've bashed Jackson enough...not everyone in Jackson is horrible, not every place is horrible, no one needs a therapist to get over living in Mississippi, no one's momma is at fault here. Let's cool the pot shots and talk reasonably - and thank you to those that have.

Better late,.... than never.

[paula1295]

I just read your post. I agree with you 100%. I moved from here 21 years ago when I re married. We lived in Dallas, Atlanta, California, Orlando, FL and Sarasota, FL. I am divorced now and thought it would be nice to move back close to relatives (they live about 45 minutes away). I also have what I thought was friends that have never left this area. I have seen those two people twice - once was at a party they so graciously included me in - out in wonderful Madison. I have been here for a year, cannot find a job - because it is "who you know" not "what you know" - I would move away, but have spent almost all my savings. This is the biggest mistake I have ever made in my life and I am stuck. I know you are grateful, at least, that your husband has a good job - maybe you will get lucky and he will get transferred!! I am so disappointed in a place I use to call home.........

[darhe3425]

Elly did invite all transplanters to unite, as thhis seems to be a problem for anyone who has moved to Mississippi, or moved away and returned "different." Mississippi has quite a few lovely things about it, but welcoming to those from somewhere else, after curiosity wears off, ain't one of them. Paula, you may have to look for some group that is full of transplants to Mississippi, you may find some people you have things in common with.