If moving to Jackson metro area, know this... (Clinton, Union: gated, inspection)

[joanie55]

WOW! I am moving to the Jackson area in less than 60 days and must admit I was pretty disappointed at some the comments and observations posted on this thread. I lived in the area when I was 14, MANY moons ago, and found the people were still fighting the civil war and that the attitudes were very backward ( I was born and raised in Stl Louis - not the most liberal city by any stretch of the imagination, but very friendly and lots of culture.) From reading this thread it doesn't seem like things have changed all that much. I lived in Alb Nm for 13 years and while there was much to love about the area it, too, was an area that you never really quite fit in unless you were born and raised there. But, nevertheless, the people were friendly and helpful. I then moved to SE Florida 4 years ago for the ocean and warm weather. WEll, that's what I got - and that's ALL I got. People here are enormously rude - I've never seen anything like it and I find it impossible to make a true friend (I did make a couple but they left the area). They call this are the 6th borough of New York because of the numbers of New Yorkers living here. Anyway I don't especially relish the idea of moving to yet another place where people are unfriendly and rude. At this point in my life I don't have a choice about moving there - my mom lives there and is 87 and going blind due to macular degeneration. She has family there and they are good to her but not there for her as often as she needs because they have families and jobs, etc. Anyway, the comments about being nice to tourists really surprised me because I don't really think of the Jackson area as being very touristy ( as opposed to Florida and New Mexico in particular). I guess my question would be what area would be the best for a single middle aged (that's if I live to be 108) woman who is educated and liberal to live? have heard good things about the Fondren area, but are there any apartments there? My mom lives in Flowood and I've heard the traffic in and out of Madison to that area is horrible and I would be facing a minimum of a 30 minute commute to see her. Any thoughts/ideas would be much appreciated.

[jxndean]

IMO there really are not a lot of liberal places in or even around Jackson for that matter. Your best bet would probably be Fondern (cool shops, reasturants, stores). There are also some savy condos being built downtown, might want to check that out.

As far as traffic goes, its not bad in Flowood. It can be heavy at times around five but other than that you should be fine. Same goes with Madison.

I do agree with you saying how people in Jackson can be close-minded. I don't think that they mean to be that way, just the way they were brought up in a sense.

Well I hope I helped some. If you have any more questions feel free to ask. Good luck on your move!

[jacksonian]

There are houses for rent in Fondren, starting around $500/month (which are the ones located on or near State St - busy street) and the houses that are deeper in the neighborhood are more expensive. Almost all your necessities would be within walking distance. From Fondren, you would take Lakeland Drive directly to Flowood, with no need to get on the interstate. The traffic is bad on Lakeland only in the mornings coming into Jackson, and in the afternoons leaving out of Jackson; other than that, it's pretty easy driving. Belhaven is just south of Fondren, which is a nice area, just not as much shopping/dining options nearby. There are some more downtown units opening up soon, plus some along State St near Belhaven called City View, but I doubt they will be ready in the next 60 days. Also, the housing crisis has brought the home prices down some, not as much as in other parts of the country, but there are some great buys around.

[joanie55]

Thank u both so much for the info. It's very encouraging that Fondren is so affordable. I currently pay 1250 a month for a 2 bed, 2 bath condo in south Florida. Granted, it includes basic cable and water and is very nice, but quite honestly I really don't need something this upscale, plus I live under stringent condo commando rules that makes me feel like I'm not living in a free country. Thanks again.

[jacksonian]

I saw a house for rent not too long ago in Fondren, it was a 2BR/1B with a nice sized living room, sun room, and a huge unfinished basement (basements are rare here) and it was $1100/month. This was a nice cottage style house, probably built in the 1930's, lots of character with a deck front/back and a nice yard. I believe it was on Patton st/rd. There's lots of finds like that, but you can find cheaper as well if you're not wanting tons of charm (which makes sense if you're just renting).

[joanie55]

Originally Posted by jacksonian

I saw a house for rent not too long ago in Fondren, it was a 2BR/1B with a nice sized living room, sun room, and a huge unfinished basement (basements are rare here) and it was $1100/month. This was a nice cottage style house, probably built in the 1930's, lots of character with a deck front/back and a nice yard. I believe it was on Patton st/rd. There's lots of finds like that, but you can find cheaper as well if you're not wanting tons of charm (which makes sense if you're just renting).

Thanks but I'm really looking to lower my expenses. I saw an ad on Craig's List today for a 2/1 cottage in Fondren for 700 a month - it's a rent to own with 350 of that going to the purchase price with 0 interest. I left a voicemail and have not heard back. I'm skeptical about some of the stuff I see on Craig's List because it's not really regulated very well. Does this sound too good to be true?

[funbustours]

Ellygirl67: I agree w/you and the other posters....I live in Southern Miss., and have been in Jackson more times than I care to...It is a big ole dirty city, lots of old-boy networks, have and have-nots, blacks against whites (and I'm Black), other Blacks stay to themselves and don't want to chit-chat w/you if you're not from here, they tend to think if you're from up north, you are "snooty" or whatever, (which is not true); I wouldn't dare go out at night if I lived in Jackson; it's getting worse by the second, the crime is spreading to the outlying communities, and I could go on and on!

Ministers: Find another town to live in...I'd advise against the Jackson area...you'll thank us one day for this heads-up. And for all those who think that Jackson's a lovely place...Keep livin'...you'll see...!!

[jacksonian]

Originally Posted by funbustours

I wouldn't dare go out at night if I lived in Jackson; it's getting worse by the second, the crime is spreading to the outlying communities, and I could go on and on!

Ministers: Find another town to live in...I'd advise against the Jackson area...you'll thank us one day for this heads-up. And for all those who think that Jackson's a lovely place...Keep livin'...you'll see...!!

We already have plenty of suburbanites surrounding Jackson that think like you, so one less won't bother us at all

Ministers, if you are a strong-willed person who enjoys freedom, you'll fit right in here at Jackson. If you are like funbustours, live in fear everyday, and would rather live behind a 10' tall iron fence, then the suburbs will be better suited for you.

[supertrucker212]

Ellygirl67 you are right on! I moved here from PA two years ago, what an eye opener. You need to watch the episode of Family Guy when they go down south. Saddly, many of the stereotypes are true. There is a "good ole boy" network that is very strong. Madison is extremely cliquey. There is a reason why Mississippi is behind the rest of the country. The problem is most of these people have never left MS so they know no other way of life. And yes you are either a "have" or "have not." Wages in the area are a joke. Blue collar workers are not only severly under paid but looked down upon as well. Try having a business and dealing with the state government! Nobody ever knows an answer to your question. The government in the state is riddled with corruption. And the religion. Everywhere you go they ram it down your throat. I went to a gas station once and the reciept said "have a blessed day." You better not be anything other than Baptist either! As a Catholic I felt what it was like to be a minority. I have a Catholic friend that was told she was going straight to hell for being Catholic, by a Baptist preacher of course. To all you Mississippi natives that are getting offended I say this. Go live in another part of the country for awhile then come back. Maybe then your view won't be so myopic. While I have met some great black folks, some of them I consider friends. In the city of Jackson, many of them earn the stereotype "******." For many in Mississippi the civil war still goes on. I just relocated to the coast. Everything is much more even keel down hear. It is more of a melting pot. The northereners I have met in the Jackson area all hate it.

[joanie55]

Originally Posted by supertrucker212

Ellygirl67 you are right on! I moved here from PA two years ago, what an eye opener. You need to watch the episode of Family Guy when they go down south. Saddly, many of the stereotypes are true. There is a "good ole boy" network that is very strong. Madison is extremely cliquey. There is a reason why Mississippi is behind the rest of the country. The problem is most of these people have never left MS so they know no other way of life. And yes you are either a "have" or "have not." Wages in the area are a joke. Blue collar workers are not only severly under paid but looked down upon as well. Try having a business and dealing with the state government! Nobody ever knows an answer to your question. The government in the state is riddled with corruption. And the religion. Everywhere you go they ram it down your throat. I went to a gas station once and the reciept said "have a blessed day." You better not be anything other than Baptist either! As a Catholic I felt what it was like to be a minority. I have a Catholic friend that was told she was going straight to hell for being Catholic, by a Baptist preacher of course. To all you Mississippi natives that are getting offended I say this. Go live in another part of the country for awhile then come back. Maybe then your view won't be so myopic. While I have met some great black folks, some of them I consider friends. In the city of Jackson, many of them earn the stereotype "******." For many in Mississippi the civil war still goes on. I just relocated to the coast. Everything is much more even keel down hear. It is more of a melting pot. The northereners I have met in the Jackson area all hate it.

At first I was not going to respond to this post, but then I just felt like I had to. I'm moving to Jackson because I don't have a choice (my mom needs me) and I certainly am not doing so without a sense of trepidation. Yes, I know I will be it's behind the times. I also felt that way in Albuquerque NM. Most people there had barely been out of the state and had no idea what it was like to live anywhere else. As far as religion goes, I know it's the bible belt, and no, I don't like that. But so much of what you complain about is something to you have to buy into in order to let it become such a big issue. There are zealots everywhere. I ignore them. You won't see me having a conversation with a Baptist minister. i'm not an atheist, but my spiritual relationship with God is mine, it's private and I don't feel the need to be a part of organizationed religion. If someone has a problem with that, and I'm sure some will, I see that as their problem, not mine. As far as have and have nots go - my family there is truly middle class and even in this economy, I suspect most people are still members of the middle class. As far as wages go, the ads I see on Craig's List for admin jobs in Jackson pay far more than they do in south Florida, where rents are nearly twice what they are in Jackson. Down here, you're lucky to get 10 an hour - most jobs pay 8 and that's not even for full time work AND they want you to have top knotch skills for that wage. I would say a good third of the people down here don't even speak English and they take nearly all of the low level jobs. And I don't even want to get started on how rude the people are, it's like nothing I've ever experienced. I guess my point is, no place is perfect. Everyplace has its pros and its cons and it's a matter of what each of us can tolerate and how much we WANT to tolerate. I'm glad you've found a place you enjoy more than you did Jackson. I think it's important to remember that nothing has to be forever and if you really hate a place (like I've come to hate south Florida) you can always and should find a way out eventually.