Moving from NY to MS (Jackson, Vicksburg: crime, house, unemployed)

[Rebelette67]

My husband and I are thinking about moving to MS from upstate NY. My sister suggested the Byram area. I have 5 sons-3,14,16,17 and 18. My oldest will graduate in June and is thinking of staying in NY. The others are coming with us. How are the schools in Byram? We also need a house with maybe 5 acres. Any help?

[rocketx]

Byram is growing. Just like the Madison,Ridgeland area around Jackson. In fact Madison,Flowood and that part of the metro Jackson area would be just fine to live in. And not all Southerners don't live in the past. But avoid Vicksburg at all costs.

[barebull]

I know of the perfect place room for everyone priced right GOOD SCHOOLS, best in the area high school walking distance from the house large home seventeen acres ROOM TO get out and Play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOOK Towrads TERRY Mississippi

[williboy]

This will be a greater change for you culturally than moving to England. You should come down for a long visit and make sure you and your kids really want to do this.

[nancy thereader]

You know what willi; I was thinking that also. That it would be a tremendous change. Would you mind just telling us why, though ? Have you ever been to upstate New York?

[covhome]

As far as your property values increasing, I would go to Rankin County, or Madison Co. Your investment in a home would be safe there. There is a lot of growth out that way. A lot of new development in businesses and neighborhoods. The land is pretty.

Clinton, in Hinds Co. can be a pretty good investment, if you get in the right area, and I know for a fact that the Clinton schools and community would be great for growing boys! But if we were going to move back to Mississippi, I believe we would stay out of Hinds Co., unless we came up on an excellent deal. There is a lot of pretty land there, and a great community of people.

I wouldn't move to Byram (it's in Hinds Co.) with kids, unless I was going to send them to private school. Someone could prove me wrong on that though. I'm not sure about the schools in Rankin or Madison, just because all of my friends from those counties sent their children to private schools, such as Jackson Academy and St. Andrews. Oh yes! I do remember my daughter having friends in Madison Schools that excelled in their education. And there are a ton of private schools that are very good also.

The public schools in Pearl I think are o.k. One friend home schooled her daughter and son, then sent them to Pearl when they were ready for Jr. High, and they are doing very well grade wise, and extra curricular wise. I have only heard really bad things about Jackson schools, unless your children are very well adjusted, and know who they are, what they want as far as education, and how to stay away from trouble makers.

Hope you find a great spot!

[covhome]

I hope my friends in Byram will forgive me....I will say that there is a lot of pretty land out that way, and good people! Just mostly thinking of the investment in property, and the return on it. Byram is growing, and a lot could have changed since 2005.

[TIN MAN]

Originally Posted by Rebelette67

My husband and I are thinking about moving to MS from upstate NY. My sister suggested the Byram area. I have 5 sons-3,14,16,17 and 18. My oldest will graduate in June and is thinking of staying in NY. The others are coming with us. How are the schools in Byram? We also need a house with maybe 5 acres. Any help?

I moved up here from New Orleans. My wife is from south of Buffalo. All of our children (7) attended public school that were a level 4 or 5. (5 being the highest) They have all gone on to Community or Senior College. Byram, MS is approximately 5 miles south of downtown Jackson and will soon incorporate as a city. The are approximately 10K residents. Average household income is 55K+ and average home value is 120K+. Crime is very low. There are churches of every denomiation on almost every corner. Vacant land is still plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Cost per unimproved acre can range from 3K to 10K depending on location. Improved land cost varies with the location also. A home on 5+/- acres would not be difficult to find. You would need to consult with a Realtor of course. It can be very hot in the summer (May-Sept) and very rainy and cold during the fall and winter but Springtime weather is the most pleasant.

[Tama]

I live in South Mississippi, grew up in Pennsylvania and I have been to upstate New York. I think the weather will be the biggest challenge and also the biggest pleasant surprise. You will enjoy--no more boots, scarves, hats, bundling kids up, driving on icy roads, and kids stuck in the house during blizzards! You will also have some pretty intense heat in the summer. If you get a pool and have shade trees and plenty of space for kids to go like a sun porch or cooled patio it could be fine. You will miss some foods that you may not find here. Other than that, the general lifestyle is pretty much the same at least if you were in more rural upstate and not in a city.

[AreolaMay]

I agree with Tama -
You're going to find the climate an interesting change!

Especially July/August - where you will feel the need to shower at least twice a day and when you step outside of your ACd home into the heat - it will feel like someone has just thrown a warm wet wool blanket over your head!

Blech! Pretty common to get the sniffles too - going from AC to heat to AC again.

I moved to Picayune, MS (Pearl River County) from the UK - I was living in UK after I married a brit - that fell through so I moved closer to my family.
Mississippi, NOLA area.

I am still unemployed but haven't given up yet.
It's the worst time of year to be looking for work and the economy is pretty bad, but I digress.

I think maybe you should take a little holiday in Mississippi where you think you'll want to settle - get a feel of the place, talk to locals, get out and about and draw your own conclusions.

I love it here in Picayune - small town with some pretty country. The nightlife is non-existant, ergo I am actually thinking of moving closer to NOLA - But I wouldn't have really gotten to know Picayune, MS had I not spent some time here.

Best of luck and safe journey!
Hope