Is it Crazy that I want a 2nd Home in Natchez? (West: for sale, high crime)

[1Patois]

I visited for the first time this summer and have visited since. Natchez has a special charm. It "feels" very Southern and is friendly, but i have been told it's a murderous hellhole. I think it DOES have charm. What do y'all think? If I could find an affordable fixer-upper, it'd be my getaway from Baton Rouge...close enough to return in a jiffy, and just far enough away to have a different atmosphere. Low traffic most times too. I'm thinking it is a plus to have it on the hurricane evacuation route. Does it ever flood there? Tell me what y'all know ! THanks in advance, folks !

[OleFaulk]

I visited Natchez just a couple of weeks ago for the first time in probably 25 years and I agree - it has a certain feel that I really enjoyed. There were a couple of blocks that I almost got a "Savannah GA" vibe and I really dig that.

Depending on fixer-upper pricing, I'd say look it to it - I saw some BEAUTIFUL homes for sale over there just begging for someone's attention.

Surely there's someone on this forum from Natchez that can chime in on what it's like...

[Diana Holbrook]

Is there still a sign entering the Yakima Valley that it's the "Palm Springs of Washington"?

I can see that... or a SouthWestern desert feel... more than I can see it as Savannah-type Southern.

[Mississippi Alabama Line]

Originally Posted by 1Patois

I visited for the first time this summer and have visited since. Natchez has a special charm. It "feels" very Southern and is friendly, but i have been told it's a murderous hellhole. I think it DOES have charm. What do y'all think? If I could find an affordable fixer-upper, it'd be my getaway from Baton Rouge...close enough to return in a jiffy, and just far enough away to have a different atmosphere. Low traffic most times too. I'm thinking it is a plus to have it on the hurricane evacuation route. Does it ever flood there? Tell me what y'all know ! THanks in advance, folks !

Natchez is great, and I think it will greatly benefit from tourism going forward. You'll probably do well with your fixer upper there.

However, just like most cities in the south, there is a lot of poor and thus some crime surrounded the nice parts of Natchez. It's a small New Orleans, and even Savannah, as you state above. It's not a big deal, as long as you know and expect that. It's not a perfect utopia where you can freely walk up and down every street in the city, if you know what I mean. Stay in your lane.

I say go for it. If you spend plenty of time in Demopolis and Baton Rouge, you know the drill as far as crime.

[1Patois]

Originally Posted by Mississippi Alabama Line

Natchez is great, and I think it will greatly benefit from tourism going forward. You'll probably do well with your fixer upper there.

However, just like most cities in the south, there is a lot of poor and thus some crime surrounded the nice parts of Natchez. It's a small New Orleans, and even Savannah, as you state above. It's not a big deal, as long as you know and expect that. It's not a perfect utopia where you can freely walk up and down every street in the city, if you know what I mean. Stay in your lane.

I say go for it. If you spend plenty of time in Demopolis and Baton Rouge, you know the drill as far as crime.

Lol I only visited Demopolis once...and I found it gorgeous, but intimidating--ask me why...in Baton Rouge, I primarily eat and sleep and shop, in a calmer area so I haven't actually gotten "the drill" as better known as someone that lives in Greenwell Springs (the massive ghetto here, apparently)
But I totally get what you mean.it's sad that the South is so poor.

[1Patois]

Originally Posted by Diana Holbrook

Is there still a sign entering the Yakima Valley that it's the "Palm Springs of Washington"?

I can see that... or a SouthWestern desert feel... more than I can see it as Savannah-type Southern.

You are HILARIOUS! I like to say that Now Orleans is the Seattle of the South because of the excessive rain

[cchip55]

I am laughing about the posts, I live in Seattle and am considering Natchez because I too am in love with the beautiful historic homes I have seen for sale online and also want to fix one of these beauties up. However, I too have read a lot about crime....hoping if you live close to downtown in the main historic area that there is a strong blockwatch or neighborhood group to keep crime away? I am a single woman so I have to be careful, on the other hand I have lived in big cities all my life which usually have more crime issues as there are more people. That's why I think it's sad that small towns have these issues, I mean doesn't everyone know each other so it would be hard to get away with crime??

I too wonder about any flooding issues. We may get a lot of rain in Seattle, but funnily enough we don't really have much flooding problems because our rain is more constant and light and not the heavy drenching rainshowers of the South.

[Listener2307]

Flooding?
It would be hard to flood with the river next door, but it might happen. I know the Louisiana side has flooded, but the Mississippi side has banks that are much higher - unless you go down the hill to where the old warehouses were, called "Natchez Under The Hill". Natchez Under The Hill is trendy and safe now.

I wouldn't be afraid to live in Natchez. Crime is just a bunch of numbers to me, and if you look closely you usually find out that high crime statistics are just a matter of trash preying upon trash. If I wanted to or needed to, I would live there.

If it's good enough for Greg Iles, It's good enough for me.

[Mississippi Alabama Line]

Originally Posted by cchip55

I am laughing about the posts, I live in Seattle and am considering Natchez because I too am in love with the beautiful historic homes I have seen for sale online and also want to fix one of these beauties up. However, I too have read a lot about crime....hoping if you live close to downtown in the main historic area that there is a strong blockwatch or neighborhood group to keep crime away? I am a single woman so I have to be careful, on the other hand I have lived in big cities all my life which usually have more crime issues as there are more people. That's why I think it's sad that small towns have these issues, I mean doesn't everyone know each other so it would be hard to get away with crime??

I too wonder about any flooding issues. We may get a lot of rain in Seattle, but funnily enough we don't really have much flooding problems because our rain is more constant and light and not the heavy drenching rainshowers of the South.

LOL

Lady, I would love for you to come and invest in Natchez and the state of Mississippi. But I guarantee you, being from Seattle, you are probably thinking that the redneck good ole boys or something is going to get you while down here in the poor ole south, right? HAHA

I suggest you spend a week in downtown Natchez, and be prepared for a culture shock. Let's just say the crime here isn't the same type of crime you have in that big city of Seattle.

Flooding is the least of your concerns. That's not really a concern at all.

[viverlibre]

Originally Posted by cchip55

I am laughing about the posts, I live in Seattle and am considering Natchez because I too am in love with the beautiful historic homes I have seen for sale online and also want to fix one of these beauties up. However, I too have read a lot about crime....hoping if you live close to downtown in the main historic area that there is a strong blockwatch or neighborhood group to keep crime away? I am a single woman so I have to be careful, on the other hand I have lived in big cities all my life which usually have more crime issues as there are more people. That's why I think it's sad that small towns have these issues, I mean doesn't everyone know each other so it would be hard to get away with crime??

I too wonder about any flooding issues. We may get a lot of rain in Seattle, but funnily enough we don't really have much flooding problems because our rain is more constant and light and not the heavy drenching rainshowers of the South.

I travel to Natchez at least once per year for work and have stayed the night there a few times. I think the crime in Natchez is more property crime, rather than violate crime. Natchez is on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi, so flooding is not a major concern. There are a few low areas, just be sure not to buy in any of them. Church is a big deal for making high-class social connections in southern small towns, but don't worry, it's more country club than brimstone and damnation.