Relocating to Olive Branch, Southaven, Hernando Area (Horn Lake, Shelby: crime, house)

[gingermomof4]

Hi,

We are looking at relocating to MS and are looking at Olive Branch, Southaven and Hernando areas and would like some suggestions on the best areas.

-school system is not really an issue because we homeschool, but would love to know about homeschool support groups in the area

-would like to drive 20 minutes or less to reach shops, doctors, etc.

-looking at homes no higher than $350,000, preferably with some land and lots of square footage

-would like to be close to some contemporary open Bible type churches

We appreciate any assistance/suggestions/advice you could offer!

[UofMGrad92]

I would guess you can find a house with lots of square footage and some land for that kind of money in any of the areas you mentioned. Hernando and Olive Branch would be more likely to have rural type areas with land, but I'm sure Southaven would have estate style lots for this kind of price range.

While Hernando and Olive Branch are developing more more retail areas, you'd probably be going to Southaven for most shopping and doctors, etc. Either place would generally be within 20 minutes of Southaven.

Schools are good in Desoto County (for the most part), but I'm sure there are home schoolers. I don't live that way (I'm in the Bartlett area), and I know there is at least one large homeschool support group out here (I think it is called Bartlett Wolfchase something or the other). I will ask around and see what I can find out about homeschool groups in Desoto.

Memphis and the surrounding areas have lots of churches, and I'm sure you can find what you are looking for in one in Desoto. If living close (like in the neighborhood) to your church is important, then you might want to pick a church and then look for housing. I'm sure you can find what you want in any one of those areas near a church you would like.

One word of advice would be to avoid Horn Lake and Walls. They aren't necessarily bad, but they are not where the growth is going. Eastern Desoto (Olive Branch area) and Hernando seem to be the new hot spots in Desoto County, while the Western end (Horn Lake/Walls) hasn't ever really taken off.

[gingermomof4]

Thank you so much. This is just the kind of information I was looking for. I really appreciate it.

[kat999]

I personally just moved from Olive Branch to Walnut, MS. Southaven is very crowded & lots of major traffic. May want to check out Barton, MS (just south of Collierville, TN very upscale) Byhalia, Nesbit, Hernando are great areas too. Moderator cut: edit

[gingermomof4]

Thanks! I've heard wonderful things about Hernando.

We'd really like to stay semi-close to hospitals, doctors, churches, shops, etc.

How bad is the traffic situation?

TIA

Blessings,
Ginger

[SGC_SG1]

gingermomof4, UofMgrad pretty much hit the nail on the head.
$350,000???????? good Lord, you must not be from this area, as that amount will get you ALOT of house here.
Here's the honest "low down" for you:
Southaven- its a big small town...get it? Small area land wise, 30,000 (ish) people, but has absoulty EVERY restaurant and shopping you will ever need. It seems to be the shopping mecca for DeSoto County. Traffic is aweful though, very conjested, and crime is on the rise.....quickly. (Hey, it borders south Memphis).
Olive Branch- Strange combination of small town with some large city type qualities. Relativley quiet, though like Southaven, has seen a rise in crime recently (thanks, Memphis! uhg.)
Horn Lake and Walls- Im not gonna sugar coat this one, they are total dumps, avoid them.
Hernando- By outword appearances, is "charming". It is the new "place to be" in the Memphis area, and rightfully so. But it is a small town, and with that comes "good ole boy" politics, a weary attitude towards non locals (if you're not FROM Hernando), and some, dare I say, seriously annoying gossipers. By that I mean get ready to hear alot of "you're not from Hernando, are you?"..."You don't know (so and so)?" It gets annoying......VERY VERY annoying. Some strangeness within the city's govt as well....look for some seriously shady and unqualified personnel there, who got their jobs of, again, "WHO they know as opposed to WHAT they know".
Overall, it is a nice place to live, if you can handle the super small town mentality.

[CPAkeith]

Hernando, MS VS. Arlington, TN, which one is safer to buy in terms of re-sell?

[SGC_SG1]

Originally Posted by CPAkeith

Hernando, MS VS. Arlington, TN, which one is safer to buy in terms of re-sell?

That's a close one.....but, probobly Hernando. Arlington is still in Shelby Co, which is basically Memphis (= thugland).

[missysurg1]

Horn Lake is not a dump. No, it is not growing at leaps and bounds as Southaven and Olive Branch, but it does have a lot of nice nieghborhoods and some older ones as well, just as Southaven. You can get a large house on land anywhere in Desoto County for a very good price. I am glad that Horn Lake is growing slower than the surrounding areas, it keeps the crime and the traffic at lower levels than Olive Branch and Southaven. If you are really interested in moving here I would suggest visiting. Goodman Rd. which is a major Rd. here connects Olive Branch, Southaven, Horn Lake, etc... You can live in any one of these cities and be in the other within minutes. If your concerned about schools, ALL Desoto County schools are great. I have children in them and have worked in the school system. People move here to put their children in our schools. If you go to the Desoto County Board of Education website you can find the "report card" for the schools to get information on: test scores, school population and demographics, etc... If anyone has any questions about Desoto County you can pm me or respond here. I will be honest and tell you everything you want or need to know about moving here.