Gulfport, Biloxi MS (Hattiesburg, Shelby: apartment complex, rental, hotel) - Mississippi - City-Data Forum

Muhnay · 03-01-2007, 02:06 PM

My grandfather was living at the Naval home there in Biloxi... I used to spend my summers as a kid running around on the beaches there in Gulfport and Biloxi. Just prior to Katrina I took my kids down there and we had a great time. I know Katrina really did some damage to my beloved Gulfport and Biloxi. I was wondering how the rebuilding was going, if there were new jobs, and homes for your current residents as well as others who may move to the area to help be part of the rebuilding of the shiney-star of the gulf coast.

Mississippienne · 03-01-2007, 02:41 PM

Gulfport's definitely looking better, even since just this past summer. There's still a lot of wrecked houses/apartments (after awhile I don't even "see" them anymore). But most of them are being knocked down. The beaches aren't safe for swimming because of debris, maybe by this summer they'll be clean again. The casinos are up and running and housing is available, pricier than it was before though.

Muhnay · 03-01-2007, 02:50 PM

Thank you. I am considering moving there, instead of going to Oregon. I want to help. I want to be part of the recovery. I know I can not feel the same satisfaction of seeing this area rise from its rubble as a native.. for I was miles away in the desert of Texas well protected from the pain and loss the locals suffered. But I do feel connected to the area by the bonds on my childhood and grandfather who lived there for so long.

Thank you again for the quick reply. I never swam in the gulf there by the way, I always went out to ship island and did my swimming.. The water was so clear and blue way out there. I hope Ship island is fairing well.. I heard there was a rcovery project underway to save it and protect it from any other hurricanes that may come that way.

Mississippienne · 03-01-2007, 06:37 PM

Wow, Muhnay, that's awesome of you. I would recommend before you come that you contact your church or organizations to see if they have volunteer programs on the MS Gulf Coast. I know Catholic Charities runs programs. The UU Church of Baton Rouge can set you up with a volunteer opportunity in MS, email them at uukatrina@bellsouth.net or call Biloxi Habitat for Humanity at 228 374-4946.

If you do come down to volunteer, don't get frustrated that you can't save the world all by your lonesome. We can all do just a bit to relieve the suffering. I'm assuming you'll need a job while you're living down here, definitely start applying ahead of time.

Muhnay · 03-02-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mississippienne

Wow, Muhnay, that's awesome of you. I would recommend before you come that you contact your church or organizations to see if they have volunteer programs on the MS Gulf Coast. I know Catholic Charities runs programs. The UU Church of Baton Rouge can set you up with a volunteer opportunity in MS, email them at uukatrina@bellsouth.net or call Biloxi Habitat for Humanity at 228 374-4946.

If you do come down to volunteer, don't get frustrated that you can't save the world all by your lonesome. We can all do just a bit to relieve the suffering. I'm assuming you'll need a job while you're living down here, definitely start applying ahead of time.

I have already donated blankets and jackets and some can goods from here though the red cross. But that was for Katrina relief, so not just for Biloxi, but the whole gulf coast that was hit. I have the phone numbers and email you gave and will be contacting them. Thank you.

As for the jobs, you mentioned.. are they hard to come by? I looked on-line and saw many openings in many different areas of work. What I am having a hard time finding is a place to live, and info on schools and so forth. Any leads or info you can spare? I thank you in advance.. and look forward to seeing the white sand of Biloxi and Gulfport again.

Mississippienne · 03-02-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muhnay

I have already donated blankets and jackets and some can goods from here though the red cross. But that was for Katrina relief, so not just for Biloxi, but the whole gulf coast that was hit. I have the phone numbers and email you gave and will be contacting them. Thank you.

As for the jobs, you mentioned.. are they hard to come by? I looked on-line and saw many openings in many different areas of work. What I am having a hard time finding is a place to live, and info on schools and so forth. Any leads or info you can spare? I thank you in advance.. and look forward to seeing the white sand of Biloxi and Gulfport again.

Depends on what field you're in. I know construction jobs, etc. are available, if that's your field I can ask my brother and see if he knows anyone who's hiring. Also try the casinos such as IP (Imperial Palace) and Beau Rivage. Hancock Bank is another big employer.

What kind of schools do you need? There are elementary schools in my area, but there's no little kids in my family, so I don't know which ones are best. There's a couple of high schools, MGCCC (Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College) has a couple of campuses in the area, and there's four-year-old colleges too like William Carey, a Tulane branch, and USM in nearby Hattiesburg.

Muhnay · 03-02-2007, 02:28 PM

I have done Construction work. I currently work as a Chief of Security for a Hotel on a military base. Due to budget cuts though my Job is ending soon. My wife works as a waitress for a banquet hall.. and would like to continue in that area. My kids are all young, Jr. high ( middle School ) and below. Nice to know there are some options for continueing education there, like a community college.

Are there anything for kids to do there? Like Movie houses, parks, malls? What is the nearest Amusment park to the area?

I have found a huge listing of rental properties, and have spoken with a few people already... and I have a couple great leads. The people have been very friendly and are willing to work with me to help our transition from Texas to Mississippi. ( I like to spell Mississippi heh heh, its fun. All because of that poem. )

I have heard many people are leaving the area, and the job growth rate is a negitive number, but from my limited research that would seem like a false statement. Seems jobs are rushing into the area, and people too. Do you find this to be the case?

Mississippienne · 03-04-2007, 04:33 PM

I see plenty of jobs in Gulfport. Maybe they're not all white-collar jobs, I dunno, my family tends to stick with construction, retail, etc. I would recommend finding a job for at least one adult in your family before coming down, in case the other adult has a hard time finding a job.

I'll talk to my brother this weekend and try to find some construction contacts for you. With your background try checking with the Seabee base in Gulfport http://www.cbcgulfport.navy.mil/ (broken link) or Camp Shelby http://www.ngms.state.ms.us/campshelby/ (broken link) to see if they have a position for you. Also try the airport http://www.flygpt.com/ which is expanding and should have openings for new jobs.

Edgewater Mall is actually a pretty nice mall, some big department stores, a couple of eateries, two book stores, etc. The IP casino has a movie theater in it, but it's very small, there's another movie theater up Highway 49 called Cinemark that I like alot. Beau Rivage Casino lures musical acts like Julio Iglesias and LeeAnn Rimes. In Biloxi there's the Mississippi Coast Coliseum that lures a lot of rock bands (I saw just this past summer and winter Stone Sour, Hinder, Staind, Three Days Grace, Disturbed, etc. other bands teenage kids would probably love). For outdoor recreation there's of course the beach, Ship Island (where you can see wild dolphins sometimes), and Paul B. Johnson state park is about an hour north of Gulfport. The IP Casino has a nightclub that's supposed to be a fun place (my brother's gone and he loved it, I haven't been yet). The IP also has a Brazilian restaurant. An awesome restaurant (but pricey!) is Mary Mahoney's in Biloxi. It's located inside a historic plantation house that dates from the 1730s.

Muhnay · 03-04-2007, 08:41 PM

I want to thank you so much for your advice, and help.. your making me feel so good about my move to the area. Here I am wanting to come and do my part to help the area, and you have been so kind and helpful to me. That is the kinda spirit that makes the area so grande to me. You have warmed my heart. Thank you.

I will check the links and see what they have to offer. Thanks again.

EDIT: The SeaBee Page does not load. the second one loads, but is secured page, the third link takes me to a 404 not found, but with alittle work I get the airport page, no employent link i can find there though.

Mississippienne · 03-05-2007, 12:38 PM

SeaBee base:
202 McKinney Ave
Gulfport, MS 39501
(228) 863-2018

Gulfport-Biloxi Airport:
14035 Airport Rd # L3,
Gulfport, 39503
(228) 863-5951

Try calling and asking them who you need to send a resume to. How many children do you have? A two-bedroom apartment will run you around $700-900 a month, a three-bedroom will be around $900-1,500 a month. My mother is site manager for an apartment complex, but I don't think she has any openings right now. If you're adventurous, you could buy a slab for $50,000 or so and build a house on it. I've been thinking of getting my mother one of those cute little Katrina Cottages http://www.katrinacottages.com/plans/index.html