Help! We may relocate to Jackson, MS area. (Clinton, Ridgeland: fit in, home)

[grahamfam]

My husband's company wants him to relocate to their Jackson, MS office from the Chicago area. We have amazing friends and a church that we love and are struggling with leaving. I have read many entries saying how difficult it is to make friends and fit in there. We also have three children. Two are biological and our third is by adoption from South Korea. I noticed there are very few Asians in the population surrounding Jackson. He is accepted and loved here and I would regret putting him in any situation where he is judged because of his ethnicity and also that we are a multi-cultural family. I would appreciate any advice or insight that is helpful!

[oldenfatt]

It's been my experience living here that the racial tensions in Mississippi are primarily black/white. Asians are a much smaller minority and tend to be accepted wherever they are.

[grahamfam]

That is pretty much what a couple people in the office in Jackson had said but I really wanted an opinion from someone who wasn't trying to get him to move there. Thanks for the reply.

[auntbee]

I don't think you will have any problems being a multicultural family or having an Asian child. The important thing is to get involved in the community to meet new people. You will find it isn't as bad as some people on here make it out to be.

[grahamfam]

That's good to hear! We are very active in our church so hopefully that would help once we find a church. Also after doing some research online, it looks like Brandon or Clinton would be a good fit. We plan on taking a short trip down there and want to have a focus. Any advice?

[auntbee]

I have lived in both Brandon and Clinton and I like both. You might try looking in the Reservoir area. Flowood is part of the Reservoir area as well as Brandon. Either of them would be good. There are plenty of subdivisions to choose from. Tell me what kinds of things interest you and I'll try to be more help.

[undertheironsea]

Make sure you don't live in downtown Jackson. Find a suburb. For your safety.

[george.co.msgirl]

grahamfam,

Clinton and Brandon are great cities. But you might want to check out Madison and Ridgeland before you make your final decision. Madison is a top 10 small town to live in and Ridgeland is a top 100 in the U.S. Madison has a more family and inclusion feeling that I experienced. We lived in Ridgeland our first year here. We have been in Madison for seven years. We are also active with our church. Our neighborhood is made up of families of different nationalities: caucasian, African American, and Chinese. You would not have any problem with your family being accepted. Madison is home to more "relocated" families than Brandon and Clinton and their locations are not as convenient.

[grahamfam]

Actually we have had Madison recommended a few times. But I have also heard that all the women dress to the "T" to go anywhere, even the gas station. I like to look nice but there are times I have run to the grocery store in my sweats. I am not really an "image" type person. I've also heard that there is a lot of materialism. What is your experience?

[george.co.msgirl]

Dressing up to go to the grocery or gas station actually sounds like Northeast Jackson. There may be few "image" clicks, but for the most part Madison is very family oriented and open and friendly. As far as materialism, because of the influence of television I doubt there are very many areas in the US not affected to some degree. Madison is no different than Clinton or Brandon in this except that the median income in Madison may be slightly higher.
I recommend just visiting all your options. (Clinton, Brandon, or Madison)
Where your husband will be working may have a big influence because of his commute to work. My husband works off of Woodrow Wilson Blvd. in Jackson and it takes 15-20 from our home in Madison. But we also live in a neighborhood with easy access to the interstate.