Gulf in Gulfport (Biloxi, Long Beach, Pass Christian: for sale, rent, amusement parks)

[Victoria_Warfel]

There is a job for us in Gulfport (we are currently in Florida), and we are trying to research the area. What is the beach like? White, soft sand? Clear, turquoise water? Swimable? Is it a vacation spot for the beach and water? Is it breezy in the summer (were in Panama City Beach last August, and there was NO breeze, very HOT)?

Also, how are the schools (we have an elementary school age son)? Will he have to go to a private school?

And, how is housing? We are debating if we would like to be within a couple blocks of the beach or a little farther out with some land (3+ acres).

THANKS!!!!

[Muhnay]

Originally Posted by Victoria_Warfel

There is a job for us in Gulfport (we are currently in Florida), and we are trying to research the area. What is the beach like? White, soft sand? Clear, turquoise water? Swimable? Is it a vacation spot for the beach and water? Is it breezy in the summer (were in Panama City Beach last August, and there was NO breeze, very HOT)?

Also, how are the schools (we have an elementary school age son)? Will he have to go to a private school?

And, how is housing? We are debating if we would like to be within a couple blocks of the beach or a little farther out with some land (3+ acres).

THANKS!!!!

I like the beaches there, they are white and soft.. but not as white as Florida's beaches. The water is not turquoise at all.. it is brown. I would not go in the water, but many people do.. still lots of Katrina aftermath in the water.. and some areas are still closed because of that.. but many are open and swimable. I dont ever recall it being breezy unless a storm was rollin in or out.. they do have some of the best thunder boomers in Gulfport though, and plenty of rain. Summers are hot and humid, winters are mild and not humid at all.

I found the public schools in Gulfport to be lacking in many reguards.. and even a bit racial. I would not recommend the Gulfport Public Schools.

Housing is expensive, many of them were blown away.. also forget living any where near the beach.. there is nothing there, and even if there was, you would need a small fortune just to pay the insurance cost to live there. Most people live above I-10 now because its a little cheeper and the insurance cost wont rape you there.. also there are a few places up above I-10 that would have acarage.. but again rent is high in the area now. I was lucky and found a small 3 bedroom 1000sq. ft. house for $895.00 a month in a sorta shady side of Gulfport... most rents were $1200 and up for not much more than what I had in that area.. I am sure deals can be found.. but check them out before hand... we rented sight unseen. Our landlord was great, but the area was not.

Hope that helps.. there is lots of rebuilding still going on there, and as it gets more stable I am sure rents will go back down.. also expect to pay a premium on food there too.. dont know why, but ground beef was 3.99-5.99 a pound about a year ago.. that may not sound high to you, but in El Paso TX, it was only .99 to 1.99 a pound here.. so it was a shocker to us.

Good luck.. I loved Gulfport, and hated leaving, I have vowed to return someday.. as I found the area to be really rewarding to live in. Maybe after my kids are outta school, the wife and I can find a nice small 2 bedroom place to call home once more.

[blueridgemama]

We're looking to relocate a little west of there. I can tell you what I have learned from others, though this isn't first-hand knowledge. Two local public school teachers have said the Gulfport schools are not good at all. They say Long Beach and Pass Christian (just west of Gulfport) have excellent schools, among the best in the state. We are looking at either a beach property or acreage. Realtor.com can give you an idea of what you can find. We have looked at Pass Christian, and our realtor sent us links for 4 acres and a house with 3bdrm/2ba, south of I-10 for around $240K. We have also gotten listings for places in Long Beach that are a block from the beach and have a half acre for around the same price. For the nicest swimming, they say you should go out to Ship Island by ferry. We saw the beaches in Pass Christian, and they looked nice. The water is flat with minimal waves and kinda brown, but the sand was white and looked clean. There are no crowds to fight, like in Florida. I hope this helps.

[jeffakki]

Our beaches here are a joke. Swimmable? I have lived here on the coast for almost 30 yrs. I have never stepped foot in our water and don't plan on it. Trust me on this, I'm not the only one who thinks like that. The education here in Mississippi is also not so great. We are usually ranked last or very close to it among all the other states. I send my son to a very good private school, and it probably still only compares to the public schools in Florida. For kids, there is nothing here for them to do. You have 2 roller skating rinks, 2 or 3 bowling alleys, and 1 water park which is way over priced. I have a 10 yr. old and hate seeing him on the computer all day long with nothing to do. I try taking him to the limited places we have but after so long they get bored of it. Even before the storm there was nothing to do for kids, just imagine now. I'm sure some ppl will have some good things to say about the area, but raising a kid here and being raised here myself I do not like it. I have the for sale sign up in the front yard and I will be moving to Florida once it sales. At least there I know there are tons of things to do, beautiful beaches and sand. Amusement Parks, heck even put put golf. These are just some of my opinions on the area. The best way is to come down here and see for yourself. The only thing this place has is casinos, and soon it will be more casinos, and condos, and still nothing for the kids.


Also the housing market, prices here are still expensive, due to the lack of houses. The closer to the beach the more expensive. I live in an area called woolmarket which is nice because it is 15 miles from the beach, just North of Gulfport and Biloxi. I enjoy living in the county much better than the city limits, much cheaper on taxes, insurance, and have more land. Again, make sure you come see it for yourself and get a feel of it

[Sam I Am]

Unless something has vastly changed since Katrina, you'd have to hike forever out into the gulf to be able to swim. I haven't been in the water in years but it stays about knee high until you get to....Cuba or somewhere.

[cia191630]

Originally Posted by sam I Am

unless Something Has Vastly Changed Since Katrina, You'd Have To Hike Forever Out Into The Gulf To Be able to Swim. I Haven't Been In The Water In Years But It Stays About Knee High Until You Get To....cuba Or Somewhere.

Roflmao