Considering move to Mississippi (Jackson, Ridgeland: car insurance, crime, townhouse)

[knomath]

My family and I live in detroit,MI and My wife is being offered a position canton,MS... I have no clue as to what MS is like or if it is a good place for us to relocate...I have issues because the possible impending culture shock from city to country...etc....also we have 3 kids and i am not to fond of the possible move but $$$ talks...I am a teacher so i should have no problem finding a job but what are the public school systems like???

[Tama]

Sorry you haven't gotten any info yet. Canton area anyone?? I only know broad generic info, but if you are coming from Detroit to Canton--is it for the Nissan plant? You would have a choice of areas to live including Madison and Brandon, Jackson suburbs, that I have heard good things about. You will have some culture shock but others, including myself, have survived it. I came from Philadelphia. I think there is every chance you will enjoy the warm winters, the friendly people, and the affordable housing. You can find most anything you want in the Jackson area and though crime would be a concern in the city itself, there are good places around. I imagine the same is true of Detroit??

[JTARHIT]

Madison and Ridgeland would be a better choice I think. The commute from Brandon might get old. I live in Ridgeland. I moved here from Flowood and I love it.

[knomath]

Originally Posted by Tama

Sorry you haven't gotten any info yet. Canton area anyone?? I only know broad generic info, but if you are coming from Detroit to Canton--is it for the Nissan plant? You would have a choice of areas to live including Madison and Brandon, Jackson suburbs, that I have heard good things about. You will have some culture shock but others, including myself, have survived it. I came from Philadelphia. I think there is every chance you will enjoy the warm winters, the friendly people, and the affordable housing. You can find most anything you want in the Jackson area and though crime would be a concern in the city itself, there are good places around. I imagine the same is true of Detroit??

Yes it is for the Nissan Plant...I primarily wanted to know about the public school system since i am a teacher, would they pay more in jackson compared to other districts...Also what are property taxes,car insurance, utilities like??? just curious because we pay so much living here in Detroit...

[JTARHIT]

Go to www.mde.k12.ms.us to get info about teaching positions. You can also go to a search engine and type in HInds County, Madison county, and Rankin county school districts for more info. Taxes in Hinds are KILLER! A car tag might cost $500 in Madison or Rankin Counties and cost $1500 in Hinds. Property taxes are higher in Hinds too. Utilities are about the same for all 3 counties. I live in a 2 story townhouse and I pay a little over $100 for electricity, about $25 for water, and $125 for a cable/DSL/phone bundle.

[Staperk]

Originally Posted by JTARHIT

Go to www.mde.k12.ms.us to get info about teaching positions. You can also go to a search engine and type in HInds County, Madison county, and Rankin county school districts for more info. Taxes in Hinds are KILLER! A car tag might cost $500 in Madison or Rankin Counties and cost $1500 in Hinds. Property taxes are higher in Hinds too. Utilities are about the same for all 3 counties. I live in a 2 story townhouse and I pay a little over $100 for electricity, about $25 for water, and $125 for a cable/DSL/phone bundle.

Actually, I live in Hinds County and taxes really aren't that bad at all. I think it my be the city of Jackson taxes you are thinking about.

[JTARHIT]

It must be. I have a friend that lives in Byram and another in Terry. They moved out of the city because of taxes.

[LESMC]

Hi,

I am a public school teacher in the Jackson Public Schools. Jackson Public School District pays teachers the most in the area and that is probably going to be a concern considering you are leaving Michigan to teach in Mississippi....#49 in teacher pay. There is hope though!!! I love teaching in Jackson Public Schools. My husband and I live in Terry and I teach in South Jackson..you could live in any of the suburbs and teach in a Jackson school that is not TOO far from home. Check with the Jackson Public School website for the teacher pay scale. There are always job openings and I'm sure you wouldn't have any trouble getting a job.

Laura

[BB1]

I live in Northern MS. If you are planning on moving to the Canton area, I would suggest looking at the Madison area, just minutes south of Canton. You'll find a larger variety of housing options, better schools (Madison Central) and it's conveniently located on the north side of the capitol city, Jackson. Madison is close to Canton, and it's also near a large amount of very nice shopping in nearby Ridgeland. I've traveled this country all over, including New England, and you will find as many great things in the area you're considering as any other region......Good Luck & welcome home to MS!

[ldm86]

rankin co schools are great. canton is an ok area w/ a nice academy, but canton public school district is a critical needs area.