Husband wants to move to the mighty Miss!

[TippyAT]

i would like to know if you actually went throught withthe move. i do realize it was almost 2 years ago... hoever i am thinking of oving down to Hattiesburg aswell. I'm born and raised in portland, OR area and have never really lived outside of SW Washington.

I'm thinking of moving sometime, no sooner then this September.

any hints? Advice? anything would be much appreciated! thank you.

[lobender]

While I cannot give you the answer you seek, I can offer my opinion -

I lived in Mississippi my entire life until three years ago, when my family and I moved first to Oklahoma City and next to NE Tennessee. I am with your husband - I miss the state and the people. Mississippi is far from perfect, but it affects the soul - particularly so if you've grown up there during your formative years.

Having spent time in both Oregon and Mississippi, nothing in Mississippi scenery-wise will compare to the beauty of the western 1/3-1/2 of Oregon (the other half is questionable). Quite honestly, I'm not sure there are many other places in the US that can compare. MS has no mountains, only foothills of the Appalachians in the very northeastern tip of the state. Western Oregon has no real poisonous snakes or vegetation - Mississippi has both in abundance. Mississippi is still an outdoorsman's paradise, however, but you have to be more creative.

All that said, I long to move back to Mississippi. My reasons are personal - family and friends at the top of the list. Third on the list are the people in general. As for public schools - Tupelo and Saltillo are above average (when compared with the US as a whole), Madison and Brandon schools are above average to stellar, and the private schools in the central part of the state fill an important gap in the education system as a whole. Property taxes are next to nothing (hence the school quality IMO) when compared with just about any other state, and cost of living in general is very low.

My opinion (places I look when I consider relocating back to the state):
1. Madison
2. Brandon / Reservoir
3. Tupelo
4. Hattiesburg
5. Some parts of the coast - but be careful b/c of Katrina

[TippyAT]

From what i've seen of Miss. It was beautiful! (i visited the Neshoba County Fair last summer.) I thought it seemed very similar to Oregon/Washington. Very green, just a flat version of it.

What is the life style like in the Hattiesburg area? I'm 21 and looking to keep myself somewhat busy!

[obresident]

Originally Posted by beverloop

I need some honest words and local insight from folks who are familiar with Mississippi. I have lived in Oregon all my life and want to know what to expect if I let him rope me into moving. I visited the southern area last year and it was way too hot. I heard that the nothern area does not get as warm? We have been looking in the Tupelo area, like Booneville or something. I would like someplace that is rural but yet still has ties to a larger city. Any suggestions? Does any area see snow? What about tornados?

I grew up in Memphis and now I live in Olive Branch and love it. It is a small town but it has a Wal Mart, New Target, Lowe's, Home Depot, Block Busters, McDonalds and most important at Star Bucks! All the people here are so nice. Never have any major crimes to make the headlines. It is so very close to Memphis and that is where you would want your medical services. Very good physicans and hospitals in Memphis. My sister & her husband moved here a year ago and they both grew up in Idaho and said they love it here and will never move back to the west. We have our house for sale only to move future in the country. Tupelo is a good place to live but I would not go to Booneville. Hopes my opion helps. Good Luck

[creepndragon]

My Husband wants me and our girls to move with him to Tupelo or Pontotoc. I have lived in CA my whole life and am a bit apprehensive. Can anyone tell me what the jobs are like there or maybe racial tensions where Hispanics are concerned. It would be a great help. Thanks a bunch everyone.

[usm2009]

Originally Posted by TippyAT

From what i've seen of Miss. It was beautiful! (i visited the Neshoba County Fair last summer.) I thought it seemed very similar to Oregon/Washington. Very green, just a flat version of it.

What is the life style like in the Hattiesburg area? I'm 21 and looking to keep myself somewhat busy!

I live in Hattiesburg and have on and off my entire life. I love it. Like a previous post said, south MS is the most developed/urbanized area of the state. Hattiesburg has two universities, so you will find plenty to do. We have Paul B Johnson state park and it is always fun to go ride jet skis, rent cabins and have bbq's. There are numerous bars/clubs in the area. Hattiesburg is also called the Hub City as it is close in proximity to New Orleans, Gulfport/Biloxi casinos, Mobile, and Jackson. USM's main campus is here so tailgating and going to the games is always fun. It is hot but trust me, youll get used to it. Gulf shores has nice beaches and its still only about 2 or 2 and a half hours away. Hattiesburg is a decent size city. 50,000 city proper, 150,000 metro. There are two good hospitals, a fairly large regional mall, and your usual big box stores, ie. target, bed bath and beyond, kohls, old navy, dillards, pennys, goodys, belk, olive garden, logans, tgi fridays, longhorn etc... I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the state (personal opinion, no one get offended)

[Mississippi Insurance Poo]

I have to give a different point of view from the wonderfull ones you have received. I was born & raised on the Gulf Coast. Married Military and moved away. After 24 years we have moved back and the wonderfull life I thought I had here is no more!!!! My goodness the Gulf Coast is being devasted with high Insurance, high property taxes, high car taxes and the list goes on and on!!! Our last home was in the Northern Virigina DC Beltway area. Worth $455,000.00 we paid $1,700.00 per year in property taxes (with no such thing as Homestead Exemption). Our house here is $250,000.00 and we are paying $2,500.00 with Homestead Exemption. Our Wind & Hail Insurance is $4,000.00 per year, fire & theft is $1,500.00 per year NS $321.00 per year in flood. We also are paying $700.00 per year in car tags. Our flood insurance will be going up as soon as FEMA finishes redoing our flood zones. Also property taxes are going up another 31% by the year 2010. We are also rank 2nd in the Nation in the highest sales taxes even on food. My grand total per year is $9,021.00 per year for taxes, insurance and car tags. Not to even mention our State Income Tax. Wow what a wonderfull life. I pray to God every day that we can get out of here as soon as possible because they (corrupt politicans of Mississippi) destroying our lives on the Coast. Check all your facts before moving here. I just want to go home and be with family if I would have done my homework we would NOT be here. I thought with the influx of Casinos the State would have changed after all these years. NO IT HAS NOT. It is still so far behind other States and so corrput that it makes me ashamed. I use to stand up and fight if anyone insulted Mississippi (and believe me I have heard my fair share) no more. Those people were right and I could not see the forrest for the trees.

Just check you financial facts (taxes & insurance) first!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jerrey]

Be aware, that if your looking for a home to purchase, always get a homeowners insurance quote BEFORE you sign ANYTHING! Our mistake is your lesson!