Relocating to Meridian... (Columbus, Lake, Memphis: real estate, sex offenders, crime)

[sugrgrl]

Hi there,
I am moving to Meridian (the northills area) in a month or so. I was wondering if anyone could tell me a little bit about the city of Meridian. What kind of festivals do they hold, events, entertainment, job market, etc. I am also in an interracial marriage. We are from Columbus where it is becoming more and more popular. I have heard that Meridian is not as tolerant to these type of relationships. Does anyone have any ideas on this matter as well? Thanks for your time!

[jllinton]

Well as far as festivals, I am not really sure. I know we have several. We just got the Riley Center finished in our Downtown area, and it holds alot of events. The interreacial thing I don't think really bothers as many people as you believe. I have never really heard anyone say anything negative about it. I am sure there are some people who have their negative opinions, but you will find that almost anywhere.

[bleehee]

I'd have to agree with Jllinton, the saying is that the war's been over in the south for a long time and there's a lot of truth to that. The culture is different for sure, but for most people it isn't a problem like portrayed on tv in the north. I live in Indiana, but my company is based in Mississippi, plus I grew up in Arkansas and I can tell you that racial tensions are higher in Indiana than in either of those states.

[SassyGirl2]

Sugrgrl, check out this link. It should provide you with some useful info, provided no less by this wonderful website you are presently using - City-Data.

Meridian, Mississippi (MS) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

As for interracial relationships, racism, of all kinds, exist everywhere to varying degrees, but you will discover Mississippi has definitely grown up in this respect.

BTW, welcome to the great world of being a CDer (that means one of us interesting personalities who explore the regions of City Data).

[annieswen]

Having lived in Meridian for 10 years, I can tell you a few things about this place. First of all, there is very little entertainment in the form of festivals or any other activities. Also, I have noticed a very intolerant attitude toward interracial couples as well as anyone else who might think a little bit "outside the box" in terms of religion or anything else. Having grown up in the Chicago area, I have seen that many people here are very close-minded and afraid of any change or anything different that might challenge the norm. I wish I could tell you differently, but that is the way I feel.

[RomaLady]

I'm sorry to hear you feel that way, Ann. I believe my daughter knows you, and knows the personal situation you had which would make you feel that way. Keep in mind, that can happen anywhere.

Sugrgrl, we have many festivals in our area. Meridian has a website at www.meridianms.org , where you can read about some of them. We also have surrounding communities which have their own and are very close.

Our downtown area is full of art and culture where anyone who is interested will find it very entertaining.

As for 'tolerance', I believe we are as tolerant of others, as they are of us. You know the saying, 'give as you would like to receive'.

[Excited 24]

Hi from exicted 24

Meridian is a small town. We have on occassion to have great entertainment. The Riley Center, events are hosted at the Temple Theater.
We have Bonita Lakes which is great for walking, biking. I am not sure of
a lot of the trails I was hoping that the city would sometimes do a walking
tour of the things that Bonita has to offer. You would have to subscribe to
the Meridian Star a lot of events are advertised in it. As far as being embrassed with your interacial relationship it still holds a sting with some people but in the end if you are good people sometimes it doesn't matter.

[Laurelite]

You can go to The Meridian Star homepage, google meridian star, and look around for the Community Forum. The people on the forum are Meridian area residents and will be able to tell you whatever you want to know. There are rednecks anywhere. Some will mistreat you. There are also some of the best people in the world in Mississippi. To get an honest opinion you may try registering and not mentioning the mixed marriage part and see how you are received. Then register under a different screen name and reveal the mixed marriage part and see how you are received. To be really honest with you the mixed marriages for the most part in Meridian andsurrounding are are probably not the kind of people you will want to associate with and is probably what you will be judged by. So why not just go there and get involved and see if the people will accept you for who you are and not what you are. I betting they will if you are good decent people.

There are some festivals like the Jimmie Rogers Festival and some more that I can't remember. The great part about Meridian is you have a small town, maybe 40K to 50k, but you are 2 hours from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, 2 to 3 hours from New Orleans, 4 to 6 hours from Memphis, 5 hours from Atlanta and so on. So how could you get bored. You will be limited only by what you can afford to do. Then you will get to retturn to a town that is not crime ridden like some of the larger metro areas. I hope this helps.