Bay St. Louis area-where to live? (Gulfport, Pearl: insurance, crime, home)

[crayfish]

I would like to know more about some of the cities outside of Bay St. Louis, such as Kiln, Pearl River, and Gainesville. Are these cities residential or rural?
Do any of these cities have a lot of crime? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[crayfish]

Actually, I meant Pearlington, not Pearl River.

[blueridgemama]

We moved down here a couple of months ago. Everything is rural outside of the main coastal towns. Kiln is very rural. Most anything north of I-10 is rural. I'd be surprised to hear of much crime. This is serious small town Mississippi down here. I used to live in the north part of the state, in yet another small Mississippi town. One of the locals started talking about crime in the town and how there had been a "crime wave" a couple of years prior. When I inquired further, I learned that a high school student had been arrested for stealing car radios from about 4 cars over a period of a month. I laughed, since I came from a city where that is such a minor and common thing no one would even think to discuss it, much less talk about it years later and refer to it as a crime wave. Most of MS small town is like this.

[crayfish]

Originally Posted by blueridgemama

We moved down here a couple of months ago. Everything is rural outside of the main coastal towns. Kiln is very rural. Most anything north of I-10 is rural. I'd be surprised to hear of much crime. This is serious small town Mississippi down here. I used to live in the north part of the state, in yet another small Mississippi town. One of the locals started talking about crime in the town and how there had been a "crime wave" a couple of years prior. When I inquired further, I learned that a high school student had been arrested for stealing car radios from about 4 cars over a period of a month. I laughed, since I came from a city where that is such a minor and common thing no one would even think to discuss it, much less talk about it years later and refer to it as a crime wave. Most of MS small town is like this.

That's funny about the "crime wave". Thank you for responding.

[BarbG]

Hi, I lived on the MS Gulf Coast for 47 years before moving to TN, 22 of those years in the BSL area.

I've never even heard of Gainesville, so I would say it's very rural.

Pearlington is even more rural than Kiln. At least the Kiln has a stop light.

The Kiln (as locals call it) is about 25 minutes from Bay St Louis. Pearlington, in the other direction, is about the same distance. We lived in Diamondhead for 22 years, and it a gorgeous place where some of our dearest friends live, but you've got to put up with the politics there . . . and the property owners assn. The Kiln is about 10 minutes from the back entrance of Diamondhead, and theres a grocery store and restaurants in Diamondhead, so it's closer to a town than Pearlington.

Pearlington was hit hard by Katrina. It's about 20-25 minutes from Slidell, LA, which is a larger town.

Crime in either town was low when I lived in the area.

[crayfish]

Originally Posted by BarbG

Hi, I lived on the MS Gulf Coast for 47 years before moving to TN, 22 of those years in the BSL area.

I've never even heard of Gainesville, so I would say it's very rural.

Pearlington is even more rural than Kiln. At least the Kiln has a stop light.

The Kiln (as locals call it) is about 25 minutes from Bay St Louis. Pearlington, in the other direction, is about the same distance. We lived in Diamondhead for 22 years, and it a gorgeous place where some of our dearest friends live, but you've got to put up with the politics there . . . and the property owners assn. The Kiln is about 10 minutes from the back entrance of Diamondhead, and theres a grocery store and restaurants in Diamondhead, so it's closer to a town than Pearlington.

Pearlington was hit hard by Katrina. It's about 20-25 minutes from Slidell, LA, which is a larger town.

Crime in either town was low when I lived in the area.

Thank you.

[ausmerika]

I too lived along the Coast for years b/f Katrina even hit. Pearlington was, and still is, one of the poorest areas in the state, and that is saying alot! And extremely rural. It was also one of the 3 towns hit hardest by Katrina (the eye passed over).

BSL is "big city" life for Hancock Co. The Kiln may be rural, but is close enough to enjoy both country living and town amenitites. Another place to look at perhaps is the Pass (as in Pass Christian). It is between Bay St Louis and Gulfport. Close to all the action in either direction, not rural but very small town.

[lookin4you777]

I lived just outside of the Kiln area for the biggest part of my 20 year marriage and I am inclined to say (after having grown up in New Orleans) that it is the biggest reason for my divorce. LOL! I hated the area because of the isolation I often felt. I now reside near the coast in Bay St. Louis, south of I-10. I simply love it here, bits of New Orleans style flair and food are a norm. However a lot of things have changed here since Katrina some for the good, others not so much...but every year the task of preparing for another hurricane season is very stressful. If you decide on a coastal location and plan to buy, be sure to check into insurance premiums both flood and home owners. And you probably should check elevation as well. Though I am situatied on the highest area on the entire Gulf Coast and was able to salvage my home, post-Katrina, some areas near and zoned within the city of Bay St. Louis flood with a high tide and a good rain. Different strokes for different folks!

[chiffonhead]

I just did some work in Pearlington, Bayside and Kiln. it was awful. I can't imagine anyone wanting to live there. just my opinion, of course, but all 3 areas aren't anyplace I'd encourage someone to move to. I don't know about the crime rate, but I had someone approach me and offer to sell me drugs in broad daylight. I'd say all 3 are poor, neglected communities that you may want to avoid. outsiders, especially in Bayside and Kiln, are heavily frowned upon. there's also a lot of racial tension. even for Mississippi.