Thinking of moving to Miss.... (Jackson, Gulfport: transplants, short sale, condo)

[Twinsrock]

We are beginning our search for a place to retire (albeit a few years away) and Mississippi is on the list of possibilities. Currently know very little about the state, people, housing...well you get the picture. We will be traveling this summer and want to make Miss a potential destination. Any thoughts to towns we might find friendly to Yanks who are out-going? Not interested in living in a big city but proximity to one would be great. When I think of the south I think southern plantations, moss and friendly people. Any places I should steer clear of or make a definate point to check out? Thanks.

[jacksonian]

Raymond seems to be a hot spot for those looking for a slower pace of life, quiet atmosphere, but close enough to Jackson for medical needs, shopping, dining out, etc. I think Claude Wilson moved to Raymond from California and likes it there; maybe she will chime in.

[oldenfatt]

Oxford seems to be becoming a desirable retirement destination.

[2HHI]

Make sure to see the MS Coast, it is one of the best spots in MS. Also, contact the MS Tourism Commission, they have information about towns in MS that are "Certified Retirement Communities". These towns must meet certain requirements, set up by the state, to be considered a certified retirement community. Theres alot of great communities in MS, so make sure to check out several!

[Tama]

You might check Lucedale--near Mobile. Also Southern Living magazine might be helpful.

[jxndean]

Originally Posted by Twinsrock

We are beginning our search for a place to retire (albeit a few years away) and Mississippi is on the list of possibilities. Currently know very little about the state, people, housing...well you get the picture. We will be traveling this summer and want to make Miss a potential destination. Any thoughts to towns we might find friendly to Yanks who are out-going? Not interested in living in a big city but proximity to one would be great. When I think of the south I think southern plantations, moss and friendly people. Any places I should steer clear of or make a definate point to check out? Thanks.

What draws you to retire in Mississippi? The only place that I would retire to in MS, is the Gulf Coast. Gulfport is a fairly large city (70,000 people) other than that its one of the most laid back areas of the state. Its also very diverse and there are a good many transplants that live there. Here is a link that might be of some use.
Retirement Living in South Mississippi

[NWS]

Twinsrock Mississippi is VERY diverse. You can find almost anything here or at least be close to it. Help us out.
Tell us what you like or hate. Do you want to be close to water (Beach or Lake). Do you want to hunt. do you want 20 acres or 80x100 or a condo.
Give us some details and we will tell you if you can find it here.
I moved here from New York and I wanted acreage with a semi modern house close to the metro cities.
I ended up in Raymond. It works for me but it might not work for you. So let us know.

[Twinsrock]

Thanks for the input...keep it coming. We do not hunt (unless it's for good restaurants), I like to garden (an occasional geranium and a potted planter here and there) but enjoy being outdoors. A new or relatively new housing area (or perhaps condo) would be great. We love the water but it is not an absolute must have...accessibilty would work. Mississippi is but one area we are considering but we definately want to get away from cold icy winters.

[NWS]

Originally Posted by Twinsrock

Thanks for the input...keep it coming. We do not hunt (unless it's for good restaurants), I like to garden (an occasional geranium and a potted planter here and there) but enjoy being outdoors. A new or relatively new housing area (or perhaps condo) would be great. We love the water but it is not an absolute must have...accessibilty would work. Mississippi is but one area we are considering but we definately want to get away from cold icy winters.

When I retired I looked at quite a few states. I was mainly looking for a state that wouldn't tax my NY pension.
I think there are about 18 states that have limited or no taxes on retirement income. I was very interested in Texas and Florida.
I decided on Mississippi because property taxes were less than a third of what they would be in TX and FL. MS doesn't tax retirement income and has low property taxes.
Also the house I bought would have been twice the price in FL or TX and 3 times as much back in NY. You can get a lot of house for your money here.
Florida is a big option now. My best friend bought a short sale house. Two years ago it was sold for 550k he paid 300k for it.
Thanks to the boon and then bust they are giving away houses down there.
I would come down and take a look at the different areas of MS if you are interested. Try North, central and the coast.
They are very different and some of us love one part and would not live in another.

[Tama]

Hattiesburg has some projects in the planning stage that are the new urbanism concept. The multi-use self-contained walkable community. One is Legacy. Legacy Town Square
Also I recently walked through some new homes at Shadow Ridge Golf Course that are not on the course itself but at the entrance area. They are I guess garden homes. Three bedrooms two baths and have upgrades like granite and hardwood. Very appealing for a couple . Patio and limited lawn area for maintenance but at the same time the whole expanse of the golf club gives wonderful views and greenery and water features. They were about $250,000 if I recall correctly. Call Shadow Ridge clubhouse to get the realtor's name.
Shadow Ridge Golf Club