Relocating to Clarksdale Area. (Cleveland: sales, crime, neighborhood)

[Kelley959]

I have a job offer in Clarksdale. Was pretty excited about going there, but after seeing some pictures, it seems quite run down. I'm going to be working at the local radio station there. I'm wondering about the prospects in the area. I'm doing sales as well, so I'm needing somewhere where the economy is decent. It looks pretty bad in some areas. Can anyone tell me anything about the area?

[oldenfatt]

You may want to live in Cleveland and commute to Clarksdale. I was in Clarksdale over the weekend for a family member's wedding and it really seems to have gone downhill- things look dirty and in a state of disrepair, lots of businesses closed, etc. Cleveland is no great shakes, but it is a college town and seems to be holding its own better than the surrounding commuinties in the Delta. Good luck with the new job.

[jhadorn]

Having worked and spent time in Clarksdale I can tell you it is a very economically depressed area. I also have friends who live in Clarksdale who say gunshots are a common sound at night, and regardless of the neighborhood you live in you are at risk. These same friends have learned to chain belongings in their lawns so they don't get stolen.

In 2001 the reported incidents of crime were nearly double that of the national average. While this has improved, crime in Clarksdale is still well above the national average.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Clarks...ssissippi.html