Is Raymond a safe area to live? (Jackson, Biloxi: new house, schools)

[rebirth]

I'm looking at different locations to live in Mississippi and I'm curious about Raymond.

[NWS]

I live in Raymond. It is a very small town. I live just outside the city boundaries but still have a Raymond address. Raymond is very close to Clinton and Jackson.
There isn't much to do in Raymond due to it's size but you are a few minutes drive from almost anything you might want or need.
I live in a very quiet area. I feel very safe here. My neighbors are great and we look out for each other.
In the two years I've been here I haven't heard any thing about safety issues anywhere near me.
Due to moving issues my home sat empty for 10 months and and there were no problems when I arrived.
I am very happy here and have no regrets.
If you are interested in Raymond I would also consider Clinton.
Both cities have very quiet safe areas.

[rebirth]

Thanks for your input. How is it with meeting people in Raymond on a social level? I'm also looking at Biloxi area too. I like being near the water as well. I'm looking to make my move in five months. I'm looking for a diversed area that is laid back and easy to meet people.

[NWS]

Well Raymond is tiny. It has typical suburban houses and some rural areas with acreage too. Socially it is very sleepy. You would probably need to go outside of Raymond to meet and greet. As I said Raymond is so close to Jackson and Clinton. I spent most of my time there and go back to the quiet life in Raymond when I'm done. There are a lot of houses going up if you like new houses. There are plenty of nice used houses too. The main advantage with Raymond is it is close to everything in central MS. yet not too close. Prices are low. Taxes are low. It might take some getting used to for some but it was just what I wanted.

[brickpatio]

If you are looking for laid back and by the water and where there are people to meet, that probably narrows it down to the Reservoir area in Jackson, Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, or Ocean Springs on the Coast, maybe Hattiesburg near USM, or an out-of-the-box thought might be Corinth which is a good small town and just minutes from the Tennessee River.

[poptones]

Wow, that's something NWS! When my old house burned in Stewart (pop about 400) and I was looking for a new place, I had no choice but to leave the old place sitting there for three months with no one to tend to a shop full of equipment but my poor ol' dog (who nearly went nuts from the isolation).

Unfortunately, it was only two months before someone took the initiative to help move me out of the shop, meaning someone else now owns all my tools, lincoln welder and my dad's bandsaw, bottles, and welding gear - in addition to the vintage belt sander that was good for nothing but to sit proudly on my mantle as a way of remembering my dad. What hurts most is knowing there was no electricity out there but the thief took ONLY the equipment that was known to be working, meaning whoever took it knew us and had been in the shop before the power was cut off.

Kinda helps one appreciate the value of truly good neighbors...

[NWS]

Originally Posted by poptones

Wow, that's something NWS! .... Kinda helps one appreciate the value of truly good neighbors...

Yes Poptones my neighbors are great. They kept an eye on the house for 10 months and they had never met me.
All they knew was that I was some guy from New York City. Who said Mississippians don't like yankees?
I really don't know if I were originally from Ms. if I would receive better treatment because everyone has been very nice.
I've only lived in Ms. for two years so I can't speak for other areas but I'm very comfortable in Raymond and the Central Ms areas I've visited.

[rebirth]

Thank you NWS for helping me visualize a picture of Raymond through your eyes. It sounds like it is a nice place to live. Do you know anything about the school system?

[NWS]

Sorry no children at home now, so I wasn't worried about the schools.
For what it is worth city data has a link with some scores relative to the rest of the state.
http://www.city-data.com/school/raym...school-ms.html

[rebirth]

I've been very busy lately and I wanted to take the time and say thank you again for your help in this manner. The link that you sent me was very insightful. I have no children right now, but I always like to look ahead to when I do have children in the future.