Where is the Hip Indie Artsy Area Pens/Mobile/Biloxi (Jackson: neighborhoods, movie theaters)

[greasycheeseburgers]

Between Pensacola, Mobile and Biloxi which is the best for -

I am looking for a trendy/hip/modern/indie area since I am 26 and single; like little 5 points in Atlanta, Lakewood/University Heights in Cleveland, Wicker Park/Bucktown in Chicago, or Hillcrest/Pac Beach in San Diego, or the Loop in St. Louis.

I'm looking for cool shops, vintage stores, indie movie theaters, non chain restaurants and non chain shopping. Chain shopping would be American Apparel and Urban Outfitters.

[cia191630]

I noticed in downtown Biloxi, they have lots of different shops on this street where the speed limit is like 5 mph...don't know how I ended up on that street lol...but as I was going down it I was like oh this looks like a nice place to browse...now that was preKatrina...I'm assuming that was downtown, it was near where their library was...I haven't been to P'Cola since I was stationed there in 2001 so can't help you there....I would do Biloxi, that leaves you 45 min from Mobile, about 2 hrs from P'Cola and a little more than 1 hr from New Orleans...this way you get the best of all worlds...I hear Ocean Springs has nice shops also, but for a 26 yr old, I wouldn't suggest living there...I'm 29 and the only 2 cities I'll live in is Gulfport and Biloxi

[brickpatio]

Fondren and Belhaven neighborhoods of Jackson.

[cia191630]

Well considering she gave 3 options, I'm going to go out on a limb and say those are the 3 choices he/she wants...or he/she wants to live on the coast...jackson is neither

[cia191630]

But then again...this same thread is posted in multiple forums....

[greasycheeseburgers]

I have an 3rd interview in the area, they are flying me into Pensacola; the job requires coverage in Pensacola, Mobile and Biloxi.

[brickpatio]

Those places are all nice. None of them matches up exactly to your description. Pensacola is closest to Florida Gulf beaches. Mobile has the largest historic district. Ocean Springs as an individual neighborhood community probably comes closest to your description (walkable neighborhood, art galleries, tapas bars, nice beach community) but is far more laid back than a place like Little 5 Points. Biloxi is just across the bridge from Ocean Springs. Some older Biloxi neighborhoods, just one block off the beach highway, are actually pretty interesting and divese (near the city natatorium) and casinos like Beau Rivage and Hard Rock are a blast. But you won't be able to walk to restaurants etc from those neighborhoods in Biloxi. My opinion...I would probably choose Ocean Springs or Biloxi because they offer a slice of Mobile's historic district but add a beach and casinos, so basically it's more fun.