Question about living in MS (Jackson, Gulfport: crime rate, universities, casinos)

[acs.1979]

Hello all,

I am looking for a new place to live, somewhere with much more sun than where I am at now (Portland Oregon).

Part of what I am looking for is laid back easy living, but it is also important to me to be in an area that tends not to judge others based on race, religion, politics or sexuality. Does MS have any areas like that, or does the whole state cling to an "old south" mentaility? Any help is appriciated. Thanks.

[Mississippienne]

You'd be best off sticking to the two major metropolitan areas: Jackson and Biloxi-Gulfport. You're going to find the little rural towns to be a major culture shock. You might meet some of the nicest, kindest people imaginable there, but you will also find the nastiest racists and homophobes. In the cities you'll have more opportunities to find a niche with like-minded people. If you're gay/bi, however, there's not much of a dating scene so far as I can tell (I think there's one gay bar somewhere in Biloxi).

[SashaBlue]

The entire state of MS judges. Just find your group and hang tight.

[Shoshana]

Partially agree with both of the previous posters.

Stay out of Jackson. If you were to attempt this, either the coast (Biloxi) or Southhaven (suburb of Memphis) would probably be your best bet. But there is no area that I can promote as generally not judging others.

Come to Arkansas. Laid back, and much more tolerant.

[Muhnay]

I find Biloxi and Gulfport to be both very tolerant of gays and religion, and color for that matter. There will be those no matter where you go though that are ignorant.. just ignore them.. most here on the coast live and let live.

[cncguy2000]

I agree with Muhnay, Coast sounds like a good match for you.
The Gay bar in Biloxi was washed away, The Casinos don't care who or what you do as long as you spend $$$, if your looking for the bar scene, they are open 24/7.

[Mr.Renaissance]

Hello acs.1979

I am from the Jackson area and I agree with Mississippienne. You would be best to go with a major metroplex. I would say Jackson because I do not think the coast is fully recoverd from Katrina. Plus the size is closer to that of Portland. Jackson metro is rounded to about 600,000 people I think. Jackson is also in the midst of major retail boom. Now days Jackson is very glad to accept new comers. It is growing fast, at about 12,000 per year. There is also a lot to do in Jackson, especially in areas like Fondren and Belhaven. And in the Jackson metro you do not have to live in an over crowded high-traffic area. There are many less bustling areas like the Reserviour area and Colony Park (but Colony Park may be a little pricey) or you could live south of the city in Byram or Terry or in North Madison (North of Jackson).

So, in other words JACKSON IS GREAT and so is the whole state (very beautiful). I love Mississippi .

P.S.We have A LOT of sun in Mississippi bye for now.

[Merkwurdigliebe]

Well, let me just add a few things here after Mississippiene (heya!) and others.

You might want to try checking out Oxford. It's a college town, sure, but it easily has the best atmosphere with regards to culture etc. There are a lot of idiotic college students (think fraternity/sorority types but in the southern way) but there rest of the community there is quite cool.

I don't know enough about Jackson but it seems kind of interesting. Another cool thing going on in MS is the Biloxi area. They have a neat little area that has popped up after the Hurricane that has a pretty neat (for MS) nightlife area downtown. That is kinda cool in my opinion.

Mississippi is changing very rapidly at the moment. It's so different than even when I was a kid, to be honest. Based on your criteria, I'd suggest Oxford. People there share the benefits of the laid-back mentality, plus the benefits of being in a liberal college town. It's not a technical university, so it's a more liberal attitude, unlike Starkville.

But as far as the weather is concerned? Don't let me scare you, but the weather in MS is basically garbage in the sumertime. It's way too hot to enjoy the outdoors during the day, and at night you can't be outside due to the bugs. Do you like to live in a climate where you can open the window to cool off? Not gonna happen in MS. Being outside in MS in the summer means heavy humidity and bugs. Sorry but that's the way it works. My favorite seasons in MS would have to be winter (not too cold and normally sunny after the middle of January) and fall. Fall is probably the best season, in my opinion, because spring is usually rainy. There are nice days, but spring doesn't last long.

Oxford, by the way is every bit as hot during the summer and slightly cooler in the winter than further south.

Hope this is helpful.

[beamseight]

I live in NE Jackson, MS. I have been almost everywhere in the state. Madison/Ridgeland, and NE Jackson are nice areas in central MS. The coast is still trashed from Katrina (New Orleans is in far better condition than the entire MS coast). The more rural parts of MS tend to, as you said, cling to that "Old South" mentality. Vicksburg and Oxford are also nice places in MS. The crime rate in Jackson is slightly worrying. Considering the number of people in Jackson, Jackson's crime rate is comparable to New Orleans and Chicago.

[Tama]

Now ya'll--why are you leaving out Hattiesburg? It has a smaller population and a lot less crime than say Jackson. It has a lot of variety in terms of dining, shopping, and areas to live in--from downtown to the smaller towns around it. It has two universities and is near enough to the coast for regular casino jaunts! It is pretty varied in lifestyles and most people of any ilk can get along here. There is the state park and the Rails to Trails and lots of fitness places. Put it on the list!