Teaching Jobs in Mississipi -- how are these towns/cities? (Jackson: for sale, apartments)

[summer22]

First things first, I'm white, very open to diversity, but, I've worked in parts of Detroit and did not enjoy the harshness of the poverty and the daily sadness I saw, at all. So, I'm not looking to repeat that uncomfortable situation.

These are the cities/towns in Mississippi that have some openings in my field and I wonder how they are...

I was surprised to see on city-data that most of them are majority black. Are any of these areas reasonably mixed (a comfortable mix of diversity) and safe for a white suburban northerner looking for a place to teach and live? Basically, if I pursue any of these jobs, I want a place to live and work where I can feel relaxed, comfortable, and accepted. And hopefully, not depressed...


1) Carrollton
2) Canton
3) Clarksdale
4) West Tallachie
5) Yazoo County
6) Flora / Madison Co.
7) Moss Point

8) Indianola
9) Tunica
10) Harrison Co. / Gulfport
11) Perry Co. / New Augusta
12) Simpson Co. / Mendenhall
13) West Point


Thanks!!!

[brickpatio]

1) Carrollton- Very quaint and picturesque but also tiny.
2) Canton - Partially charming with a sizable low-income section. But neighboring Madison is high-income and very nice.
3) Clarksdale - Depressed by and large.
4) West Tallachie - Extremely rural.
5) Yazoo County - Rural, driving distance at least 30 minutes to upscale Madison neighborhoods
6) Flora / Madison Co. - Mayberry-esqe, 15 minutes from upscale Madison neighborhoods
7) Moss Point - Depressing to an extent

8) Indianola - Depressed
9) Tunica -Somewhat depressed although nearby DeSoto County is a booming suburban area
10) Harrison Co. / Gulfport - Very diverse, balanced, good gulf coast life style
11) Perry Co. / New Augusta - Very rural but 30 minutes to college town Hattiesburg
12) Simpson Co. / Mendenhall - Very rural although quite beautiful countryside
13) West Point - Somewhat charming, just 15 minutes to Starkville which is a college town (MS State University)

Based on your description including a racially balanced school, I would say Gulfport and Gulfport for lifestyle options for a young person. Second, probably live in Hattiesburg and commute to Perry County. Third live in suburban Brandon which is nice and commute to Mendenhall. Tied for third, live in Starkville and commute to West Point.

Check schooldigger.com for detailed data by school.

[summer22]

Thanks, that was a really great reply!

[Okie7597]

I would certainly not call the West Point school district racially diverse. Most white kids go to Oak Hill Academy, leaving the school system majority black.

In addition, West Point is just depressing as hell, especially since the meat packing plant closed a couple of years ago. Last time I was through there, about a month ago, I noticed that quite a few of the nice, older homes just east of the business district had recently come on the market for sale. That is not a good sign.

[brickpatio]

You are obviously entitled to your opinion about West Point. I would just note the town has done nice job fixing up their main street, has several charmining streets with historic homes with front porches, trees, etc, has some contempoary neighborhoods with large wooded lots (along the road driving towards Old Waverly Golf Club), and some large expensive homes out around the very-exclusive Old Waverly Golf Club. And the schools themselves, at least in term of the facilities, are quite beautiful.

[peppermint]

Originally Posted by Okie7597

I would certainly not call the West Point school district racially diverse. Most white kids go to Oak Hill Academy, leaving the school system majority black.

I do not know specifically about most of the schools on the list, but this is private school/public school "thing" (don't know what word to use for it) is not just a West Point issue. The OP should take note of that.

Moving back to south after 6 years up north, I was upset and frustrated by the private v. public school debates & issues. Somehow the black/white, safety debates really need to end - across the board.

[broct]

Well, some of your possible cities definitely don't fit your criteria.

1) Carrollton - Fairly boring and depressed. Not very integrated.
2) Canton - Probably your best bet. Madison County is the most upscale, wealthiest county in Mississippi. It has good public and private schools, is visually appealing and serves as the location of the northern suburbs of Jackson, so you're close to urban amenities, entertainment, and shopping.
3) Clarksdale - Extremely depressed and not diverse. In general, only white kids go to the private Lee Academy while Clarksdale High is mostly black. There is a stark contrast between the wealthy country club and the poor and lower middle class.
4) West Tallahatchie - Very rural and depressed.
5) Yazoo County - Not awful, but probably not what you're looking for.
6) Flora / Madison Co. - See 2) Canton
7) Moss Point - It's okay, but took a bad hit from Katrina.
8) Indianola - Rural, depressed.
9) Tunica - Rural and segregated. Close to Memphis and the suburbs, as well as the casinos, but the town/school system is not what you're looking for.
10) Harrison Co. / Gulfport - Probably a good choice for you.
11) Perry Co. / New Augusta - Decent.
12) Simpson Co. / Mendenhall - Decent.
13) West Point - I don't really know about West Point.

I would say your top 3 should be Madison County, Harrison County, or Moss Point. Absolutely stay away from West Tallahatchie, Clarksdale, and Tunica.

[summer22]

Thanks.

So the consensus so far is:
2 strong votes for Harrison/Gulfport
1 strong vote for Madison/Canton
1 strong vote for Madison/Flora
1 vote and one nod for Perry/New Augusta (live in Hattiesburg)
1 vote and one nod for Simpson/Mendenhall (live in Brandon)
1 vote for West Point (live in Starkeville)
1 vote for Moss Point (note Katrina damage)

I'll start looking over the school websites and requirements and see how this goes. Thanks for your help (still open to getting more thoughts from others too) and I'll keep you updated!

[brickpatio]

The Gulf Coast is a nice place to live. Hattiesburg is a booming college town and in a great location convenient to New Orleans, MS Gulf Coast, Mobile, Florida, and Jackson. There are plenty of options to live all the way from Bay St. Louis to Ocean Springs.

Brandon is a nice suburb outside Jackson, with a huge reservoir nearby for boating, plenty of nice subdivisions and new shopping, double A baseball team etc.

Madison, another suburb on the northern edge of Jackson has lots of high-end subdivisions and shopping, with neighboring Ridgeland also booming with shopping, apartments, restaurants etc.

Starkville is a laid back but fun little college town, with the benefits of college football, basketball, baseball, a college symphony, several charming bars and restaurants, and a slew of new, nice-looking subdivisions.

So these are all good choices with nice quality of life. What separates these is that you said you wanted a racially balanced school, which rules out Canton, Moss Point, and to a some degree Flora and West Point. However, Mendenhall, Perry County, and Harrison Central happen to be fairly raciallly balanced. With that said, I really don't know why racial "balance" needs to be a factor.

These communities are nothing like Detroit. Flora looks like Mayberry with Andy Griffith. Canton admittedly is a little rough-looking in parts and charming and historic in parts, but the high school is absolutely palacial, one of the prettiest schools I've ever seen and brand new. West Point also has a Mayberry feel to it somewhat. I'm guess I'm just thinking...if you chose to live in a Gulf Coast, Brandon, Madison, Ridgeland, Hattiesburg, or Starkville, this is good quality of life. Regarding some of those schools that happen to be less racially balanced....so what? For the most part these are pleasant, harmonious communities and schools, regardless of racial balance.

[JCrow08]

Gulfport is great, there are many nice little towns surrounding it.
Canton has really good school but I would NOT live there. Of course if you have the income then living in Madison would be a good choice.
BTW, I would never recommend anyone live in Hattiesburg unless it for for college reasons. Personal nightmarish experience there....