Meridian, good move or bad?? (Hattiesburg, Petal: fit in, apartment, home) - Mississippi (MS) - City-Data Forum

cookiegirl · 07-25-2007, 07:52 PM

First let me say that whatever honest input you have, send it on. I need as much as possible before committing to my relocation from York PA. My company has laid me off and offered me a position in Meridian. I know absolutley nothing about MS and am petrified! This is my situation, I hope I don't offend anyone but like I said, honesty is a must at this point.

I am a single 46 yr old Jewish woman originally from NY and moved to PA for a great ( so I thought) job opportunity. 1 year later, I have been laid off and am being offered Meridian MS as a relocation package by my employer.

I have heard pros and cons (opinions) about the chances of being accepted, safe and happy there. What do you think? I am accepting of everyone, will they be of me?

Besides the religion, if you have any suggestions for safe apartment complexes in the area that would also be appreciated.

The bugs I hear are a problem, is that everywhere or just along a lake or the coast? Is the weather hot all year? Are the humidity levels high all year as well?

OK, I am rambling but like I said, I know nothing about MS.

HELP PLEASE?

Thanks.

msgirl1227 · 07-30-2007, 07:10 PM

hmm Im not really sure about the religious thing.... I am sure there are places of worship for you here but to tell you the truth its definitely not the most practiced religion in this area. I can help with the bugs and humidity thing though. First off the bugs only get terribly bad in the summer. Mosquitoes, june bugs (aka beetles) and roaches can be quite annoying at time but a good bug spray can help that. Humidity on the other hand is not something that can easily be fixed. In the summer it is hot here and I mean hot. The humidity is the thing that really makes it bad. I cant stand it. I try to stay indoors as much as possible. The humidity really only last from may-sept though and then you have your fall winter and spring which are all fairly mild here. winters get about maybe 40's-50's during the day and about 30 at night... fall is just your normal 60-75 day and night and then spring is about the same as fall. And like I said summer is horribly hot but all and all its something you'll get use to.

mhogan10010 · 07-30-2007, 08:26 PM

Of course you have to make a living.....but I will tell you that I grew up in Detroit and lived in the South for 17 years after college. Now, I was an evangelical minister and I still never really felt at home down there. My older sister lived not far from Meridian for a total of about 20 years. She used to complain about always being called a Yankee because she was straightforward and direct.
It is a different world down there.

Good luck

msbelle · 07-30-2007, 10:45 PM

Being straightforward and direct is OK for the goose but not OK for the gander? Whats wrong with someone saying you're a Yankee. I have no problem with others laughing @ my southern drawl.

Yes it is hot here and humid! Lord is it humid and northerners find it difficult to deal with. Heck we find it difficult. But we deal with it.

Yes we got bugs just like New York in the Summer but...nothing too bad. Till love bug season, then your cars windshield will be covered. But it will wash off.

Here is a Google search "Meridian MS" Jewish synagogues looks like they have a few synagogues there.

Personally I would not move to Meridian, cause I don't like big cities...but that's just me. But when you have to work, we do what you have to do....I bid you Gods speed.

PS here is their News Paper Meridian Star. It too has forums so you could ask the locals.

mhogan10010 · 07-31-2007, 08:53 AM

[quote=msbelle;1176648]. Whats wrong with someone saying you're a Yankee. I have no problem with others laughing @ my southern drawl. QUOTE]

Have you ever lived somewhere for years where someone has to point out to you every day that you are not from there? Ever lived someplace that people blame "Southerners" for everything bad happening to their culture?
That is what it can be like for a Yankee, moving to certain parts of the South.

Just as a point of reference. I am quite certain that the original poster would not consider Meridian a "big city". For people who have actually lived in big cities, meridian is really a small town.

Also, I actually have some people I met while visiting my sister in MS (Richton and Petal) that I like and enjoy their company. That doesn't mean that I feel like I could fit in permanently.

Tama · 07-31-2007, 01:58 PM

Cookiegirl I am a Pennsylvanian-Lehigh Valley-and I have been in Mississippi through a lot of its growing pains. You don't need to be concerned about a thing except your own ability to accept change and be willing to work through the inevitable culture shock. I have posted on other threads about Yankees in Mississippi if you want to search. Basically, if you are respectful, polite, and open without the need to confront and argue cultural differences, people will be cordial to you. Many people from outside the region are here now.You will not feel weird. I don't know about Meridian but Hattiesburg has a Jewish temple, a small congregation. I went to a Bar Mitzah there. The bugs can be controlled and the weather in summer will be like your weather in winter. You have to deal with it. The winters are lovely. Cost of living is low. Skies are always blue-nearly!

You will find different food and different social mores. Expect that. Be yourself and try to accept new things as delighful new adventures. Smile and avoid being disdainful. I am called a Yankee and have been for thirty years. I laugh. They laugh. It is no big deal. You can always go home occasionally for a good pizza and some Shoo-Fly pie. My mom has to send me a supply of Italian cheese, Tastycakes, and Shoo-Fly pie regularly. I don't like southern cooking, provincialism, or bugs. But I love Mississippi. It won't be perfect, I guarantee. Be prepared. Or stay there!

strumpeace · 07-31-2007, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Just as a point of reference. I am quite certain that the original poster would not consider Meridian a "big city". For people who have actually lived in big cities, meridian is really a small town.

I got a chuckle out of that, too. A town that hovers around 40,000 in population is not what I would consider to be a 'big city.'

msbelle · 07-31-2007, 02:24 PM

Tama you hit the nail on the head!!!

msbelle · 07-31-2007, 02:29 PM

LOL, as far as it being a big city you all are right... i should have worded it differently to, I don't like Cities period.

I love being small town!

msbelle · 07-31-2007, 02:36 PM

[quote=mhogan10010;1178468]

Quote:

Originally Posted by msbelle

. Whats wrong with someone saying you're a Yankee. I have no problem with others laughing @ my southern drawl. QUOTE]

Have you ever lived somewhere for years where someone has to point out to you every day that you are not from there? Ever lived someplace that people blame "Southerners" for everything bad happening to their culture?
That is what it can be like for a Yankee, moving to certain parts of the South.

Just as a point of reference. I am quite certain that the original poster would not consider Meridian a "big city". For people who have actually lived in big cities, meridian is really a small town.

Also, I actually have some people I met while visiting my sister in MS (Richton and Petal) that I like and enjoy their company. That doesn't mean that I feel like I could fit in permanently.

mhogan, No I haven't...so I took that wrong. Forgive me. But on the other hand would your state, not laugh or make fun of my southern drawl?....me? I'd LOL with them.

But I haven't been subjected to that everyday, so what do I know.