Looking to relocate

[Tama]

Your point about "exploration" is on target. That is a biggie for me, too. A new location always comes with a downside and for me the lack of points of interest to "take a ride to" when feeling a little stir-crazy is one of them. It just isn't worth driving for three hours on a mundane stretch of road to see a country store! Now if you want to take a weekend, you could see the Smokies, New Orleans, or the Alabama gulf coast. If you like the casino scene--can be fun for an afternoon-- there is that. Hot Springs, Ark. and Atlanta are farther afield but easy drives. Some of the state parks are nice and some like to canoe and raft on the rivers. The Natchez Trace and Natchez itself are a must-see. The Delta--Clarksdale--and the Shack-Up Inn another. Hattiesburg has a really fine military museum-The Armed Forces Museum. Combine that with a meal at the Purple Parrot or Crescent City Grill and, maybe, a ballgame at So.MIss. You have to be creative, for sure, but there is enough for a year or two of "exploration".

[RafiSawaf]

Originally Posted by brickpatio

You can find homes for rent at jacksonrealtorcom.

Most of them are $1,000 to $1,400. There are several in the Brandon/ Reservoir area. You can probably also find rentals in the Belhaven historic neighborhood around Belhaven University by driving around.

If you like exploring, you might check out Natchez or places on the Coast like Ocean Springs, Pass Christian, and Bay St. Louis...and Oxford in north Mississippi.

great, thanks!

Originally Posted by Tama

Your point about "exploration" is on target. That is a biggie for me, too. A new location always comes with a downside and for me the lack of points of interest to "take a ride to" when feeling a little stir-crazy is one of them. It just isn't worth driving for three hours on a mundane stretch of road to see a country store! Now if you want to take a weekend, you could see the Smokies, New Orleans, or the Alabama gulf coast. If you like the casino scene--can be fun for an afternoon-- there is that. Hot Springs, Ark. and Atlanta are farther afield but easy drives. Some of the state parks are nice and some like to canoe and raft on the rivers. The Natchez Trace and Natchez itself are a must-see. The Delta--Clarksdale--and the Shack-Up Inn another. Hattiesburg has a really fine military museum-The Armed Forces Museum. Combine that with a meal at the Purple Parrot or Crescent City Grill and, maybe, a ballgame at So.MIss. You have to be creative, for sure, but there is enough for a year or two of "exploration".

great post. thank you. perfect adjectives... i am a little worried about what we are gunna do. just need to be creative and be ready to drive, a LOT.

in the past two days just driving around I have put 350 miles on the car.

there is nothing in forest. I couldnt live here. it would be too much of a shock to me and my life.

I will have to bite the bullet and just be ok with being in the brandon/reservoir area.

I drove through flowood today, which i really could relate to. It reminds me a lot of parts of Florida. Felt and looked like a safe area, and people were not staring at me like I didnt belong.

[peppermint]

So, you think you've decided to take the plunge, eh? Good luck.

[RafiSawaf]

nope not yet.

[peppermint]

Well, you've seen it now. I think it's a tremendous change for you. I just love, love, love MA. A few years ago my husband turned down a job there for one in TN, which turned out to be a nightmare. I frequently remind him how I longed for MA.

There are so many changes involved in a move like the one you're considering. There are, of course, the financial changes - salary, insurance, 401K, vacations. There are also cost of living changes - housing, insurance (car, renters), gas, groceries. There are cultural changes - city v. rural. Then there are things like climate, access to medical services, proximity to family and friends, level of education, acceptance of race or gender or sexuality. Every time we move, we realize how different each area is.

Like I said in a previous post, it's not a move I would make, but I was raised in rural MS. I think trying something new is great. This could be an interesting adventure for you. Good luck to you as you weigh your options.

[jonsereed]

Originally Posted by RafiSawaf

Honestly, reading this, and speaking to others, I really felt that I was going to be shocked the minute i set foot into MS. Also had the feeling i was going to step into a time machine.

thats exactly the way I would feel.

I'd like to visit, it seems so different to everything I am used to but I could never live there for long....I am just not a tropical climate kind of guy

good luck to you from Jon in polar Quebec

[3a's]

Good Luck with your decision! In all what do you think of the company you would be taking a job with? Your superiors? Can you find a mentor to help you in your goals to advance you further? The people whom report to you, can you see them getting your everyday tasks performed? The mentality of the culture? After all this is said and done ask yourself the cost of traveling, gas, wear and tear on your jeep? Every area of this great country has pros and cons. You do need to look at the job first since after all it is the reason you are taking this job and thinking about changing your life. MS is a laid back lifestyle there is no running around and you have to plan out where and when you go to places. Some people like this and others do not, just like some people would never move away from a big city. People in MS sometimes have a very defensive approach to the Great State of MS since it has a bad reputation but every state has a reputation (Northerns never go south because of the heat=Southerners never go north because of the cold)it is just what you make of it. There is a quote by Voltaire that keeps me going everyday it is about paradise. Some people have the misnomer that living/working in a small town saves money and this is so incorrect, I am glad you have figured this out before moving to a small town. Usually this is what gives them a bad reputation. Look at your original post and ask yourself those questions that you asked everyone else, you might find your answer. Good Luck, again.

[RafiSawaf]

great posts. Thanks guys. i am thinking it over! nonstop!