What's So Bad About Mississippi? (Jackson, Gulfport: sales, new house, construction)

[Mouldy Old Schmo]

I think Yazoo City is only a flagstop for Amtrak. Greenwood has an actual depot. There is a lot of history in Greeenwood, and some movies were filmed there, including The Reivers and The Help. There are some nice restaurants there, too, including Lusco's and the Crystal Grill.

[brickpatio]

If you are going for the atmosphere that Beth Henley created in her plays of small town Mississippi, you will want somewhere with some life and some charm and individuality. For that I would think places like Vicksburg, Natchez, McComb and Brookhaven would be great choices. Brookhaven probably has the most classic small town charm (historic residential neighborhoods and lively little downtown area). Natchez would be the epitome of the Deep South, complete with southern mansions and scenic spot perched over the river. Vicksburg is alive with history and McComb also has its own small town charm full of cozy cottages and bungalows.

[ColdAilment]

Originally Posted by Desert kid

Yeah, he should try to go for Vicksburg/Natchez, I would recommend it.

Then try Laurel, Jackson, Columbus and Corinth. If he wants that Old South-feel.

I'm not that familiar with Vicksburg, I know outside of the historical sections it's a pretty poor city, but I have heard great things about Natchez, it was largely preserved throughout the civil war, has a large collection of Antebellum homes, as does Columbus and to a lesser extent Starkville.

Oxford is the quintessential southern college town, it has a great vibe and atmosphere, the students and local population all surround the school in everything they do. Hattiesburg is another good college town, but it's a younger city, doesn't have much history.

Gulfport and Biloxi feel like the Florida panhandle, they remind me of Panama City in a way. Great casino scene, and while it is a tourist spot it's not bogged down with tourists like much of Florida is.

Jackson has its very old areas and a great deal of history as well. So much to see beyond Yazoo City, which is on the armpit side of Jackson and really gives the state a bad name.

I remember driving through Yazoo City and seeing an empty lot with trash strewn about and an old washing machine sitting in the grass...the level of decay and poverty there is sickening.

[ColdAilment]

Originally Posted by brickpatio

If you are going for the atmosphere that Beth Henley created in her plays of small town Mississippi, you will want somewhere with some life and some charm and individuality. For that I would think places like Vicksburg, Natchez, McComb and Brookhaven would be great choices. Brookhaven probably has the most classic small town charm (historic residential neighborhoods and lively little downtown area). Natchez would be the epitome of the Deep South, complete with southern mansions and scenic spot perched over the river. Vicksburg is alive with history and McComb also has its own small town charm full of cozy cottages and bungalows.

I would include Columbus in that too. Beautiful collection of Antebellum homes, all of them very well preserved throughout the times.

[Desert kid]

Originally Posted by ColdAilment

I'm not that familiar with Vicksburg, I know outside of the historical sections it's a pretty poor city, but I have heard great things about Natchez, it was largely preserved throughout the civil war, has a large collection of Antebellum homes, as does Columbus and to a lesser extent Starkville.

Oxford is the quintessential southern college town, it has a great vibe and atmosphere, the students and local population all surround the school in everything they do. Hattiesburg is another good college town, but it's a younger city, doesn't have much history.

Gulfport and Biloxi feel like the Florida panhandle, they remind me of Panama City in a way. Great casino scene, and while it is a tourist spot it's not bogged down with tourists like much of Florida is.

Jackson has its very old areas and a great deal of history as well. So much to see beyond Yazoo City, which is on the armpit side of Jackson and really gives the state a bad name.

I remember driving through Yazoo City and seeing an empty lot with trash strewn about and an old washing machine sitting in the grass...the level of decay and poverty there is sickening.

The historic sections and battlefield of Vicksburg I would completely recommend, and I will agree that it does tend to be a poor town.

Natchez, yes, it was like the place was literally frozen in time! I loved it.

I am heavily considering going to Ole Miss for graduate school next year. Thing is I grew up around here in Southern Arizona, and am largely unfamiliar with contemporary life in Mississippi, the journey itself sounds a little scary to me.

[ColdAilment]

Originally Posted by Desert kid

The historic sections and battlefield of Vicksburg I would completely recommend, and I will agree that it does tend to be a poor town.

Natchez, yes, it was like the place was literally frozen in time! I loved it.

I am heavily considering going to Ole Miss for graduate school next year. Thing is I grew up around here in Southern Arizona, and am largely unfamiliar with contemporary life in Mississippi, the journey itself sounds a little scary to me.

Unfamiliar with contemporary life in Mississippi? It's the same as anywhere else in the United States. Most people have smart phones, 4G LTE is widely available throughout much of the state through AT&T and Verizon, most people drive newer cars, 5 years old or less, there are subdivisions and suburbs just like in any other city, most people are connected through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and more, the same big box retail stores you find around the country are also available in Mississippi.

Life here is not different from anywhere else, we ALL live in the 21st century now, regardless of the age of some of our infrastructure.

[0nyxStation]

Originally Posted by Inn Genius

I keep hearing how bad Mississippi is, lots of poverty, obesity, bad education, bad race relations, swampy, humid, not much to do, but how true is all this?

I've never been to Mississippi I admit it but I looked on Google Maps and other photos of some of the Gulf Coastal areas and they don't look too bad. Beaches seem to be nice and some of the towns like Biloxi have some great entertainment. Casinos, Hard Rock Cafe, and other amusement like a small-scale Las Vegas.

Really now, how bad can it be? Is race still a problem? Nobody is segregated or forced to eat at separate counters or move to the back of the bus like it used to be in the south.

How about the poverty? Is it really so horrible? After that last recession you won't find too many people livng high and mighty anywhere. If you want to see poverty go to Detroit and some old east coast cities where the industry is all but gone. How bad are conditions in Mississippi? It can't be anything like the old sharecropper shacks, or the old stereotype of fat suspender-wearing hicks driving beat-up trucks can it?

How about bugs, snakes, or alligators? The media makes it look like Mississippi is a bug-infested wasteland with snakes and gators living in swamps in everybody's yard. Can't be all true now can it?

I just need some reassurance that Mississippi isn't the Hell pit it's made out to be. I have a hard time believing what I read or see on T.V.

My girlfriend is from Mississippi, we live in Atlanta now. She has a hard time adjusting to the culture differences. I often find there are many things she is just not aware of and things she has no clue that exist. Based on our conversations all her mom ever did with them was take them to church and back home and then to church again. She mentions her distrust for white people because a few men in the life of her grandmother were lynched or murdered in Mississippi. I find that she is easily timid about many things. I often wonder if she grew in say New York or Chicago would she be as timid as she is. The positive about dating her is that she is easily entertained, and it doesnt cost me an arm and leg to make her happy like other Atlanta women I have meet who are easily bored with everything, because they have already done everything. My opinion of Mississippi based on our relationship is that Mississippi people dont really do much, dont really have much and are not exposed to many amenties and activities other places have. Not a knock on Mississippi, but her older sister is the same way. Home, Work, Church, Home, Work, Church.rinse was repeat. Nothing wrong with going to church, I just think there is a lot more to life to do and see and it doesnt always cost money to venture out. I think Mississippi misses out on a lot because of the powers that be there. The same could be said for Arkansas, Alabama and the rest of small town south.

[jhadorn]

Originally Posted by BlackPeach2

My girlfriend is from Mississippi, we live in Atlanta now. She has a hard time adjusting to the culture differences. I often find there are many things she is just not aware of and things she has no clue that exist. Based on our conversations all her mom ever did with them was take them to church and back home and then to church again. She mentions her distrust for white people because a few men in the life of her grandmother were lynched or murdered in Mississippi. I find that she is easily timid about many things. I often wonder if she grew in say New York or Chicago would she be as timid as she is. The positive about dating her is that she is easily entertained, and it doesnt cost me an arm and leg to make her happy like other Atlanta women I have meet who are easily bored with everything, because they have already done everything. My opinion of Mississippi based on our relationship is that Mississippi people dont really do much, dont really have much and are not exposed to many amenties and activities other places have. Not a knock on Mississippi, but her older sister is the same way. Home, Work, Church, Home, Work, Church.rinse was repeat. Nothing wrong with going to church, I just think there is a lot more to life to do and see and it doesnt always cost money to venture out. I think Mississippi misses out on a lot because of the powers that be there. The same could be said for Arkansas, Alabama and the rest of small town south.

I just wanted to chime in on....... oh, wait, I got to go, it's time for church. hehe

The irony here is that I haven't been to church in years, and rarely went anyway. I get out... I have even been across the state line a time or two.

Really guy, get out more.

[Listener2307]

Originally Posted by BlackPeach2

........ I think Mississippi misses out on a lot because of the powers that be there.........

Doesn't have anything to do with who's in power. It's a cultural thing.

But a lot of what you say and imply about small towns is true, I think. I'm not a big fan of small town people.

[jhadorn]

Originally Posted by Listener2307

Doesn't have anything to do with who's in power. It's a cultural thing.

But a lot of what you say and imply about small towns is true, I think. I'm not a big fan of small town people.

Not all small town people think small town ways. I was born and raised in small town Mississippi, but I don't fit the small town stereotype. I love to travel and experience other cultures, I'm not afraid of someone different than myself, and I am definitely up on technology.

I have found that the best way to get to know someone is not to blanket a group of people, but to take them one at a time.