posting on this forum too (also on Jackson board) (Pearl: neighborhood, school district)

[Alamoguy]

Well, looks like we are movin your way folks! We are primarily looking at Brandon, Flowood, Pearl area to live in (want to get kids into Rankin County School District as it looks the best on paper and from word of mouth on here).

Now, being Iowans, we've always (for the most part anyway) considered ourselves and those we live amongst to be generally friendly. We keep hearing about Southern Hospitality, and sounds like Mississippians pride themselves on it. What should we expect upon moving into a neighborhood (generally speaking of course, there are always exceptions, but "as a norm") as far as meeting neighbors, etc. Every place seems to have its own set patterns of behavior. For example, in the neighborhood we live in now in small town iowa, when I moved in I had to wait for the neighbors to be out in their yards and then walked over to them to introduce myself (months after I'd moved in). Not that they were unfriendly, just kinda minded their own business. Is this basically the same MO?

The little lady is nervous about the move, because she isn't as "out going" as I tend to be (she says I have the 'gift of gab'). She worries about people not getting her dry sense of humor, etc. I tell her not to worry about it, and that I keep hearing the the Southern Ladies will almost "make her" feel at home. I hope I'm right on that, if for nothing else to get her to relax about the stress of moving.

As far as the kids go, I think the girl (11 years old) will be quite alright. the boy is quiet and shy, but he has a heart of gold and kids seem to draw themselves to him. He LOVES the outdoors, fishing, catching snakes & toads, etc.

Myself? I'm looking forward to learn how to cook some good southern bbq and to learn all the ins and outs of cooking jambalaya and "mud bugs"

[brickpatio]

I would guess that people in Rankin County are among the friendliest and most gregarious on the planet. I guess you will find out. One great thing about the Jackson area is there is lots of New Orleans food, meaning shrimp, oysters, red beans and rice, etc.

[GrandviewGloria]

You might want to try out the churches within your denomination (In Mississippi, many families have a range of denominations - say, Presbyterian when they live in town, vs Methodist when they're in the country. And many families move up or down the religion ladder, depending upon education and finances. If you're Baptist, you're really in luck, because there's a Baptist church somewhere in the metro addressing every social class, income level, and world view). Anyway, trying out churches may help you settle on a neighborhood. Frankly, I think the reception you get at church will be so warm, you won't have to worry about social contacts after that.