Rate these moving options (Jackson, Clinton: apartments, houses, neighborhood)

[Alamoguy]

If you had to rate where to relocate to in the Jackson area, explain how you would rate the following communities, and give a brief reasoning for why (if you have a few minutes). It will be greatly appreciated.

We have narrowed down our home search to the following communities (in no particular order): Pearl, Flowood, Brandon, Florence, Byram. We have two children (one in middle school, the other will be a freshman in high school next year). The boy is an avid fishing enthusiast and loves playing around outdoors. the girl (soon to be 12) just likes to hang out with friends, for what its worth. We want to be close to entertainment options (shopping, restaurants, groceries, movie theatres, parks, lakes, etc.).

Thanks for any input.

[DiogenesofJackson]

Pearl sucks. Moderator cut: This term is insulting to many people


Flowood is the land of retail outlets and mall trash type restaurants like Applebees and Chili's. Other than apt. complexes, are there any houses in Flowood??
Florence is a trashier Pearl.
Byram is a working class black neighborhood that I know very little about other than housing was really cheap there compared to other suburbs.

You might want to check out Ridgeland and points in Madison County near the Rez given your children's interests.

[JacksonPanther]

Originally Posted by DiogenesofJackson

Byram is a working class black neighborhood that I know very little about other than housing was really cheap there compared to other suburbs.

Byram is not a "Black" neighborhood. According to 2010 census, Byram was 52.1% African American and 45.7% White.

[DiogenesofJackson]

Originally Posted by JacksonPanther

Byram is not a "Black" neighborhood. According to 2010 census, Byram was 52.1% African American and 45.7% White.

So you're telling me it's a black majority?

[JacksonPanther]

Originally Posted by DiogenesofJackson

So you're telling me it's a black majority?

Yes, slightly, but the numbers are close enough to call it equal. It's basically 50/50 black to white.

[viverlibre]

I live near Flowood (kids are in the NWR zone).

I rank the Jackson area as such:
Gluckstadt - housing more expensive, traffic can be bad, very good schools
Madison (the city) - Same as above. Mayor with a vision, strict code enforcement.
Flowood - Good schools, but could be much better (the Rankin County School Board is a disaster). Apartments, proximity to Jackson, unbridled retail growth, moderately priced housing, no vision and little code enforcement/planning will, in my opinion, lead to the deterioration of Flowood. Over the next 20 years, I think it will turn into a Clinton/Ridgeland type municipality. Not bad places, but not great either.
Brandon - not as much retail/restaurants as Flowood, slower pace of life, more life-long type residents (these are good qualities in my opinion).

I would not live anywhere other than the above in the Jackson metro area. No matter where you live you will have easy access to shopping, restaurants, outdoor activities and all the kid sports you want. In Mississippi, the price of housing usually drives the public schools; the higher the housing cost, the better the public schools.

[auntbee]

Originally Posted by DiogenesofJackson

Pearl sucks. .
Flowood is the land of retail outlets and mall trash type restaurants like Applebees and Chili's. Other than apt. complexes, are there any houses in Flowood??
Florence is a trashier Pearl.
Byram is a working class black neighborhood that I know very little about other than housing was really cheap there compared to other suburbs.

You might want to check out Ridgeland and points in Madison County near the Rez given your children's interests.

Since I live in Pearl, I take offense to being called "white trash". Have you ever lived there or did you just happen to drive through? There are also plenty of very nice houses in Flowood.

[donziejo]

I like Clinton (good schools...ck them out) Flowood, Madison. I also think Pearl is on the way up. I've lived in 26 states and find Ms. to be of the friendliest. I've ck out most of the state for a place to retire. When I retire I will move to the coast. I do like central Mississippi. I shop in Clinton, Flowood, (Applebee's has karoke on the weekends after 10) and Madison. I go to Sam's Club in Pearl. However, no matter where you live in Jackson Metro it's easy to get around. I am still loving the fact of no major traffic jams. (people here sometimes thinks I'm crazy when I say that, guess they haven't driver on the 5 in Cali. LOL)

[donziejo]

@auntbee...folks that call others names...well it's not nice. I just drove by the new outlet mall that's being built. I'm excited about that. If the OP moves to Pearl I think he will like the Bass Pro in Pearl too!!!!

[SippiStateBulldogs]

If you want to be close to movies and shopping centers then Pearl, Flowood and I would add Madison and Ridgeland to you list. Here is a brief description of the metro burbs: Byram majority Black suburb (that still has a large White population) no movie theaters, borders South Jackson (a bad neighborhood and there will be occasional spill over), a couple restaurants but no major shopping centers. I used to live there and enjoyed it. Seemed like the Whites were more country and the Blacks thought they were high class for living in Byram rather than Jackson. This is just my opinion. Pearl is a working class city and is not very upscale. It is the working class part of Rankin county. But you will be close to movies and some shopping. Brandon is Rankin county's wanna be Madison. Think wealthy but slight country. Close to movies and shopping in Pearl and Flowood. Flowood has movies and lots of lots of shopping and dining on lakeland dr. More upscale than Pearl. Like I said though you may want to consider Madison and Ridgeland and also Richland and Florence.