So tell me about Gulfport...Relocating from Atlanta (Biloxi, Ocean Springs: rentals, condos)

[tomandbecca]

Hi everybody!
My husband has been offered a transfer with more money, better hours and relocation package if he takes the position in Gulfport, Ms. I am a true southern belle, born and raised in Georgia but I really don't know that much about Mississippi and some of this forums threads are scaring me
We have 3 children ages 4, 5 and 10. The schools and community involvement are very important to us, we are NOT happy at all with the schools or community in the Northeast ga. suburb we live in now. we don't want to make that mistake again.
How are the school in Gulfport?
Should we look into private schools?
How about the cost of living?
Crime rate?
Anyone know of future plans for that area and economic growth?
We would be renting for a while but ideally we would like to rent with the potential to buy the property so we wouldnt have to uproot our children again. We would like a nice sized piece of land (I do a lot of gardening) nice sized home (maybe even antebellum or old farm house), in a safe area for our children. NO SUBDIVISIONS PLEASE. LOL. Willing to drive 30 minutes into Gulfport for the perfect area, anything like that out there?
Rentals available that are not seasonal?
or even lease/purchases?
Average rental prices on homes?
How are the race relations in Gulfport? Hopefully there are none of the horrible things being said on this forum, we do not have a problem with any race.
Do we have to go to church to be accepted?
How is the homeopathic community in that area?
Hospitals, Doctors?
In case of hurricanes is it fairly easy to evacuate?
How are the different seasons? Any bad weather besides hurricanes?
I am sure I will have more questions but these are the top ones on my mind. My husband just blindsided me with this but we are fed up with the sprawl in North Ga. so we are willing to look at any area in the Southeast that still has its Southern Heritage in check.

[Muhnay]

Casinos, and Condos, are its big plans for economic growth. I loved Gulfport MS. But I would live in Ocean Springs over Gulfport.. not a bad drive to work everyday, much better community and schools there too. Wont be too much longer and the bridge will be open and running from Biloxi to Ocean Springs and it will make the trip even shorter and faster.

Average Rent is 900-1200 a month.. Did not see many lease/purchase in the area. This area was wiped out by Katrina so houses are a premium. So you pay for it.

I did not have any problems. I was a white man living in an all black area, and I got along fine, had one minor problem but it was quickly resolved. I guess because I see people as people and not color. I did have a school staffer lean over and whisper "you know this is a mostly black school right?" and then suggest we look into private schools. So bigotry still hides among its people. But for the most part, I never saw any major problems there. But then again I am white, a Black person may say differently. One problem that I saw in the area was the rude behavior toward Hispanics, driving home some jack-mule would scream a racial slur and add go home at the end.. happened daily there.

Church is a big thing in Mississippi, but the Gulf Coast is the most open to churches of many faiths. There was/is even a Buddha Temple there. But no, you don't have too.. but you just might.

There are many gay people in Gulfport/Biloxi.. I was sorta shocked to find that fact out.. but at the same time made many friends that are gay in Gulfport/Biloxi. But I was not turned off by that fact. There are people there that find them to be vile, because of the religion factor, but most are accepting, or are to proper to say anything out loud and keep it to themselves.

There are many fine Hospitals in the area, and doctors too.. so don't worry you'll be well taken care of.

Yes just remember Travel North and West Hurricanes break East.. so as long as your going North and West from it.. you should be fine.

Weather - the occasional Tornado touches down, we had 2 while I was there.. and I saw a couple water spouts. No real damage from them. Just know they happen there. Also Thunder Storms, oh man they have some boomers.. I miss that most of all.. and lots of rain.. but plenty of Sun Shine days too.. about 3-4 months of horrid humidity, then the rest just fine fine days.

Hamburger is 3.99 a pound, its only a 1.99 a pound in Texas.. so take that as a factor in the cost of living there.. Cable was cheaper than in Texas, but Water was more. I would say the cost of living there is a bit more.. but then again they are rebuilding. But it was not so high you could not survive there.

Well I will say, I miss the area so much, it was home the second I got there, the people were very nice to me, and my family.. the schools at the mid level were not so good, but the elementary was awesome. Gulfport will grab hold of you quickly.. its a great place. It has its problems, just like any place does.. but I think you may like it. Good Luck.

[tomandbecca]

WOW!
Thank you for that wonderful reply, you gave me a lot to to think about!!!
Is farm land still available down there for a little drive?
Over the last year my family has been leading a more holistic lifestyle, are there farmers markets in that area? Yoga classes?
Besides construction and casinos, what other industries prevail or will prevail the construction boom?
Once again Thank you very very much.

[Tama]

Tomandbecca I am not able to offer a personal assessment but have acquaintances who live in Vancleave and communte to the coast. I am thinking of this area because of the land aspect you mentioned. I don't know about it myself but you may want to at least check the area out.

[tomandbecca]

Thank you Tama, I am going to go pull it up now.

[tomandbecca]

Also looking at Ocean Springs?
Anyone know about that area?

[DB3]

I live in Ocean Springs. It's a great town to raise kids, safe, smaller community feel, little if any crime, access to doctors and medical, among the best schools in MS (and very highly rated on GreatSchools.net). But it's a distance from Gulfport, up to 45 minutes depending on where you're coming or going from. I was kind of thinking you might consider looking a little bit inland from Gulfport to see if you can find what you're looking for, maybe the Woolmarket area, which is in Biloxi. But unfortunately I don't know about their schools. Maybe someone else on the forum can share more info on that.

If there's anything you want to know about Ocean Springs, feel free to fire away. I've lived here 15 years and will share what I know.

[KRISSY7878]

I Lived In Gulfport Until Sept Of 07' I Now Live In Las Vegas And Would Die To Go Back There. I Love The People And They Are Slowly But Surely Rebuilding. Now Of Course Like All Cities You Do Have Your Crime Mostly In North Gp. They Are Trying To Get It All Under Control Though. The Schooling Is Not The Best But It Is Something Sometimes You Have To Deal With.like Db3 Said The Woolmarket Area Is Nice And Affordable Also. I Would Look At Ocean Springs Too. That Is A Really Good Area And Nice To Live In. Let Me Know If I Can Help Anymore.

[downtowndoll]

When I read your post about "no subdivisions, please!", I'm so sad that your hubby wasn't offered a job in Mobile, AL! We have plenty of old homes over here. I know exactly how you feel!
When I see the crazy prices they are charging for houses over there-no way would I live over there.
Unfortunately, Katrina wiped out most of the old homes all over the MS Gulf Coast. There are cute little older houses back from the beach in Gulfport. My husband's grandmother lives on one of those streets. I can't really tell if her neighborhood is going down or not. It seems to be holding the line. I've heard that you need to send your kids to private in Gulfport. And I think in general people are going to be using private school more in the future Gulf-Coast wise.

I never hear anything about Pass Christian or Bay St. Louis. My husband's parents live in BSL. But they are planning on moving to Fairhope, AL. Check them out. But for forever, people have been telling others to live in Ocean Springs. That's where I grew up.

[MissGurl]

Although Katrina nearly wiped us off the face of the earth, I can't think of a better place to raise a family than Pass Christian. I raised my two kids here and I never had to worry about their safety. Pass Christian is very low crime in comparison to Gulfport.
Pass Christian Schools have a 5 star rating. Our new elementary/middle school
(right now the kids are kind of cramped in trailers in DeLisle- just down the road) will break ground soon. From what I understand, it will house elementary and middle school students and include a Boys and Girls Club on
the campus.
From the Pass it is 7 miles north to reach I-10, so we have a direct evacuation route.
People here are kind and friendly. There are several festivals during the year which include art, music, and of course, the St. Paul's Pass Christian Mardi Gras Parade. If you want to know more about Pass Christian you can go to gazebogazette.com. That's the local little newsletter.
Where ever you chose along the Coast, I know you will find many interesting and fun things to do.