Easily Depressed living in Mississippi... Please help before we go crazy! (Jackson: low crime, chapel)

[sassyfrass]

My husband and I have lived here for nearly a year and still can't get used to how backwards the area is. We live outside of Jackson. I have taught in the school system (told the best in the state) and have been saddened with education here. We find that there is nothing to do around here. Our African American friends tell us to stay our of Jackson area. It is seriously depressing living hcere. We go somewhere nearly every weekend because when we stay in town we are bored out of our minds. Anyone have any suggestions? We moved here from a city and miss that city-life... I don't know how Madison or Ridgeland got the votes of being top-anything honestly. I am a well traveled person and there is NO appeal to either of them. I will say they have beautiful homes, but that's it... Please if we are missing something please let me know! We are a young couple wanting to settle down, but refuse to settle in this area where the school systems are so sad, and I know from experience! Please help!

[jjbradleynyc]

I was just browsing through the blog and saw your post. From your information, it sounds like you and your husband are too cosmopolitan for that area. I'd look to move out as soon as possible.
I've been through Jackson once, and lived in Biloxi for 2 mos while training for the Air Force. MS is a slow-paced place with a lot of friendly, nice, and helpful people. It's a slower way of life.
I'd recommend Oxford, MS or the suburbs of Memphis in addition to Biloxi. I didn't care for Jackson.
Are you originally from the south? Why not give New Orleans a try?

[sassyfrass]

Well to be honest I'm originally from a southern state and MS has got to be the worst of them all. They rank 48th or 49th out of the 50 states. The area we live in is very clique-ish. Yeah hit or miss the people can be quite friendly, but on the flip-side many people are LAZY even going to fast food or a Wal-greens. I actually lived near Memphis as well. We've visited NO and that is a for sure no! It is extremely hard to have a positive attitude living in MS. We wouldn't relocate to another area of MS due to husbands job and we dislike MS....

[Sam I Am]

It may very well be that this area isn't the one for you, but isn't less than a year a little soon to say it will never be home? Dunno...we've moved around some and it always took us a little while to feel settled and in tune with the surroundings.

I just got back from a trip to Madison...honestly, I'm not sure what you're seeing...I thought the area was absolutely charming. We were in Annandale, maybe that's the difference - but I surely didn't see anything to make me want to run away...

[Phil75230]

Sassy,

Whoever told you to stay out of the Jackson area probably has the typical attitude found in most of America's suburbs and small towns -- don't go to the city! It's too Dangerous! Granted, there are areas of the city I'd not to go to after dark, but the city itself is where the culture is (as is the case with most medium and large cities everywhere).

Attend the New Stage Theater. Get involved in the Crossroads Film Festival. Take enrichment courses at Millsaps or Belhaven College! Volunteer in your community (that's what I did earlier this year - a major charity's fund allocation committee - it really opened my eyes to this society's needs). If that's not your thing, I'm sure by asking around you can find something in your community.

Regardless, here's a hint: there are parts of Jackson that are not absolutely riddled with crime (Around Millsaps College, for one). My experience tells me that when people say "low crime", they mean a place where you can leave you iPhone in your unlocked car overnight. You certainly won't get that safe in the city (or any other central city), of course. But crime hysteria is out of control. Just as you can't consider Madison and Byram the same type of place just because both are suburbs, don't confuse the truly crime infested areas (most notably West Jackson) with areas along State St @ Old Canton Rd.

[Tama]

I was in your shoes many years ago when I moved from Philadelphia, PA to MS. I was young, active, had an interesting job previously, and had no children. Conversations about kids and yards bored me to tears. I couldn't find an interesting exhibit, art film, interesting clubs, pubs, lecture, or even a newspaper that actually had information. I think Madison and that type of community appeals to families who have family activities and extended family in the area. It is not a lifestyle for young people who want to come home from work, change into their party duds, and hit the trail. Young people who want to look for an everchanging carousel of entertainment won't find it.

However, what I discovered is that an interesting job makes a world of difference. Slowly making friends who share interests also helps eventually. Athough you may not want to live in Madison, how about Fondren? Good advice was given from another poster. Go online to the Jackson web site and see the many opportunities for activities, volunteering, joining. Join a fitness club, a book club, volunteer at the library, get out and into the community. Take a class or two. cooking class-language class. It starts out a drip and then becomes a flood of things to do. Interesting friends, work, travel, and learning opportunities are all available while living in Jackson.

Read about culture shock. It may surprise you. The school may not be as bad as you think. It just may be different. Get a job in another school. They are not all bad.

And finally-some people just like a big metroplitan area and that's fine. But if you eventually plan to be a homeowner, raise a family, and be very involved in your career--Jackson will probably suit you fine after a period of adjustment.

[Thriftygal]

I was very depressed when I first moved to Mississippi. I was still in high school and I thought as soon as I graduated I would be out of here. That was 7 years ago. Mississippi grew on me. I have come to love it here and consider it home. I live in North Mississippi, so I can't tell you much about Jackson. But if you are looking for a good town in the northern area I would suggest Tupelo.

[Ankhharu]

Growing up in Mississippi, I was very depressed. I have nothing against my home state or the people, it's just not a place I could ever return to. I was bored out of my mind. Depressed doesn't really say it. Since leaving many years ago, i've been much happier. It sounds like you require a more densely populated area. Jackson may help, but I think you'll require a much larger city than Jackson, I know I did.

[tyeebeacon]

I moved 22 years ago to the coast from New Hampshire, I was 18 right out of HS. At the time I found it interesting and I laugh now because I thoght there were a lot of things to do, as I was from a very small New England town. Yes, thinking was different. I grew to love the coast of MS. I am moving back but I am wondering for you why don't you move to somewhere like Atlanta or New York or Boston? Even maybe Chapel Hill, it seems you may be happier. You sound like someone who requires an endless choice of things to do, even on the coast I usually had to find or make my own fun which I was always used to doing wether it be a dinner at my home for friends or gardening or playing the guitar with friends, maybe you have that personality that likes lights and glimmer there are much larger cities that offer that and the cities that I mentioned also have much more contemporary thinking which it sounds like you are looking for. Mississippi is slower and you probably are not cut out for it, which is fine but, it is best to realise that now before you hate it, go ahead and try one of the other areas.

[jbub22]

Much like you I am not fond of the place BUT there are some positives. I could rip MS all day(really easy) but I won't because I am leaving so I will stick with the positives.
I live on the coast which has the best shrimp, catfish or any desired seafood. I keep to myself which is really easy in MS which has lots of space and land to look for. If you want big city happenings go to New Orleans(Pre-Katrina), Houston, Dallas, Memphis or ATL. Notice I did not include FL which goes without saying. I promise if you look around, MS is actually in close promixity to many desired tourist spots. Mardi Gras in Mobile and Biloxi is a blast. I know my family and I will shed a tear next year when we miss our first Mardi Gras in a decade.
Education is a concern, yes! But my wife invites much time training the kids for our departure with little quizzes, etc. I believe, you have to be extra careful in trusting the state to raise our children educationally but that can be said for any state or city.
The weather! I love every month here. I am a dedicated runner so I can runner all year and that is great. Call me crazy but there is nothing better than an ICE COLD BEER after a run in the hot sun.
I will miss MS for the above factors but I will be crazy happy when its in my rearview mirror. Good luck!