A GOLDEN opportunity may be knocking on my door and I just don't know it - - (Jackson: low crime)

[scd0903]

Hello All - -

What a wonderful forum to exchage ideas and opinions.

I am in the middle of a very "unusual" situation. There is about an 90% chance that my employer is going to relocate me to the "mid-south". I am a salesperson who spends some time on the road each week so I am very flexible on where my home can be - my employer doesn't really care.

Here are the areas that I am considering: Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and extreme western Tennessee. These are my ONLY options.

Literally I could live ANYWHERE in any of these locations.

Here are some "issues" for your consideration =

The number one issue for my family is education & college (I have a son in 10th grade & a son in 7th grade & a daughter in 5th grade). They are fortunate to attend one of the top 3 public schools in the state of Ohio - we are always listed in the "Top 100 Schools" edition of Newsweek. To put it bluntly - we are spoiled. My kids are average - the have grade point averages between 3.5 & 3.9 (on a 4.0 scale) - - they are not geniuses but they are hard-working and enjoy learning. I have this "northern" and, hopefully, incorrect perception that public schools in the south may be slightly lacking - - right or wrong - fair or unfair....I'm just being honest.

With that being said - - my number one objective is to find a free public school in the mid-south that is EXCELLENT or a private school that they could attend, that I could afford - - I don't have a lot of dollars to throw around but if "private" is the way to go.....I'm willing to listen.

The other aspects of considerable import to me are (in random order): safety, arts, culture, dining, quality of life, access to a decent airport & community pride.

I have to consider that soon my kids will be college age and if I qualify for "in-state" tuition for certain state colleges versus out-of-state tuitions....that could be HUGE. Without starting World War III - which states have a better group of public colleges to choose from? MS or LA or AR or TN?

Is it asking too much to find nice housing ($350k - $450k), GREAT schools, some culture, low crime, some arts & some variety in dining? I am not a food snob be we do like variety - especially thai and sushi and asian-influenced cuisine as a family. We don't eat out a lot but when we do we want a decent meal and we try to avoid fast-food & chains whenever possible.

I hear a lot about places like Clinton, MS. & the Madison area - - just from browsing a few messages. I don't want to put blinders on.....I really want to consider all options and make an intelligent choice. Nothing against Arkansas but I would rate my state choices like this = MS, TN, LA, AR.

Any help/guidance would be appreciated. I am using this as one of many data points. Like all parents, I only want to do what is best for the wife and kids and any help along the way would be greatly appreciated.

If Ole' Miss is a great school with a great reputation - I would have no problem moving to Madison or Clinton or where-ever and eventually have all 3 kids graduate from there. If LSU has some incredible image and I can find some corner of heaven in Louisiana....I would pull the trigger on that.

I would like some place to "show off" to visiting family & friends and I would like to have some interesting day-trips within a few hours drive.

Like I said above - - we are a little spoiled because of our situation in Ohio. Hopefully you can shed some light for me. It may never come to be but I want to be prepared.

Thanks ~

p.s. I will not miss the Ohio winters but I'm not "into" NASCAR or bass fishing - -

[Mississippienne]

For MS, it sounds like you're looking at Jackson or Biloxi-Gulfport. They are the biggest urban centers in MS, B-G has the better economy. B-G also has hurricanes, however, and the weather is definitely worth considering. B-G is close to New Orleans and Mobile if you feel the need for cultural enrichment and ethnic restaurants. Someone else will have to fill you in on Jackson, since I didn't live there long and didn't like it.

[Tama]

SCD I think you will have a choice of locations. I understand that Baton Rouge, La. has some nice suburbs. Praireville is one that comes to mind. I have also heard good things about Madison and Ridgeland, near Jackson in MS. However, if you are interested in a smaller community let me tell you about my town, Hattiesburg. It has Oak Grove High School which you can look up on the web. Also there are various options for dining-including sushi-and shopping. There are two universities which provide some cultural events and collegiate sports. It has the University of Southern Mississippi with about 12,000 students and smaller William Carey University, a Baptist-supported school. There are also junior colleges nearby. In Jackson there is Millsaps College with a great reputation and of course Ole Miss and Miss. State are in other parts of the state. You would get in-state tuition at the public schools-the private, I don't know. I would have said it is an easy drive into New Orleans--but after Katrina, who cares? There are casinos on the coast and the beautiful beaches of Alabama/Florida are about three hours away. It is a medical center with two hospitals and you would rarely need to leave town for any treatment. The coastal area (Gulfport and environs) was devasted by Katrina and is in various stages of rebounding, some areas not at all. I was there today and was horrified by the conditions in some places. You would have to check the individual areas. Ocean Springs may be all right. Try www.visithattie.com for more info. Hope this helps a little.

[cncguy2000]

Hattiesburg and USM. is a thought.

[SashaBlue]

It sounds like you need to move to Madison or Ridgeland in MS. Madison has the top public school in the state with excellent academics. Madison and Ridgeland are small towns in the middle of the Jackson metro area. It offers so much in the way of retail, restaurants, etc. You can live in Ridgeland and your kids attend MC, but be sure you are on the west side of I-55 or they will have to go to Ridgeland High School - a so-so school. Madison and Ridgeland are known as the towns people with money live in. The housing begins @ $220,00 and goes over $1 million when you get into the Bridgewater, Hillview, etc., burbs. I agree, Southern Miss is a much better school than Ole Miss, but Millsaps right in Jackson is the ultimate. Just a tip, where I work (a large corporation) Millsaps grads always get interviewed first. MS College 2nd, and then the Southern, Ole Miss and State students. Millsaps is known as the "smart kids" college. It impresses employers in this area. Good luck!

[Monj737]

try st. tammany parish in la. slidell, covington and mandeville are the 3 biggest towns. best public schools in the state. 40-60 min. from new orleans and 1 1/2 from baton rouge. you can get a real nice house for your price range. very safe area and there is a tops program to help with college tution.

[Mr.Sippi]

This is actually a pretty good idea. Ive lived in Mandeville and in the Jackson, MS area. If i were to move back it would probably be to Jackson, although the OP might be more comfortable on the Northshore.

Originally Posted by Monj737

try st. tammany parish in la. slidell, covington and mandeville are the 3 biggest towns. best public schools in the state. 40-60 min. from new orleans and 1 1/2 from baton rouge. you can get a real nice house for your price range. very safe area and there is a tops program to help with college tution.