Oxford questions? (Clarksdale, Cleveland, Holly Springs: crime, homes, neighborhood)

[TootsieWootsie]

When a tv commentator asked Bert Sperling where he would retire (of Sperling's Best Places fame both books and the internet site) he said Oxford. Well, I have been reading comments on Oxford and have these questions:
1. Is there anywhere in the city that the professors live? I'm 60ish and, obviously, don't want to live in an area dominated by students.
2. From what I am reading, Oxford is pretty but expensive. Exactly what do you mean? Is the entertainment expensive? Food at restaurants? What? The average cost of living prices on Sperling'sbestplaces.com didn't seem all that off the mark to me.
3. And, lastly and most important, it seems that Ole Miss draws alot of spoiled, preppy kids living there that have no respect for much of anything. I happen to know one kid who goes there, and he seems to be a perfect description of what goes there from what I am reading, and, needless to say, this isn't a turn-on (spoiled, rich).
What is the reality of life like for RETIRED ADULTS living in Oxford?
Any light you can shed on life in Oxford for a retired single woman would help.

[JMT]

Originally Posted by TootsieWootsie

When a tv commentator asked Bert Sperling where he would retire (of Sperling's Best Places fame both books and the internet site) he said Oxford. Well, I have been reading comments on Oxford and have these questions:
1. Is there anywhere in the city that the professors live? I'm 60ish and, obviously, don't want to live in an area dominated by students.
2. From what I am reading, Oxford is pretty but expensive. Exactly what do you mean? Is the entertainment expensive? Food at restaurants? What? The average cost of living prices on Sperling'sbestplaces.com didn't seem all that off the mark to me.
3. And, lastly and most important, it seems that Ole Miss draws alot of spoiled, preppy kids living there that have no respect for much of anything. I happen to know one kid who goes there, and he seems to be a perfect description of what goes there from what I am reading, and, needless to say, this isn't a turn-on (spoiled, rich).
What is the reality of life like for RETIRED ADULTS living in Oxford?
Any light you can shed on life in Oxford for a retired single woman would help.

I went to grad school at Ole Miss and absolutely loved it there. I can see why it's a popular retirement area.

1. Oxford is a small town. Every one of the professors I knew lived in town. Even if you live on the other side of town from the university, that's only a couple of miles away. I don't think there's any one neighborhood that has a higher concentration of professors than another. But generally speaking, the closer to the university, the more university personnel.

2. Oxford is expensive only when compared to the rest of Mississippi, particularly the towns around it (Pontotoc, Batesville, Holly Springs, etc). You can do a search at realtor.com to see what homes cost, or right here at city-data.com

3. There are a lot of wealthy kids at Ole Miss, but there are a lot of very humble ones, too, particularly among those in grad school. People go to Oxford from all over the world to study Southern literature and culture.

I would think that a single female could find enough to do in Oxford. If you're religious, it would probably be a good idea to join a church when you get there. Otherwise, the university offers all kinds of symposia, lecture series, exhibitions, and other things which would be a good way to meet other people. In addition, volunteering in civic organizations is always a great way to make yourself known.

Good luck!

[jacksonian]

Originally Posted by JMT

I went to grad school at Ole Miss and absolutely loved it there. I can see why it's a popular retirement area.

1. Oxford is a small town. Every one of the professors I knew lived in town. Even if you live on the other side of town from the university, that's only a couple of miles away. I don't think there's any one neighborhood that has a higher concentration of professors than another. But generally speaking, the closer to the university, the more university personnel.

2. Oxford is expensive only when compared to the rest of Mississippi, particularly the towns around it (Pontotoc, Batesville, Holly Springs, etc). You can do a search at realtor.com to see what homes cost, or right here at city-data.com

3. There are a lot of wealthy kids at Ole Miss, but there are a lot of very humble ones, too, particularly among those in grad school. People go to Oxford from all over the world to study Southern literature and culture.

I would think that a single female could find enough to do in Oxford. If you're religious, it would probably be a good idea to join a church when you get there. Otherwise, the university offers all kinds of symposia, lecture series, exhibitions, and other things which would be a good way to meet other people. In addition, volunteering in civic organizations is always a great way to make yourself known.

Good luck!

Great post! I have nothing to add (partially because I'm a Miss. State fan and it is forbidden for me to say anything good about our archnemesis rivals ).

[hurricom]

I'm considering a potential "dream" job in Cleveland, MS, but I am definitely someone who does not like rural living, and I thrive on lots of culture and diversity, probably because I was born and raised in New Orleans. Since I know I won't want to live in Cleveland, MS, I'm thinking of commuting from either Memphis or Oxford (both are apparently 90 minutes away from Cleveland). Can anyone provide any advice about either/both? I realize Oxford is a great deal smaller, but it seems to have a thriving arts scene, and I like Baton Rouge (which I've heard is very similar to Oxford). Also, I have a bit of a tornado phobia, so please let me know if I need to factor this into my decision.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

[jvb0687]

Chris,
I live in Baton Rouge now and I grew up in Oxford, so I guess I'm uniquely qualified to answer your questions My family moved away from Oxford when I was 12 years old and I've been back frequently for visits, and I must say ever since we left I've had a longing to get back. It's just a truly charming small town with a THRIVING arts and restaurant scene. When my dad was a professor at Ole Miss I remember most of his friends and colleagues were liberal, open-minded people from all over the country. People move to Oxford from everywhere, so it's not so much like the rest of Mississippi where all the same families have lived there for generations, although you'll find that element there as well. Due to the arts and university community, I think they'll be enough culture and diversity to satisfy you, although obviously on a smaller scale than you'd find in a bigger city. Also, if you're resigned to a 90 minute commute either way, I'd definitely recommend Oxford over Memphis as it's both safer and cheaper. Memphis is about an hour drive from Oxford if I remember correctly. So it'd be perfect for a day trip if you ever find yourself craving a city. Best of both worlds, if you ask me!

[lhpartridge]

Originally Posted by hurricom

I'm considering a potential "dream" job in Cleveland, MS, but I am definitely someone who does not like rural living, and I thrive on lots of culture and diversity, probably because I was born and raised in New Orleans. Since I know I won't want to live in Cleveland, MS, I'm thinking of commuting from either Memphis or Oxford (both are apparently 90 minutes away from Cleveland). Can anyone provide any advice about either/both? I realize Oxford is a great deal smaller, but it seems to have a thriving arts scene, and I like Baton Rouge (which I've heard is very similar to Oxford). Also, I have a bit of a tornado phobia, so please let me know if I need to factor this into my decision.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

Have you thought about Clarksdale? It's only half as far away and it has the distinction of being a blues capital. Morgan Freeman lives there and has his restaurant and club there--Madidi's and Ground Zero. There is also the Delta Blues museum. It gets a lot of tourists coming through for those attractions on the Mississippi Blues Trail.

Three hours a day on the road is a bit much, even for a dream job.

[jhadorn]

Originally Posted by lhpartridge

Have you thought about Clarksdale? It's only half as far away and it has the distinction of being a blues capital. Morgan Freeman lives there and has his restaurant and club there--Madidi's and Ground Zero. There is also the Delta Blues museum. It gets a lot of tourists coming through for those attractions on the Mississippi Blues Trail.

Three hours a day on the road is a bit much, even for a dream job.

Morgan Freeman lives just out of Charleston, MS. With all due respect, I would not live in Clarksdale, as it has a lot of crime and violence for its size.

Clarksdale, MS | Crime Statistics | Protect America

//www.city-data.com/crime/crime...ssissippi.html