We might be moving to Mississippi-any advice?

by kitten whiskers 17 Replies latest jw friends

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  kitten whiskers

  A job offer has come our way that looks excellent. However, it is located in Pascagoula, MS. I am wondering how the area is faring since Katrina. Does anybody know this area, and if so, what is your view of it. Are there any small communities close by that have that rural feel for raising kids? How are the school systems?

  I have been looking up information on the internet...but first hand accounts are always so much better. I've read a couple comments from people that say Ocean Springs is a nice place for families. Any help would be much appreciated!

  Thanks guys!
• 

  TrailBlazer04

  My husband and I explored transferring to Pascagoula. I have some friends who transferred down there. The advice was to live on the west side of Mobile AL. From what my friends have said, the cost of housing is fairly low (especially compared to where I live now). We looked at real estate in Ocean Springs, and the homes we saw in our price range were close to twice what we have now...for example, we found a 5 br/3.5 bath 3000 sq ft home on 3/4 acre, inground pool, nice landscaping, about a mile and a half from the gulf for what we could sell our home for now, approx 350K. There was a lot of new construction in the 175K to 250K range. If it wasn't for certain family complications (taking care of my elderly mother, and my aunt being in a nursing home here), we would have jumped on the opportunity.

  Feel free to pm me about particulars regarding company...

  TB
• 

  Junction-Guy

  I used to live on the MS gulf coast, back in the 1980's. There were alot of fun things to do back then, sadly they were all destroyed in Katrina. The coast is rebuilding, so that's good.
  
  I havent been to Pascagoula since Katrina, but I did visit Biloxi in 2006.
  
  For once I dont have any advice to give,sorry
  
  Oh one good point is that seafood is fresh and inexpensive there.
  
  Since you live in Georgia, I dont forsee any culture shock issues.
  
  Good luck whatever you decide.
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  kitten whiskers

  Thanks you guys! I was wondering if staying in Alabama might make good sense. I keep having the song by Ray Stevens run through my head about "The day the squirrel went berserk in the first self-righteous church in that sleepy little town of Pascagoula". I guess "Sweet home Alabama" has a good ring to it! Every time we come back from a vacation right now, Allison Krauss' "Atlanta" goes through my mind. I guess I have too many songs to choose from! LOL! You guys are a big help. Thanks.
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  new boy

  My exbrother inlaw lives in Mississippi he said "The good thing about Mississippi is you don't ever have to worry about a recession...because it like that all the time here"...(poorest standard of living in the united states)

  I lived in Northern Louisana for two years (bible belt)....I liked what George Carlan said about "the deep south"..."I love going to the south it like going back in time 200 years"

  Of course if your rich you can live anywhere and it will be fine, even Mississippi.

  I'm sorry my friend, I'm sure this was not what you were looking for....but come on...Mississippi?
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  5go

  Don't
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  changeling

  Former New Orlenian here. Pascagoula was econonically depressed before Katrina. I haven't been there since Katrina, but they were hit pretty hard.

  That being said, MS was in the re-building mode much sooner than LA.

  Also, Biloxi, with it's casinos (as tacky as they are) has helped the entire area progress.

  The school system in Biloxi sux, you may want to check out the schools in Pascagoula if you have children.

  You would be about 30 minutes from Mobile (not my favorite city, but it is a city).

  Honestly, if I were to live anywhere in the region (MS/AL gulf coast) the only place I would consider would be the east side of Mobile. Specifically the Daphne/ Point Clear area. Better schools, higher standard of living.

  changeling
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  insearchoftruth

  I spent a fair amount of time there in the late 1990s supporting a job at what was then Ingalls Shipbuilding and have recently been there supporting other work and was considering relocating there as well due to work.

  What was said earlier is true, the area did not fare well after Katrina and there is still a lot of work to be done in the residential areas. Some of the nicer neighborhoods seem to have been rebuilt somewhat quickly and I was amazed at the other infrastructure that is also back, such as new hotels, restaurants and many stores.

  The shipyard there is doing very well and they seem to have retained a lot of their good workers and have a pretty good outlook, it appears that the new parent company, Northrop Grumman, is investing a fair amount to keep them as a very technologically advanced yard.

  When I was looking to move there, would have ended up either in Mobile or Ocean Springs due to the schools, not sure what the state of the schools are however post Katrina.

  One thing I will say however is the people there are absolutely incredible, each time I have traveled to Pascagoula I have never felt unwelcome and really do look forward to an opportunity to return!!!
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  changeling

  One thing I will say however is the people there are absolutely incredible, each time I have traveled to Pascagoula I have never felt unwelcome and really do look forward to an opportunity to return!!!

  This is the absolute truth!!!!!!!!!! Southern MS and Southeastern LA have the BEST people anywhere. And did I mention the food? It's awesome!

  changeling
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  kitten whiskers

  Thanks all of you! Right now he is waiting for the phone call for the interview. It should be any minute now. It is the highest pay increase of all the offers so far. But...the other offers are local and just about an hour and a half away in Alabama. So, I guess we'll see how bad they want him and go from there. At least it's not Russia. There was an opportunity for that, but I love having warm winters after growing up in Michigan!!! And I also like to speak English!