OT: anybody live in Gulfport?
- Thread starter treeddeep
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There are plenty of options for housing. Others will chime in regarding specific locations, but I'll start the thread by saying that anything you consider south of I-10 should only be considered after you have determined what your cost of property and casualty is estimated to be.
Biloxi here. I'd suggest Diamondhead for a house, Biloxi (not the beach) for a nice apartment, or Long Beach if you want the beach AND a nice apartment.
City names don't mean much down here. It's all really just one elongated city.
There's also some nice options in the north of Gulfport, but like most of the coast it's like the ghetto and the suburbs got thrown in a blender. If your job is north of Gulfport then that might be a better option.
City names don't mean much down here. It's all really just one elongated city.
There's also some nice options in the north of Gulfport, but like most of the coast it's like the ghetto and the suburbs got thrown in a blender. If your job is north of Gulfport then that might be a better option.
One man's opinion:
It is different, for sure. More transient/transplant nature than you may be used to in Tupelo. A bit less Bible-belt-ish. There are good/bad parts, and problems like anywhere else. I've been here since 1999, and moved here from NE Jackson. Grew up in the Delta, and did High School in Natchez. This is Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and FL panhandle, in the good and the bad. Public schools down here vary wildly. That, and flood insurance rates should almost be your chief concerns.
Good news, all the D'bags here are LSU and Alabama fans. Unless you go into a law office, you don't see too many UM types... [/TROLLBAIT]
We love it, down here, and don't see ourselves living anywhere else in the State.
I'd check out this forum, for some insight:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/mississippi/
It is different, for sure. More transient/transplant nature than you may be used to in Tupelo. A bit less Bible-belt-ish. There are good/bad parts, and problems like anywhere else. I've been here since 1999, and moved here from NE Jackson. Grew up in the Delta, and did High School in Natchez. This is Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and FL panhandle, in the good and the bad. Public schools down here vary wildly. That, and flood insurance rates should almost be your chief concerns.
Good news, all the D'bags here are LSU and Alabama fans. Unless you go into a law office, you don't see too many UM types... [/TROLLBAIT]
We love it, down here, and don't see ourselves living anywhere else in the State.
I'd check out this forum, for some insight:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/mississippi/
Nice blender reference. I do live in the northern most extremes of Gulfport city limits, and things are very economically amalgamated here.
Take Shmuley's insurance note to heart. Flood insurance isn't cheap south of I-10, and it's about to get even exponentially crazier. South of the R.R. tracks in Harrison Co., you will almost need to be wealthy enough to self insure, or have that house elevated 25 ft. ;-)
Born and raised. It really just depends on how much you make, if you have children, and what kind of lifestyle you live. PM me details if you want and I can be a little more specific.
I really loved where I grew up, but we were the type of family that spent a lot of time on the beach, at the harbor, and dining in downtown and it was near all 3. It was also in a bad school district so my mother went through a lot of trouble somehow getting me into some of the out-of-district schools (within Gulfport school district, but Pass Road Elementary and Central Middle are horrible schools). Like everything there are pro's and con's, but in Gulfport probably more so than any other Mississippi town you've got multiple quality options (and by that I mean there are ~5 nice middle-class neighborhoods below I-10 in the city of Gulfport, whereas other places in Mississippi people live in surrounding cities).
DO NOT live in Diamondhead. I respectfully disagree there.
I really loved where I grew up, but we were the type of family that spent a lot of time on the beach, at the harbor, and dining in downtown and it was near all 3. It was also in a bad school district so my mother went through a lot of trouble somehow getting me into some of the out-of-district schools (within Gulfport school district, but Pass Road Elementary and Central Middle are horrible schools). Like everything there are pro's and con's, but in Gulfport probably more so than any other Mississippi town you've got multiple quality options (and by that I mean there are ~5 nice middle-class neighborhoods below I-10 in the city of Gulfport, whereas other places in Mississippi people live in surrounding cities).
DO NOT live in Diamondhead. I respectfully disagree there.
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Just not true. Just sold our house on 2nd street. Wasn't cheap but didn't make living there a stretch. Our house wasn't elevated either. FEMA and the state did/do a good job of keeping it at a manageable level. It's more expensive than before Katrina, but the biggest thing people are complaining about is being required to carry it. It used to be optional.
If you aren't in the Gulfport school district it's not worth sending your kid to public schools either. Anniston Elementary and Bayou View Elementary, Bayou View Middle, and Gulfport High are great schools. There's a huge discrepancy between the Gulfport and Harrison County school districts.
If you aren't in the Gulfport school district it's not worth sending your kid to public schools either. Anniston Elementary and Bayou View Elementary, Bayou View Middle, and Gulfport High are great schools. There's a huge discrepancy between the Gulfport and Harrison County school districts.
Diamondhead is OK I guess, but the homes have no character (to me) and you must deal with a HOA that also charges you monthly payments. To boot it's not really the coast. I know everyone jokes about how people from the coast consider everything north of I-10 north Mississippi and it's pretty true. If I had a job in NOLA and didn't want to live in NOLA I would consider Diamondhead. Otherwise you're paying just as much as you would to live in Gulfport but it's in a subdivision a good amount of driving distance away from Gulfport, it's on a freeway, and it's in Hancock (I think) school district.
I guess treed just needs to give us some more details as to where the job is located in Gulfport and what kinds of things are important to him. Depending on how he answers Diamondhead might be great I suppose.
It's just hard to ignore the fact that you can buy a decently nice 3 bedroom home in Bayou View or College Park for $120,000-180,000.
I guess treed just needs to give us some more details as to where the job is located in Gulfport and what kinds of things are important to him. Depending on how he answers Diamondhead might be great I suppose.
It's just hard to ignore the fact that you can buy a decently nice 3 bedroom home in Bayou View or College Park for $120,000-180,000.
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i think it depends on if you want that suburb feel. the HOA is as much of a pain as any of them, that's for sure, and the fee doesn't deliver anything, so must be weighed into the cost. i don't know anything about the schools down here, not a concern of mine. but it's only 15 minutes from Gulfport, and to me that's nothing. hell, many days i drive from Dhead to Pascagoula. also short drive to Slidell, so has all the dining/entertainment options of Gulfport and then some. and you can buy a great house in Dhead for $120k. $300k for the equivalent in Madison. i really don't think there's much difference in price. in Gport, cheaper near the hood though.
if you're thinking long term value it could go either way. Gulfport could continue to decline, but Diamondhead could decline quickly like many country club areas down here have already. the new Dhead city management hasn't shown anything to inspire confidence. opening a Family Dollar and Dollar Tree wasn't what the city proponents had in mind.
denial mostly. it's only happened twice in 50 years, so they view it as a freak occurrence. many wouldn't have insurance at all if they weren't required.
Thanks for the responses. Some background: I jus graduated, I'm single, no kids etc. I won't be making that much money so I will just rent an apt and start to pay this debt off. Really don't care to live in the suburbs, and I don't enjoy the beach all that much either. Keep the discussion going.
I have lived here in Diamondhead since 2000, and it's fair. Katrina was kinda tough, but the house got repaired. In 2012, we became an incorporated city. Now I get to pay both city tax and also POA property dues. Yay.
Anyhow, I used to work at Stennis Space Center (before becoming disabled with a degenerative brain disease, like Lou Gehrigs). Now I have fun here on the sixpack.
Diamondhead is fair/OK. But I would like Gulfport too.
Anyhow, I used to work at Stennis Space Center (before becoming disabled with a degenerative brain disease, like Lou Gehrigs). Now I have fun here on the sixpack.
Diamondhead is fair/OK. But I would like Gulfport too.
I lived near downtown Gulfport and it was a ~35 minute drive to Diamondhead, so if you worked in or around downtown and lived in Diamondhead that's an annoying drive. Hwy 49 near Creosote gets really congested around the 9 and 5 times too, so that's also something to consider.
As far as the hood goes, I lived on the beach on the other side of the railroad tracks from what was considered the hood and there was never an issue, before or after Katrina. The coast's crime rate is below average, and I don't think that's lost on just one town. If anything I'd consider the shanties near the casinos in Biloxi the only really rough part. I'll never forget a time in high school when we were leaving the mall and we witnessed something Asian gang related where a guy drove up and got out of his car and shot a gun in the air twice before flooring it off in his little rice rocket. If you're not in an Asian gang I don't think anyone has anything to worry about really.
There are a lot nicer neighborhoods right off Lorraine Rd in city limits than anything in Diamondhead, Pascagoula, or anywhere otherwise. The owner of Killer Bee bait has a house in that area modeled after the White House, and those are the kind of people you're dealing with there. There are several million dollar houses in the area, and the overflow neighborhood is middle-class with several upper middle-class families mixed in. That's why I think Bayou View is the ticket, it's just a really nice neighborhood and I think the property value is only going up considering all the high dollar housing in the area.
I guess it's all a personal opinion, but I believe south Gulfport and Ocean Springs are the nicest places to live on the coast. Downtown Ocean Springs is a thing of beauty, especially if you're fond of the Oxford Square type of thing, but if you're commuting to Gulfport every day it could be a pain. It has the highest average salary in the entire state and I believe it's the only school with an IB program. On the other end GHS is the only school in the state that has replaced textbooks with Nooks. Every kid in the school is given one on the first day. Crazy to think about when you consider that there are schools in the delta using textbooks from 1960.
As far as hurricanes go, it's never been an issue. I've literally witnessed dozens of hurricanes in my short lifetime which has been entirely spent 100 yards away from the Gulf of Mexico. Board up some windows if that's your thing, but you'll be good. If not, every home that came within 100 feet of being wet in Katrina is now required by law to have insurance... so you'll at least get your money back.
As far as the hood goes, I lived on the beach on the other side of the railroad tracks from what was considered the hood and there was never an issue, before or after Katrina. The coast's crime rate is below average, and I don't think that's lost on just one town. If anything I'd consider the shanties near the casinos in Biloxi the only really rough part. I'll never forget a time in high school when we were leaving the mall and we witnessed something Asian gang related where a guy drove up and got out of his car and shot a gun in the air twice before flooring it off in his little rice rocket. If you're not in an Asian gang I don't think anyone has anything to worry about really.
There are a lot nicer neighborhoods right off Lorraine Rd in city limits than anything in Diamondhead, Pascagoula, or anywhere otherwise. The owner of Killer Bee bait has a house in that area modeled after the White House, and those are the kind of people you're dealing with there. There are several million dollar houses in the area, and the overflow neighborhood is middle-class with several upper middle-class families mixed in. That's why I think Bayou View is the ticket, it's just a really nice neighborhood and I think the property value is only going up considering all the high dollar housing in the area.
I guess it's all a personal opinion, but I believe south Gulfport and Ocean Springs are the nicest places to live on the coast. Downtown Ocean Springs is a thing of beauty, especially if you're fond of the Oxford Square type of thing, but if you're commuting to Gulfport every day it could be a pain. It has the highest average salary in the entire state and I believe it's the only school with an IB program. On the other end GHS is the only school in the state that has replaced textbooks with Nooks. Every kid in the school is given one on the first day. Crazy to think about when you consider that there are schools in the delta using textbooks from 1960.
As far as hurricanes go, it's never been an issue. I've literally witnessed dozens of hurricanes in my short lifetime which has been entirely spent 100 yards away from the Gulf of Mexico. Board up some windows if that's your thing, but you'll be good. If not, every home that came within 100 feet of being wet in Katrina is now required by law to have insurance... so you'll at least get your money back.
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My thinking would be "It could happen twice in 50 years, or it could happen every year. There's no rule that says it can't." Personally, I like my odds better living 100 miles north of the water like I do now. I do envy all the IT job opportunities that are available on the coast though.
Coastal Living
You are either going to love it or hate it. People down here have a different movement toward life. I have not heard any mention about Waveland or Bay St. Louis. Two small towns in Hancock County on the beach about 20 min on Hwy 90 from South or North Gulfport. These towns are a little bit slower moving than the bigger cities along the coast but are a great place to live especially if you are renting. We are just a few feet above sea level(insurance nightmare).
You are either going to love it or hate it. People down here have a different movement toward life. I have not heard any mention about Waveland or Bay St. Louis. Two small towns in Hancock County on the beach about 20 min on Hwy 90 from South or North Gulfport. These towns are a little bit slower moving than the bigger cities along the coast but are a great place to live especially if you are renting. We are just a few feet above sea level(insurance nightmare).
I lived in D'head when I was younger and loved it. My dad worked in N.O. and commuted. Very cool little community. Now we have a little place in Pass Christian that we use for weekends and such. I love P.C. It's by far the quietest town on the Coast but it also has the least to do but everything is a short drive. I also really like BSL and spend a lot of time over there since it's just over the bridge. If I was moving to the coast full time Id look P.C. or BSL first. My brother lived in Ocean Springs and it's very cool. By far the most artsy area on the coast. It's like if you combined Madison's cleanliness and Belhaven's artsy feel but put it on the water. I would just rather live on the other side if the MS GC. But everything is just personal preference. Everywhere has pro's and con's but overall the coast is a great place to live.
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Dude, downtown Ocean Springs. I don't know your life, but if you like drinking, listening to live music, looking at pretty girls in sundresses, and everything involving all of those things, that's your scene. Like I say, think the Square in Oxford. Lots of brick on the streets, manicured and maintained flowers on the sidewalk corners, not really a lot of driving traffic, and it's pretty artsy. The Peter Anderson Festival was always one of my favorite things to do on the coast and it's held there. When I was in high school that's where we always went to have fun on the weekends, but since I've moved away downtown Gulfport has really kind of stolen some of its thunder as far as popular restaurants and bars go (go figure). You can thank the government for the grants everyone received to restore historic buildings.
Listen to Waveland. You're either going to hate it or love it.
If I had stayed in Gulfport I would have either moved to downtown OS or attempted to find an old fishing camp on the river (D'Iberville/Biloxi-ish). For what it's worth I'm 22. I would want to be near the nightlife.
Bay St. Louis is a cool town too, but like Waveland says... it's different. Get your parents to get you a room at one of the casinos for the weekend and visit. Only way you're going to know.
Listen to Waveland. You're either going to hate it or love it.
If I had stayed in Gulfport I would have either moved to downtown OS or attempted to find an old fishing camp on the river (D'Iberville/Biloxi-ish). For what it's worth I'm 22. I would want to be near the nightlife.
Bay St. Louis is a cool town too, but like Waveland says... it's different. Get your parents to get you a room at one of the casinos for the weekend and visit. Only way you're going to know.
As a single recent grad, I'm just going to assume you're wanting to go out and mix it up with the ladies over a few drinks. If not, then this won't apply to you and do as you please. Live in or near either downtown ocean springs or downtown Gulfport (probably bayou view area). I live a mile from downtown OS and love it. Mt office is across the street from the office bar. It's great. Downtown has flourished with restaurants and bars since Katrina. Downtown Gulfport has come a long way the past couple of years too. either would be good depending on your job location. Edit: I'm 26 and we have tons of younger people around. More than I thought there would be. Decent amount of dogs If you wade through the bandwagon bammer and tigers.
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downtown OS is definitely the place to go at night, but everywhere to live around there is so expensive now compared to the rest of the coast. Taxes are high there too, as OS has no casinos. Trust me, i've kept my eye on it for a couple years now, wishing i'd bought up something cheap in '09 or so. there are some run down areas with cheap houses, if that's your thing.
Anyway, in your situation you should be getting an apartment. no need to buy a house then have to move. look at Landmark of D'Iberville. easy highway access to get to work quickly, and only a $20 cab ride to downtown OS. downside is that area has been declining, and lots of construction currently as bunch of stuff is about to go into I-10/I-110. Close by in Biloxi is Arbor Place and Lagniappe. There are cheaper options in Biloxi and Gulfport, but you get what you pay for. The Reserve at Gulf Hills is probably the best slightly-cheaper, slightly-crappier option, as it's right up the road from downtown OS.
1.) find a place to live in Ocean Springs, and 2.) make friends with people that will take you fishing.
I grew up in Gulfport and have a lot of love for the place, but if I ever moved back I would live in Ocean Springs.
I grew up in Gulfport and have a lot of love for the place, but if I ever moved back I would live in Ocean Springs.
I live in DH and work in New Orleans, we like it, schools are Hancock County and we are very pleased with them. We are close enough to everything 20 min from Gulfport and Slidell one hour from N.O.. Just over and hour to Hattisburg, the only issue for us is the older set in DH they are bat **** crazy. We just don't interact with them very often and that makes it tolerant. Just watch out buying a house in DH 900 houses flooded, make sure that you buy on the higher areas and you will be fine.
I'm assuming this was your parents' home (since you mentioned you are 22). Wait until flood insurance is no longer subsidized. It's all a matter of when, not if. Property values could drop significantly, due to cost of insurance. I'd never tell a recent college grad to locate there. That's a hell of a risk to take. Later on down the road, and he is a "peak earner", then he may can handle the risk.
You've got the Gulfport school situation nailed. Right on the money.
You've got the Gulfport school situation nailed. Right on the money.