What you need to know about Mississippi

Last updated on February 20th, 2022 at 08:02 pm

Mississippi has a wonderful Gulf Coast. Miles of uncrowded beaches and lots to build on. This is in part what you need to know about Mississippi. There are many secrets about the other Mississippi, the Gulf Coast that they don’t tell you about. The economy on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is varied and thriving. What makes the Mississippi Gulf Coast stand out from other states’ gulf coastal areas is the lack of overcrowding. If you want miles of tall condos blocking the beach views, you may want to go to Florida or Alabama.

There are lots of those simple articles about the best and worst states to retire in or for taxes etc. Many of us flip from state to state looking at the state we live in and then others we have heard about. Ultimately the authors have a bias of some type e.g. medical care, number of Starbucks, etc. Mississippi often comes out at the bottom.

For purposes of this article let’s focus on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and not the entire state. The Gulf Coast is a vibrant place. Revenues to support the area come from a wide variety of sources. The ports, shipbuilding yards, refineries, military bases, retired people, and those visiting the casinos.

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The Mississippi Gulf Coast is different

Mississippi Gulf Coast Map — Map of Mississippi Gulf Coast, courtesy Google

What is so different about the Mississippi Gulf Coast that you never hear about. For that matter what you need to know about Mississippi. Starting with the entire state, you should know that Mississippi residents by and large are averse to taxes. What I mean is that they will not support new or higher taxes for frivolous things. An example, the state of California has a department called the Department of Toxic Substances Control.

The DTSC in California funds clean up of crack houses. State taxpayers support the bureaucracy and pay for the cost of these clean-ups. What most residents of the state do not understand is that the federal government EPA will do what the DTSC does at no cost to the state of California and its residents. Which means there is no need for the state department.

Mississippi residents will not duplicate effective services provided by the federal government because it’s a waste of money. They will also not raise taxes without lots of debate. A few years ago the state voted to reduce state taxes. Most cities and counties are equally reluctant to raise taxes. I find that by and large, elected officials make good use of existing funds. Their employees are not overpaid as they are in many other states. FYI, we have a part-time legislature.

The heard bypasses Mississippi

I find it ironic that the herd bypasses Mississippi. I10 runs across the country and every day thousands of vehicles drive from East to West passing through the Mississippi Gulf Coast without stopping. They drive from one crowded area to another. They completely miss the beauty that is the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Residents of the Mississippi Gulf Coast are pleased that most people keep ongoing.

The last thing anyone living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast wants is for the area to become another Florida or California. We do want people to move here and bring their money and good sense. We do not want lots of people moving here expecting the government does everything for them. If you come here and expect to stay on unemployment or welfare, good luck. You must look for a job if you want to receive unemployment. If you are expecting to be a ward of the state and you are fit to work, you will not do well here.

Most people that I meet who have come here to live, embrace the culture here. We earn our way and expect others to do so as well. We do not ask the government for anything other than the basics, roads, sewers, safety, and other traditional things that government should do.

The good stuff

Ok, enough about working and government. Now for the good stuff. Our schools require children to attend class. Our churches are plentiful and varied. Police and state troopers are good people working for the public. Our taxes are low, with zero state tax on the retirement income of any kind. The cost of houses here is about the lowest in the nation. Other living expenses from gasoline to utility costs are at the bottom of that list.

Our weather is great most of the year. Yes, we have humidity in the summer so what!. Most of you reading this will be inside part of the day anyway. Driving around, going to the store, etc. The weather is tolerable even for those of us who have come here from California where the weather is usually a bit dry. Roofers have it the worst but then again most of us are not roofers.

The Spring and Fall are excellent. Low humidity and days of sunshine. We have restaurants everywhere in case you get hungry and lots of places to stay from vacation rentals to casino hotels. Lots of things do when you are not laying in the sun. Fishing, boating, visiting the Aquarium or art galleries. At night go to a live show at one of the 12 casinos. As I said, lots of things to do. Take a short drive to New Orleans or Mobile but do not stay long, we want you back.

Speaking about the bottom of the list

Something you need to know about Mississippi is that it is at the bottom of some lists because it is the lowest cost of living state in the union. We love this about lists. Sometimes they work for us instead of against us. Sometimes those lists chase people away who probably are better off living in a crowded city. Then again, people who are planners, who dig deep for information, are the ones we want here.

Those planners discover our best attributes and weigh them against fake news. These people pull off the interstate and drive by our beautiful beaches. Some of these people decide to stay and tell their friends about us. These people become us over time. They learn to say y’all and eat their fill of crawfish.

Now for rumors and propaganda. There is no truth to the fact that we have no Starbucks, there are a few. We also have flush toilets and running water in our homes. Last summer when cities were burning, people here were burning as well but it was their skin on their home. The people who live along with the coast work hard and play hard with little time for mischief.

Mississippi the fly over state

Yes, I must admit, Mississippi is one of the flyover states mentioned by those who live in California and New York. I am not speaking for all Mississippi residents here but I like that not everyone wants to live in Mississippi. Many people are moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast but the term “many” here is not the same as “many” in Austin, TX. Our population here is just above 400,000 for three counties along the coast.

Mississippi below on way across the country

As I mentioned above those folks who drive through on I10 and keep going are part of those who are flying over. We want the discerning people who know exactly what they want and find the Mississippi Gulf Coast to be that place for them. The last thing we need is for lots of folks to be here who wish they were somewhere else. I recall living in California and encountering people from New York who moved there.

All the New Yorkers could do was complain about living in California. You see flags from other countries flying around California, I can not help wondering if those people wish they were back home. Virtually everyone I have met here loves it here. What a difference being around people who want to be here and not somewhere else. I should mention being fair, some young people pine for Los Angeles or New York, the big city with bars and clubs. Want to know something interesting?

I have spoken to several young people who left the Gulf Coast for the big cities. If I have spoken to them, they have returned. To a person, they tell me they missed the friendly people on the Coast and did not like the crowds and the cost of everything. You would think the word would get out but you know young people, they need to experience this on their own. But, they will be back.

Come visit us

If you are reading my blog, please come visit us. Stay at a vacation rental using Christies Gulf Beach Rentals by clicking here. Should you wish to look at homes, start from the comfort of your own home and browse through Logan-Anderson, Gulf Coastal Realtors website.