Florida is a great place, low cost, conservative, and has wonderful weather. The dark side is that everyone wants to move to Florida which is increasing costs and crowds. Many of the reasons you would consider Florida are fading away fast. Crowds, higher cost, traffic, etc. Before you follow the herd to Florida, consider there may be a better alternative than moving to Florida.
Make a list of what you want in your new area before you make the big move. This will help you compare the best alternative to moving to Florida. And yes there is a better alternative than moving to Florida. Use our list below to start.
Consider the items above such as warm weather most of the year, low state income tax, low property tax, and good medical care. Regardless of the reasons you are relocating, you need not settle for less than what you want and can afford. Check the items on the list above then read about how this alternative place to live stacks up. As you read through this article, check the boxes at the end of each section if they match the check box above.
Use the checklist above
Consider the items above such as warm weather most of the year, low state income tax, low property tax, and good medical care. Regardless of the reasons you are relocating, you need not settle for less than what you want and can afford. Check the items on the list above then read about how this alternative place to live stacks up. As you read through this article, check the boxes at the end of each section if they match the check box above.
Moving to the best alternative place to live
Now that you have checked off the boxes for a new home, take a look at an alternative place to live. The Mississippi Gulf Coast. Since you are considering a new state to live in, why does it have to be Florida? Take a close look at our 21 reasons to consider moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. When you look at the Mississippi Gulf Coast compared to the “Sunshine State”, you will see many similarities. Before listing these similarities how about a very brief overview of the Mississippi Gulf Coast?
First, this article is not about the entire state of Mississippi, as Florida residents will tell you, their state is comprised of many areas and you can not compare the entire state to a specific area or another state. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is unique even in Mississippi.
The area includes 13 small cities touching the Gulf of Mexico along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the largest Gulfport only has a population of 73,952 (second largest in the state). Even Gulfport is not a large city like Fort Lauderdale or other popular cities in Florida. Small cities have a closer relationship between elected officials and the electorate.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast is the best alternative place
The entire population of the Mississippi Gulf Coast is less than 420,000 about the size of some Florida Cities. This means no traffic congestion, no crowds at the sandy beaches, and fewer people competing for restaurants and other services. There is a large population of retired people many former military members.
There are very few walled and fenced areas, they are not necessary. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is an area with a mixed population of all ages. Seniors have the opportunity to live and work around young people and young people get the benefit of knowing seniors.
The population is largely conservative. Traditional family values can be seen in the multitude of churches. All religions are tolerated as well as personal opinions that in other areas are not permitted. There is a thriving culture along the Mississippi Gulf Coast with events in one of the 13 cities every week.
Community participation is important for most locals. People who move here tend to participate in with the locals regarding their religious, political, and other beliefs. If my short description sounds inviting, please continue reading, perhaps Florida has some competition.
Affordable housing
The Mississippi Gulf Coast has the lowest average housing costs in the United States, 33.7% below the national average. According to a U.S. News survey, Mississippi ranks 10th in overall housing affordability. Florida ranks 31, not even close to Mississippi. The median home value is $140,818 (about $190,000 on the Mississippi Gulf Coast). It’s hard to beat our housing costs compared to other cities particularly big metros.
Housing costs are often lower than those in areas such as St. Petersburg or St. Augustine. Real estate is so affordable that you can buy residential rental property to earn additional income. Some people have moved from Florida, not just for the lower median home price on the Mississippi Gulf Coast but to get away from the crowding as well.
Builders are clearing forests to add new sub-divisions at a fast pace. It seems that some have noticed the fly-over state and started to make the Mississippi Gulf Coast a popular destination. When it comes to affordable housing, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is the best alternative to moving to Florida.
The weather
The average temperature range in July, the hottest month is between 77 and 89 degrees. December’s temperature averages 62 with days in the ’70s. July has an average of 24 days of rainfall. Rain usually does not fall all day even in July. Rain falls about 14 days each month on average. The sea temperature in the winter months averages 62 degrees, summer water temperature is about 76 degrees.
On average there are 17 days per month from October through April of sunny weather. The Mississippi Gulf Coast offers a warm climate with moderate rain and mostly sunny days. Florida may be the warmest state but that applies to areas in far south Florida. Northern Florida beaches cities are similar in weather to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
About those hurricanes. The Mississippi Gulf Coast can and does experience hurricanes. Florida is a hands-down winner in this contest. Due to its two coastlines, Florida experiences many more hurricanes than the Mississippi Gulf Coast. For example, there were two major hurricanes in Florida during 2022 and not one along the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2022.
Florida is #1 for hurricanes
According to Finder, Florida rates #1 for hurricanes followed by Texas, Louisiana the Carolinas, Alabama, Georgia, and even New York. Number nine on the list is Mississippi, well behind Florida. Mississippi receives only 4% of all hurricanes. There is no reason to move to California because of hurricanes in the South. There are many ways to live with them starting with locating in a house that is fortified against them.
Destructive weather occurs in most areas around the country. Hurricanes are no more dangerous than other types of bad weather or events such as snow storms. Housing standards have improved over the last decade which has helped insure homes built since are prepared for high-velocity winds and flooding. Hurricane season comes and goes every year, some experience difficulty but most just keep going on with life.
If you want to live in an area with fewer hurricanes, the best alternative to Florida is moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Cost of living
If you are looking for a low cost of living, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is the lowest in the nation. The fact that this is a semi-tropical environment is another benefit. Who would believe that Mississippi would be the most affordable place to live? You probably thought that this honor went to Florida. Florida is not even close. Our affordable cost of living includes prices for food, utilities, and yes, gasoline (among the lowest in the nation).
![Cost of Living Comparison of Selected States 2022 [infographic] alternative to Florida](https://i0.wp.com/retirecoast.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Cost-of-Living-Comparison-of-Selected-States.png?resize=1024%2C523&ssl=1)
This National Geographic article about Florida’s pending water shortage is interesting. California is suffering from a long water shortage and this has resulted in much higher costs for water. Could this happen in Florida with the larger population?
Electrical power in Mississippi costs 0.095 cents per kWh compared to Florida at $0.1067 per kWh. If you have an electric car, living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast will cost less for that vehicle to operate. It’s important to compare all of the small stuff when evaluating a new home.
Florida does offer a lower cost of living than many other states. The best alternative for a cost of living however is moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Property Taxes
Property taxes for the Mississippi Gulf Coast area are low by national standards (0.79%) and are even lower for seniors. Seniors receive a large deduction at age 65. Disabled persons pay zero property taxes. Another point about property taxes is that they are reviewed every four years. Unlike some states such as California where they are automatically increased by 2% every year. Florida’s property tax cap is 3% per year with a homestead cap and up to 10% without one.
In 2022 property taxes in Florida increased by 3% because of high inflation. Property taxes on the Mississippi Gulf Coast did not increase for any property that is within the four-year window.
Property taxes in Mississippi are charged on an assessed value which can be increased by not more than 10% at one time. The assessed value is considerably lower than the actual market value.
Property taxes are a burden to retired people but less so on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
As an example, the following is provided for a house that is on the market as this is written:
Selling price as listed: is $230,000 (assume this is the actual market value). The market value on county records is $63,471 (27.5% of the actual market value). The county-assessed value is $6,474 which is 10% of the County market value. The actual property tax is $611.00. In this example, the property tax due is 0.00265% of the actual market value. If the taxes were to increase by 10% which is not expected, the tax increase would not exceed $61.11 per year.
Your best bet for low property taxes when comparing Florida to the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a move to one of the Mississippi Gulf Coast cities which is the best alternative to moving to Florida.
State Income Taxes
Zero state taxes on all retirement income including Social Security and withdrawals from 401k, IRA, pensions, etc. The maximum state tax is 5% (soon to 4%) and there are deductions permitted similar to the federal tax return. Many retired persons pay zero income tax due to the deductions and no taxes on retirement income.
How many states have in recent years lowered their state income tax? None except for Mississippi. Not only is the state income tax rate going down, but with deductions, many won’t pay state income taxes. The point that I am making here should be clear, Mississippi is a conservative tax state. If you are planning to retire in Mississippi, this move to reduce state income taxes is a good window into future tax issues.
Florida indeed has zero state income taxes which is great for people earning high salaries. This is not the case for the majority of people looking at moving to Florida or Mississippi. The good news is the governor of Mississippi is looking at terminating the state income tax in 2023.
Zero Inheritance Taxes in both states
Mississippi has zero estate or inheritance taxes which is a big benefit compared to states such as New York, New Jersey, Washington, Illinois, and others. This could be your reason to move particularly if you have won the lottery. Florida has no inheritance taxes.
Retired people on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Florida are even on state income taxes (zero for both on retirement income). If you have lots of deductions, both states will be about even. If the Mississippi state sales tax goes away soon as proposed then the best alternative to Florida is moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Even with a small state tax, other benefits can compensate.
Employment opportunities
As of this writing, there were hundreds of jobs available in the three Mississippi coastal counties. Help wanted signs are everywhere. Many restaurants are hiring but that’s not all. The Mississippi Gulf Coast has a very large tourist industry with positions available at all 12 casinos. Two military bases hire on the Federal payroll along with the VA hospital and other federal and state positions. The shipbuilding industry constantly hires people paying high salaries for the area.
The Mississippi Gulf coast has five hospitals and numerous large clinics that are looking for help regularly. Home building and commercial construction are doing well. Many large projects are in the planning process including two casino projects. Growth on the Coast is moving forward even in an inflationary economy.
Florida is a bigger state so trying to compare employment opportunities is difficult. If you leave out the big cities and focus on small cities the size of Mississippi Gulf Coast cities, many will be the best alternative to moving to Florida.
Medical Care
Not only is the medical care on the Mississippi Gulf Coast very good but the wait times to see your doctor are much shorter than in major metro areas. I learned of a family member (living in Califonia) who has had to wait for six months to see a specialist for only ten minutes. It has been my experience that doctors on the Mississippi Gulf Coast seem to have more time to spend with their patients during their medical exams.
The fact that there is sufficient medical staff to accommodate the population is a very important point for all but more important for seniors.
There are a variety of hospitals along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and virtually all doctors accept medicare. This is one of the best places for excellent medical care including care from specialists. I know many people who have had complicated surgeries for cancer, knees, spine, and other procedures with positive outcomes.
Many members of the medical community here are from Mississippi or New Orleans and have gone to school in Mississippi or surrounding states. There is a VA hospital as well and a hospital on Keesler AFB. As I mentioned, several hospitals and a large number of clinics.
No doubt, Florida has great hospitals. If you live in a smaller city you may not have as much access as you would on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. For this reason, moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast may be the best alternative to moving to Florida
Population-Demographics
Historically the Mississippi Gulf Coast has always had a great variety of people living here who have lived in harmony for a long time. The media is all about diversity, this area was diverse before the term became overused. This is not a retirement community per se. All ages live here making the area more normal as compared to senior-only communities in Florida. Some people like living in communities concentrated with seniors and others just want to live in a great community of all ages.
While the majority of people living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are “from here” meaning they grew up here and/or were born in the area, others are transplants.
The locals as I call them meaning people with generations of roots and with pleasing Southern accents, get along with transplants just fine. In recent years more people have decided to locate on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and bring with them a variety of cultures.
Retired military members who married individuals from other states and other countries add to the mix. The population is supplemented during the winter months by snowbirds from northern states. Lots of tourists visit throughout the year as they do in Florida.
People on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are divided between those who fish and those who do not
Looking for statistics about color, race, religion, or national origin? Look elsewhere, this is the Mississippi Gulf Coast we don’t care about those things. As Martin Luther King once said, it’s about the “content of your character”. You should feel comfortable living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, if you don’t then move.
Do you know how the government asks you to check boxes for your identity facts? Most residents of the Mississippi Gulf Coast would rather ask if you fish or not. That determines the type of person you are. I ask if you have a boat. This is about the extent of the separation of people by statistics.
If you must be around lots of people, you should probably stay in a large city. If you like the idea of being in crowds during events and living away from crowds most of the time, you should find that living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a great alternative to moving to Florida.
White sandy beaches
Beaches are the right place for the day. Our best beaches start in Ocean Springs on the East end of the Gulf Coast and continue through Waveland on the West end of the coast. Drive along the beach and you can see beaches, unlike many Florida beaches which are covered by high-rise buildings.
Mississippi Gulf Coast beaches are wide and clean. There are no waves as there are on many Florida beaches. If you want to swim and do other water sports, beaches on the Mississippi Gulf Coast may be great for you (surfing not so much). If you want to look down the beach for 10 miles or more without anything in your field of view except for people, sand, and water, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is the place.
You can rent chairs, toys, and even jet skis and more at many Mississippi Gulf Coast beaches. The beaches are family-friendly. You should know that the water is very shallow like the shallow end of a swimming pool, far safer than a busy beach with deeper water. There are no crowded beaches at any time of the year except for the fourth of July. On this date, people bring fireworks, picnic items, and beverages and spend the day and the evening having fun.
Mississippi is a personal responsibility state. This means that you can bring alcohol to the beach in all but glass containers. I have never heard or seen that this has been a problem. This is how people in Mississippi live which may be why this is the best alternative to moving to Florida
Casinos
12 casinos spread out along the coast are another good reason to visit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This is the largest cluster of Las Vegas-style casinos on the Gulf of Mexico and second only to Las Vegas as a place to visit for gambling and entertainment. Sports fans can bet on the new sports books. Casinos are good places to eat and attend entertainment venues. The variety of casinos can not be matched in Florida.
Some of the casinos are operated by large groups such as MGM so your player’s cards will work here. By the way, the casinos on the Mississippi Gulf Coast offer free drinks to players as they do in Las Vegas.
Ever walk down the Las Vegas strip? That negative experience does not exist here. No drug addicts and people selling sex outside the doors of the MS Gulf Coast casinos. This is a family-oriented area. Most casinos do not allow people under 21 to enter the casino building, just the hotels. Some permit people under 21 to visit restaurants, check before you enter.
Take your kids to Margaritaville while you are next door gambling. They will love the games and things to do such as rock climbing walls.
Two Mississippi Gulf Coast casinos are 100% smoke-free
Two casinos on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are smoke-free. You will immediately notice the difference. Having said that, most of the casinos have excellent air-handling equipment which substantially reduces the amount of smoke. A few of the casinos offer free soda machines throughout the gaming areas.
A few casinos have parking for RVs. If you live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast you can stop by and collect free items as they are occasionally offered by casinos and include T-shirts. The casinos provide funding for local events and programs plus taxes collected help to fund public works projects.
When it comes to quality casinos with all of the benefits of being in Las Vegas without the crowds and negatives of sin city, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is your place to be. Without question moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a better alternative than a move to Florida if you like casino life.
Concerts/Entertainment
The Coliseum offers large venue concerts and events throughout the year. Reba McEntire and other big stars appear here and their tickets sell out. Casinos have shows and entertainment regularly. Stop in for a cocktail and dance or just listen to music. The Beau Rivage offers large shows such as the Nutcracker Suite.
Concerts in parks are popular in the summer and they are free. Entertainment is included in many events such as annual seafood festivals hosted in several cities at their parks. Many restaurants offer weekend entertainment and often during the summer in outside settings.
New Orleans is a short distance so if you can’t find enough to do on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, take a one-hour drive (depending on where you start) and arrive at Burbon Street. Lots of entertainment venues in New Orleans including museums and sightseeing. Take a short or long cruise down the Mississippi river.
Shopping
Small-town shops appeal to many who come to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Privately owned specialty shops can be found throughout the area. Ocean Springs and Bay St. Louis have clusters of small shops located in their quaint downtown areas. These are walkable towns with pubs, restaurants, and other shopping venues.
Want to buy a TV or appliance, there are privately owned stores that offer a variety of merchandise. Big box stores can also be found on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in several areas where they tend to cluster along with chain restaurants and other chain stores. There are several selections for groceries with large and local chains providing products from everywhere.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast is like almost any other metro area when it comes to goods and services provided. There is a Sams club but you will have to drive an hour to Mobile for Costco. The area is still in the process of building itself. New stores and services are opening regularly. Yes, there are Starbucks stores scattered around although there are some great local coffee shops that I like better.
Of course, when you can’t find something locally, you can order from Amazon. Your choice to move should not be based on shopping since there are plenty of options on the Coast. I almost forgot to mention the very large outlet mall in Gulfport. There are no Rodeo Road-type stores on the Mississippi Gulf Coast so if you need to live by those high-cost stores, perhaps moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast as an alternative to Florida may not be your first choice.
Cultural events
Start with 17 Mardi Gras parades during the season each year. All of the cities have at least one and some multiple parades. No need to travel to New Orleans to see a great parade. There are parades for St. Patricks Day, Christmas, Veterans Day, and many more including a gay pride parade (this area welcomes everyone). Cruzin the Coast, Scraping the Coast, and Jeepin the Coast are three large events that stretch out to all cities on the Coast. Downtown areas are closed to traffic and cars are displayed along with entertainment.
Seafood festivals, bbq cook-offs, and many, many more events occur all year. The largest event of the year is the Peter Anderson Art Festival in Ocean Springs. Hundreds of booths are set up to sell arts and crafts by people from all over the country. Entire communities participate in many of these events.
Cultural events on the Mississippi Gulf Coast all year
Florida has cultural events in some communities. The Mississippi Gulf Coast has cultural events in ALL cities almost year around. If you need a reason to get off of the couch, go to one of the many events. Many are annual events such as Scottish Games, Renaissance Fair, Cruzin the Coast and so many more.
It would be hard for any single area in Florida the size of the Mississippi Gulf Coast to boast as many cultural events each year. Perhaps you would not move to an area just for its cultural events but you should consider moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast as an alternative to Florida on this and other areas combined.
Museums
The Gulf Coast has several art museums and craft venues to explore. Concentrations are in Ocean Springs, Biloxi, and Bay St. Louis. One of the largest museums is the Beauvoir home and library discussed below. The Ohr-O’Keefe museum of art is located in Biloxi. This is a must-visit place and for residents, you can return periodically to see events and traveling art.
Visit the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum located on Cadet Point another historic spot in Biloxi. The area was covered with fish processing plants before hurricane Karina. Seafood still plays a big part in the fabric of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Mardi Gras history is on full display at the Coastal Mardi Gras Museum also in Biloxi.
Infinity Space Center is a must
The Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs is well-known among art lovers across the country. The annual art and crafts event is sponsored by this museum. Visit the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house called the Charnley-Norwood house designed in 1890. The Mary C O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center and Shearwater Pottery are good places to visit.
Don’t leave the area without visiting the Infinity Space Center located at the NASA Stennis Space Center. If you love all things space, you will not regret this stop. The center is located on I10. Take a guided tour of the rocket test center.
There is a big art scene along the Mississippi Gulf Coast centered mainly in Ocean Springs, Biloxi, and Bay St. Louis. Visit the shops and galleries selling local art.
Historical heritage
Florida has St. Augustine as a great historical place to visit. The Mississippi Gulf Coast has Ocean Springs and Biloxi. The French landed in 1699, somewhat later than in Florida but far more consequential. The French claimed a large portion of what would be the United States and managed it from a small fort located on the beach in Ocean Springs. Later the capital moved to Biloxi then finally to New Orleans.
Visit Ft. Maurapsa park on the beach in Ocean Springs to get a sense of what the French found when they arrived. Visit Mary Mahoney’s restaurant in Biloxi, the oldest restaurant and building on the Gulf Coast. Built-in 1737 by French colonist Louis Frasier, it was once headquarters for governor Jean Baptiste Bienville the French governor of the entire Louisiana Territory. Later the area was purchased by the United States in an action called the Louisiana Purchase.
A live oak just in front of Mary Mahoney is listed as being over 2,000 years old it’s called the Patriarch tree. There are many ancient live oaks throughout the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Many with moss hanging off of the limbs. There are other historical areas to visit and many stately homes built in the 1800s still serve as homes or restaurants. Elected officials have last names listed on street signs not for them but for relatives who came here hundreds of years ago.
Beauvoir a key part of Mississippi Gulf Coast History
Beauvoir is a must-see for history buffs. This is the home of the last and only president of the Union of Confederate States, Jefferson Davis. This beautiful home is located on what was the edge of the beach when it was built in 1832. The house, museum, and cemetery are located on 85 acres of land bordering the beach.
If you like the idea of living with history, buy a century-old home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and fix it up as an alternative to moving to Florida. Find one with a giant live oak tree.
Sports
No Miami Dolphins on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. There are no large teams anywhere along the coast. Residents here drive an hour to New Orleans to attend professional sports. It takes large populations to support professional sports, something that you will not find here. I think that the fact there are no professional teams on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a benefit. There is a minor-league baseball team in Biloxi. Sports bars abound so there is no shortage of places to watch professional sports.
Fishing and hunting are popular on the Coast. You can even obtain a permit to hunt an alligator if you are willing to pay for it. Obtain a lifetime fishing and hunting license for or a fishing and hunting license for $7 if you are a resident over 65. There are some great fising events along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The bill fish contest brings in boats valued in the billions of dollars.
Golf Courses
You can find great golf courses on the Mississippi Gulf Coast as you would in Florida. Public and private courses provide a variety of challenges. Shell Landing, Windance, Gulf Hills Golf Club, The Bridges, and many more. The weather is perfect for golf virtually all year long.
Internationally recognized golf tournaments are held each year at various golf courses. Most of the courses are located inland. If you are staying at a casino, they may provide golf course admission as part of their package. A couple of casinos own golf courses on the Coast.
I suspect that on a per capita basis, there are probably as many golf courses on the Mississippi Gulf Coast as you will find in Florida. President Trump does not live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast at a golf club but I am sure you will find one you like here. Perhaps with the choices available on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, you would consider the area a better alternative than moving to Florida
Food Culture
The Mississippi Gulf Coast has a well-known food culture that is truly American. Cajun, Creole, and Southern all blend here for a unique culinary experience. Starting with the best seafood in the country. Florida can boast good seafood as well. Mississippi and Florida share the bounty of the Gulf of Mexico with its rich fish populations. Gulf shrimp are the best by far. Redfish, flounder, and speckled trout are popular fish found cooked in the southern style.
You must try crawfish which are popular in Mississippi and Louisiana. Gumbo, red beans and rice, dirty rice, and many more dishes are popular at-home food.
Of course, you can find sushi, Jamaican, and foods from many other cultures on the Mississippi Gulf coast just as you can in Florida but the terrific Cajun and Creole dishes are often found just in Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf Coast areas. These are not just restaurant foods, people eat these traditional foods every day. Drop by one of the many community-sponsored food cook-offs a perfect place to try gumbo and other local specialties.
Restaurants
You can find a good restaurant in Florida without question. More of the restaurants on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are independent, one-off places to eat. National chain restaurants are found here along the Interstate but if you want a good meal, try a local restaurant there are many to choose from. Many local restaurants offer live music not just during the summer season but year around the.
Employees working in local restaurants are often related to the owners or are the owners. They remember you when you return. You will want to get into the local food culture by trying some of the great local foods at a restaurant. It seems that every place you go has a different way to make gumbo a staple here. Forget clam chowder, you will want to order gumbo.
Rice is the thing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Mashed potatoes although available are not as popular as rice to accompany dishes in the area. Try dirty rice, greens, turnips, corn on the cob, red beans, rice, and other delicious dishes using vegetables. You should not have to wait for seating at most local places except perhaps on Friday night or during some summer periods. Generally, tourists do not venture far from the beach so the inland restaurants are wide open most of the time.
Florida has some terrific restaurants, but it’s difficult to compare this category between areas. Everyone has their own opinion of the food. There are foods in Florida from other cultures including the Caribbean islands. The food culture on the Mississippi Gulf Coast was born in the U.S. and nurtured for a few hundred years. I almost decided to move to the Mississippi Gulf Coast as the best alternative to moving to Florida because of the food.
Schools
You may not have school-aged children to care for but the quality of schools has a direct impact on property values. Public schools on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are among the best in Mississippi and rate highly nationally. There are several private schools and they also rate high for educational standards.
Ocean Springs High School (MS) is a PE charter school offering AP courses. They even have a full theater for performing arts. Decades ago California public schools stopped offering PE classes for students. They canceled manual arts classes and charge students fees to participate in any sports, band, etc. Not so on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
People recognize the value of these extracurricular activities as ways to enhance the learning and social experience of children.
Schools on the Mississippi Gulf Coast were closed for a very short time during that COVID thing a while back. Students attended live classes while students in many if not most other states were locked down at home. This is one reason why the students here have done so well.
Mississippi forbids teaching CRT or many of the new “woke” alternatives to children. Parents want to be responsible for teaching their children about social issues and leaving math, science, language, and other key disciplines to the schools.
Colleges are located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
There are opportunities to attend college and university on the Gulf Coast much as you would if living in many areas of Florida. Hurricane Katrina caused the communities to build many new schools. Most high schools offer occupational classes.
Good schools benefit those without school-aged children by boosting property values in the immediate area. Seven of the top ten high schools in Mississippi are located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Florida and Mississippi Gulf Coast schools are generally highly rated for educational performance.
Senior Benefits
As mentioned above, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a blend of people of all ages and cultures. Children are taught to respect their elders and seniors. Some of the benefits available to seniors or those over 65 are as follows and of course, are not all-inclusive:
- Reduced property taxes
- Discounts at many stores and shops
- Low cost for fishing licenses and other licenses
- Eight-year driver’s license available upon request
- Discounts at public-supported events
- Discounts at many events
- Casino programs for seniors including discounted meals
- Zero state income tax on retirement account distributions
- Income tax credit for seniors
- Tuition-free college/university
There are many more programs for seniors in need of financial assistance including help with utilities. The above is just a start. Mississippi is a much smaller state than Florida but it comes close to matching the senior benefits found in Florida. Perhaps including some of the other benefits listed in this article will prove that the best alternative to moving to Florida is a move to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
There are few senior-only communities along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Florida has many senior-only communities for those who wish to be in the company of only seniors. If that is what you expect, moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast will not fulfill that requirement. If however, you wish to mingle with other age groups you are in luck.
Politics
A few years ago, an article like this one would probably skip any discussion of the two taboo topics at a dinner table. Politics and religion (after saying grace). Today a discussion about places to live must discuss the political lay of the land. It seems as if the nation is separating between liberal/progressive/democrat and conservative/republican, people feel most comfortable living around people who profess their flavor of a political party.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast is largely republican or conservative. The percentage of registered Republican voters is increasing in Mississippi. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is more like life in Mayberry than it is in New York City. Life in small cities is far different than life in big metros and large population states.
Some perspectives on registered voters in Florida and Mississippi. According to the Florida Division of Elections, 36.4% of “active” registered voters in 2022 were republicans with 34% registered as democrats. The Pew Research Center indicates that 62% of adults in Mississippi are “conservative” or lean republican while 29% of adults are or lean democrat. Based on your political ideology, both states are conservative but Mississippi is more so than Florida.
I assume that people who are considering a move to Florida or the Mississippi Gulf Coast know the politics of the area. Many are moving specifically because of politics. I will make one more assumption that you may be moving to the new area because you like the absence of woke or the fact that the community is largely conservative.
Mississippi is becoming more conservative
You should know that while Florida is conservative, Mississippi is becoming more conservative due to migration from liberal states of primarily conservative people. This may be a good reason why the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a better alternative to moving to Florida.
Progressives and Conservatives get along
At this point, I need to make sure you understand that democrats, progressives, and liberals who live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast get along with their opposites. This means that while not popular in some areas of the country, having a descending opinion is not a crime. Tolerance is an acceptable human condition here. People feel free to speak their minds without recrimination in most places.
If you want to move to the Mississippi Gulf Coast from San Francisco, feel free. Don’t ask for free stuff or for the government to do everything for you and you will love living on the Coast. Just accept the existing culture and you will be just fine you will love living on the Coast.
Daily Life
One reason why people move to Florida aside from the fact that they follow others there is that daily life is more predictable. The same is true on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. What I mean by predictable is that when you wake-up each day there is not another new tragedy. Sorry, there are no riots, carjacking, getting accosted walking down the sidewalk, learning of a new tax, and other things that regularly occur in big metros and some states such as California, New York, and others.
The crime rate in many large metro areas is terrible and getting worse. Frankly, the best cities to live in are small coastal cities off the radar of criminals and located in states that value personal responsibility. Florida and Mississippi are members of this short list of places to live.
Children are taught to address adults as Madam or Sir. People often address you by saying for example “Mr. Bill” or “Mrs. Mary”. Being polite is very important on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The culture here requires younger people to give way to older people. These habits have been around in our culture for a very long time and still survive on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
You should visit first
The best option to find a new place to live is to visit first. It’s a good idea to get a feel for the area and look deep into what it will be like years from now. Is this an area where local and state governments want an ever-increasing share of your income? Are there lots of people who won’t work and want what you have?
People know most if not all of their neighbors. Florida on the other hand is comprised of people who have moved there and lack in most coastal areas a resident culture. While Florida is located in the South, it lacks the Southern Charm that exists in Mississippi. This Southern charm is a very real thing and maybe the final reason you need to consider the alternative to moving to Florida.
A lot of business is still done with a handshake. I am aware of a real estate deal worth more than one million dollars and there were no documents, just a handshake, and verbal agreement. Come and visit us. Stay at one of our wonderful vacation rental properties.
Check out the best culture
Check out the culture. Do people in your selected area share your vision of the future? Will taxes continue to rise or are they reasonable with the government reluctant to increase your tax burden? Do local elected representatives care about you and your family? What do they teach in schools?
Having a Walt Disney World or Universal Studios in your area that you or your family may visit once per year is not a reason in itself for a move to Florida. White-sand beaches that you will visit can be a good reason for a move to that new city (small city).
Take a drive along Beach Blvd (U.S. 90) on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and look at the beautiful Gulf of Mexico without looking through high-rise buildings. Simply pull over in one of the many FREE parking areas and walk to the water. Visit the beach if that is one reason you want to move to an area.
People are the reason to move to an area. Are they friendly? Do they share your vision for the area? Will the ambulance arrive in time if called? Can you walk around downtown Ocean Springs and carry an adult drink? Can you talk about a hot political topic without being accosted for “hate speech”?
People know their neighbors on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Most HOAs have very low annual fees e.g $100 and from what I have learned their boards are generally easy to work with. If you are pulled over by a police officer for going just a bit over the speed limit, will they give you a warning and send you on your way? These are all things you should consider before a move.
Will you miss that big city or metro area?
Will you miss that big city? Do you live in large metro with a big city anchor? There are many reasons why you originally decided to move there. Perhaps it was for the nightlife, restaurants, and excitement of lots of people. Moving to Florida or the Mississippi Gulf Coast may not replace what you will lose by moving away from the big city (traffic, crowding, high prices). You will instead gain far more than you will lose moving to either area.
Starting with a safer environment to live in and raise your family. Schools that do not teach alternative lifestyles and alternative history. You will be leaving the riots and civil disorder behind except for some larger areas in Florida.
There are no traffic helicopters on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Will you miss that 15-mile one-hour commute? How about long waits to eat at the local big chain restaurant where you thought the food was great? Can you live with no crowds, no traffic, and excellent small family-owned restaurants cooking delicious local specialties? Yes, all of your favorite big box stores and some big chain restaurants are available on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Florida has many large metro areas with big cities in the center. Big cities offer lots of things that more rural areas can not. If you think you will suffer withdrawal symptoms when leaving the big city, perhaps you should move to Miami or stay where you are. On the other hand, if semi-rural living appeals to you, consider the Mississippi Gulf Coast as a viable alternative to moving to Florida.
Housing
This topic of housing affordability was covered somewhat in an earlier section. I wanted you to understand the housing market on the Mississippi Gulf Coast at the time this was written. A large number of houses located south of I10 were built as custom homes. Some areas were started in the 1800s and contain houses with character. People buy them and complete large-scale remodels trying to keep the original features e.g. a “Craftsman” style house.
Houses are being built along the beach at a brisk pace using lots cleared years before by Hurricane Katrina. These new homes are built higher with new standards to withstand future weather events. There are some older homes mixed in with the newer ones which tend to follow time-honored Southern styles e.g. columns and porches.
Above I10 and in some areas south of I10 you will find new and newer housing developments. Several local builders along with large national builders are busy constructing their homes. Military members and people moving from outside of the area are typical buyers of these new beautiful houses.
You will find it on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
If you want to build a new home on the beach, lots are available. If you would like to build a house on a five-acre lot and install a pond, these too are available. Buy a small ranch with livestock just North of I10. Want to live in a mobile home on your property? You can do that as well. There is something on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for everyone.
Prices are generally lower than what you find in Florida for the same type of house. I have covered some of the other important items when considering real estates such as low property taxes, senior property tax adjustments, and more.
Work from home
Our changing work environment allows many people to work from home. No more are you tied to living in a specific area. Your needs are simple. High-speed internet, a postal store such as UPS for packages, and any local services that are critical to your business. If you work at home perhaps living in a crowded area is not an issue until it is.
I started working from home when I moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. What I appreciated was the ability to take a drive somewhere to get away from the home office. I wanted to essentially feel the freedom of being outside and not jammed into traffic. When I went shopping, I did not want to compete for milk with lots of carts jamming the isles. When I go to the beach, I want to pull right up to the beach and step into the sand without searching for a parking space.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast has high-speed internet available with the same high speeds you will find in your big metro neighborhood. Lots of UPS stores for quick shipping and of course Amazon for those hard-to-find office supplies that are not stocked at the local Office Depot. If you have not considered working from home, it may be time to ask the boss.
If you work from home, you can consider the Mississippi Gulf Coast as a great alternative to moving to Florida. You will find everything you need on the Gulf Coast.
Retirement
Everyone knows that Florida is a good place to retire. Did you know that the Mississippi Gulf Coast is an even better place to retire? Probably not. Some of your key reasons for retiring in Florida you will find on the Mississippi Gulf Coast as discussed above. Many places in Florida are seriously overpriced and there are a couple of areas on the Mississippi Gulf Coast where you can spend more than one million dollars to buy a house.
If you want to retire to an area that is not crowded, wait times at restaurants are short, and you can see your doctor sometime this year, you will want to consider the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Please read this article, the most popular on this blog site. Why I Decided to Retire in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and this article goes into more detail Why you need to retire on the Mississippi Gulf Coast! They may help you with your decision.
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Loved the article
Thank you for the thoughtful and detailed article. I especially appreciated the school and entertainment sections. I’ll definitely be visiting to check out the low cost houses.
I’ll definitely be visiting. Thank you for the thoughtful and detailed article. I especially appreciated the school and entertainment sections.