Why you need to retire on the Mississippi Gulf Coast!

Last updated on October 20th, 2024 at 02:34 pm

“Why do you NEED to retire on the Mississippi Gulf Coast”. The word “need” is in there because selecting the place to retire is a serious and profound decision that everyone must make at some time. Where will you retire? I suggest that you consider that you not only should retire on the Mississippi Gulf Coast but perhaps you actually “need” to retire on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Why select the Mississippi Gulf Coast?

What about retiring in Florida, Texas, Tennessee or Idaho? Answering these questions involves some personal input from the reader. Try the following questions:

• Do you want to retire in the same place with seemingly everyone else?
• If you are leaving where you are because it’s too expensive, how about these places, they all cost more than the Mississippi Gulf Coast
• Are you leaving for social reasons or politics? Do you want to go to the same types of places you are leaving with the same issues?
• Are the politics of your area becoming too much to bear?
• Do you like crowds and traffic helicopters? Are you trading one crowded place for another?
• Do you seek a different culture or way of living? Going to the short list above and similar places are not going to help you meet this requirement.
• How about affordable living near the beach without crowds? This is not possible for most people in places like California even many areas of Florida and other coastal areas. Why settle?

Some places are on a path to be crowded and expensive

Even if the places some people move to are not as crowded or expensive, it’s clear that many areas are on the way to achieving the same unlivable conditions that you want to get away from. Take Austin. Ten years ago it was a great place to live. Now it’s wall-to-wall housing, homeless and expensive. Those people from California who were trying to get away are now looking for the next place.

Why not jump ahead? Select a location that is not crowded now nor is there a never-ending trail of others going there. As terrific as the Mississippi Gulf Coast is, other than folks reading my blog, and talking to friends and relatives, the area is unknown. Ask yourself, outside of this blog, how many people have talked about moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast? Perhaps none.

As a resident who has relocated from California (read my story), I do not want this area to become a densely populated, expensive, and generally awful place to retire. I like the trickle concept. A few people constantly come in, they bring their friends and relatives but the New York Times and CNN keep talking up Denver, Seattle, and other crowded areas.

Yes, we want to grow as an area, to an extent that helps everyone. Most residents of the Mississippi Gulf Coast probably do not want the area to be listed in every article as the #1 place to live.

My brother and friends move to the Mississippi Gulf Coast

My brother and some friends moved here after I found the area. They ran the numbers and determined that they could have a great quality of life here. While they could have retired in CA and NV where they came from, they did not want to worry about not having enough left over to buy Christmas gifts.

As I type this, a couple living in Sacramento, CA decided it was time to get out before the value of their house suffered due to the social and economic changes in the area. My brother reviewed this article and a few others on this site and did some additional research. They concluded that living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast would enhance the quality of their lives. They are buying a 2,600 sq ft house in Biloxi for more than $80,000 less than their 1,400 sq ft house in Sacramento.

(The video below is from Logan-Anderson, Gulf Coastal Realtors. It’s Germain to the content of this article.

Mississippi Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Alabama

The Mississippi Gulf Coast extends from the Louisiana state line to the Alabama state line. Three counties border the gulf. There are some very nice areas in Mississippi to live however, I spend almost all of my time working and living in these three counties so this article will focus on them. Check out the map below, I want to talk about the differences between communities a bit.

Starting with the western portion of the Coast, the first community that I want to discuss is Bay St. Louis. This small city anchors the western portion of the Gulf Coast. Bay St. Louis was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. Rebuilding is still a work in progress. It’s impressive to see what the residents of Bay St. Louis have accomplished as they have and are revitalizing their community. It’s the “go-to” place for many who live in New Orleans.

Restaurant construction continues to be strong

Restaurants are springing up everywhere. Some local owners have hit success and are building more along the Gulf Coast. It seems most of the new restaurants are about local food and not the Interstate chains. Restaurants, bistros, bars, coffee shops, and shopping abound.

It’s a great place to live but prices for locals are rising as more people like you arrive and pay more for cottage homes on side streets. Waveland is also very nice just to the West. I will not cover all communities because of space here but you should get a flavor of the area. Read some restaurant reviews such as this about the El Aguila Mexican Restaurant by clicking here.

Coastal cities include Pass Christian and Long Beach

Moving on to the East the next stop is Gulfport. We pass by small coastal cities with harbors including Pass Christian and Long Beach also nice places to live. The railroad passes all along the coast so locals talk about North or South of the tracks. I will be talking more about the South of the tracks when I am talking about the beach. In part because the beach is South of the tracks and because many people who read this want to live near the beach.

Long Beach is growing not just with the construction of new houses but the large number of people coming from the area buying homes near the beach and rehabbing them. Many older homes built from the 1940s through the 1980s are turning tired neighborhoods into vibrant areas while keeping the basic character of the original house intact.

Property in Long Beach is affordable

Property in Long Beach is affordable compared to other areas along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The city is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina and as this is written at an even faster pace. A few years ago during COVID, a number of investors bought and now they are selling to people who want a real vacation home for their families. It would be hard to find a beautiful home within walking distance of any beach for the cost of buying an older home and remodeling it.

Before going on about Gulfport, I should mention that much of the growth here has been North of Interstate 10. You will find this type of expansion similar across the country. Builders look for open spaces as close to the population as possible and this area is no exception. The big box stores and housing developments are largely North of Interstate 10. More about this later.

Gulfport- the biggest and one of the newest cities

Gulfport was incorporated in the late 1800s as a working port city. It quickly became the hub of most of the Gulf Coast. Gulfport is the second-largest city in the state. I choose to locate my office in Gulfport near the government buildings along with other white-collar professionals. My office occupies a 1930’s house in downtown Gulfport. Many professionals have converted older homes into offices, a great way to restore and maintain them.

Attorneys, accountants, and other professionals have renovated houses from the late 1800s through the 1950s for their workplaces. The buildings are charming.

There are a variety of neighborhoods in Gulfport which I will go into in later blog articles. Again, I love the part of Gulfport mostly South of the railroad tracks.

I own several vacation rental properties south of the railroad tracks in Gulfport.

I will save you the trouble of asking why Gulfport:

• Price – Gulfport offers the best value near the beach of any community along the coast (that may change over time)
• Location – Dead Center in the most traveled part of the Gulf Coast, easy to reach Bay St. Louis and Ocean Springs.
• Property taxes- Among the lowest along the coast
• Elevation – Many properties are in an X Zone (old system) which means a lower insurance rating
• Inventory – There are beach and close-to-beach lots available for you to build on
• Business-friendly – For those who will start a business, the local government is very accommodating and employees are great to work with. No long lines and a can-do attitude.

Ok, we covered why I buy vacation rental homes here. There are also new housing developments north of I-10 worth looking at. There are two attractive neighborhoods off the beach if you like older homes and want to do some minor remodeling. An area near the Island View Casino and Broadmoor, at one time the place to live.

Gulfport is growing

The City of Gulfport is growing and evolving as more people arrive and rebuilding intensifies. Jobs are plentiful and elected officials are dedicated to continued improvement. I own multiple properties in Gulfport and support the community. By the way, there is no movement here to defund the police.

Check out the revitalized downtown area called Fishbone Alley. There are some good restaurants and a good daiquiri shop that I must admit, I have been to a few times.

Just east of Gulfport is Biloxi, one of the oldest cities on the Gulf Coast. Biloxi was for a while capital of the French government for what we call the Louisiana Purchase. Fishing supported Biloxi years ago and now Biloxi is home to several casinos.

Along with Gulfport, Biloxi suffered from Katrina

There are several beachfront lots still for sale in Biloxi. Those lots are a result of the damage done by Hurricane Katrina more than a decade ago. Replacement homes are stunning. These along with homes that survived make a drive along the beach very interesting. My wife and I drive from Ocean Springs through Biloxi and Gulfport often and love looking at the homes and the beaches. There are always new homes under construction or being remodeled so we check their progress.

Similar to some areas of Biloxi, if you love older homes, build from the late 1800s to the 1950’s you will love Biloxi. Neighborhoods are beautiful with these older homes and live oaks hundreds of years old.

There are shops and restaurants sprinkled all along the coast in Biloxi. This is another nice place if you want to live near the beach or on a bay at an affordable price. There are some nice homes in Biloxi along its bay.

Downtown Biloxi is a work in progress

One of the biggest projects is rebuilding their 19th-century downtown. Restaurants and other venues are opening around the area. Biloxi has events regularly usually held at the park on the beach highway across from the Hardrock Casino. The city hosts several marinas and commercial fishing is still a big business here. Plans are being developed to build a very large resort on a beachfront property that once was home to a famous hotel. [check out this article about Biloxi, click here]

Considering that the area was founded in 1699, it’s exciting to see so much development. The development is sustainable meaning for me that the homes and businesses that are being built are by and large complementary to the other buildings around them. Rebuilt houses have a similar look (although modernized) to the original housing. Many older homes (not built to modern hurricane standards) were destroyed and replacement homes are similar in size.

An example of a rebuild is next to this text. Some homes have been rebuilt in a very similar style e.g. Craftsman. You can read more about Biloxi on our site. Homes in the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast are similar in construction. Many newer homes tend to have brick exteriors or a combination. Another article focuses on Gulf Coast home architecture. New homes have been and are being built on the beach using land once occupied by businesses and homes.

When I arrived there were many empty lots on U.S. 90, Beach Blvd. Those lots selling fast and beautiful homes are being built with a view of the Gulf of Mexico.

Ocean Springs is a favorite

This community is the oldest on the entire Gulf Coast. The French landed in 1699 and promptly made Ocean Springs the capital of their new holdings in this part of the New World. You can visit the location of their first Fort Maurepas which is now a park. What a lovely small city.

There are several older homes from the 1800s in the center of town. Ocean Springs is home to some of the most beautiful old-growth live oak trees. Many of the trees predate the French settlers. Walk the sidewalks and look at not only the very large live oaks but very large magnolia trees. These trees are protected by law.

The core city consists of a few streets with shops, restaurants, and bars. It’s a very nice place to walk around and shop. Antiques and art are their specialties. Ocean Springs is an artist’s community.

Ocean Springs Front Beach

The main beach called Front Beach is very attractive but small compared to other communities’ beaches. There are other beaches you can reach in a short drive. My wife and I love to walk around Ocean Springs and look at the attractive cottages and houses including landscaping. People in Ocean Springs love to garden. At times the Camellia and Azelia bushes are in full bloom.

A suggestion: Stop at Lil Market in downtown Ocean Springs, grab a bagel, and coffee, and enjoy at Ft Maurepas Park on the Beach. My wife and I do this at least twice each week in the morning.

Newer homes are being built on the East side of the City in an area about to be annexed into the City. These are small enclaves of 10-20 all built on a single street. There is some large-scale development by DR Horton and others closer to the beach on the far East side of Ocean Springs in the County Unincorporated area. Prices are lower there compared to within the Ocean Springs City Limit

Some communities surround Ocean Springs including Gulf Hills which has its history. Al Capone’s crew used to come down from Chicago and spend weeks during the winter. Lots of famous people have stayed in the Gulf Hills including Elvis (many times). The golf course is owned by the residents, the public is permitted. This is a mature development some of which is located on Old Fort Bayou/Biloxi Bay.

New homes are being built around the area just North which is called Ocean Springs for mailing purposes but is just outside of the City limits minutes from the beaches and casinos in Biloxi.

Yacht clubs

Each city along the coast has at least one harbor and a yacht club. These clubs are social. Some members do not have boats. It’s all about socializing. They host events and participate in boating events. You can grab a drink and sit on the deck or patio. I encourage people to join or at least visit one of these clubs if they want to meet people. The one in Ocean Springs was rebuilt after Katrina.

The other Mississippi Gulf Coast communities

There are more communities along the Mississippi Gulf coast including Gautier, Pascagoula, and Moss Point plus cities a few miles inland from Diamondhead on the West to D’Iberville on the East with a sprinkling of communities located in county unincorporated areas. Each of these small cities or places has its unique character from semi-rural to very rural. Some have rivers running through them. Read this article about our cities.

Diamondhead is mostly a master-planned community with an association. Lots of people retire in Diamondhead and a part of it borders the bay. The proximity to New Orleans is great as some people who live there work in the New Orleans area.

Diberville a newer community

D’iberville named after the French founder of the area is a newer city. There are numerous developments in this City along with what may be the largest shopping complex situated on Interstate 10. You can live on a river in D’Iberville or on the Northside of Biloxi Bay.

Gautier, Pascagoula, and Moss Point are on the Eastern end of the area. Gautier borders Ocean Springs and offers nice places to live with lower property taxes. Cross the large Pascagoula River and estuary to reach the cities of Pascagoula and Moss Point. Both of these cities are big contributors to the wealth of the Gulf Coast as they are home to refineries and shipbuilding companies. There is little new home building occurring in the area in part due to its built-up area and many waterways surrounding the area.

Want some space, you should consider property in the northern portions of the Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties. Their coastal cities are mentioned here but there are very nice semi-rural communities with acreage. Vancleve which is just north of I-10 even offers riverfront property. A little further north is Saucier. Property costs are somewhat lower and you can find a home with several acres or build one.

Schools, culture, and customs

Schools are rated by several online websites, I will not comment on specific ratings here. The point is that you have choices and the fact that the schools are good means that property values tied to schools will benefit. Parents I have spoken to about Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Pass Christian schools agree that their children are receiving a good education.

I am not mentioning other areas because I have no information from any direct source on those schools. It should be sufficient to suggest that people moving into the area should expect their children to receive a good education with of course their participation. One thing I see firsthand is the participation of parents at sporting events. It’s very high. I live near several schools and drive by them every day.

Try to get into a high school football game, you will be lucky to find a seat. Residents treat their school sports with reverence here, much more than I experienced in California.

This is the deep South

This brings me to culture and customs. This is the deep south and everything from saying y’all to eating crawfish is unique to much of the country. We have Cajun food from New Orleans Southern food and fantastic seafood. Coming from California but living all over the country, there is no more unique culture than that of the South. This area is a melting pot of French, Spanish, and English-speaking people from the previous centuries along with contributions from African-American culture.

Forget all of the rumors and propaganda about the Deep South that you have heard when you live in other states. I was raised in California, my parents were from Illinois. Everything I had heard about the area came from my environment which did not include anyone from the Mississippi Gulf. Before I go further, understand that as with so many regions around the country, the Mississippi Gulf Coast does not share a lot with the rest of Mississippi.

A word about the Military residents

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is a favored destination for military retirees. Starting with zero property taxes for 100% disabled veterans to a substantial discount on property taxes for others over age 65. Then on to zero state income tax on military retirement benefits.

Keesler Air Force Base and the Sea Bee base provide shopping and medical opportunities for retired military. I love the fact that thousands of active-duty military surround us every day. These young people are among the type of good neighbors we all want around us. They also bring in income to the area.

For both active duty and retired military, the cost of housing here is among the lowest in the nation. There are so many good reasons why the Mississippi Gulf Coast has become home to so many veterans.

Our culture

Our culture here on a geographical basis is a swath from just West of New Orleans over to Mobile along the coast and inland about 50 miles. Outside of this band, the culture changes along with demographics and economics. Yes, Mississippi is a poor state when compared to economics. When compared to culture, it has to be near the top.

Stop looking at those silly articles that give you the top X of this and the bottom X of that. Normally those articles deal with “cities” meaning big cities. I recently checked on some statistics about medical services. A well-known magazine listed Mississippi at the bottom of the list for health care. Actually, the Mississippi Gulf Coast has more beds per capita than the U.S. average by a big margin. Same with high school graduates, the Mississippi Gulf Coast had better rates of graduation than the national average.

I have read some that say Mississippi has the worst medical care or not enough etc. Perhaps they are correct in some rural counties in the heartland but along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, things are far different.

Even Starbucks found us

We are not toothless and take baths only on Saturday. Improvements to roads and highways are always ongoing. And even Starbucks has found a home here. In what way the movie Deliverance was not filmed here? Yes, people do carry guns and they do hunt but they also go to restaurants and listen to rock and roll music (County music is big here).

Without a doubt, there is a church on every corner. More than I have ever seen in any other area of the country in one place.

People along the Mississippi Gulf Coast love their events. One of the largest is Cruzin-the-Coast where thousands of classic cars converge every year. You may be interested in Scrapin and Jeeping the Coast as well where even more types of vehicles come here. We also have other events including lots of parades e.g. St Patrick’s, Veterans, and of course Mardi Gras. Don’t forget the Jones Park Christmas Light Fair.

People here have faith

Christianity is dominant here. The first churches here were Catholic. Southern Baptists and other Baptist churches flourish here. This is not to say that other religions are not present, they are. There is much diversity when it comes to houses of worship. I do not doubt that the fact so many people were raised in a family that believed in something larger than themselves has contributed to the stability of the area.

You would not be looked down upon if you do not attend church. There is little if any prejudice regarding faith in this area.

Conservatives are at home here

Here it is, most of the South is conservative and the Mississippi Gulf Coast is no exception. The vast majority of elected officials here are conservative. It seems that many people moving to this area are coming here for their political affiliation. Interesting how something as mundane as politics can be a deciding factor on where people relocate to. Should you be one of the minorities of voters who are in the middle or even liberal, you will not be persecuted.

The fact that so many people are of a mind on so many issues means that people do not often discuss politics here (at least national politics). When masks were mandated everywhere else they were not here( we had our short time). Stores and casinos were open when similar properties in other states were locked down. Children were attending live classes when other states were keeping them at home.

Should any of this offend you, the great thing about the U.S. is that you can live anywhere you want. Conservatives will feel at home and liberals will find there is tolerance. I think that is about as good as things can get today.

No state income tax – Retirement income

Time to briefly hit two important topics for those who will be retiring. Starting with income taxes. There is NO state income tax on retirement income in Mississippi. That means IRA and 401k distributions as well as Social Security and pension (you must meet the age requirement for some exemptions). California charges tax on IRA and 401k distributions at a big rate. So this will make Mississippi more competitive with other states without a state income tax. $500,000 goes further in Mississippi.

Unfortunately living in this great place does not prevent you from paying state income tax earned income but you will love the rate at no higher than 5% (after deductions). Compare that to double-digit state taxes elsewhere. You may want to read this article about the benefits of being over 65 on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Medical Care

As we get older, we need more medical care. Many areas of the country may be suitable for retirement but they lack available medical care. Not so along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. There are three large hospital groups here along with the Veterans Hospital and Air Force Hospital. I was joking about a church on every corner, that is not true but it may be true there is a pharmacy or a clinic on every corner.

The medical groups have outpatient care facilities throughout the Gulf Coast. There are excellent specialists here and the vast majority of doctors on the Gulf Coast earned their degrees in the U.S. with many being natives of Mississippi. I see degrees from LSU, Ole Miss, and medical schools around the nation. Retired military doctors practice here.

Hospitals are not overcrowded

Employees of medical clinics and hospitals are usually from the area. They love their jobs for the most part because they are able to go off to school and come back home to work. Their positive attitudes from my personal experience make going to the doctor’s office a bit easier. So, no issues with specialists in almost all areas here. Should there be a need for expertise elsewhere, teaching universities in New Orleans are just down the road?

The following is a list of nurses per patient ratio in Mississippi Gulf Coast hospitals:

Hospital	Nurses per Patient Ratio
Memorial Hospital at Gulfport	4.8:1
Ocean Springs Hospital	5.2:1
Biloxi Regional Medical Center	5.5:1
Jefferson Davis Hospital	6.2:1
Singing River Hospital	6.7:1

These ratios are higher than the national average of 5.3:1. There are also more beds per capita on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The facts are often buried in biased articles that include rural communities in a very large State.

Read more about medical care in our article on this subject by clicking here:

How about our Humidity?

I had to get into the humidity issue because so many people from outside of the area asked about it. Perfect, I am in a good position to talk about this since I lived in CA and NV where there is almost no humidity unless you are on the beach. Yes, there are months with humidity levels that are uncomfortable. It’s all about the rain. When it rains and the sun is out the next day it will be very humid during the later summer.

Since you will be retired and not changing a roof, you can make it through those few months where it can be somewhat uncomfortable for some not all. I am acclimated now and do any heavy work in the early morning. Most of the time I am in some type of climate-controlled environment as you would be. Your home will be fine as the AC removes the moisture. Your skin will feel great all year. In CA, I suffered from dry skin, but not here.

The breeze on your boat the beach or your deck will help. I sit on my boathouse on the bayou and it’s always breezy away from the sun. Very nice. Then there is the fall, winter, and spring when the sunny weather is comfortable. If you come from the Midwest or East, you understand humidity. It’s only those folks from the West who are afraid of a little humidity.

Ok, since I opened the door let’s talk about other warts. Hurricanes. Well, let’s not talk about hurricanes here. I have written a whole blog article about “Live on the Gulf Coast with storms and hurricanes“, read it by clicking before this.

Back to you why you NEED to retire on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

This detour around the Mississippi Gulf Coast introducing you to communities and culture was to provide a flavor for our area. Having done that, it’s time to get back to the NEED thing. I recall when I first started looking around the area, what struck me was how 1950s the area was. What I mean is that coming is a “cultured, coastal elite” where there was a Starbucks every mile. Let me not leave out all the Whole Foods and Costco’s. You get the picture, we needed those stores and venues, or living in the traffic would have been unbearable.

When I first arrived the only Starbucks was inside a casino. There were few expresso-type coffee shops, no Whole Foods. No Costco or any grocery store required motorized transportation to go from one side to the other. Few chain restaurants except for the burger stores. We were forced to eat at small local restaurants and shop at stores that sold pork rinds. For some, this experience would be what is called “culture shock”.

Fortunately for me, I lived in rural Pennsylvania years ago when my job moved me. Talk about culture shock. Surf and turn were kielbasa and carp. Ethnic food was Italian food. I went to buy an avocado at the new supermarket and the checker asked me what it was. Ok, that was a real culture shock.

Coming from experience

Coming from this experience to the Mississippi Gulf Coast after what was happening in California was a pleasure. I just loved it. Growing up in the later ’50s in California was just like it was here when we arrived. Finally, I found a real barbershop where I was not exposed to hair coloring chemical odors. I paid $10 for my first haircut here and the barber was a city council member.

Well, without a doubt, we had made the best decision to get out of the rat race that was California and as I was born there. In the subsequent few years that we have lived here full time, Starbucks opened a couple of stores (I admit, I live cappuccinos). A Wholefoods and Costco opened in Mobile a 40-minute drive. Large grocery stores were completely remodeled and more restaurants were under construction.

What the Mississippi Gulf Coast does not have

This is why you NEED to move to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. You can find what you need when you need it. From good medical care to freshly caught gulf shrimp. We have it all except for the following:

• Smog on any day
• Traffic helicopter
• Rush hour (maybe a bit at the Air Force Base entrance and along with parts of U.S. 90 for a few minutes)
• Snow (read this article about Snowbirds)
• Crowds at the beach
• State taxes on retirement income
• The beach is lined with tall condos and apartments
• Looting and demonstrating lead to crime
• Parks full of homeless (food and comfort is better in California)
• Beaches are closed at dusk (ours are open 24-7)
• Full-time legislature (our representatives must work to have other sources of income e.g. a job)
• Sales tax on the portion of the trade-in value when buying a new vehicle
• Toll roads or toll bridges
• COVID lockdown
• High gasoline and diesel prices
• The requirement to be multilingual

It should be obvious that I could go on and on about what we do not have that larger cities and metros have which you do not want. These are all reasons why you NEED to move to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Now for some of what we do have:

Now for some of what the Mississippi Gulf Coast has

• Lots and lots of beaches
• Clean beaches
• Wide beaches
• Great regional airport (Delta, American, and United) daily service
• Great seafood some caught daily
• Parades, pride in being American
• Parking for Veterans at Lowes
• Proximity to large cities, Mobile, and New Orleans (to get your city fixed)
• Senior reduction in property taxes
• 8-year drivers license
• Numerous hospitals and doctors
• Trees, lots of trees particularly live oaks hundreds of years old
• Clean air
• Social events all year
• Soft water (in most areas it’s natural)
• Cajun culture and food
• Southern hospitality
• People call others mam and sir
• Children graduate from high school
• The large retired military community
• Open spaces
• Affordable housing
• Cheap gasoline
• Friendship
• Highly rated schools
• English is the language in schools and in commerce

At this point, how many more reasons do you NEED to consider moving to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for retirement? Take your time, and compare what you have read here with what you have read about those other places that “EVERYONE” is moving to. Really? Do you want to expend your hard-earned money, move to one of those other places, and determine you made a mistake?

My final example. Neighbors bought a house several doors down. They had moved from one of the very big crowded states (imagine it’s yours) to a community in Florida. They moved here one year later. I was told that Florida was expensive and getting more expensive. Florida was crowded, with lines at all venues all of the time, and traffic was terrible. Our neighbors made a very big mistake and corrected their mistake by moving here.

Moved to Florida because others were moving there

They moved to Florida because others were moving there. Wow, a great reason to follow the herd as I have written in another article. Great for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I do want a flood of people coming here, let them keep going to the other places. People like you are reading this article and you are in the minority. Ok, you are permitted to make the move because you found this blog article.

More about Retiring on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

Check back for articles about medical, shopping, restaurants, schools, activities, gardening zones, events, clubs, local government, golf courses, home styles, casinos, and even local fauna including bugs. This blog site was designed originally to cover several topics surrounding retirement. Click here for one example.

It has become clear to me that many people are interested in relocation. Not just to retire but for a change. With all of the chaos going on around the country, some people just want to be safe and secure. They want a place where they can raise their children without fear that wacky stuff is taught in schools or they are closed for some reason.

One of the biggest problems I find with the Mississippi Gulf Coast is that it’s difficult to choose which Gulf Coast Cities to retire in. Perhaps you will find the perfect city and house for your retirement years. Retiring in Mississippi is a journey. Leave behind all of the political issues in other areas, and come to a place where y’all enjoy the people here who have no axe to grind.

For these and other reasons, I will continue to write about various topics but with a focus on living along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Browse around

Please click on the links throughout this article for other articles in more depth on a variety of topics that I just touched on. Also, remember, I am just one person, this blog reflects my experiences. The best thing you can do is to visit the area and see for yourself. Spend at least a week here. Talk to people, look around.

Consider staying at a vacation rental property while you come to look around. ChristiesGulfBeachRentals.com has a large variety of properties available. You may decide to buy a vacation property of your own.

As it happens, I am a real estate agent. Contact me on this site or at the Logan-Anderson, Gulf Coastal Realtors site if you would like to see some homes. If you would like to see a fully furnished vacation property let us know.

Thank you for reading my blog. Please leave comments. Listen to our podcast below:

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