I have a non-Doper friend who’s been trying to hang on in New Orleans, but her original home was destroyed and she’s had trouble finding a place to stay long-term with her dogs and cats, so is finally ready to give up and move somewhere else. She says, “Quality of life is everything.” Her mom is in Jackson, MS, but like so many of us she doesn’t want to be in the same town as mom, but still within a day’s drive, so she’s looking at:
Mobile, AL
Dothan, AL
Knovxille, TN
Memphis, TN
Can folks who live in those cities give me some idea what cost of living is like, and anything else you think someone would like about your city? Conversely, any minuses that she would want to know about – crime, weather, etc.? Any info at all would be helpful to her in making her decision.
How about Austin, TX? It isn’t all that far and I hear from family that lives there that it is the “new” New Orleans. I have never met anyone that lived there including my stepbrother and cousins that doesn’t rave about it.
Austin is right on the edge of a comfortable 1 day drive at 550 miles as well.
I am from the South and my parents live outside of Jackson, MS (Clinton) as well but they are moving this summer to TX because they say MS is about to go bankrupt because of Katrina (as if Mississippi needed other problems).
Out of the ones on the list, I would pick Memphis or Knoxville although neither one are a New Orleans or an Austin.
Good suggestion, Shagnasty – I’ll pass it along to her. She’s also looking for somewhere that pays bookkeepers a decent wage, which is another reason she’s not considering Mississippi; I’m not sure Alabama would be better, of course.
I also hear the best things about Austin – a funky, open-minded, artsy, liberal-leaning college town in the middle of Texas, complete with a huge public university, the state government headquarters, a booming tech industry, lots of young people, and tons of culture, including huge music and independent film scenes. I’d love to live there – if I ever leave Florida, it would be one of my top two or three destinations.
I actually lived in Austin for a number of years, so I’ve passed along you guys’ recommendation with my personal one as well. She is very appreciative, so thanks.
But if anyone has any actual input on the cities she’d originally expressed interest in, that would also be welcomed!
Another option might be Oxford, Mississippi. I lived there for 13 years, after living in Chapel Hill, NC, now moved back to Chapel Hill, but keeping property in Oxford. The other place thought to move was Austin, TX.
Oxford, MS, is a nicely kept secret. Very astute art and lit-wise, and with a small town demeanor. Too Southern confusing for LA types, but for someone used to NOLA, quite friendly, at least two NOLA natives running restaurants there, and an easy commute 2 hour run to Jackson. Muy cheaper than Austin. The owner of the local bookstore(also former prez of Independent Booksellers Association) is the Mayor!!
With all that Chapel Hill Has to offer, on par with Austin, I really miss Oxford. Of course, I haven’t lived in MSSPI since Katrina, so the economy could have shifted, but Oxford is worth a look. I truly loved living there.
Hi, all: Thanks for all the recommendations – I’m the friend seeking relocation from New Orleans. I’d also appreciate any contacts any of you might have in those areas for housing or employment searches. Any recommendations you can make as companies or folks that are good to do business with.
Thanks!
Picayune Mississippi and the surrounding area is nice, cost of living is about 70% of that in New Orleans. Everything’s cheaper…gas, insurance, property, tobacco, sales tax, state income tax. There are no really bad areas, unless you really want to be far from trailer parks. We moved to a nice gated subdivision with 1/3 acre lots and a lake. It’s quiet with a country-like atmosphere, yet it still has a neighborhood feel. And it’s 65 miles from my business in Gretna, Louisiana which is right around an hour drive.
You might look at Collierville, TN. It’s an affluent and growing suburb of Memphis. We drove up there recently to visit a nice new outdoor mall, and were very impressed. Lots of nice neighborhoods, new construction, etc…
