Jackson or Tupelo for job change?
#1
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Jackson or Tupelo for job change?
I've lived in the midsouth before and am in northern VA now. A couple of very attractive jobs have opened and headhunters have called me to consider jobs in each of these towns---Jackson and Tupelo, MS. While I'm from the midwest originally, I love the south and do not want to move north again. I'd love some input regarding life in both of these communities. Fortunately I'm in a career with pretty significant income (a blessing) and am primarily interested in quality of life, neighborhoods, churches, the overall "friendliness" of the areas, etc.
I understand the difference in populations (and Tupelo's day time census of about 90,000 and their evening census of about 35,000) but what else would be helpful for me to know?
I understand the difference in populations (and Tupelo's day time census of about 90,000 and their evening census of about 35,000) but what else would be helpful for me to know?
#2
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Jackson is a city, Tupelo is a town. Focus on that. Tupelo is not even within easy reach of a city.
For someone with the kind of job that headhunters find, you are likely to travel. I would guess that airline travel is infinitely easier from Jackson, but check the routes you will most likely need on Expedia or elsewhere. We have relatives in Richmond who have to do a lot of travel, and everywhere requires a change in Charlotte or LaGuardia with lots of missed connections and overnights in airport hotels.
Having said that, and I think that may be the critical issue in your case, I have lived in both Jackson and in Northern Mississippi (Oxford) for a total of eight years (not as a student). Northern Mississippi is generally prettier and has a somewhat better climate. If you have children, there will be more educational options in Jackson.
For someone with the kind of job that headhunters find, you are likely to travel. I would guess that airline travel is infinitely easier from Jackson, but check the routes you will most likely need on Expedia or elsewhere. We have relatives in Richmond who have to do a lot of travel, and everywhere requires a change in Charlotte or LaGuardia with lots of missed connections and overnights in airport hotels.
Having said that, and I think that may be the critical issue in your case, I have lived in both Jackson and in Northern Mississippi (Oxford) for a total of eight years (not as a student). Northern Mississippi is generally prettier and has a somewhat better climate. If you have children, there will be more educational options in Jackson.
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Ackislander:
Thanks! In response, the nest at our house is empty but the hatchling is still connected via bank accout. We hope to announce the National Bank of Mom and Dad is soon to close, but for now there is still a consistent run on this bank!
We do travel a good deal and have been taking that into consideration as it appears that Memphis is about 90 minutes or so away. We're pretty spoiled in northern VA but our luck with travel in and out of Dulles and Reagan has been very spotty---about half our flights have signifcant delays and we probably have 1 of every 4 or 5 flights cancelled.
Thanks for the help!
Thanks! In response, the nest at our house is empty but the hatchling is still connected via bank accout. We hope to announce the National Bank of Mom and Dad is soon to close, but for now there is still a consistent run on this bank!
We do travel a good deal and have been taking that into consideration as it appears that Memphis is about 90 minutes or so away. We're pretty spoiled in northern VA but our luck with travel in and out of Dulles and Reagan has been very spotty---about half our flights have signifcant delays and we probably have 1 of every 4 or 5 flights cancelled.
Thanks for the help!
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Never saw one. Doesn't mean they don't have them.
Our house in Oxford was built on a slab, pretty much like every other house from the 1950's on. Our house in Jackson was probably built around 1920 and was built on brick pillars with lattice around the crawl space. Owing to a hill, one side of the crawl space was standup height.
Termites hate light, so many older homes in the south were built on pillars so that light could get under the house to keep the termites at bay. They will build mud tubes up the sides of the pillars, but you can see them and knock them down.
Our house in Oxford was built on a slab, pretty much like every other house from the 1950's on. Our house in Jackson was probably built around 1920 and was built on brick pillars with lattice around the crawl space. Owing to a hill, one side of the crawl space was standup height.
Termites hate light, so many older homes in the south were built on pillars so that light could get under the house to keep the termites at bay. They will build mud tubes up the sides of the pillars, but you can see them and knock them down.
#10
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I'd vote for Jackson simply because the Eastland neighborhood is hands down the prettiest I've ever seen.
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#11
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As a lifetime resident of Mississippi. Jackson is more of a city, but you would probably want to live in Brandon or Madison for the quality of life. As for schools, I'd send my children to private school if I lived in Jackson. Tupelo is an up and coming town. Tupelo is closer to Ole Miss and MSU(Universities).
I haven't checked the crime statistics, but I would think Jackson's is pretty high. That is why lots of people have moved to Madison and Brandon and commute to Jackson for work.
I haven't checked the crime statistics, but I would think Jackson's is pretty high. That is why lots of people have moved to Madison and Brandon and commute to Jackson for work.
#12
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More people work in Tupelo, Ms and live outside of Tupelo.
Jackson's traffic compared to Tupelo is worse. The shopping is better in Jackson, Ridgeland. When DH "really" want to shop we go to Jackson.
Regarding churches you will be happy with churches in both cities.
The crime rate is higher in Jackson.
Jackson has a fairly easy international airport to get from from most of Jackson.
Tupelo does have an airport. Memphis has an internation airport which is about 2 hours or less hours away form Tupelo, depending on who is driving, me or DH.
If you are into college sports Tupelo is closer to Ole Miss and MSU.
DH just said Tupelo is the more friendly of the two.
Mississippi will welcome you which ever city you choose. DH and I have lived in MS for 10 years and have been very happy with the move.
Have you been to either Jackson or Tupelo?
Karin
Ps, we don't have a basement but a traditonal foundation, not a slab, it has to do with the clay like soil.
Jackson's traffic compared to Tupelo is worse. The shopping is better in Jackson, Ridgeland. When DH "really" want to shop we go to Jackson.
Regarding churches you will be happy with churches in both cities.
The crime rate is higher in Jackson.
Jackson has a fairly easy international airport to get from from most of Jackson.
Tupelo does have an airport. Memphis has an internation airport which is about 2 hours or less hours away form Tupelo, depending on who is driving, me or DH.
If you are into college sports Tupelo is closer to Ole Miss and MSU.
DH just said Tupelo is the more friendly of the two.
Mississippi will welcome you which ever city you choose. DH and I have lived in MS for 10 years and have been very happy with the move.
Have you been to either Jackson or Tupelo?
Karin
Ps, we don't have a basement but a traditonal foundation, not a slab, it has to do with the clay like soil.
#13
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I just wondered if you had decided. My mom was from Tupelo, so we visited there a lot - the family had been there a long time, so they lived fairly close together in an older neighborhood - I loved it. DH and I were transferred to Jackson in 1989. We had lived in an old downtown neighborhood in Columbia, SC, and loved it - but we were advised (since by then we had a 1-year-old and expected more) that Brandon was better for young families (safer, better public schools) than the equivalent of our Columbia neighborhood (although, to be honest, we would have probably moved to a less downtown location in Cola as Will got older). Anyway, we ended up in Brandon. It was a nice area - lots of young families, safe, etc. - but it was the suburbs. I know it's grown a lot, but it wasn't as interesting as Tupelo. One huge plus - closer to NO!!!!!!!!! Our favorite Christmas/birthday/anytime present was in-laws (bless them) saying why don't we come down to stay with the kids and ya'll go to NO for a couple days!