What keeps you in Mississippi?

[Bruce Dakinson]

Since we are playing BYE this week, just wanted to know pack; what keeps you in Mississippi? Will you ever leave?

I moved out of the state around 7 years ago and even though I still return to see friends and family, I can't imagine a life in the state.

 

[randystewart]

I've lived several places around DC and VA, and honestly much prefer Starkville.

 

[MarkDallas]

I like it because a lot of the pretentious jackholes move away.

 

[Clarence Boddicker]

This was discussed a few months ago ad nauseum.

My question to you is - what do you think the future of MSU is, if the state of Mississippi has no future, as you say?

And I'm curious, specifically, what is it that is so greater in other places? Suburban restaurants? Pro sports? Splash pads?

 

[Shmuley]

Career, extended and faith family commitments, difficulty uprooting and leaving, investments, a sense of loyalty. But I daydream about getting the hell out one day. Now that we have lottery, I might be able to bolt after I hit that power ball ****.

 

[paindonthurt_]

You can make X here and X anywhere else. Here you are way ahead with that same X and sometimes X plus say 15%.

I like the people.
I like the values.
I love the bulldogs.
I love Starkville.
My family is close.
My friends are closer.

Bc of X above, I have enough disposable income to visit a lot of places just long enough to enjoy them but not so long that I miss the great hospitality state.

With all that said, I’d move for the right price to anywhere in the world. That price would be enough for me to be ahead of where I am now and still come back multiple times a year.

 

[MSUDC11]

I’ve only ever lived in Mississippi. I like the people in this state and want to see the it grow. My family is happy in Mississippi at the moment and we can build a good life here while still being close to family.

 

[Faustdog]

I lived in a large city in another state for about five years. It’s a popular city with a young and affluent population and generally considered a cool place to be. I moved back to Mississippi, and I couldn’t be happier to be back.

Despite what you hear from some, there are a lot of good things going on in Jackson.

 

[vhdawg]

It's relatively close to Mississippi State University.

 

[Clarence Boddicker]

I lived in a large city in another state for about five years. It’s a popular city with a young and affluent population and generally considered a cool place to be. I moved back to Mississippi, and I couldn’t be happier to be back.

Despite what you hear from some, there are a lot of good things going on in Jackson.

Boom. Same story for me.

 

[StinkyIronDawg]

Job, family and proximity to Starkville. I would definitely move more north as long as I was within 5 hrs from ‘Vegas.

I need some lower humidity in my life!

 

[Leeshouldveflanked]

I live in NE MS... Low unemployment, relatively low cost of living and good public schools....I travel for my work Nashville, Bham, Little Rock and none of those cities appeal to me.... however Im originally from Tallahatchie County and that is a not so good place to live.

 

[coach66]

I have lived in Miss most of my life with the exception of some time spent in

south Louisiana right out of college (Baton Rogue, Layayatte, New Orleans). I love south Louisiana and still visit to fish as much as I can. I have traveled many places in my career and have the financial means to live where I choose but I choose Miss. because it is home and I love the outdoor lifestyle, family values and SEC sports and slower pace. I also hate traffic and the fast paced grind of large cities.

 

[mcdawg22]

I left 12 years ago and I couldn’t see moving back.

 

[msu86]

1. Family. Can’t image not being able to go visit and help out my aging parents. There will be a time they are gone and I will know my kids and me spent as much time with them as we could.

2. Hunting and Fishing. Land is expensive. Family land is free. The men in my family all live and breathe the outdoors hunting whatever game is in season(deer, turkey, rabbit, squirrel) and fishing in the best public freshwaters in the country. Mississippi is an outdoorsman’s dream.

 

[Bruce Dakinson]

This was discussed a few months ago ad nauseum.

My question to you is - what do you think the future of MSU is, if the state of Mississippi has no future, as you say?

And I'm curious, specifically, what is it that is so greater in other places? Suburban restaurants? Pro sports? Splash pads?

I'll bite.

- Also. I said I didn't see my life there. Not that it has no future.

MSU will continue to have marginal growth at best. Being a public university that doesn't have a particularly strong presence in funding and grants, MSU will continue to make money how most SEC tend to, which is university advertising through sports and academic standards above community colleges. Before that triggers anyone, most public universities have to play this game.

I've lived in three very different places since my time at MSU: San Francisco, Nashville and Austin. Now, you won't hear me claim SF was a good place. These places have more job opportunities and competitive wages. Because of this I can negotiate contracts much more aggressively. Being in the medical field this has been very fruitful. My family still lives in MS and I look from time to time to see what is available. It is depressingly limited.

And yes.. pro teams, live music, counties that don't live in the 1920's and ban alcohol, 10-15 minute drives to an international airport, thriving food scene, much better schools, healthier/fitter people, lower drug use, lower property crime, and lower violent crime.

I ask you, what specifically makes Mississippi better than any other place?

 

[J-Dawg]

I’ve only ever lived in Mississippi. I like the people in this state and want to see the it grow. My family is happy in Mississippi at the moment and we can build a good life here while still being close to family.

This is how I feel. I've traveled everywhere, but still choose to stay here. Just depends on people's priorities, I guess. Sure, I could make more money, have nicer amenities and opportunities somewhere else, but to me that doesn't outweigh being close to family, lifelong friends, and all the outdoor recreational hobbies that I have been brought up on.

I don't really care one way or another if or why people that were born and/or raised here move away and start a life elsewhere. I do care when they return to ask us "why do you stay in Mississippi? You should leave" etc etc. Our personal reasons can't necessarily be applied to anothers' situation. In my mind, writing off Mississippi as a dumb, poor, backwoods place and leaving it is essentially giving up on it. And nothing will ever change if you give up on it. I guess I feel a somewhat personal and civic duty to try and make it a better place. Similar to how we want MSU to succeed regardless of circumstances. Sure.... it's easy to jump ship and become an Alabama fan when times are tough.

 

[57stratdawg]

All the young people*

 

[Maroon Eagle]

I daydream about it a lot (but hey, we're Bulldogs, so I know we're supposed to abandon all hope) & have also been known to say that I'm bolting when I hit the power ball.

I'm here because of my career (I'm way too vested in Mississippi PERS to leave now but ask me again in a few years when I qualify for state retirement) and family commitments.

 

[Cary Hudson's little bro]

1. Family. Can’t image not being able to go visit and help out my aging parents. There will be a time they are gone and I will know my kids and me spent as much time with them as we could.

2. Hunting and Fishing. Land is expensive. Family land is free. The men in my family all live and breathe the outdoors hunting whatever game is in season(deer, turkey, rabbit, squirrel) and fishing in the best public freshwaters in the country. Mississippi is an outdoorsman’s dream.

Agree with this guy.

There is no traffic where I live now. None, ever. I grew up in Jackson.

Nice people everywhere and I have 3 kids so I would rather raise them here than in Austin or Nashville

 

[jack daniels dog]

Only reason I’ve ever considered leaving was the mosquito population (live in the delta). Other than that, can about do what I want, it’s quiet, small enough everyone knows your name and if your kids get out of line not ashamed to tell you, good hunting, and just no other particular reason to leave. Rooted here to stay

 

[J-Dawg]

I'll bite.

- Also. I said I didn't see my life there. Not that it has no future.

MSU will continue to have marginal growth at best. Being a public university that doesn't have a particularly strong presence in funding and grants, MSU will continue to make money how most SEC tend to, which is university advertising through sports and academic standards above community colleges. Before that triggers anyone, most public universities have to play this game.

I've lived in three very different places since my time at MSU: San Francisco, Nashville and Austin. Now, you won't hear me claim SF was a good place. These places have more job opportunities and competitive wages. Because of this I can negotiate contracts much more aggressively. Being in the medical field this has been very fruitful. My family still lives in MS and I look from time to time to see what is available. It is depressingly limited.

And yes.. pro teams, live music, counties that don't live in the 1920's and ban alcohol, 10-15 minute drives to an international airport, thriving food scene, much better schools, healthier/fitter people, lower drug use, lower property crime, and lower violent crime.

I ask you, what specifically makes Mississippi better than any other place?

I'll bite on your question, and by judging the cities you've listed, my answer on why I think MS is better than those places is probably your answer on why it is worse.

It's smaller, less crowded, and less "busy".

 

[kired]

Career, extended and faith family commitments, difficulty uprooting and leaving, investments, a sense of loyalty. But I daydream about getting the hell out one day. Now that we have lottery, I might be able to bolt after I hit that power ball ****.

This is me. I fully plan on leaving one day when my parents & in-laws pass on - hopefully a long time from now. We really have no close family here other than them. I’m sort of drawn to the bigger cities (not huge, but bigger than the typical MS towns). But not sure I could live with the extra traffic. 15 minute drive to work has spoiled me the last 12 years.

 

[GloryDawg]

Been around the world in military and have visited most of the States. Many nice places to visit but I like living in Mississippi.

 

[Hugh's Burner Phone]

I love MS because I love the slow pace of life. No matter where you are in the state you are never more than a 15 minute drive from being out in a rural area. My family has an old farmstead that used to be my grandparents. 240 acres of peace and quiet. I can go there and at night actually see the stars and hear the tree frogs and crickets. The nearest neighbor is almsot a mile away as is the nearest paved road.

I love MS because of the sense of community. Those that are here are here, for the most part, because they want to be here so there is a like mindedness with similar values and desires in life.

I love MS because it is home. I have visited 37 states and done some international travel. I love travelling and visiting other places, but I love coming back home to MS. MS is who I am.

And it is this mindset is also why I am a MSU fan and not of some other school where old times aren't forgotten. TSUN reminds me of the rest of the nation looking down on MS, or in this case, MSU. They think they are better than us just because of where we are and our rural upbringing. That taps into my stubborn pride of who I am and where I am from. If the rest of the nation wants to laugh at me and my home then screw them. If TSUN wants to laugh at me and somehow think they are superior because of the team they identify with then screw them, too. I'm from MS and I am a MSU fan and if the world doesn't like it then the world can bow up and kiss my ***.

 

[Bruce Dakinson]

Job, family and proximity to Starkville. I would definitely move more north as long as I was within 5 hrs from ‘Vegas.

I need some lower humidity in my life!

Strong join date to post ratio brother

 

[the dog is on the loose]

Born and raised in this state and have lived here all my life. If it weren't for wife and I being so close to our family we would move to eastern tenn or NC in a heartbeat. Love the mountains and racing. There is plenty of both in those places. Every time something that could be entertaining gets brought up here it gets shot down. Dilapidated coliseum in jackson needs to be torn down (state owned of course),talk of a nascar style track to be built in the bolton area many years ago (shot down), jxn international speedway closed down in '85, pearl dragstrip closed down many years ago, not one go cart track for kids to ride on, etc,etc. I'm just tired of going to other states and see stuff getting done and here its just all talk and no action.

 

[StillTbonewannabe]

We moved for better jobs. We now live north of Atlanta and really like it. We just like having more things to do such as concerts and pro sports.

We will probably retire to Starkville because we both love it there but that is the only place in MS we would live. It would be a lot different if I enjoyed hunting and fishing but I do not.

 

[BigBully]

I was born and raised in MS, lived there most of my life, but was fortunate to travel extensively (international and domestic) on a weekly basis. This year we moved to the Panhandle of FL and I will not be back to MS, other than going to visit family and MSU activities. We downsized our house, bought a condo at the beach and have enjoyed every second of it. One of the glaring things I have noticed is the politeness of folks here in the service industries as compared to Miss (i.e, county / city workers, local shops, grocery stores, etc). Also, the access to quality airports and flight options, entertainment, and the drastic reduction of major crimes as compared to Jackson. Not to mention FL doesn't have a state income tax!

BB

 

[o_dawgnabit]

I currently live in Atlanta but would love to move back for multiple reasons

-close to Mississippi State
-be closer to all my college friends
-I’m a huge Duck hunter and would love to get back in a club in the delta.
-not a crowd person and like the idea of having a slower life

My issue with not moving back is the obvious one Mississippi has struggled with and that’s job opportunity. I’m in outside sales and haven’t been able to find good enough opportunities to bring me back. Even when I graduated in 2016, all the jobs I interviewed for from the college career fair, none of them were offering to keep me in the state.

 

[LTblows]

2.5 kids, SUV, White picket fence, in a Jackson suburb appeals to a lot of Mississippians. I used to think I was a MS Lifer. I was a huge proponent of Jackson. Then Chokwe got elected and I realized I didn’t want to be there any more. Moved to Seattle, and it was the greatest decision. The Northwest is an outdoor lover’s paradise, and Seattle is an economic boomtown. Cannot imagine going back now.

 

[GloryDawg]

We moved for better jobs. We now live north of Atlanta and really like it. We just like having more things to do such as concerts and pro sports.

We will probably retire to Starkville because we both love it there but that is the only place in MS we would live. It would be a lot different if I enjoyed hunting and fishing but I do not.

The money I make would be real good in Atlanta but in Miss it is really good.

 

[Spidey.sixpack]

I grew up in the Hattiesburg Area (Petal) and have lived in Las Vegas, Laurel, and now Mobile, AL since graduating. Sometimes I miss living out west but I was very far from family. Now I am only a couple hours drive from them. I'd like to move back, but there aren't many opportunities for a chemical engineer in the parts of the state that i want to live.

 

[Clarence Boddicker]

2.5 kids, SUV, White picket fence, in a Jackson suburb appeals to a lot of Mississippians. I used to think I was a MS Lifer. I was a huge proponent of Jackson. Then Chokwe got elected and I realized I didn’t want to be there any more. Moved to Seattle, and it was the greatest decision. The Northwest is an outdoor lover’s paradise, and Seattle is an economic boomtown. Cannot imagine going back now.

If I was to go anywhere else, I think the Pacific Northwest would be it. My next vacation will be out there.

 

[Clarence Boddicker]

I grew up in the Hattiesburg Area (Petal) and have lived in Las Vegas, Laurel, and now Mobile, AL since graduating. Sometimes I miss living out west but I was very far from family. Now I am only a couple hours drive from them. I'd like to move back, but there aren't many opportunities for a chemical engineer in the parts of the state that i want to live.

Hattiesburg is quietly becoming a cool place.

https://www.clarionledger.com/get-a...urg-opens-leaf-river-water-sports/1536777002/

 

[deadheaddawg]

The slow pace of life is great. But it does lead to a slow pace of change. That's one reason why Mississippi is so far behind most places in things like education.

No place is perfect and every place has something good.

My family is here. I love the state. Will never leave. Great place to hunt and fish. Favorable gun laws. Good food. SEC sports. Amazing Music and literature history.

Hopefully we can pick up.the pace slightly. Change the flag. Improve education. Legalize medical marijuana. Ect.

The slow pace is one thing I love, but we still need to be aware and able to change

 

[Clarence Boddicker]

The slow pace of life is great. But it does lead to a slow pace of change. That's one reason why Mississippi is so far behind most places in things like education.

No place is perfect and every place has something good.

My family is here. I love the state. Will never leave. Great place to hunt and fish. Favorable gun laws. Good food. SEC sports. Amazing Music and literature history.

Hopefully we can pick up.the pace slightly. Change the flag. Improve education. Legalize medical marijuana. Ect.

The slow pace is one thing I love, but we still need to be aware and able to change

Maybe we could pick a few choice places and pick up the pace there. Jackson obviously needs to be one of them.

 

[ronpolk]

I didn’t grow up here. I grew up split between Tampa and Fort Walton Beach. My parents grew up in MS and then moved to Florida for work, so I have some family in MS, which I enjoy and makes it easier with kids.

But I choose to stay here because of the quality of life I have in Madison. I live in an awesome and safe neighborhood (not a cookie cutter neighborhood either - I live in an older neighborhood in madison). I have a 10 minute commute to work. My daughter will have access to a great public school. Lastly, my wife (works in the medical field) has ample good job opportunities here.

I’ve only lived in Starkville and Madison in MS but I can’t inagine living anywhere else right now. I love the quality of life I have in the suburbs of Jackson. In the past year, I mulled an offer to move to Charlotte, which also seems like a great city. But at the end of the day, I just can’t imagine my quality of life getting any better. It also helps that Jackson is a short drive to New Orleans, Birmingham, Memphis and some great beaches in NW Florida.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Very much so. My mother & stepfather live in Canebrake and the area is gorgeous. Over forty years ago, my aunt and uncle looked into getting a house at Lake Serene but decided against it.

What shocks me is that Laurel was named by Smithsonian Magazine earlier this year as one of the Top 20 towns to visit: Link.

 

[BELdog]

Family ties, a piece of land where I can hunt, fish and feel at home, a great career at a Fortune 500 company; those are the things that keep me here. We’ll probably retire here. We’ve got a low cost of living, we’re close to both beaches and mountains, and we’ve got Mississippi State athletics. Why the hell would I ever leave?