When you close your eyes and think about the state of Mississippi, Jackson likely isn’t what comes to mind. The state capital is home to a variety of urban amenities, ranging from art centers like the Mississippi Museum of Art to sports teams like the Mississippi Braves, one of Atlanta’s beloved minor league baseball clubs. Despite this, transplants might be surprised to learn that Jackson’s housing prices tend to be well below the national median, allowing residents to enjoy everything it has to offer for less.

Here's a summary from a local about living here:
*There are a lot of good people here and a lot of things to do in the surrounding areas. There's a lot of negativity from some folks about it because they haven't learned how to use the resources around. Jackson is a great place. It's centrally located in the great springboard for other areas such as Memphis, New Orleans and Birmingham etc. Jackson and the surrounding area is filled with history, churches, activities, and fun to do for those who have the intelligence to go look for adventures.*


An Urban Island Down South

The Best Thing About Jackson?

When you close your eyes and think about the state of Mississippi, you’ll likely picture abysmal summer heat amplified by brutal humidity. That aspect of the south is one Jackson can't avoid. Extreme weather can also be unrelated to heat, as tornadoes and brutal storms also call Jackson their occasional home. Jackson residents also complain about crime and crumbling infrastructure, but amidst the revitalization projects hope springs eternal.

Check out counsel from a local on living in Jackson:
*If you have children, then I would recommend one of the suburbs because the school system is exponentially better. If it is just you and you want to be in walking distance to restaurants, bars and the like, then definitely Fondren/Belhaven. They have a new (only a couple years old) apartment/restaurant/bar area called The District of Eastover that is nice. If you want an apartment out of Jackson, any of the ones in Ridgeland off of Rice Rd or any of the ones in Flowood off of Lakeland Dr would be where I would start.*

Still has many Southern Flaws

The Worst Thing About Jackson?

Despite being a primarily urban area, Jackson residents are recognized for maintaining much of the city's classic Southern charm. Locals are proud to call Jackson home, and are known for having created a proud tight-knit community. A great restaurant scene with all of the Southern staples and more is something that Jackson is often lauded for. One of the souls of American music, Jackson’s rich history of phenomenal R&B, blues, and jazz musicians still exists. Families that raise their children here get a mix of urban energy and small-town historic charm in many of the city neighborhoods. 

If you're interested in seeing what people get up to in Jackson check out the calendar of events: https://www.visitjackson.com/events/

Lifestyle of Jackson

Healthcare job opportunities are plentiful in Jackson, with the Mississippi State Hospital, Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center all hiring. As the state capital, working for the government is also common, with the state of Mississippi and the U.S. government being two of the largest employers in Jackson. Overall, the average annual salary in Jackson is well below the national average, although that is balanced by the lower cost of living.


Workstyle of Jackson

If you’re a lover of Southern Hospitality and small town charm but crave all of that in a bigger city package then Jackson is a solid option to consider. It’s an urban experience in a part of the country where those are few and far between.


Southern Hospitality

Why You Should Move Here Now?

If you’re young but aching to live amidst a creative community then look at Midtown. It’s the  heart of the arts district and is filled with boutique shops, galleries and music experiences. It also is filled with collaboratives and cafes so even struggling artists can find a way to create, be seen and be heard at venues like The Hub and Soul Wired Cafe. It has plenty of cheap living options in divided homes and apartment buildings for getting your start. 
If you're a more white collar professional then check out Downtown. Tons of renovations in the area have made it one of the cooler downtowns in the country with amazing living options in the Hotel King Edwards and Standard Life Buildings. There’s plenty of restaurants, bars and culture amidst the prime office locations so if you’re anxious to have a walkable lifestyle then this is your spot. 
- Midtown/Pearl
- Downtown


Young Professionals

Midtown

Couples and Singles who want to be near or in commercial districts but get some reprieve from downtown type of chaos should look at Belhaven. It’s a historic neighborhood that borders downtown and has its own quieter but excellent restaurants, pubs and cultural options like the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. It’s also home to Millsaps College and Belhaven University which make the neighborhood feel more like a small college town than a city in the heart of downtown. 
- Belhaven
- Fondren District


DINKs/SINKs

Fondren District

Families interested in stunning, historic homes, and a commercial district with tons of culture should start their search in Belhaven. The neighborhood is filled with the city’s oldest and most beautiful parks for the kiddos to run around in, two theaters, great boutique and convenience shopping, and it's right near downtown for when you want a big night out or want a short commute to work. If on the other hand you’re looking for a more traditional suburb style neighborhood check out The Country Club. A gated neighborhood with custom homes, tree-lined streets, and a stunning family-focused Country Club center with golf, pool, dining and everything else to make it feel like you’re part of a close community.
- Belhaven
- The Country Club
- Northpointe
- Meadowbrook Highlands


Families

Belhaven

Jackson

**What advice would you give to someone who is moving to Jackson, MS?**

Learn The different areas of Jackson. They are very different , you have the north, south and the dangerous West .

There are a lot of good people here and a lot of things to do in the surrounding areas. There's a lot of negativity from some folks about it because they haven't learned how to use the resources around. Jackson is a great place. It's centrally located in the great springboard for other areas such as Memphis, New Orleans and Birmingham etc. Jackson and the surrounding area is filled with history, churches, activities, and fun to do for those who have the intelligence to go look for adventures.

My biggest advice is find a good church home there you will meet people who can help you find things to do as well as for your support while you're here. Have fun and enjoy.

**Why do people live in Jackson Mississippi?**

Jackson gets a bad rap but there’s a lot of reasons to live here. As mentioned in other answers, family is probably the biggest. If you were born here or married someone from here, you typically stay here.

But beyond that, the restaurant scene is top notch, it doesn’t really get cold, you’ve got the Reservoir and the Trace right next to you, Madison (on the outskirts of Jackson) is one of the top cities in America for families, and you’re less than three hours from both New Orleans and Memphis if you want to get away for a fun weekend.

The cost of living is also VERY low. You can get a house for a third of what you’d pay in any other capital city.

The people are also worth staying for. Southern hospitality is a real thing. Once you’ve lived here for a while, it’s hard to give it up.

And if you’re a doctor, nurse, or lawyer, Jackson is a GREAT place to live. Soooo many work opportunities.



Moving to Jackson

If you want to live in Jackson and stay in either NE Jackson or the Fondren/Belhaven area, the crime is lower than the rest of the city but it is still there. Also, living in the city limits of Jackson will cause your car tag to be more expensive. (Depending on how new your car is)

If you have children, then I would recommend one of the suburbs because the school system is exponentially better. If it is just you and you want to be in walking distance to restaurants, bars and the like, then definitely Fondren/Belhaven. They have a new (only a couple years old) apartment/restaurant/bar area called The District of Eastover that is nice. If you want an apartment out of Jackson, any of the ones in Ridgeland off of Rice Rd or any of the ones in Flowood off of Lakeland Dr would be where I would start. Good luck on your search!!

Moving to Jackson

Most of the people who shit on Jackson have not spent an appreciable amount of time there, and you’ll often find that a lot of what they say has racist undertones. It’s a city and there is crime like any other city. Most of the time it’s between people who know each other and have poor conflict-resolution skills. City management has been historically poor, leading to really bad roadways. Improvements are starting to be made here, but yes, it’s bad.

I lived in Belhaven for 4 years and LOVED it. Never felt unsafe. Everyone is so welcoming, all the neighbors know each other, and they put on some really fun events. One year someone decided to put together a grilled cheese festival in the park. Belhaven is also developing a town center and is about to get a brewery right in the neighborhood. It is one of the most architecturally diverse neighborhoods in the country with some beautiful old houses; it’s a popular area for college professors, lawyers, doctors, and med students. There’s an annual festival with live music and food. It was just so so so much fun. Fondren and Eastover are other popular neighborhoods. Jackson has some awesome restaurants, too. I loved that we had everything we needed in a 2 mile radius and I was able to walk basically everywhere if I wanted. For a city that’s “falling apart,” I sure didn’t have trouble selling my home for well above asking price when it was time to leave.

The outlying cities are standard suburbs and they’re okay too if that’s what you’re looking for. I have plenty of friends who decided to go that route but many of them have lived in their houses for years and don’t know their neighbors at all. There seems to be much less of a sense of community there. I don’t know where you’re moving from but there is a lot less to do in this state than many others. The suburbs feel a lot more rural and the culture is a lot more homogenous.

Jackson, Mississippi