18,916
Population
Sunny Days: 217
44100 Affordability
90100 Schools
50100 Diversity
85100 Safety
I felt sorry for all these millions of people here (New York City) because they don’t live in Oxford.
-William Faulkner
Oxford, Mississippi
The Velvet Ditch
The Best Thing About Oxford?
Community
In Oxford, you get a truly tight-knit community. A place where everyone comes together for a wide range of high-energy and relaxed events. Be it in the vibrant bar and nightlife scene, the many churches of a variety of Christian denominations, or of course the devoted and enthusiastic fanbase of the University of Mississippi’s football team, Oxford prides itself on being an old school southern community where everyone knows everyone and everyone always has time to greet you with a smile and a friendly word.
In the words of one local:
I grew up in Oxford and loved it. Still love going back. Great restaurants, lots of community events on and off campus. Nice square. Good schools if you have kids, both in Oxford and Lafayette County.
For more reviews of Oxford from locals check out: The Buzz
The Worst Thing About Oxford?
Student Noise Pollution
Fittingly enough for a college town that is as centralized around its university as Oxford is, the Ole ‘Miss party scene is equal parts legendary and infamous. Particularly due to Greek Life at the university being highly popular, many houses and apartments surrounding the school are saturated with undergraduate students who are not afraid to make some noise while they are having a good time. Please be mindful of this before moving to Oxford, especially if you want to live within city limits near school or in a student-dominated apartment complex.
Here's a local who loves Oxford noting the college kids occasionally being an issue:
Oxford’s a nice place, the only reasons I could think people not wanting to live there would be the cost of living, or if you don’t want to deal with college kids. Those are the only two reasons I could think of. The square’s a pretty neat place, great food, fun bar culture, some good live music, but it does get pretty packed on weekends. I went to State, and I love Starkville, but I’m not going to dog Oxford or really Ole Miss (I grew up out of state, the rivalry doesn’t run through my veins like some other people). I spent a good bit of time in Oxford and never really had a negative experience (outside of some drunk college kids, but that’ll happen around any University, and bar staff took care of those knuckleheads really quickly).
Lifestyle of Oxford
Oxford is accommodating to different lifestyles and all types live here. Graduates of the university often choose to settle in town, and many more retire here later in life, leading to a wide age range among the populace. The bar and nightlife scene is always in season; the university sports teams, particularly the football team, are treated with religious reverence locally; the Rowan Oak House, Square Books, the Lyric Theater, and Center for the Study of Southern Culture provide intellectual pursuits; and hunting, fishing, hiking, and kayaking are popular amongst local outdoorsmen. If you are willing to look, Oxford will have something for you.
Check out the town events calendar to get more details on the local happenings: https://visitoxfordms.com/events/
Worklife of Oxford
Oxford’s local economy is mostly about the university. While there are local businesses, many of them only offer entry level or service position jobs. Most of the jobs are in teaching, healthcare, or administration at Ole ‘Miss, or working at the local elementary and high schools. That said, Oxford has also taken it upon itself to improve its internet service for the community, meaning that the town has never been better for remote workers.
Why You Should Move Here Now?
Small Town College Charm
If you are looking for an old school southern community that prides itself on local color and togetherness, then regardless of your stage in life you should take a look at Oxford.
Living in Oxford
Neighborhoods in Oxford
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University District
Students/Faculty
The University neighborhood is where most students live, both for proximity to school and its easy access to the city center, and the greatest concentration of bars, restaurants and cafes in the area. Faculty also live here as well as locals who appreciate/survive the energy of the area when school is in session.
Putting up with the students means you get the shortest distance to the beautiful campus and near year-round sports and cultural events the school offers students and locals alike.
There are also a number of parks and green spaces in the neighborhood, giving locals a chance to run, play and relax when not engaging in the Ole Miss revelry. Housing in these kinds of neighborhoods is getting pricey as non-residents buy up the beautiful homes and rent them out to students and faculty at a premium to historical rent or mortgage rates.
The Square
Young Professionals/Retirees
The Square is at the heart of Oxford and is where the city congregates when it's not at an Ole Miss game. It's just a few blocks from the University so you get the cultural and commercial experiences of downtown plus a short walk to the energy and activities of the school.
The majority of city events; concerts, festivals and farmer's markets are here along with plenty of the best restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment spots so if you're a young professional then this is your spot. There are wonderful converted and new condo/apartment developments for rent or purchase and pricing is notably inexpensive for a college town.
Retirees also congregate here due to the nonstop things to do, the reasonable prices, easy access to healthcare and the simplicity of living in an area that is in the center of the city's action.
Country Club
Families
Country Club is a beautiful neighborhood on the east side of the city. While it was originally a private golf course community it is now an open group of subdivisions and the original course is the wonderful Pat Lamar Park. Lamar Park is an outdoor arboretum and is known for lovely walking/running trails, gardens and a quiet lake that locals use for picnics, group events and general kiddo play.
The homes and the lots in the area are large, with massive trees for shade and private pools to beat the summer heat. It's also near the Oxford Country Club so if you crave golf, tennis, swimming and excellent dining for you and the whole family then you're going to like it here.
The Lakes
Families
If you're craving a more outdoor lifestyle for your family then check out The Lakes. It runs along the east side of the city and is known for beautiful lakes, of course, but also for parks, playgrounds, walking trails, outdoor sport courts and fields, and the overall sense that you're experiencing the best the countryside has to offer here.
There are large luxurious properties in The Lakes but also more modest ranch-style, making the neighborhood more diverse in home prices for different families. The nice part about Oxford is you can live in a place as green as The Lakes but still just be a few minutes from the action of downtown.