Small towns and the lifestyle afforded by them are still extremely important in the state of Mississippi, known as one of the most rural states in the nation. In fact, only about half of the state’s population lives in large cities like the state capital, Jackson, or Gulfport (a major shipping port). Hattiesburg, a small urban center of about 50,000, is in fact the fourth largest city in Mississippi. Perhaps it’s this small-town way of life that makes Hattiesburg real estate so attractive, along with its top ratings in healthcare and economic development, overall safety and an affordable cost of living that is approximately ten percent lower than the national average.
Young families aren’t the only people interested in the area. Retirees are also looking at Hattiesburg real estate, especially after the September/October 2008 profile in the Where to Retire magazine, where the town’s renowned cycling trails and other amenities (including cultural opportunities and state-of-the art medical facilities) were cited as attractions. In fact, Hattiesburg was on the short-list as one of the 150 communities nation wide considered desirable for retirement living. More key issues important to both retirees and families just starting out have been lauded as well, such as clean air and water, low crime, and good public schools.
When people are looking to relocate, they usually want to be within reach of a large city. Hattiesburg is actually known as the “Hub City”, due to its proximity by highways that radiate from its core not only to Jackson, but also to Natchez, Mobile, and New Orleans. This makes international travel as well as home-based travel easy, while Hattiesburg itself is well known for its cuisine choices, ranging from bayou to the orient, as well as its shopping malls and specialty shops. Another draw is the area’s year-round golfing, with more than a dozen golf courses within a half hour drive.
Tourism in the area is important to the city’s economy, bringing in over $200 million annually, and one of the draws has got to be the pure southern beauty of the parks, forests and rivers, much of it (like the Paul B. Johnson State Park) set in the heart of Mississippi’s “Pine Belt.” The historic neighborhood district is another unending source of delight for visitors and residents of Hattiesburg alike, with 115 acres of a variety of architectural styles from Italian Renaissance to Victorian, originally built between 1884 and 1930.
REMAX Mississippi (http://www.remax-mississippi.com) is a real estate brokerage specializing in Hattiesburg real estate. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
[tags]Hattiesburg real estate[/tags]
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