Woodside
Aiken, South Carolina
Biloxi, Mississippi
What It Is Like to Retire in Biloxi
Biloxi, Mississippi, is on the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi Sound. This old town has miles and miles (26) of white sandy beaches and at least 9 major casinos, including the Hard Rock, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, and Beau Rivage. The city has many attractions (see What is Special in next section) besides these as well. Biloxi has a small town feel with low-key neighborhoods spreading out away from the water. New developments include attractive malls, new hotels, and apartment complexes that have been built since Hurricane Katrina basically leveled the place in 2005. Several of the nearby towns could even be more attractive to retiring baby boomers, those include waterfront towns of Ocean Springs and Gulf Park Estates.
Where to Retire in Biloxi and Home Prices
Biloxi is part of the Gulf Coast Retirement district and one of 21 certified retirement communities in Mississippi. Biloxi could be a real estate opportunity if you believe in buying in early. The infrastructure is coming back in this town of 50,000. Housing is relatively inexpensive for a coastal community, the National Association of Realtors reports the median sale price in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoulia area was $205,700 during the last quarter of 2022. There are vast numbers of waterfront and near waterfront properties available for those willing to build in this hurricane-prone area.
What Is Special about Biloxi
There are terrific amenities beyond the casinos, such as Beauvoir, the post-war estate of Jefferson Davis. The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum (see photo above), was designed by expressionist postmodern architect, Frank Gehry. There are miles and miles of beaches, and the local waters teem with seafood. Windance Country Club is one of 20 golf area courses.
What Is Not Special about Biloxi
Many neighborhoods are still empty after Katrina. Crime is relatively high, and if you don't like casinos - you are in trouble. Ditto with Waffle House restaurants - there is one every quarter mile on the beach.
Who Will Like Retirement in Biloxi
Biloxi is an easy going town that mixes tourism, casinos, and the old south in a genteel mixture. This area offers some of the finest fishing in the world.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Tourism (particularly casinos and the beaches), and retirement drive the local economy, along with Katrina reconstruction. Mississippi offers a generous homestead exemption to people over 65. There is no tax on qualified retirement income, including Social Security. There are 2 major military bases here - Keesler AFB and the Naval Construction Battalion Center (Seabees)
Climate and Physical Environment
Biloxi is on the Mississippi Sound of the Gulf of Mexico. It is oppressively hot and humid in summer. Biloxi and much of Mississippi have been hit hard the last few years with storms, hurricanes and more recently, tornados.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Biloxi boasts the Frank Gehry-designed Ohr-O'Keefe Museum. Centered around the "mad potter", Ohr, the museum's collections are extensive. The Gehry buildings themselves are art as well - he is one of the most famous architects in the world. Beauvoir, Jefferson Davis's post-war home, is an interesting museum.
Crime
The crime rate in Biloxi is well above the national average.
Medical facilities
There are 10 hospitals in the region including Gulf Coast Regional Medical, Biloxi Medical Center, and VA Gulf Coast.
Transportation
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is convenient and offers frequent service. I 10 goes through town.
Valuable Links
City of Biloxi For retirement information contact MIssissippi Gulf Coast Retiree Partnership Here is the Wikipedia page for Biloxi
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