Which Mississippi city is your favorite?

[bigboyz05]

All these cities have their own flavor but, which do you like the best?

[bigboyz05]

I picked Hattiesburg.

[Rural King]

I like Jackson, there is alot of potential there and I was awed by the friendliness and hospitality of people I met on the streets there during my visit last year.

I like Biloxi/Gulfport alot too and had a good experience visiting there as well. Meridian from what I saw driving through seems like a nice place too, while my father speaks highly of Columbus, but I have never been there. There seems to be alot of underrated places in Mississippi, that once you visit you get a much better appreciation for.

[spoody]

well, of course I voted for my hometown, Jackson. My city's been on hard times for the past twenty years or so, what with white flight, which turned to middle class flight to suburbia and all that entails. Jackson was knocked to ground with a hard blow, but she's making a come back and good things are popping up all over. The good news as far as i'm concerned is, the little development downtown during that period of time, means many older structures didn't see the wrecking ball to make way for new. Now, as the old city picks itself back up, with this new urbanism, and so forth, we have the chance to save and bring many beautiful old structures back to life with new purpose. Of course, new development is needed too, but worked in to the existing layout to enhance instead of replace.

But with that said, other than Jackson, of the cities on the list I would pick Meridian. Early last century, that town was on it's way to becoming a major city of the south, then it seems growth stopped completely. Still, it has an interesting downtown area and it's good to hear of redevlopment of older buildings down there.

Vicksburg's an interesting place too. Almost eerie, with it's Civil war history.

I loved Bay St. Louis and Biloxi also, but I'm afraid it will be a long time before they are back. But they will be back better than ever.

Now, a Mississippi city not on the list, but chocked full of living history, is Natchez. What a secret. I recommend a drive down this spring to spend a day.

[tombarnes]

My "other" vote is for Natchez. Having lived in this beguiling little river city, I think it has retained its charms well. Here's hoping that the new developments are sensitive to their place and don't overwhelm the delicate balance there.

Jackson is on the way up. As Spoody noted, it hasn't been an easy time for Jackson lately, but revival is on its way.

Columbus is a nice, small city, but I have only visited once. Meridian has a solid, compact downtown with a surprising number of good buildings.

Hattiesburg is an attractive, leafy university town with a lot of drive an energy to push it forward into the 21st century. I'm sure they'll do well.

Vicksburg is somewhat like Natchez, but the National Military Park gives it another flavor entirely. The river is almost always with you in Vicksburg.

As for the Coast, my favorites have always been Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Bay St. Louis and Pass Christian. I fear that the character of these places may be lost forever if great care is not taken to ensure that the rebuilding process is done well.

Oxford is another handsome little city. The University of Mississippi has always been its central feature, but the pace of new development is quickening. As with the others, care must be taken to preserve the unique character of Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha.

[sleepy]

Southaven. j/k

[tombarnes]

I honestly don't know much about Southaven. Is it just another slurry of suburban sprawl with a WalMart on every corner?

[sleepy]

I honestly don't know much about Southaven. Is it just another slurry of suburban sprawl with a WalMart on every corner?

Yeah, it's just sprawl. Its pop. went from 28,000 in 2000 to 36,000 in 2004. It's Mississippi's 7th largest city, larger than Tupelo.

[DruidCity]

I hate to say it, because I have some Mississippi roots and live within an hour's drive of the state line, but about the only appeal MS has for me as a place to visit is the casinos. Pre-Katrina, Biloxi was my choice there.

FOr that reason, I guess I'll stick with Biloxi as a favorite city, even though it's in bad shape now.

[NCB]

For me, it would be Jackson. But I really do love the Biloxi/Gulfport area, it really has alot to offer and it's just a beautiful area. Natchez would also be up there, I just love the flavor of that city.

[krazeeboi]

I'll go with Jackson.

[jmduke]

I like some of the state's smaller gems: Shuqulak (pronounced Sugar-lock), Shubuta, Buckatunna, Noxapater, Chunky, Electric Mills, Hot Coffee, Artesia, Hohenlinden, Bellefontaine (pronounced Bell-fountain), and Soso.

No, I didn't just find them on the map; I have actually been to these places. Of course, when I was in college in Mississippi, I found them on the map and had to go to these places just to say I'd been there. Never hurts to have a spouse from the state who likes unusual detours.

[tombarnes]

Did you go to Mississippi State? I think Shuqualak is somewhere near Starkville.

[DruidCity]

I'm surprised to see Shuqualak mentioned here, as I have some Noxubee County roots (great-grandfather was county sheriff a very long time ago). My great-grandmother was from the Prairie Point area, and my grandfather spent part of his time growing up in Macon.

Noxubee County, represent !

[johnnydr87]

Biloxi is my vote.....

[richyb83]

There are too many cities in Mississippi to really say I could pick a favorite . They each have a unique side to them .

[ironchapman]

My favorites are the ones along the coast, since that is where I have spent most of my time in Mississippi. My Dad's family has lived there for 300 years.

I voted Biloxi/Gulfport.

[dimebag1980]

Being the largest city, and capitol, of the state, I'd have to say I prefer Jackson. The Biloxi area is cool, but since I'm a city boy I have to go with Jackson.

[soverbey]

My favorite is Olive Branch, it's a very nice city for Mississippi

[gs3]

I had to vote Tupelo. Lived in Jackson briefly and the few times I made it to Tupelo, I was always very impressed with that cities "can do" attitude. It was a small city that seemed to think like a big city.

[dimebag1980]

I had to vote Tupelo. Lived in Jackson briefly and the few times I made it to Tupelo, I was always very impressed with that cities "can do" attitude. It was a small city that seemed to think like a big city.

You make a very good point. I've been completely surprised by Tupelo's growth in recent years. One of my wife's friends lives there and she absolutely loves the city.

[Fear of Heights]

You make a very good point. I've been completely surprised by Tupelo's growth in recent years. One of my wife's friends lives there and she absolutely loves the city.

I know what you mean. It's amazing that a city with under 50,000 people in a metro less than 125,000 can do the things Tupelo has done. I'm impressed with the can do attitude of the place. I'd give the tip of my right pinkie finger if Bham proper had the same can do attitude that Tupelo does.

[jmduke]

TomBarnes...you are correct. I did go to Mississippi State, and back in the day, I had a pretty good knowledge of the Black Prarie / East Central Mississippi area. Still try to get back down there when I can, but I try to stay on the roads more traveled.

[Aporkalypse]

Oxford or Natchez

Jackson has so much potential, it just needs to find a way to get people back in from the 'burbs. Stemming the tide at this point isn't enough.

[jetjockey75]

I have to vote for Tupelo. Don't live there, but hope to in the next couple of years. I currently live and work in Columbus, but there is too much tradition/good ole boy politics here for my liking. Tupelo is much more progressive and the people are much friendlier.