Hattiesburg Extreme Weather (Gulfport, Biloxi, Tupelo: crime, safe neighborhoods, schools)

[cansv]

I've been doing some arm-chair contemplation about moving to Hattiesburg, but the number of extreme weather events is concerning, with Katrina and multiple EF2 and above tornadoes hitting town. Is this accidental or is there something about Hattiesburg topography that draws powerful tornadoes?

[viverlibre]

Without looking at any data, I'd say H'burg is on par with most other cities within an hour or two from the Gulf. I've never thought, or heard anyone say, the city was any more or less prone to severe weather than other comparable cities.

[badger74]

The area is horrible.

[stephenMM]

Originally Posted by badger74

The area is horrible.

That was my impression, unfortunately.

As for the weather, Mississippi weather is what it is. Tornadoes in some areas are common, and on the Gulf you have hurricanes which can occasionally go further into the state. Most areas of Mississippi have a fair amount of rain and thunderstorms.

I'm in Little Rock, Arkansas now (the backwoods for sure, it's pretty strange) and trust me, the weather here is crazier than Mississippi's. We had so much snow this winter it felt like I had accidentally moved to Maine.

There are websites you can go to and get people's reviews of Hattiesburg and other places. One of them mentioned they had never seen so many cops in one place in their life. This was also my impression when I tried to move there. It was over copped, if there is such a word. The schools were crawling w/ them early in the morning and when the schools let out. I never saw anything like it. Hattiesburg has quite a bit of crime, but it's really not that dangerous if you avoid the bad areas.

I would recommend Vicksburg, Oxford or even McComb, but the Gulf Coast is the best place if you can afford to live in the better areas. Biloxi has more crime due to the casinos, but Gulfport is usually very quiet.

[KathrynAragon]

I love me some Gulfport, MS!

[brickpatio2018]

I'm not aware of Hattiesburg having more weather issues than other places in the region. Being near the coast, they do have some nice thunderstorms in the summer. Summers are hot but in winter the average daily high temperatures are around 60 degrees. So basically from October through May is like one eight-month long spring or fall, perfect for people who like to be outside.

As far as crime, the Oak Grove and Petal areas are extremely safe. In Hattiesburg proper, they do have some safe neighborhoods and the downtown area is popular. Overall it's a good city.

[viverlibre]

Originally Posted by brickpatio2018

As far as crime, the Oak Grove and Petal areas are extremely safe. In Hattiesburg proper, they do have some safe neighborhoods and the downtown area is popular. Overall it's a good city.

Concur.

The best areas to live in MS - in no particular order:

Jxn metro (Brandon, Flowood, Madison)
Desoto County
Coast (BSL/OS/Biloxi/Gulfport, the Pass, etc.)
Hattiesburg area

The Tupelo area would be a little below the ones listed above.

[b29510]

hattk burg weather is 70 degrees, 90 in summer and rains every day at 2pm, oh and no snow, ever. i live about 30 miles due east of hattisburg

[Mississippi Alabama Line]

Originally Posted by badger74

The area is horrible.

Originally Posted by stephenMM

That was my impression, unfortunately.

That's stupid.

There are a whole lot worse places to live than Hattiesburg. Pretty dang good economy there, if you like living in a smaller area. 172K or so in the metro.