Five Mississippi Cities That Offer Great Value

Madison

Madison is a small city near the state capital of Jackson that consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Mississippi. In the downtown area are public parks filled with flowers, the impressive Madison Station Botanical Gardens and shady walking trails in the 10-acre Simmons Arboretum. Madison Square Center for the Arts hosts community festivals and is a cultural hub in the historic city center that also includes fine- and casual-dining restaurants and local craft boutiques. Madison residents in revitalized downtown neighborhoods and upscale country club communities enjoy excellent local health care, with several major medical centers located within 10 miles.

Cleveland

Tupelo

Tupelo is best known as the home of “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” so it’s not surprising that the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum and the Tupelo Elvis Festival every June are among the city’s featured attractions. Residents of this growing hometown support a lively fine arts scene with local orchestra, theater, and ballet companies. For outdoor recreation, Tupelo has 22 public parks that include walking paths in the 206-acre Veterans Memorial Park. North Mississippi Medical Center, one of the state’s largest hospitals, offers award-winning specialty clinics and treatment centers. The city is also a major stop along the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway, one of America’s most scenic highways.

Vicksburg

Cleveland is a college town in northwestern Mississippi that’s home to Delta State University and its academic programs that include continuing education for lifelong learners. Also located on campus is GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi, which honors Mississippi’s rich musical heritage and past winners of the music industry’s most prestigious awards, as well as the Bologna Performing Arts Center, which hosts contemporary concerts, dances, and theater events. The hiking trails in Great River Road Park and the nearby Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge offer natural outdoor recreation opportunities, while revitalized downtown Cleveland features cultural museums, farm-to-table restaurants, and delightful antique shops. Top-rated medical facilities for retirees and residents of all ages in Cleveland are available at Bolivar Medical Center.

Set on a high bluff above a big bend in the majestic Mississippi River, Vicksburg is a city that gracefully combines the old and the new. Founded nearly 200 years ago, Vicksburg features some of the South’s finest historic architecture in its well-preserved downtown buildings and surrounding garden-filled neighborhoods. It also features a lively contemporary cultural scene with the state’s largest public art collection, music and film festivals, and a local theatre guild that holds weekly events. Vicksburg boasts a thriving economy with new and expanding high-tech, research, and service companies. And Merit Health River Region Medical Center offers state-of-the-art health care. The Vicksburg Senior Center and the “Plus 50” lifelong learning programs are offered at Hinds Community College.

Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg is a city of nearly 50,000 residents that has retained its welcoming small-town charm. Walking tours of Hattiesburg’s historic neighborhoods and downtown district highlight the city’s classic architecture and its Public Art Trail offers surprising delights. Equally impressive are Longleaf Trace, a paved multi-purpose trail for hiking and biking that runs for 41 miles from the city center through several area towns, and the Pinebelt Blueways with more than 50 miles of river trails for kayakers. There are also museums, galleries, and sidewalk cafes for leisurely enjoyment and lively adventures for kids of all ages at Hattiesburg Zoo. The University of Southern Mississippi offers degree programs and lifelong learning opportunities for seniors.