11 Best Places To Retire In Mississippi

You can empty your savings and retire in an overpriced location with taciturn neighbors, or opt for a more affordable location with neighbors who go out of their way to help. Although it may not possess the same terrifying beauty as a place like Colorado, Mississippi offers attractive beaches along the Gulf Coast, small and intimate towns with charm, and tight-knit communities hosting fun-filled events that bring people together. The icing? $250,000 is just about enough to snap up a decent home. So, starting with Ocean Springs, the following are the 11 best small towns in Mississippi for retirement.

Ocean Springs

Ocean Springs is a tranquil hamlet on Biloxi Bay on Mississippi's east Gulf Coast, known for its nautical charm as well as its remarkable comebacks, the most recent of which relates to its spirited rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The town is dotted with restaurants serving fresh crab, shrimp, and oysters, as well as cultural landmarks like the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, which celebrates the life and work of one of Mississippi's most renowned visual artists. Taking the cue, the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center has art classes, exhibits, and engaging performances.

Regarding healthcare access, Biloxi Regional Medical Center is conveniently located three miles away and accepts Medicare patients, eliminating the need for a 3-hour trip to the doctor’s office. Also, The Lighthouse is a lovely Assisted-living facility that handles residents with incredible compassion and love. We assume you are already aware that the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, which illuminates the town every year, is the largest arts festival in Mississippi. According to Zillow, houses in Ocean Springs have a median listing price of $299,933, which is within a reasonable range of the state’s median listing price of $ 273,550.

Natchez

Whether you are looking for affordable living because you don’t want to splurge on a house or a walkable community that makes you feel like part of the family, Natchez easily fits the bill. Of course, the oldest city on the Mississippi River is filled with nostalgia and distant echoes of a past era. Whether you are into museums and historical sites or live music, flower shows, and theater performances, you will have no excuse to spend a week on the couch.

There’s the Natchez Trace Parkway for scenic driving and nature, the Natchez State Park for hiking and fishing, and the Mighty Mississippi River, which gives the area a mist of rustic charm and allure. On the other hand, since opening in 1960, the 179-bed Merit Health Natchez has been a vital amenity to area residents, as has the Magnolia Village Assisted Living, which is the perfect community for those who no longer feel comfortable living in their homes. Houses in Natchez fetch a median listing price of $254,000.

Laurel

Propelled to fame by the hit TV show, Home Town, Laurel is a wonderful and modestly vibrant community of approximately 17,000 residents, offering decent amenities for creature comforts, as well as an enticing range of indoor and outdoor attractions. Art lovers will enjoy spending time at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, well-known for its thought-provoking Hudson River School paintings, while seasoned golfers have the Dixie Golf Association, a great course with nice greens that has been improving over time.

Additionally, Boston Park is a lovely place with a water park to entertain children or grandchildren, while also offering decent walking and jogging opportunities for adults. With the Laurel-Jones County Library, where you can hide with a gripping read, and the highly fancied South Central Regional Medical Center, which has been serving area residents since the 1950s, a median listing price of $218,617 will sound and feel like a steal.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a small, neighborly town tucked away in the northeast corner of Mississippi. Homes fetch a pocket-friendly median listing price of $190,983, which is significantly below the statewide median. Monroe Regional Hospital, situated in the heart of town, is a comprehensive medical and surgical facility that offers exceptional services to area residents. Keep in mind that Aberdeen is a family-oriented community with a small-town feel, a walkable downtown (just what every retiree wants), and a peaceful reservoir along the Tombigbee River.

For perspective, Aberdeen Lake spans over 4,000 acres and provides several recreational opportunities, including kayaking, canoeing, boating, and swimming. Similarly, the Blue Bluff Campground offers nearly 100 camping spots that feature electric and water hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings equipped with grills. Occasionally, you may want to spend time at the historic Acker Park to rest and take in the beautiful views. Also, the Elkin Theatre is in town and can quickly transform a dull afternoon into one filled with laughter and good memories.

Ellisville

Ellisville is a small town of approximately 5,000 residents, boasting a friendly community, quiet neighborhoods, and a relaxed, rural atmosphere that's ideal for empty nesters seeking a retreat from the hustle and bustle of big cities. It doesn't have many bars and clubs, lending even more credence to its relaxing, laid-back vibe. With a median listing price of $188,317 and immediate access to the Ellisville Medical Clinic, which provides walk-in services to patients in the area, life here should be easy and comfortable. Jackson is slightly over an hour, while Hattiesburg, the home base for the award-winning Forrest General Hospital, is about 25 minutes down the road.

Empty nesters can regularly meet up at Merchant's Park to enjoy quality time outdoors, engage in healthy work-outs at the centrally located Fitness Depot, get fruits and vegetables at Corner Market, or enjoy an afternoon round of golf at the Dixie Golf Association in nearby Laurel, just 10 minutes away. Of course, a bigger recreational scene is next door in Hattiesburg.

Hattiesburg

Whether you decide to build in a stylish planned suburb, a lakefront community with an upscale look, or a certified historic neighborhood, Hattiesburg has options that you will want to snap up instantly. Except for rare incidents, residents here enjoy safe streets, fantastic neighbors, mild winters, and a vibrant cultural scene, particularly with places like the Saenger Theater, an iconic entertainment venue with a history dating back to 1929, the University of Southern Mississippi, and William Carey University. In the same vein, golf enthusiasts have access to several nationally recognized golf courses, including Hattiesburg Country Club, Timberton Golf Club, and Canebrake Country Club.

Keep in mind that this town also serves as the premier healthcare hub of South Mississippi, boasting two state-of-the-art hospitals, including Forrest General Hospital. With all it offers, a median listing price of just $285,467 is a significant bargain and falls within a reasonable range of the statewide median.

Clinton

Clinton is in the Jackson metro area ( think of excellent hospitals and other cultural attractions) and is one of the fastest-growing cities in Mississippi. Furthermore, Clinton hosts Mississippi College, the oldest four-year college in the state and one of the oldest in the South. This means you will enjoy mingling with young people who are full of life and enjoy a socio-cultural scene that is equally diverse and vibrant.

Baptist Healthplex is a decent healthcare provider at your doorstep, while Brookdale is an assisted-living community suitable for empty nesters who find it challenging to live on their own. Mississippi’s award-winning Living Young program schedules daily activities for residents over the age of 50, while Brighton Park has a great walking track to keep fit and agile. Kids Towne Park and Dog Park is a great place to regularly take your furry friend to socialize with others and enjoy some sunshine. The median listing price in Clinton is $268,783.

Clarksdale

Are you looking for a small, beautiful place with no traffic, meaning you can breathe and get anywhere in town in less than 5 minutes? Clarksdale is what you have in mind. The best part is that Memphis, Tennessee, is only about an hour away, and with it, big-box stores such as Best Buy and national retail outlets like Dillard's. However, Batesville is much closer and has a more extensive shopping scene. Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center is a DNV-accredited, 49-bed facility with specialist services and a round-the-clock emergency room. Meanwhile, Flowers Retirement Community, a fixture in Clarksdale since 1978, offers a variety of daily activities that foster social, spiritual, and physical growth for each resident.

Meanwhile, the Paramount Theater, once abandoned, is currently being transformed into a multidisciplinary arts and cultural space for the community. As for avid golfers, Clarksdale Country Club is a big enough reason to consider this birthplace of the blues. Houses in Clarksdale fetch a median listing of $126,533, which is to say they are almost free.

Vicksburg

Vicksburg is one of the few certified retirement communities in Mississippi, meaning it checks several boxes in the retirement ecosystem. From architectural beauty to uplifting cultural activities to access to the finest culinary traditions in the region, Vicksburg is a community with a soul. People don't come to live here; they come to thrive and bloom. There's the Vicksburg Senior Center, a place where all seniors come to mingle and participate in art classes, cooking demonstrations, social dancing, bingo, day trips, and Dulcimer Classes.

Once in a while, you can spend a thoughtful evening at Vicksburg National Military Park, an evocative place that commemorates the 47-day Siege of Vicksburg and which is home to the largest National Military Cemetery of Union soldiers in the country. You can access medical services at Merit Health River Region, which has been serving the community since February 2002, or try your luck at the slot machines at Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg, set amid beautiful views of the Mississippi River. Houses in Vicksburg fetch a budget-friendly median listing price of $204,667.

Pontotoc

With Tupelo just over 20 minutes to the east, and with it, nationally famous cultural attractions like the Elvis Presley Birthplace, as well as high-quality amenities like North Mississippi Medical Center-Tupelo, which has been recognized for the Vascular Surgery Excellence Award, life in Pontotoc is smooth and comfortable. There's the well-groomed Pontotoc Country Club, whose greens are fast and accurate, and Trace State Park, which offers camping, fishing, and a shimmering lake.

You can rent a lakefront cabin here once in a while and enjoy a whole weekend of mental refresh. Closer to town, Pontotoc City Park Caretaker is an excellent family-friendly space with decent campsites, a large picnic pavilion, walking trails, and heart-stirring waterfront views. Houses in Pontotoc have a median listing price of $234,000, which is significantly higher than the statewide median.

Corinth

Corinth, Mississippi, named for the ancient Greek city of Corinth, is a gorgeous and walkable town that oozes Civil War history and timeless Southern charm. It is a vibrant cultural gem with first-hand information about what many regard as the bloodiest war in American history, whose details are showcased at places like the Crossroads Museum and an installation of the Shiloh National Military Park.

Every Thursday evening, bluegrass pickers from all the nooks in northeast Mississippi converge at the Alcorn County Courthouse square downtown for "Pickin' on the Square. Magnolia Regional Health Center is a 200-bed acute care hospital that offers both primary care and specialty services. Dogwood Corinth, on the other hand, provides assisted living with private and semi-private suites, meals, housekeeping, and a special care wing for individuals with dementia. Also, Hillandale Golf Course, with its impressive fairways and greens, offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. The median listing price of houses in Corinth is an affordable $256,667.

So, there's the chance to squeeze yourself into a tiny apartment in a soul-less sea of concrete, or spend your golden years frolicking along the Gulf Coast, amid comely magnolias and lush, peaceful, greenery. Many people overlook it, but Mississippi, with its rich and colorful history, its friendliness and Southern hospitality, and its pocket-friendly real estate prices, is just where to focus on if you are about to retire. You will find small towns with big hearts, some of which have almost all the amenities a retiree needs. The best part is that Mississippi exempts Social Security benefits from taxation.