The ‘best small town in the South’ is luring new residents with low-cost living perks — and it’s not in Florida

A small spot of small-town confederate charm goes a agelong way.

Once defined by nan spirited beat of Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi has emerged arsenic a multifaceted destination, precocious named nan apical mini Southern municipality by USA Today for nan 2nd consecutive year.

With a organization exceeding 25,000, this organization blends affordability, economical vitality and taste richness, attracting a divers operation of residents from young professionals to retirees.

The town’s economical entreaty is rooted successful its debased costs of living.

Housing options scope widely, pinch homes priced betwixt $50,000 and $500,000.

“You tin find a bully cleanable location successful a bully vicinity nether $250,000,” Colin Krieger, a section RE/MAX realtor, told DailyMail. “Then we person a ample group of houses astir $300,000 to $350,000 and different harvest astir $500,000.”

Rental properties are arsenic accessible, pinch three-bedroom homes averaging $475 to $600 monthly. Recent building has prioritized multifamily lodging to accommodate nan university’s 22,000 students.

“We’ve seen a batch of condominium development,” Krieger noted. “The town’s building has been a ton of apartments made to make much room for nan assemblage kids.”

Starkville’s system thrives connected nan university, nan state’s largest, which anchors a robust occupation marketplace alongside increasing healthcare and exertion sectors. The downtown area, peculiarly University Avenue, balances youthful power pinch blase offerings.

“University Avenue is simply a ample stretch, which starts pinch a fabric territory and ends up successful a much big conception of downtown that has its ain restaurants truthful you’re capable to abstracted from nan assemblage kids a small more,” Krieger told nan outlet. This operation fosters a lively yet navigable societal scene.

Education is different draw, pinch section schools forging beardown ties to nan university.

“They built a business pinch nan mediate schoolhouse a fewer years backmost that’s really integrated pinch Mississippi State University, truthful that nan kids person entree to immoderate of nan professors there,” Krieger said. “And they person a scheme to o.k. a precocious schoolhouse to do nan aforesaid point that should travel up later this year.”

These collaborations heighten world opportunities, making Starkville appealing to families.

The town’s taste and recreational offerings are arsenic compelling. History enthusiasts sojourn nan Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library, while nan Starkville Community Theater and Starkville-MSU Symphony Orchestra enrich nan arts scene.

Outdoor activities abound, pinch nan Starkville Wildlife Refuge offering hiking, hunting, and birdwatching.

The adjacent Oktibbeha County Hospital provides precocious healthcare, a important facet for nan increasing retiree population.

“It’s a assemblage municipality pinch Mississippi State University here. It’s vibrant. The kids support america engaged complete here, but there’s besides a ample status organization coming successful from some alumni and different parts of nan state,” Krieger observed.

Starkville’s organization tone peaks during Mississippi State’s shot season, erstwhile crippled days merge residents successful tailgates and section bars.

“Of people location are times connected SEC shot weekends wherever it’s a madhouse and there’s postulation everywhere, but that’s 1 of nan unsocial features I for illustration astir it for specified a mini municipality of nan South,” Krieger said.

Yet, nan municipality maintains a safe, approachable atmosphere.

“It’s very welcoming. You consciousness safe. You locomotion nan streets and it’s not arsenic overmuch of a propulsion down assemblage ambiance arsenic you mightiness think,” he added.

Starkville’s emergence reflects a broader inclination of mini Southern towns gaining nickname for their value of life.

USA Today besides highlighted places for illustration Lewisburg, West Virginia, and Williamsburg, Virginia, but Starkville’s blend of economical opportunity, taste extent and affordability sets it apart.

Its improvement mirrors nan imagination of HGTV stars Ben and Erin Napier, who, successful adjacent Laurel, Mississippi, advocator for nan imaginable of small-town surviving to rival municipality centers.