I moved up to Southaven a little over two years ago after nearly 40 years in BR.

Things I miss: Hitting the marsh for fishing and the local South La. food, although I do a lot of cooking myself.

Things I don't miss: Dealing with the traffic and general dumbassery and red-tape of the local governments (I do a lot of work with various municipalities) It's nice to deal with local governments that aren't obstructionist in nature (Memphis being the exception).

Memphis is like the majority of southern large cities. It has its problems same as New Orleans, Jackson, or Atlanta. Particularly with the urban youth in the area.

And like most large cities, most of the people, of all races, with any money and/or sense GTFO to the smaller satellite towns and suburbs.

Thing is, most of these satellite communities don't want the riff-raff around either. Southaven/Olive Branch cops actively patrol and don't put up with criminals. Same with Rankin County and Madison down by Jackson. Of course, you can't eliminate crime 100%, but they're active on their patrols so I feel pretty safe until I have to go into Memphis.

Personally, I like the Hernando area, but that area has exploded in the average home value price.
Next: Southaven/Olive Branch, Senatobia, Water Valley, and the other small towns along the I-55 corridor.
Oxford and Lafayette County is really nice too.
Don't really have much advice on Tupelo, except I've been there and it seems nice. I'll leave that to others who have commented.

Let's face it....anywhere you go in the South, there are going to be areas where you're going to encounter crime.

We have a little country place in the Batesville area and most of the local folks have been very friendly. We watch out for them and they watch out for us. That's my next move to get away from Memphis.