re: Tell me about Biloxi and Ocean Springs...

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How is the water there? Can we SUP and swim? I dont expect to be able to surf but is the water usable?

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water is brown most of the time. Calm as well because of the barrier islands. You can find clear water if you got out to Ship Island during certain times of the year.

Drive to clearer water in Destin/Pensacola/sometimes Gulf Shores is only about 2-4 hours depending on how far east you are.

I put in a summer in Pre-Katrina Biloxi as a Walmart goth. I don’t recommend it.

But honestly, I ran a recording studio there in 2004. I didn’t get out much, but the whole region seemed really depressing. Post-Katrina seems like a whole new area and I really like Ocean Springs.

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Water is important to us. Is it worth the premium to keep moving further away from the Mississippi?

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The Mississippi River, which empties about 90 miles south of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, is not the culprit causing the murkier water. It is the outfall from the Mobile, Pascagoula and Pearl rivers, and to a lesser extent, the rivers emptying into the Back Bay of Biloxi and St. Louis Bay.


If you have a boat, however, you can go out to the barrier islands and experience water like this (tides, winds, and time of year will affect clarity). My own photos:

Ship Island (sound side):


Horn Island (gulf side)

There’s flesh eating bacteria sometimes during the summer months, but it’s usually only gnarly old fishermen who it affects. You can monitor it:

https://opcgis.deq.state.ms.us/beaches/moreinfo.html

Ha.

It happens anywhere the water is warm. Not too worried about that. Is it possible to take jet skis to Horn Island?

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Is it possible to take jet skis to Horn Island?

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It is, but don’t do it. Your husband will want to buy a 24’ bay boat…like everyone around here has.

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We are looking to spend no more than 400K and may rent initially to make sure we know the area well enough to make a good choice.

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$400k will get you a lot (no pun intended) in OS. The coolest houses are in downtown and the Lover's Lane area but also expensive. There are a few new, really nice subdivisions off Ocean Springs Road. The St. Andrews area has some nice homes further south. I'd also check out the neighborhood at the front of Cumberland Rd and Groveland Rd. Probably avoid Gulf Park. Checking a flood zone map when looking at any houses is a must in OS.

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I am fully sleeved and probably wont look like a lot of the moms

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Boy are you going to be pleasantly surprised.
There's a pretty significant liberal population in OS--especially around the downtown area.

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We would likely gamble on sports because we love it.

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You're going to be well set up right across the bridge on Casino Row in Biloxi.

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Lots of people take jet skis and wave runners to the all of the islands often-- distance to the islands varies from about 8 to 12 miles--but of course it depends on the weather. Tougher when it's windy with rough seas.

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Look, Im not gonna lie, that looks terrifying. Maybe we will need to buy a boat...

But that water looks really calm. not glassy but definitely could SUP there. I am leaning towards Biloxi but the family is leaning towards OS. Im making the drive to Navarre just so my daughter can see the difference. We will know soon. Thanks again to everyone for the suggestions. Dont ever take for granted what friendly communities you have. It is a gift. After living in a place where we have been invisible for years I can appreciate the kindness even more.

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I was shocked at how nice the beaches are when I was down there last December for a run. Apparently they’ve had a big renovation

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True and good. But that water will never be okay.