Oxford : Mississippi

What Oxford is like for active adults
Oxford, population 13,000, is the home of the University of Mississippi, also known as "Ole Miss". The town has become a popular retirement community; in fact it was named by USA Today as one of the top 6 college towns in the nation. It has also been included on a list of The Best 100 Small Towns in America. Memphis, 70 miles away, is the closest large city. Oxford is a city in Lafayette County, Mississippi. Crime index is low.

Active adults 55+ who love literature and music will find Oxford Mississippi to be an interesting retirement town. William Faulkner adopted Oxford as his home town, and some of his books draw upon local scenes. The popular legal thriller author, John Grisham, has a home here. Bob Dylan wrote a song set here, “Oxford Town”, chronicling the strife that took place when James Meredith enrolled at the University. Counting Crows and Elvis Costello have recorded albums in Oxford.

The town offers a glimpse of the old south in historic neighborhoods. People in retirement can make a financial investment in an historic home here, or they can buy in one of the many newer developments that cater to active adults, such as Grand Oaks and St. Charles Place. The financial climate is attractive to retirees, as Mississippians share the lowest per capita tax burden of any state. Mississippi welcomes and even recruits people to retire to the state.

Zillow.com says the median price of a home in Oxford was about $182,000 in late 2009 (higher than the average home price in Mississippi).
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What is special about this retirement community
Certified retirement community • Rich literary tradition • Historic Downtown Square • Rowan Oak, William Faulkner home • Historic homes and plantations • University of Mississippi • Square Books (and Off-Square Books), independent book stores • Mississippi Theatre Association Festival • Thacker Mountain Radio • Mississippi has a very favorable tax structure for retirees.
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What is not special about this retirement community
Hot, humid summers. The 1962 protests over of the admission of an African-American, James Meredith, to the University of Mississippi was a very ugly incident for Oxford and for the nation.
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What kinds of people like retiring here
Oxford attracts people who either want to live in a charming and historic old city with a vital university a big part of the equation. Find out about Mississippi retirement Use this link for a page that explains the various types of retirement communities
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Local economy is driven by
The economy is driven by tourism, the university, and retirement housing. Mississippi is extremely welcoming to retirees.  Income tax rate is low and qualified retirement income is not taxed. Property taxes are among the lowest in the country. See our Guide to Mississippi retirement
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Physical environment
The city of Oxford is located in northern Mississippi, 70 miles south of Memphis. It is located in the Mississippi delta which gives way to rolling hills. Sardis Lake is large and nearby. Google Maps for Oxford
Summers are hot and humid, winters are mild.
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Cultural environment
There is a lively musical and literary tradition here, carried on in regularly scheduled festivals sponsored by the university and the town. The Powerhouse Community Arts & Cultural Center (with 140 seat theatre), Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts (a huge complex that is part of the University), Center for the Study of Southern Culture, the University Museum has several important facilities, including the J.D. Williams Library and Blues Archive (including the BB King Collection).
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Medical facilities
Baptist Memorial Hospital - North Mississippi
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Transportation
Memphis International Airport is about 60 miles. University Oxford Airport is here in town.
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Facts about OXFORD
  • State: MS
  • Environment: College Town,Small Town,
  • City Population: 10,000-25,000
  • Median age of Population: 25-44
  • Avg Jan Temperature: 21-40
  • Median HH Income: 20,001-40,000
  • Average Home Price (MLS): $100,000-$200,000
  • Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: Less than 2000
  • Total Crime Index: 81-90 (low)
  • Cost of Living Index: 81-90 (low)
  • Culture Index: 111-120 (high)
  • State Sales Tax: Yes
  • State Income Tax: Yes
  • Name of the Guide: jb

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1. Overall Retirement Ratings Discuss

1. Rating: 3.4/5 ( 8 votes cast)

2. Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury Discuss

2. Rating: 2.5/5 ( 4 votes cast)

3. Taxes:
Inexpensive to Expensive Discuss

3. Rating: 2.8/5 ( 6 votes cast)

4. Culture:
None to Cosmopolitan Discuss

4. Rating: 3.5/5 ( 4 votes cast)

5.Recreation:
None to Summer camp Discuss

5. Rating: 3.3/5 ( 3 votes cast)

6. Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub Discuss

6. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 4 votes cast)

7. Security:
Dangerous to Ft. Knox Discuss

7. Rating: 3.5/5 ( 4 votes cast)

8. Medical Facilities:
None to Excellent Discuss

8. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 5 votes cast)

9. Political Situation:
Conservative to Liberal Discuss

9. Rating: 2.6/5 ( 7 votes cast)

10. Environmental:
Oblivious to Ultra-Green Discuss

10. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 4 votes cast)