With 26 miles of white-sand Gulf Coast beaches (some of them among the most stunning in the area) and numerous barrier islands, Mississippi is a remarkably popular warm-weather getaway. Of the 24 million people who went to the state in 2022, 14.6 million decided to stay along its picture-perfect coastline, which likewise provides some of the most affordable beachfront genuine estate in the nation, according to a new report by Realtor.com.
Gulfport, Mississippi’s second-largest city, located at the heart of its “Secret Coast,” topped the business’s annual ranking of the most economical beach towns in the country, with the mean cost for homes at $224,900.
, making it a very popular location to move. We are seeing people move here from New Orleans, Florida, and even California,” Jon Ritten, owner and broker at RE/MAX Coast Delta Realty, told Travel + Leisure.
Gulfport’s attract visitors lies in its size, natural beauty, and main location– it is home to about 73,000 residents and the state’s second-largest airport. It is likewise just an hour east of New Orleans.
The city houses a variety of museums, consisting of the Gulfport Museum of History; the 5.8-acre Mississippi Aquarium, which opened its doors in 2020; and the Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum, displaying lots of design trains and 200 years worth of train history. Another highlight is the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, a former 1915 schoolhouse with 15,000 square feet of interactive exhibit areas for children. And speaking of Gulfport’s youngest locals and visitors, there is plenty to keep them inhabited and captivated here– waterparks, zip lining, kid-friendly nature trips, and of course, water sports.
Whatever your age, however, Gulfport is a terrific place to relax. The town, together with surrounding Biloxi, are two of the most vibrant neighborhoods along the Mississippi coastline, where visitors can relish fresh gulf seafood, try their luck at the lots of casinos, hike, bike, browse regional art at Fishbone Alley in downtown Gulfport, or explore the Gulf of Mexico’s Gulf Islands National Seashore, quickly accessible by ferry. Occasions such as “Carnival on the Coast,” a celebration of Mardi Gras making up more than a lots of parades along the entire Mississippi shoreline, and Cruising the Coast, an acclaimed cars and truck show and the state’s most significant event bring in tens of thousands of antique automobile enthusiasts from all corners of the country, are simply two of the highlights of the area’s lively yearly events calendar.
As Realtor.com likewise explains, the primary draw in Gulfport and the area are its beaches and the unlimited list of water activities. Fishing, kayaking, boating, swimming, jet skiing, or merely taking in Vitamin D while taking pleasure in the surroundings awaits all visitors here.
And unlike numerous seaside neighborhoods along the gulf coast, you don’t have to break the bank to purchase a vacation home.
” It is extremely affordable to own a home on the water, so among the most popular residential or commercial properties we see villa buyers buying are waterside homes,” Ritten discussed. “Of course, we have beaches, however we likewise have many homes on the bayous and rivers that feed out to the Gulf of Mexico. Gulfport also has a comprehensive neighborhood of golfers making the homes on golf courses very popular as well.”
However, Gulfport is vulnerable to flooding. The city suffered significant damage from Hurricane Katrina and gets about 65 inches of rainfall each year, which is almost double the national average. So buying property here has its risks.
“Make sure you understand and comprehend the significance of having flood and storm insurance. It’s worth protecting your financial investment. Working with a good insurer can make all the distinction,” Axel Oestreicher, an agent at Dorian Bennett Sotheby’s International Realty, encouraged.
But no matter the obstacles, Gulfport remains a popular getaway location that offers beach enthusiasts an opportunity to turn their beach trip into a year-round lifestyle.