Gulfport, MS Apartment Renter's Guide

By land or by sea... how about by land AND by sea? Gulfport is right on the southern edge of Mississippi, so you can sneak off to Smugglers Cove anytime you want.

Can't decide between rolling the dice in a casino all night or relaxing on sandy white beaches all day? In Gulfport, Mississippi, on the Gulf Coast, you don't have to make that killer decision. The city's 26 miles of beaches and natural barrier islands bring in just as many tourists as the casinos and dun yearly events. And when those events include fish derbies and speedboat races, you know you're dealing with an eclectic group of residents. This thriving community has a diverse culture and 400-year history which should make anyone happy to live here.

Partly because Hurricane Katrina caused a bit of a bottleneck in housing, but also because of the higher household income compared to the rest of Mississippi, apartments are rather expensive in the city (good thing you have such a large piggy bank!). Lower rents are available, but you might be sacrificing location for savings.

Things to Consider While city buses operate routes throughout the city, this is definitely a car town. Waiting for a bus in humid 90 degrees in the summer is nobody's idea of a good time, so make sure the car you bring has a seriously strong air-conditioning system. Because the city is a little spread out, think about the commute time to work and to perform daily errands when deciding on your apartment complex.

Moving to Gulfport You'll need to factor in at least a few weeks' head start for a decent search. This will give you enough time to suss out the neighborhood, make sure you're getting a fair price and that you'll be able to at the very least tolerate your neighbors. Have a copy of your credit report ready to go, as well as a list of references, proof of income and enough money to cover a damage deposit, first and last month rent, and any other fees that your landlord requests. Less expensive apartments may not require this much preparation, but in the more expensive apartments, especially if it's an all bills paid apartment, you will need these.

Gulfport is a small city, and the neighborhoods are fairly diverse. This gives the city a bit of uniformity, but there are some differences, especially in price, which are shown by dollar signs, the more $$ the more expensive it is.

New Hope/Landon: This charming community has the highest number of active military members in the USA living there (so expect lots of uniformed men).

Commission Rd & Colby Ave: Primarily made up of apartments and rentals, this area is relatively expensive. Its low vacancy rate does mean that you won't have to hunt too hard to find an apartment.

North Gulfport: Prices are low here, which means starving students flock to it every August. If you can handle loud music at all hours of the night, you just might find that the price is right.

Hews Ave & E. Railroad: Modest homes and apartments fill this area. It's the best bet if you need a place quickly (vacancy rates are low).

Orange Grove: Many locals think the prices here don't justify what you get.

The water rules in Gulfport. There are numerous inlets, rivers, tidal pools and of course the Gulf of Mexico, so don't be surprised if all your social events revolve around the beaches, boating, swimming or fishing in the warm water. On the weekend, take a ferry to one of the barrier islands to get a little closer to some unspoiled nature. Within the city itself, the residential areas are very close to businesses, so while cars make moving throughout the city easier, it's possible to get the essentials just by walking or biking (as long as it's not the warmer months of say March through September!).

While Gulfport doesn't have the excitement of a big city, it's ideal if you're looking for a relaxed pace, as long as you pick your apartment carefully.