7 Reasons to Move to Oxford, MS Right Now
Small-town Southern Charm is beckoning. Here's why you should answer that call.
Meet Oxford. This gem tucked away in beautiful North Mississippi is often referred to as the “Cultural Mecca of the South” for its rich history, small-town charm and creative scene. If you’re looking for a happening place to settle down in the Southeast, here’s why you should put moving to Oxford high on your list.
1. Business is booming in Oxford.
Oxford’s business ecosystem is quite diverse and interconnected, especially for a community of its size. Strong economic sectors include education, health care, manufacturing, retail, technology and tourism.
Oxford is an excellent place to look if you are a business owner looking for bright millennials for your workforce. That’s because the median age in the city is 27 years old. In addition, thanks to talented students — many of whom remain in Oxford after graduation — the city is home to a growing technology community that includes Insight Park.
2. Oxford is the home of Ole Miss.
The University of Mississippi not only offers students strong academic and athletic programs, but it provides the community with arts and entertainment attractions. One favorite event locals love attending on Saturdays in the fall is Ole Miss Rebels football games at raucous Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
The Ole Miss baseball team won the NCAA Division I baseball championship at the 2022 College World Series in Omaha.
3. This city oozes history.
Nearly 50 buildings throughout the city are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with about a dozen sites predating the Civil War. One of the most visited historic buildings is the Lafayette County Courthouse, which opened in 1872.
4. The city is a perfect “spokes” model.
Grab your helmet and start pedaling because Oxford is the first Mississippi city to be designated a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. In and around the area, you will find great places to get your wheels turning, such as the South Campus Rail Trail, adjacent to the Ole Miss campus, and Clear Creek Trail, which is a 30-minute drive from Oxford.
5. Oxford is known as the Cultural Mecca of the South.
“Cultural Mecca of the South” is a moniker given to Oxford for its rich history, small-town charm and creative community. The city’s largest live music venue is The Lyric Oxford, which can accommodate 1,200 spectators. Rowan Oak is the former home of Nobel Prize-winning novelist William Faulkner. Oxford also hosts the annual Double Decker Arts Festival every late April to showcase the city’s talented artists. In addition, the historic Oxford Square is home to several museums and art galleries.
6. Getting outdoors is easy.
Mother Nature has greatly contributed to the scenic beauty of Oxford, a city with numerous public parks and walking/ bicycling trails. In addition, its comfortable year-round weather adds to the attractive quality of life.
Ranked by Livability.com as one of The Best 100 Small Towns in America, Oxford is also a highly rated college town thanks to the University of Mississippi, commonly called Ole Miss. In addition, the historic downtown Oxford Square district includes an eye-pleasing landscape of 50 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
7. Buy your home in Oxford.
Oxford has plenty of residential options for those looking to put down roots in the community, from college apartments and townhomes to spacious condominiums and historic houses. And the good news: You can afford to live here. The city has very reasonable real estate prices, with Oxford having a median home value of $295,950 (North Central MS REALTORS MLS, August 2022).
And to attract even more residents, Oxford has been completing street projects and adding pedestrian walking and biking programs in new subdivisions over the last 15 years.
If you’d like to learn more about the Oxford, MS, area, check out the latest edition of Livability: Oxford-Lafayette County, Mississippi.