Life in Oxford, Mississippi
Jan 10, 2023
iCrowdMarketing powered by iCrowdNewswire
Small towns have a lot of benefits, but they can sometimes lack some of the positives of city living. Thankfully, there are some smaller towns that offer you the benefits of both. Oxford, Mississippi is one of those towns. A richly historical place with a great college, this town has a strong local community along with terrific bustling energy for most of the year when college is in session.
What Is the Town Like?
Whether you are a student in college, new to the workforce or are trying to start a family, Oxford is definitely a town worth checking out. In fact, it is ranked as one of the top six college towns in the country and is on the list of the best 100 small towns in America.
When one thinks of a college town, they may find themselves thinking about the high costs of living. However, Oxford actually has relatively low rent and mortgage, making it an affordable place to live along with being pleasant and full of fun things to do.
Oxford is often called the “Cultural Mecca of the South,” and draws in many creative minds including artists, writers, and musicians. Even their food is delicious, with many different culinary experiences to choose from.
How Big Is the Town?
Oxford is located in the hills of Mississippi. With a general area of 16.5 square miles, and a total permanent population of about 18,900, It is a relatively small town.
As a college town, when students are in, Oxford can feel more like a bustling city, and then on holidays and breaks, the city becomes calm and peaceful. This makes Oxford a great option for someone that wants a mix of city life while getting some of the perks of a small town with a close-knit community.
If that seems confusing, you’re not the only one. Many people describe it as a big, yet small, town. Despite sometimes being sometimes hectic thanks to the college, it is a town that supports one another. It’s often recognized as one of the strongest towns in America for the way the community supports each other and helps to survive issues like the pandemic to keep small businesses running.
You can feel like you are part of something bigger, while also being able to stay somewhat anonymous if that is what you want.
What Is There to Do Around Oxford?
Even if you aren’t planning to go to school in Oxford, it is still worth checking out the University of Mississippi. The University is considered to be one of the most beautiful campuses in the country.
The college itself was founded in 1848 and offers a rich and important history. Originally, the building was used as a hospital during the Civil War, and then it faced tough times as a college when violence occurred due to the first African American student entering the school in 1962.
The campus itself is thousands of acres and has not only beautiful and historic buildings but greenery and scenery reminiscent of a park as well. There is even a museum dedicated to the University of Mississippi where you can get more information about the history of the campus and how it has evolved. And even if you’re just visiting, you may want to consider checking out a football game or two as well.
Oxford’s town square is also a historic site and is considered a great place to visit. The square is full of fun buildings, stores, restaurants, and boutiques to check out, as well as important buildings like the courthouse.
What Is There to Do in Nearby Towns?
Oxford isn’t the only town in the area that is worth checking out. The whole county of Lafayette is well-known for its cultural richness and is home to one of the most progressive cities in the entire state.
Some of the nearby towns include Clarksdale, which is full of delicious BBQ joints, Blues clubs, and music festivals. Tupelo is also nearby, which is the birthplace of Elvis Presley. There is a museum dedicated to Elvis, soul kitchens to eat delicious foods, and historical sites like battlefields to traverse.
Oxford is also relatively close to Memphis, Tennessee, only about 62 miles or so. This means you can easily take a day trip or even a weekend to the “big city” whenever you want to explore new areas or a larger environment.
No matter what your passion is, there is plenty to do in Memphis. They have national museums, murals, music tours, and a rich nightlife with clubs, artists, performances, and succulent southern food.
How Can You Travel Around to Nearby Towns?
When you live in a small town, you may not have a car, or you may share one with your spouse. This can make it difficult if you want to travel to a nearby town or have a friend’s weekend somewhere nearby.
Thankfully, there are plenty of options to rent vehicles so you can travel around. If you are thinking about a big trip with a couple of other people, you could consider getting a sprinter or charter van. No one has to drive, so you can enjoy the weekend or evening without worrying about who is going to be the responsible driver to get everyone back home.
These vehicles also hold up to 14 people, so you can have a nice big night without crowding everyone into a small car.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a bus that reliably travels from Oxford to even Memphis, or a series of buses to jump between, so using a vehicle is really the only option. You can rent a car of course, but that can be expensive, and then you will need a designated driver.
You can also taxi from town to town, but that can be almost the same price as renting or hiring a charter vehicle and fits fewer people. It is a good option if just one or two people are traveling, but not if you want to take a huge group.
Tags: English