Page 56 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2023

BEACH TOWN
Gulfport Highlighted for Affordable Housing and Growth
story by Cherie Ward
The city of Gulfport has recently been hailed in numerous print and online magazines as an economic powerhouse as well as the best and most affordable beachside town.
So, what is Gulfport’s secret formula to being a trendsetting beachside jewel that’s exploding with economic projects and has savvy homebuyers snapping up properties?
It’s white sandy beaches with a blend of a small-town feel and city life, according to a new study from Realtor.com. It’s the second time in five years that Gulfport has taken the top spot on the site’s list of most affordable beach towns in America.
And that combination of high tides and low prices also landed Gulfport on the site’s number four spot of “The Next Urban Powerhouses: 10 Smaller Cities Poised to Skyrocket.” The report cited Hurricane Katrina’s 2005 devastation as one of the many reasons vacationers and homebuyers are now flooding Gulfport.
“But where many on the Gulf Coast saw only devastation, others regarded it as an opportunity to build a better city. The rebuilding effort added thousands of jobs. And a combination of Southern hospitality and affordable housing has fueled population growth in the Gulfport area,” according to the publication.
With attractions such as the Gulfport Sportsplex and the newly renovated award-winning school system constantly in the news, it’s easy to see why people are intrigued by Gulfport. And although Katrina’s scars are still evident, so are the fruits of recovery, including new roads and bridges, rebuilt casinos, strengthened harbors, and restored barrier islands.
As a powerhouse with an ever-elusive boomtown status bursting with good-paying jobs, world-class culture, and social media-worthy foodie havens, Gulfport was also chosen as the top city in the state to live in, according to Money Magazine. Gulfport recently had the leading spot for the Magnolia State in “The Best Place to Live in Every State” list. The magazine analyzed the cost of living, housing, school preferences, weather, and hot- spot attractions.
And SmartAsset.com agreed and uncovered Gulfport as
the “Most Affordable Beach Town” in the United States for
five consecutive years from 2016 to 2020. Gulfport landed in the second spot on the same list in 2021 and 2022. The top spot in those years was awarded to Gulfport’s sister city, Biloxi.
It seems Gulfport being an affordable beach town powerhouse is no longer a secret.
56 | July 2023
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