7 Reasons to Retire in Starkville

Starkville, Mississippi, is the perfect choice if you’re looking for just the right place to enjoy your retirement.

The smaller population creates a welcoming, friendly, community-focused atmosphere, but the proximity to Mississippi State University means there is always something fun to do.

Starkville maintains a nice balance between town and gown as a college town, offering all the advantages of a vibrant business community, attractive residential neighborhoods, and the many sporting events, concerts, plays, museums, and galleries of Mississippi State University.

Our low cost of living, low crime, and abundant healthcare options make Starkville the perfect place to sit back, relax, and enjoy your post-work years. And for those looking to escape harsh winters, our short, mild winters and long, comfortable springs allow you to get outdoors all year long.

Reason #1: Starkville has a low cost of living

The cost of living in Starkville is about 14% lower than the national average, with everything from housing to health to transportation falling well below the national average. The median home cost in Starkville is below $200,000, making homeownership a comfortable reality for many local retirees. In addition, Mississippi offers low property tax rates with substantial exemptions for those over 65.

You’ve saved for retirement for all the years that you worked. Make the best out of your retirement income with a low cost of living that gives you the freedom and flexibility to enjoy your golden years. With a lower price for daily necessities, you’ll have a bigger budget for trips, events, and grandkids.

Reason #2: Starkville has exceptional healthcare options

Having high-quality health care in the community means you know you will be well taken care of no matter what happens. Retirees seeking care will find just what they need at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Oktibbeha County.

The medical center excels in rapid-response emergencies and is designated a Level III Trauma Center. For less emergent needs, Baptist Memorial Hospital has over 300 doctors and nurses with 20 medical specialties, including urology, gastroenterology, and pulmonology.

The Baptist Memorial Hospital HealthPlex offers specialized care, cardiac rehabilitation, physical rehabilitation, and programs tailored to older adults. Special classes and exercise programs are designed to help seniors build and sustain fitness, with additional programming to tend to those who have arthritis and osteoporosis.

Starkville’s proximity to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson and UAB Health Systems in Birmingham means that a world-class medical center is just a couple of hours away if the need for more specialized treatment arises.

Our community has several assisted living and nursing home facilities and home health care, assistance, and hospice service providers. In addition, the GTPDD’s Area Agency on Aging provides services to seniors that include the Bridge to Independence program, home-delivered meals and nutrition program for homebound seniors, insurance counseling, legal referrals, respite services, and more.

Reason #3: Starkville is home to Mississippi State University

We are Mississippi’s College Town, and being home to a major university comes with benefits. There are so many things to do on campus, from SEC sporting events to cultural activities, galleries, and museums.

You can attend SEC sporting events year-round, from football and basketball to softball and baseball. So if you’re a Bulldog fan, having a front-row seat to the excitement is perfect.

Mississippi State has six art galleries that display rotating shows throughout the year. From performances by national artists to local, faculty and student artists, you can experience different media through these exhibits.

With 11 museums and exhibits featuring fields from entomology to costume design and music, you’ll have hours of enjoyment pouring over the displays. History buffs will enjoy the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library Museum or the Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana Gallery. Fans of author John Grisham will enjoy the memorabilia and materials from his writings in the John Grisham Room. For hobbyists, the university is also home to museums dedicated to music, clocks, history, and even antique tools.

The university holds many cultural and artistic events throughout the year. For example, music lovers can see the MSU Symphony perform or catch a concert from the department of music’s choral ensembles or attend the annual Charles H. Templeton Ragtime & Jazz Festival. In addition, the university’s Lyceum Series brings in national and international acts each year. In previous years, the Lyceum Series has hosted the Alvin Ailey Dance Studio, singer Patti LaBelle, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, The Capitol Steps, The American Shakespeare Center, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, and many more.

With all of these amazing opportunities and events, the university bolsters Starkville’s economy and brings in tourism dollars each year; it also dramatically increases the quality of life for the entire community.

Reason #4: Starkville is a certified Welcome Home Mississippi community

Starkville has done its due diligence to earn its distinction as a retirement city. It was even named Mississippi’s Best City to Retire by Insurify in 2021.

Starkville was evaluated for its housing affordability, healthcare accessibility, life expectancy, crime rates, pedestrian and driver safety, recreational activities, educational activities, and overall quality of life to become a certified Welcome Home Mississippi community.

Our community earned top scores in each of these categories and residents’ perception of the town as a warm and welcoming community.

Reason #5: There are so many things to do in Starkville

Whether you’re a history buff, a sports fan, an outdoor enthusiast, or just want to enjoy a night out on the town, there’s a lot to love in Starkville. We’ve got something for everyone’s tastes, from unique museums to great eco-tourism opportunities. And don’t forget the great farm-to-table meals and dining, shopping, and great places to stay while you visit.

If you love the outdoors, you’ll find great places to hike, hunt, fish, bird watch, canoe or kayak, or golf in and around Starkville. Better yet, with our mild climate, you can recreate outdoors year-round!

One of our favorite outdoor spots is the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. This 42,500-acre reserve with bottomland and upland woodlands is home to various wildlife, including several species of birds, quail, deer, and turkey.

Starkville’s burgeoning historic downtown offers wonderful shopping and dining options that give you hundreds of worthy reasons to leave the house and get to know your new home.

Reason #6: You can get involved and continue to learn in Starkville

If you like to keep learning or get involved in your community, Starkville has a lot of opportunities to do just that!

Mississippi State University’s Center for Continuing Education offers a wide variety of personal enrichment classes. In addition, the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District (GTPDD) also offers fun classes in their Senior Enrichment Center. Seniors gather for classes on stitching, play games, or come together to play bridge.

If you want to play an active role in the Starkville community, we have many civic organizations, including Starkville Rotary, Starkville Area Arts Council, Lions Club, and more. You’re sure to find the right group for your interests.

The many exercise classes at the Baptist Memorial Hospital Wellness Connection are an excellent choice for those wanting to stay active and moving! Classes include aerobic dance, spin, Zumba, step, walk tall, and others; members have access to the pool, massage therapy, cardiovascular fitness equipment, and an indoor walking/jogging track. Starkville Parks & Rec also offers adult sports teams, yoga classes, line dancing, square dancing, and more activities to keep you moving.

Starkville has a very active church community where you will find welcoming congregations with which to worship. Our churches are very involved in the community and offer many volunteer opportunities and opportunities to fellowship.

Reason #7: Starkville has great transportation options and is close to major cities

Once you retire to Starkville, you may never want to leave. But if you do find the need to travel, Starkville has convenient access to three large cities by four-lane and Interstate highway. You can drive to Memphis or Birmingham in under 3 hours and to New Orleans in 5.

If you prefer to fly, it’s a 20-minute drive to the Golden Triangle Regional Airport, where you can fly to major hubs for continuation flights to your destination.

We’ve got public transportation if you don’t want to drive around town! Starkville has a bus service that provides transportation to major shopping centers and venues. The Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit (S.M.A.R.T.) has seven routes that operate year-round and campus routes that run from August to May. In addition, during SEC sporting events, Mississippi State University provides shuttle services from downtown Starkville to the game.

Spend Your Golden Years in Starkville: Mississippi’s College Town

With exceptional healthcare, plenty of things to do, and a low cost of living, Starkville, Mississippi, is a dream come true for those looking to live their best lives in retirement. So why not spend your golden years surrounded by maroon and white?

Make Starkville: Mississippi’s College Town your home and discover something new today!