Top 5 Reasons To Retire in Oxford

Game days and Friday nights on the Square are one picture of Oxford, but there is a different side to the community that does not make it to national television, and yet is just as important to those that are a part of it.

Oxford has the honor of being one of Mississippi’s certified retirement communities and has an active Retiree Attraction Program.

Rosie Vassallo, Retiree Attraction Program director, lives in Oxford, works with the Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and is in charge of continually drawing retirees to Oxford. This is an important task, but one that is made easier because of five reasons Oxford is the best retirement city in Mississippi.

5. Weather
The average temperature for January is 40 degrees and the average temperature for June is 78 degrees. This makes for warm summers and mild winters that retirees find desirable.
“People love that we have four seasons,” Vassallo said. “We get asked if we get snow, and we do, but it’s not a lot. People from Chicago and Florida love that we have four different seasons.”

4. Cost of Living
The cost of living in Oxford may seem high compared to surrounding communities, but is a great value when compared to other parts of the state and the rest of the nation.

“The cost of living is as attractive as the local scenery,” Vassallo said. “Oxford is approximately 10 percent below the national average, and overall housing costs are about 20 percent below the national average.”

3. Ole Miss
All residents are fortunate to have Ole Miss as a part of the community because it provides endless opportunities, but retirees also receive free tuition.

“The University’s relationship with Oxford residents is second to none, consequently sharing their calendar of events with the public,” Vassallo said. “Retirees may enroll in an academic course of up to four credit hours per semester, tuition free.”

2. Culture
Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, Oxford Film Festival, The Fringe Festival, Maker’s Market, and the Oxford City Market are just a few of the local organizations and events that retirees can become involved in or attend.

“Our rich history and extraordinary cultural… make it even more enticing,” Vassallo said.

1. Safety
Oxford’s crime rate is 22 percent lower than the national average, and the Oxford Police Department is dedicated to helping the community feel safe.

“Studies indicate that older Americans are more concerned with crime than any other segment of our population,” Vassallo said. “When older adults do not feel safe in a community, they tend to become prisoners of their home, afraid to walk the streets of their own neighborhood.”

Amy Goodin is a writer for HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at argoodin12@gmail.com.

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