What can anyone tell me about Oxford, MS?

[1moreroad]

Might be a job opportunity there for my wife.  What's it like?  I know a few people with family near Jackson, but no one can tell me much about Oxford.  I rode through Memphis last year.  Excellent BBQ.  Beautiful area outside the city, but not much to do out there except visit civil war memorials.  

Any good riding?

TIA

[caseylee]

I have lived in Oxford for the past 2 years while going to school there (just moved away) but it is a great town to live in.  It has all the amenities of a larger town with a small town atmosphere.  The only problem I see is that it is growing a little too fast for its own good.  Real estate has gone through the roof but it is not impossible to find a place to live.  It is a college town though and can get a little hectic through out the school year especially around the Square (the downtown area with all the bars and nice places to eat).  They do have a great school system with access to a community college and the main university so if you have kids it would be a great place for them to get their education.  

As for the riding there are a few decent roads like 334 from Oxford to Pontotoc and 315 around Sardis Lake but that's about all I have found.  If you have any questions let me know and I can probably answer them for you!

[farmer fred]

William Faulkner's home town, I believe, and therefore a model for Yoknapatawpha County.

"I don't hate the South," "I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,""I don't hate the South,"

[Yankee Dog]

Which Oxford?  North or South Mississippi

Yankee Dog

[1moreroad]

Which Oxford?  North or South Mississippi

Yankee Dog

Next to University, MS.  Next to Ole Miss, University of Mississippi.

[caseylee]

When you moving?  I've got an open apartment that's available through August 15th for $700 a month if you need a place to stay.....

[county]

Oxford is very Southern.  Better be accepting of Southern culture or you won't like it.

[1moreroad]

Oxford is very Southern.  Better be accepting of Southern culture or you won't like it.

Raised in MD (ages 2 - 22).  What do you mean?

[vfroger]

My mom and dad retired to Lafayette county (Como) across the lake from Oxford. They were there 20 years until they passed away a few years back. I spent quite a bit of time there and traversed back and forth between it and east Tennessee several times a year.

North Mississippi is rural and fairly poor. You'll likely notice that once off of the main roads, the quality of the roads sux. There isn't any really great riding (challenging, curvy) in the area, but it is rural and reasonably scenic. Because it's very stereotypical southern, it's laid back. Oxford has decent medical facilities, all the shopping I could ever need, and decent schools. The nearest large city is Memphis, about an hour north. If you need bike stuff, you'll need to go there or at least to Southaven.

Oxford is a college town. The campus is nice, but I have no firsthand experience with utilities or local politics.

The nearest mountain riding is northern Arkansas and will take 3 or 4 hours to get there. If you gamble, the casinos at Tunica are 50 miles away.

[deaconjones]

Raised in MD (ages 2 - 22).  What do you mean?

 
  Ever seen "Deliverance"?  

[threexcharm]

 
  Ever seen "Deliverance"?  

You are wrong for that. Oxford is a nice town. Life is slower and
more enjoyable than the big city. I moved away from a large city
to live while it is quiet and safe for my family.

Like others have said, you have Memphis an hour away. There
will be places where you can ride. A lot of state highways that
cut through the pine forests, etc.

It will grow on you. Avoid the condesending elitists.....

Joe

[sillyhillbilly]

if your looking for roads then go est young man, there is plenty of roads just east of the tennesse river, nice hills and curves, or go farther east the farther you go the twistier it gets

[CafeTBird]

Raised in MD (ages 2 - 22).  What do you mean?

He said very "Southern".  MD doesn't count for that - it is a Southern state that is very Northern ;-)

[rselin]

Re: What can anyone tell me about Oxford, MS?

Well for one thing, James Meredith didn't have a whole lot of fun there.

"He went down to Oxford town
Guns and clubs followed him down
All because his face was brown
Better get away from Oxford town"

"Oxford Town" from The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, 1963.

[Sign Guy]

I stayed their several times while traveling The South and several states north of the Mason-Dixon Line in sales. MS has the friendliest people of anywhere I have ever been domestically or internationally. As for Oxford Town, I was born a few years after and only have recent references to the area. Can we sat Neal Young??  

[Tyrroneous]

I've spent very little time in Oxford.  But I did grow up in Starkville, MS.  Starkville is very similar to Oxford in many respects.  Both are college towns, etc.  

Life is definitely slower and more laid back compared to many of the more populated parts of the county.  The people are generally very nice.  Southern cooking is abundunt (thank goodness!).  Generally, the university will have some positive influence on the quality of public schooling in the town...at least that was the case for me.  

Oxford should be a great place to live, raise a family, etc.  Its at least worth checking out.  

[threexcharm]

Re: What can anyone tell me about Oxford, MS?

Well for one thing, James Meredith didn't have a whole lot of fun there.

"He went down to Oxford town
Guns and clubs followed him down
All because his face was brown
Better get away from Oxford town"

"Oxford Town" from The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, 1963.

That was very ignorant of you. When was the last time
you or Dylan were in Oxford?

And what the hell do you care about James Meredith?

Nuckleheads in Boston were protesting and boycotting
school desegregation twenty years after it had become
a sucess in the South.

Better not to speak and be thought of as an idiot, than
to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

I guess it doesn't take the winter temperatures long to
freeze your tiny semblence of a brain.

Sorry about getting personal, but that was a cheap shot.

Joe

[Mookie]

Home of the Oxford American Magazine, might be worth picking up a copy.

[CafeTBird]

That was very ignorant of you. When was the last time
you or Dylan were in Oxford?

And what the hell do you care about James Meredith?

Nuckleheads in Boston were protesting and boycotting
school desegregation twenty years after it had become
a sucess in the South.

Better not to speak and be thought of as an idiot, than
to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

I guess it doesn't take the winter temperatures long to
freeze your tiny semblence of a brain.

Sorry about getting personal, but that was a cheap shot.

Joe

Didn't see anything ignorant about that at all, geez, all he did was quote lyrics from a song.  I thought it was a kind of amusing reference to the South of 40 years in the past (thank God).  I visited Oxford in the late 60's, and at the time it definitely needed reform.

Threex - looks like you have a MAJOR chip on your shoulder!  Get over it.

[rselin]

That was very ignorant of you. When was the last time
you or Dylan were in Oxford?

And what the hell do you care about James Meredith?

Nuckleheads in Boston were protesting and boycotting
school desegregation twenty years after it had become
a sucess in the South.

Better not to speak and be thought of as an idiot, than
to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

I guess it doesn't take the winter temperatures long to
freeze your tiny semblence of a brain.

Sorry about getting personal, but that was a cheap shot.

Joe

The poster asked and I told him all I knew about Oxford.  I guess I was lucky the poster didn't ask about Birmingham or Montgomery or you probably really would have blown a gasket.

CafeTBird - thanks.

[threexcharm]

Yeah, I understand what you guys are saying.

When I want to know something about the South, I don't
rely on a drug crazed northern folk singer.

Tell Neil Young to remember
Southern man don't need him around anyhow

I rely on a drug crazed southern rocker.

We both get good reliable un-biased reflections.......

One thing we have in common....both of our opinions stink.

He may be better off going to Oxford and forming his own
opinions. It is quite obvious that he won't get intelligent
responses here.

I drove to Oxford twice a month while my daughter was
in college.

How many times you boys been there?????

Just what I thought. You once remembered some lyrics......

Seems like prejudice is up north also.....eh?????

I am through with this boredom.

Joe

[caseylee]

How many times you boys been there?????

Joe

I live there....I'm actually in Oxford as I type this....I've tried helping him out as much as possible.

[tbzep]

I live there....I'm actually in Oxford as I type this....I've tried helping him out as much as possible.

And you're the only one qualified to give him an accurate answer.  I've visited Oxford twice and thought it was a nice place.  However, visiting a few times compared to living there is like comparing apples to oranges.  I've been up north twice in the last couple of years also.  My opinion of NY and MI is that I'd much rather be where I am, or in Oxford, or dang near anywhere else down here, and I didn't even let stereotype get in the way of forming my own opinion.

[threexcharm]

Casey and Zep:

Thanks for the support. There are a lot of real fine people down south. I have been a resident of Louisiana my whole life. I was in Mississippi yesterday.

The individual that originated this subject asked a legit question. Instead of just leaving this subject alone, we had morons, some that don't even live in the United States, drag up dumb "ace" lyrics about race issues that took place 40/50 years ago. I take offense to this kind of shallow thinking. I apologize if my comments offended anyone.

Two generations ago, some people wore sheets and hoods, blacks were shot, some were hung, black children were not allowed in public schools, they were forced to sit in the back of buses, had separate bathroom and water fountains. I could go on and on. The point is that kind of crap does not happen anymore and when you drag a black man behind a pick up truck now, you don't get a slap on the back from a good ole boy, you get a death sentence. Part of my job is keeping criminals where they belong...in jail.

I am unfortunate because I can't live in Canada where everything is perfect.

Ignorant comments were made and my button was pushed. I don't have issues or problems. As a matter of a fact, I have a pretty good life.

Now....if I can just get rid of that black guy that has been my neighbor for twenty years, it would be nirvana.

Guys and Gals....please engage your brain before you open your mouth.

Neal....I have been a member for a long time. Never had this before. Sorry about the rant, but in this case, it was justified.

Joe

[CafeTBird]

There are a lot of real fine people down south. I have been a resident of Louisiana my whole life. I was in Mississippi yesterday.

Joe

Pulleese, Joe - you need to take this whole thread, yourself, AND internet discussion forums a lot less seriously.

I understand that is it difficult being from that part of the deep South , but I don't think there was anything personal meant by the person sharing this quote.  Oh, don't forget what they do to MOTORCYLISTS where you are from!!!

Final scene from EZ Rider

Here, I have got some special sauce for ya:

Now....if I can just get rid of that black guy that has been my neighbor for twenty years, it would be nirvana.

Guys and Gals....please engage your brain before you open your mouth.

I think you needed to take your own advice here..... It's the year 2007 now Joe, just in case you were wondering.  BTW - you might not have seen this little tidbit of info:

Ku Klux Klan Revival

A little clip for ya:
"Between 2000 and 2005, hate groups mushroomed 33 percent and Klan chapters by 63 percent, according to Mark Potok, director of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate crimes."

Hate is not just a 40 year ago problem - it is alive and well in the South today.

I am as proud of my Southern heritage as the next Reb (like how we kicked the Brit's arse after those folks up North took on way more than they could handle ).  That being said, I'm also not so dumb as to think we have no faults and are without some definite dark spots in our past, as well as present. 

The guy was making a freakin' joke - get a clue please?

[rselin]

The individual that originated this subject asked a legit question.

And received a legit answer.  Let's face it, his question wasn't ideally phrased and I took advantage of its vagueness to throw in a bit of humo(u)r.  I guess you had no problem with the "Deliverance" poke but James Meredith struck a nerve, eh?  (We say "eh" up in Canada where everything is perfect and we throw "u"s in the middle of words).

I thought you were "through with this boredom" and yet here you are with another post, calling me a moron, ignorant, etc.  I'm still cracking up from the "semblance of a brain" dig.  Are all Southerners capable of such brilliant ripostes, or are you unusually gifted?

I've never been to Oxford, but spent some time in Atlanta.  The people there were really friendly, so I'm guessing sour fucks like you are an exception in the South.

Canada's not perfect, but we do have good beer and I'll buy you one if you're ever in Calgary.  Sounds like you need one.

[CafeTBird]

Are all Southerners capable of such brilliant ripostes, or are you unusually gifted?

Canada's not perfect, but we do have good beer and I'll buy you one if you're ever in Calgary.  Sounds like you need one.

Don't forget that the South has spawned quite a few brilliant literates, including Tennessee Williams, Thomas Wolfe, Ralph Ellison, Mark Twain, and William Faulkner!  No, most of us understand a joke when we see it, Rselin... things have just been a little sensitive down on Ole Miss since they started digging out a few of the cold cases from the civil rights movement again lately...

Investigating the Murders of Henry Dee and Charles Moore

Now, I'll take you up on that beer next time I am up Nort dere, eh!  Never been known to turn down a cold one, although most of my exploits take me to the eastern quadrants of Ontario and Quebec...

[rselin]

Now, I'll take you up on that beer next time I am up Nort dere, eh!  Never been known to turn down a cold one, although most of my exploits take me to the eastern quadrants of Ontario and Quebec...

Done!  The roads are better out west (compared to Ontario and Quebec, anyway).  I would like to get down your way some time to slay this Dragon I keep hearing about.

You have good taste in motorcycles, I see...

[CafeTBird]

The Dragon is totally overrated.  There are much better roads, but we like to keep all the Yahoos away from them.

Thanks very much on the bikes - same to ya!  All the electrics work, even... 

[tbzep]

The Dragon is totally overrated.  There are much better roads, but we like to keep all the Yahoos away from them.

I spent a week riding in Ontario last summer.  The Dragon isn't really overrated, just immensely overcrowded, making it a mess to deal with.  Like you say, it helps keep other great roads less crowded.  The Ontarians would love any of the roads in that general area.  Then again, our straight interstate highways in TN are as curvy as Ontairo's roads!     I'll give them one thing, even in June, the wind blowing off of Lake Superior dang near froze my nads off!  I wore perfed leather and was in near 80F temps as we headed north up Superior's coast.  We rode through an area and my bike's thermometer dropped into the 40's!  I still shiver thinking about it!    

The only roads we found that had decent curves were chip and tar and in various stages of disrepair.  I didn't ride the 507 that everybody talks about, but some of my Canadian friends have met me in Nashville rode in Middle TN with me.  They said our roads blow everything away that they've seen, including the 507....I can't wait to get them into East TN, NC, North GA someday.    Maybe it'll happen soon.  BTW, I'm not knocking all the roads of Ontario.  I'm sure there are a few curves tucked away up there.  

The folks up there were very nice...about like down here in the South and in the southwestern part of WI I visited a few years ago...much friendlier than MI and NY.  Maybe I just didn't find the right places in those states.  The beer was great.  The Beer Stores suck ...we can get beer at any convience store at almost any time down here in the States.  What's the big idea of closing the only beer store near us at 6:00 pm, eh?    The ride and the breakfast on the Chi Chi Mon (sp?) across the bay was cool.  The pork fat (can't remember the name of it) wasn't good, but my buddy said it normally was a lot better than what I tried.  The cost of beer and food was worse than Disney World prices except for the little mom and pop country restaraunt I had breakfast at in the Sault St. Marie area.   I'm not a coffee drinker, but those who do would be in heaven because there seems to be more Tim Hortens' up there than McDonalds' down here.    The comments I overheard about the French/Quebec were much more interesting than the stereotypical stuff the media tries to hype up on the South.  

[kemp]

Home of the Oxford American Magazine, might be worth picking up a copy.

Which is now published in Conway, AR, which is where I'm typing from . . .

[REAPER]

1moreroad - Oxford is part of my 225 mi. to 305 mi. Saturday ride (to get to the few twisties). What kind of bike do you have. We'll hook up if you want after you get settled in.    There are 2 or 4 of us that ride together.
As for the dumbass Yankees that decided to stereotype us  

[tbzep]

1moreroad - Oxford is part of my 225 mi. to 305 mi. Saturday ride (to get to the few twisties). What kind of bike do you have. We'll hook up if you want after you get settled in.    There are 2 or 4 of us that ride together.
As for the dumbass Yankees that decided to stereotype us  

Southaven....Reaper, are you one of the sixteen thousand umpires that work the baseball and softball tournaments every summer?  

BTW, I saw Elvis flying one of the FedEx planes last time the TN Spring Fling was held there. (Softball was in Southaven...a Tennessee state championship played in Mississippi.   )

[rangerray]

One more here that lives and works near the Oxford area. Like everyone says, there aren't many good riding roads around this area unless you're into cruising.

[1moreroad]

Thanks for the inputs.  I've been following this thread.

[motofish]

I lived in Oxford for 6 years, biking for 2 of em.  What do you want to know?  Squid behavior is limited, but beware of the texting sorostitute clad in a pricy behemoth.  Fun roads abound to the south and around the lakes.  To those who dislike the riding area: move to florida.  I miss the trips to tiny towns and refreshing, rolling pastures and forest.  334 and all back roads south of the town were nice.  Some pavement problems once you leave main roads but no different than GA or TN.  

[1moreroad]

Looks like I'll be moving there in August.  From Los Angeles.    If you told me when I graduated high school that I would live in LA for a dozen years, I would thought you were nuts.  If you had told me I would live in rural Mississippi, I would have known you were crazy.  Now I can't wait!

Looks like the Ozarks north of Russellville could be a big day loop.  I can scratch my track day itch at Barber once or twice a year.

[Mac]

Cool, We may have to do a Ms stn meet this fall.

[Tyrroneous]

Well then, here's an early welcome to MS.   I think you'll find, despite what a lot of people say, that there are many things to like about the south in general and the state of Mississippi.  


I like the MS STN gathering idea Mac!!    

[1moreroad]

1moreroad - Oxford is part of my 225 mi. to 305 mi. Saturday ride (to get to the few twisties). What kind of bike do you have. We'll hook up if you want after you get settled in.    There are 2 or 4 of us that ride together.

Commuter/sport-touring/(rarely sportbike) 2001 ZX6R

Well then, here's an early welcome to MS.   I think you'll find, despite what a lot of people say, that there are many things to like about the south in general and the state of Mississippi.  

Thanks.  I think an adjustment to small town living will be as big as the adjustment to southern living.  Can't wait to eat more grits and collard greens and BBQ (seriously).    The funny thing is what I'll miss about LA.  First and foremost, friends.  #2 on the list -- the mountains.  A friend said to me, everyone misses the beach but no one ever misses the mountains! (if he only realized how good the riding was up there....)

I like the MS STN gathering idea Mac!!    

Natchez Trace Parkway round trip SS1k?    Barber track days October 27/28?

[county]

You gonna like it.  College town.  Literary town.  Lotta history.  Lotta good riding in the area.

Lemme know when you get settled and I'll ride down for a catfish lunch at that General Store downtown.

Oh, and don't tell the locals anything, let them tell you.  And say please and thankyou and yes sir and yes ma'm, a lot.  And don't go down there with your pants hanging down below your ass, unless you are an attractive female.  And don't wear your ballcap inside the church.  And remember at all times; it's you who is talkin funny.

[1moreroad]

Oh, and don't tell the locals anything, let them tell you.  And say please and thankyou and yes sir and yes ma'm, a lot.  And don't go down there with your pants hanging down below your ass, unless you are an attractive female.  And don't wear your ballcap inside the church.  And remember at all times; it's you who is talkin funny.

   All of the above usually works anywhere you go.  And my a$$ doesn't hang out anywhere -- it's way too ugly for that.  

[county]

   All of the above usually works anywhere you go.

Ok, then.  But when you get a small bowl of grits with your breakfast don't say "What's that?"  Just put some butter on them and eat them.

[1moreroad]

Ok, then.  But when you get a small bowl of grits with your breakfast don't say "What's that?"  Just put some butter on them and eat them.

Mmm... love grits.  Love collard greens.  Like catfish.

[Tyrroneous]

Mmm... love grits.  Love collard greens.  Like catfish.

Well, you should feel right at home then.  

[1moreroad]

Well, you should feel right at home then.  

Yeah, but I'll be adding to my waistline if I'm not careful.

[sskpe500]

I can't believe that nobody has mentioned the best part about Oxford.
The Girl to Guy ratio at the college is like 5 to 1. If you can't find something
interesting there then something is wrong.