Have you ever considered living in downtown Biloxi? If not, you should take another look!

The Howard Avenue corridor is continuing to evolve into an even more vibrant community with new restaurants, bars, shops, and living spaces emerging daily. While there are numerous reasons to move downtown, I’ll focus on a few that I find most compelling.

Firstly, consider the convenience of downtown Biloxi, which provides everything you need for your daily life and entertainment, all within just under a square mile. Within a few minutes, you can visit our farmers’ market, pick up a prescription, and stop for a freshly brewed beer at one of two local breweries, all while on foot. Living downtown will also put you near a hospital, fire safety, and police station. This mix of amenities and downtown access to Highway 90 and I-110 make it hard to beat.

Downtown Biloxi (Photo by Corey Christy)

Living downtown offers another benefit: an unbeatable sense of community. Spending less time in your car and more time among your neighbors allows you to walk more often, taking the time to get to know the people around you. Moreover, your presence benefits the local businesses that fill downtown. Not only do these businesses contribute to the personality of the area, but they also offer a “third place” for you to call home. Whether it’s the coffee shops, breweries, restaurants, or even the free recreational spaces, downtown provides ample opportunities to chat with friends and spend quality time with family.  

If you are considering making the move, you have several options with more on the way! The recently finished Howard Square at 902 Howard Avenue is currently leasing one or spacious two-bedroom units for $1,300 to $1,600 per month. Leasing agent Judy Abide’s thoughts on the area: “One of the many benefits of living in downtown Biloxi is the walkability. On a gorgeous day in the spring, you can enjoy some of the best coffee shops on the coast. If you work or live near Howard Avenue, you are just steps away from vegan, seafood, or steak restaurants. Take a stroll down Rue Magnolia to find quaint art galleries and shops. New developments are coming this spring that will bring even more excitement!”

The highly anticipated Barqs building project will begin leasing 13 new apartments this May, with another 10 coming later in the year. Owner Lee Young says, “The Barqs building development will be an exciting addition to downtown. We will offer mixed-use with living, shops, restaurants, and world-class entertainment.”

You will also find several short-term options if you want to test the waters before taking the plunge. The brand-new Bella, which offers a hip Miami vibe, is only one of several VRBO-style offerings in the area.

Corey Christy, a native of Biloxi, Corey returned in 2013 after college to begin following his passion for his hometown through his grassroots activities with various volunteer positions, boards, and local organizations. Corey is past President of the Biloxi Main Street, where he has been a board member for the last 8 years. In that short amount of time Corey has made a lasting impact on the organization and the city, founding the Biloxi Public Art project that has brought 30 pieces of public art to life around downtown that tell different stories of the local history, he is the recipient of two Fire Soul awards, the Design Award, the Visionary Award, as well as The City of Biloxi’s Volunteer of the Year for Arts and Culture, a Mississippi Main Street Award for the Biloxi Public Art Project, a Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence in 2021, and a Mississippi Main Street Trailblazer award in 2022. Corey has been a Board Member of the Biloxi Bay Area Chamber of Commerce for the previous 3 years, the Gallery 782 co-op, as well as serving one year on the board for the Mississippi Coastal Plain Land Trust. Corey helps to organize Bike Biloxi and occasionally leads the weekly community bike rides throughout the city.

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