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No. 1 reason for retiring in Mississippi? Tax savings: weather, hospitality, slower pace of life aren't bad either.

Article Excerpt
Why do retirees relocate to Mississippi?

You can talk about escaping the cold and ice up North. The Southern hospitality. A slower pace of life. Less crime and congestion.

The bottom line is the bottom line, though: tax savings which allow retirees to enjoy more of their hard-earned income is the number one attraction for relocating retirees.

"The main reason why retirees want to relocate here is the tax savings," says Tona Becker, retirement coordinator for the City of Madison. "For a married couple 65 or older, the first $75,000 of appraised value of homes is exempt from property tax. That is a big, big plus. No state income taxes on retirement income is also a big deal."

'Let's check it out'

Virginia and Myron Bernitz lived in Joplin, Mo., for 17 years before relocating to Tupelo about a year ago.

"My husband said we moved here for tax purposes," Virginia said. "Taxes were the most important thing in his book. Mine was being closer to my family. We do love it here. It is a great place to live. I have joined a Red Hat Society, we have found a church that we love and we are building a home."

The Bernitz were driving through Tupelo on the way to visit relatives in Birmingham when they saw a billboard on the highway that...

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