This Mississippi Coast town is one of the best places to live, says Money Magazine

Don’t be surprised if new neighbors start popping up in Bay St. Louis.

Money Magazine recently touted the Mississippi Coast town as one of the best places to live in the country.

Bay St. Louis was the only Mississippi town to make the list of 50 wonderful places to put down roots. The list included 19 Southern towns, including three each in Tennessee, Florida and Arkansas. Alabama and Louisiana didn’t have a single place in the top 50.

“This year’s Best Places to Live list celebrates cities and towns where a thriving economy meets affordability, diversity and an exceptional quality of life,” reported the magazine. “Backed by rigorous research and data-driven analysis, these 50 places are the blueprint for the future.”

Money praised Bay St. Louis for bouncing back and rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina.

“But nearly 20 years later, the Mississippi seaside spot has rebuilt its reputation as a beach town with plenty to do and a welcoming community,” said Mallika Mitra of Money Magazine.

In those decades, Bay St. Louis nurtured an image of a laid back, relaxing town with a flourishing art scene, a plethora of recreational activities, a low unemployment rate and golf cart friendly streets.

“One of the town’s final steps in returning to pre-Katrina glory could come to fruition later this year, as Amtrak resumes its service to the area,” said Mitra. “connecting Bay St. Louis to other Gulf Coast towns and the broader southeast region.”

Here’s the full list of the best places to live in the U.S.

The 50 best places to live

• Atlanta, Georgia

• Babcock Ranch, Florida

• Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

• Bisbee, Arizona

• Boise, Idaho

• Brevard, North Carolina

• Buffalo, New York

• Camas, Washington

• Chattanooga, Tennessee

• Cincinnati, Ohio

• Clarksville, Tennessee

• Covington, Kentucky

• Detroit, Michigan

• Durham, North Carolina

• Eugene, Oregon

• Eureka Springs, Arkansas

• Fayetteville, Arkansas

• Ferndale, Michigan

• Frederick, Maryland

• Fruita, Colorado

• Kalamazoo, Michigan

• Knoxville, Tennessee

• La Crosse, Wisconsin

• Lancaster, Pennsylvania

• Las Cruces, New Mexico

• Lawrence, Kansas

• Lexington, Kentucky

• Media, Pennsylvania

• Metuchen, New Jersey

• Milford, Connecticut

• New Braunfels, Texas

• Northampton, Massachusetts

• Northfield, Minnesota

• Ogden, Utah

• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• Oneonta, New York

• Pawtucket, Rhode Island

• Port St. Lucie, Florida

• Portland, Maine

• Prairie Crossing, Illinois

• Richmond, Virginia

• Rock Hill, South Carolina

• Rogers, Arkansas

• Sacramento, California

• Temecula, California

• Thomasville, Georgia

• Troy, New York

• Tulsa, Oklahoma

• Ybor City (Tampa), Florida

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