Escatawpa offers bayou views and a laid-back lifestyle
Escatawpa offers waterside living along the Pascagoula River and bayous, where boating and fishing are popular pastimes. "It's definitely more of a rural area," says Realtor Melinda Calhoun with Coastal Realty Group. "But it's similar to communities nearby in that the highway makes it accommodating." Mississippi Highway 63 brings commuters south to neighboring Moss Point and just a little farther into Pascagoula, and Interstate 10 brings them east into Mobile and west toward Biloxi. Escatawpa has some local shops and restaurants, and those nearby cities offer even more shopping, dining and entertainment options.
Riverfront homes and fish camps line Escatawpa’s bayous
Escatawpa captures the essence of the Gulf Coast, with dense patches of pine and oak forest, surrounded by grassy marshes and wetlands. The community surrounds a section of the Pascagoula River and its branches of lazy bayous. Riverbanks are dotted with fish camps and lifted houses, some of which are only accessible by boat. The rest of the community mainly consists of manufactured, ranch-style and New Traditional homes. Many of Escatawpa's streets are lined with live oak and magnolia trees, covered with moss and kudzu. Some may have larger lots, typically reaching just under an acre of lush, green land. Prices in Escatawpa range between $50,000 and $190,000 for most homes, though residences closer to the water may range between $200,000 and $225,000. According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Escatawpa has a relatively high risk of hurricane and flooding damage, especially around the river. Residents should purchase appropriate homeowner's insurance and follow any evacuation guidelines in the event of severe weather.
Residents enjoy tubing, beach days and nature boardwalks
Homes on the water often have docks, and for the area's boaters and anglers without direct water access, there is a public boat launch and pier nearby in Moss Point, about 5 miles away. Moss Point also has the Pascagoula River Audubon Center with kayak rentals and a tranquil boardwalk trail with water views. Moss Point also offers traditional community parks, like Second Street Park, which has a walking trail, picnic areas and a playground. There's also a walking track and playground off Highway 63. Escatawpa isn't a long drive from Shepherd State Park, 15 miles away. There are nearly 400 acres of land here, with trails, a playground, a disc golf course and river access for kayaking and fishing. Residents seeking a beach day are just 10 miles from Pascagoula Beach Park on the Gulf Coast.
Education through Moss Point School District
Moss Point School District serves around 1,600 students and earns an overall B rating from Niche. Escatawpa students may start at Moss Point Kreole Primary, which serves kindergarten through second grade, and Escatawpa Upper Elementary, which serves third through fifth grades. Both schools earn a C-plus score. Magnolia Middle has a C, and Moss Point High scores a B-plus. The school offers a strong sports program, with options such as football, volleyball and cross country.
Local shops and restaurants line Highway 613 and nearby road
The community has a modest commercial area centered around Highway 613, with churches, municipal buildings and a few shops. Residents may pick up groceries from Piggly Wiggly, Dollar General or Cheap Charley's Surplus Salvage. Locally owned restaurants are scattered along the highway, like Sunshine Donuts and Nana's Seafood, a Chinese restaurant serving fried Gulf seafood. At the intersection of Highway 63 and Interstate 10, there's a dining area with chain restaurants like Cracker Barrel and a few local spots like Tay's BBQ, which is known for its smoked chicken wings. Moss Point also offers a Dollar General and Four Seasons Produce. This produce market provides fresh fruit, veggies and local foods like boiled peanuts. Buddies House of Food serves platters of barbecue ribs, and Tootsie of the River is a locally owned ice cream parlor. There are more offerings in nearby cities like Pascagoula.
Winter holiday celebrations bring Escatawpa residents together. For 60 years, the Escatawpa Christmas Parade has made its way through the community with lights, floats and a visit from Santa Claus. Moss Point also hosts several events, including the Moss Point Christmas by the River. This boat parade is an area tradition, showcasing boats decorated in colorful displays on the Pascagoula.
Highways and rail connect Escatawpa to nearby cities
Escatawpa has two major thoroughfares: Mississippi Highways 63 and 613. As Calhoun mentions, these roads provide the rural area access to the rest of the east side of Biloxi Bay. These main roads run south to Interstate 10, about 5 miles from Escatawpa. Pascagoula is 6 miles away and has the nearest medical center, Pascagoula Hospital. Residents also have access to Amtrak's Mardi Gras Service, which stops in Pascagoula. The train runs between Mobile, Alabama, 40 miles away, and New Orleans, Louisiana, 110 miles away. There is a depot in Pascagoula and neighboring Gulf Coast cities. Escatawpa has a local charter airport, but the closest public airport is Mobile Regional, 30 miles east. Gulfport-Biloxi International is about 40 miles west.
