Buyers trade city bustle for land and laid-back living in Saucier
As communities across the Gulf Coast become more populated, Saucier draws buyers with its acreage and laid-back lifestyle. "If you're looking for cattle and horses, this is the place," says Realtor Melinda Calhoun with Coastal Realty Group. "Saucier is where you go for a slower pace, country living and acreage. It's like a rural suburb." The community is around 20 miles from the nearest city, Gulfport, which provides dining, retail and entertainment residents. Saucier also has well-rated schools and close to parks and trails. And, as Calhoun notes, the beach is only 20 minutes away.
Saucier offers more land than nearby Gulfport
Saucier sits deep within the country, where homes are spread out, often on acreage. Residences are surrounded by green fields gleaming in the summer with golden black-eyed Susans and dense pine woods that provide privacy. The land is spotted with ponds for fishing and swimming, and some residences feature crop fields for farming. Homes often have one to 12 acres of land, with some lots reaching over 50 acres. "The acreage is just not available in Gulfport anymore, so people are searching for that in areas like Saucier," Calhoun says. There are many manufactured houses, priced between $160,000 and $280,000, depending on the year of the home. Buyers will also find ranch-style, New Traditional and farmhouse-style houses, typically priced between $300,000 and $750,000, depending on the amount of land.
Education through Harrison County Schools
Harrison County Schools serves over 14,000 students and scores an overall A-minus rating on Niche. Saucier Elementary has an A-minus, West Wortham Elementary-Middle earns a B-plus and Harrison Central High has a B rating. High schoolers may choose between several extracurriculars, including theater, color guard and athletics like swimming and football.
Annual craft show and trail access add to local charm
Saucier has modest outdoor recreation but is within a 30-minute drive of several parks and beaches. Saucier Park, on Saucier Lizana Road, offers athletic fields, a walking trail and a playground with a splash pad. The park's community center hosts the annual Saucier Christmas Craft and Jewelry Show, with vendors, food and a visit from Santa. For more hiking, the Tuxachanie Trail is just north of the community. Its moderately challenging trail is surrounded by towering trees and tangles of vines and brambles. Saucier is about 10 miles from Airey Lake Recreation Area, with a trail that loops around the lake. Grand Bear Golf Course, 10 miles away, has public tee times available. The community sits about 20 miles north of the Gulf Coast and surrounding bays and bayous. There are ample opportunities to sunbathe, swim, boat and fish around the water.
Highway 49 has coffee, pizza and Mexican food spots
There's a modest community hub along Highway 49 in Saucier. The area features several churches, a Dollar General, a pharmacy and the Saucier Children's Library. Churches and the library typically bring the community together, whether it's a children's story time or a church dinner. There are a few restaurants here, too, like Gigi's Java, which serves handcrafted coffee drinks and ice cream. Juan Tequila's serves classic Mexican food, and R and B Brick Oven Pizza offers wood-fired pies. Saucier is less than 20 miles from Gulfport, which has Walmart, big box stores, retail outlets and various dining options.
Quick access to Gulf Coast cities and essential services
Saucier sits near US Highway 49 and Mississippi Highway 67. Residents may use Highway 49 to connect to Interstate 10, 20 miles south. "67 is a quick corridor to get you to Biloxi and the other areas on the east side, so you don't have to come all the way down 49 if you're commuting," Calhoun says. The community is just north of Gulfport, with Singing River Hospital-Gulfport 14 miles away, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport 17 miles from Saucier. Residents may also access Amtrak's Mardi Gras Service, which stops at Gulfport. The train runs from Mobile, 80 miles east, to New Orleans, 90 miles west, with stops in cities along the Gulf Coast. Saucier has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national score of 4.
