After living in faculty housing for about 20 years, there must be something that I like about it. I have heard some say that there is “no way that I would live that close to work,” or “don’t you feel like you never leave work?”
Well, for me, it is home. And for my kids, it is the only home they have ever known.
I think most who live on Park Circle or maybe on Faculty Drive (the two main little neighborhoods, if they are big enough to even call that) would agree with me: It’s not that hard to separate the work hours from home. Just like living anywhere, you can choose not to take your work home with you.
The thing I love most about living in faculty housing is how safe I feel. Campus Police and Raymond Police are riding through regularly, and I don’t worry too much about crime. But also, I love the fact that my kids can go outside and play anytime they want and nine out of 10 times there will be another kid or two (or four!) out on the Circle for them to play with, or maybe take a stroll with our neighbors, Mrs. Mary and Gracie.
I have taken a photo, every year of my kids, out in front of our house on the first day of school.
We have had almost every single birthday party at home, and I couldn’t ask for better memories of each and every one. Not to mention a snow day or two, and being right here by campus gives us the opportunity to go play in the snow on campus!
Faculty housing is not just “housing for Hinds employees.” Faculty housing is a community where neighbors look out for each other, borrow from each other and help each other out. Whether it’s watering your plants or walking your dog while you’re out of town, or babysitting for an hour, or mowing the neighbor’s grass while you are mowing your own (that is what my sweet neighbor does!), we care about each other. And I am thankful to have such a wonderful place for my kids to grow up that we will always call home!
