Retirement in Oxford: David Abbey says living in Oxford makes a great third career

Billie Jo White

Staff writer

When David Abbey moved to Oxford nearly two years ago, he was not sure what to expect. Abbey had lived in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and most recently Minneapolis, when he chose to retire for the second time. After working in TV advertising and owning a business, at 65 Abbey said, "It was time to decide what I wanted to do when I grew up."

Abbey knew of Oxford from family who lived nearby, and he wanted to try living in a small town. He had only visited the South before he moved here, but he said Oxford seemed like a nice place to try out for a few years.

The first day after Abbey arrived, he wandered down to the square from his apartment on Van Buren. He said he was thinking, "Now what do I do?" It was the Saturday after Pat Lamar had been elected mayor. He was watching as television crews were interviewing her, when one ofthe reporters asked him if he would congratulate the mayor on behalf of the citizens of Oxford.

Abbey met the mayor that day, and within the week began doing volunteer work for the Airport Authority. That was only the beginning. Abbey has since given the word retire a new meaning.

He began working with Oxford's Leadership Layfayette Program, training young executives. Next, he began working on Vision 2020, Oxford's citizen-driven master plan

for its future. Then Baptist Memorial Hospital asked Abbey to help form a patient assistance program, which is now a full-time job with a staff of 15.

"I love it," Abbey said, of his third career. Abbey is equally ecstatic about his new home. "Oxford is a lovely town... I love the people... It's a marvelous experience," he said. "Retirement is an opportunity for another stage of life," he added.

Abbey is not the only one who thinks Oxford is a great place to retire. According to Shannon Patrick at the Oxford Chamber of Commerce, Oxford has been featured as a retirement destination in national and regional publications.

The town's web sight lists five national publications that have highlighted Oxford as a retirement spot, and quotes the USA Today as calling Oxford "... a thriving New South arts Mecca."

Patrick said the Chamber gets inquiries from all over the country about Oxford. People call, write and e-mail wanting more information, she said.

Abbey is a member of a group called the Ambassadors sponsored by the Chamber. Abbey said the group gives tours to prospective Oxford retirees.

"Oxford," Abbey said, "has a certain draw for some kinds of people... it draws a curious type of person." He added that there are many benefits to retiring in Oxford. Among them, low crime rates, reasonable cost of living and convenience.

Also, Abbey notes that all retirement income is exempt from Mississippi State Income tax, if you are a resident.

In addition, Abbey emphasized the importance of the university. He said that continued educational opportunities and a certain worldliness draws people here.

According to Dorothy Goss, Ole Miss registrar, people over 65, can take up to four hours per semester free of charge at the university. All they have to do is fill out an application two weeks prior to the start of classes.

"Oxford is a retirement area where retirees can still participate in intellectual life," said Abbey. With 58 million baby boomers getting ready to retire, he said, more people will be looking for places like Oxford. Many of this group he suggested are not looking for conventional retirement. Abbey believes that some Americans are not content to sit on a beach in their retirement.

Abbey said that Oxford was a place where people could grow old and still participate in government activities. He said retirees like to be active in local politics.

The gridlock and traffic in the city are not things Abbey misses, though he does miss the theater. The only negative thing Abbey said about his new home is that there is no public transportation system.

Oxford is growing fast according to statistics provided by the Chamber. There was a 16.8 percent increase in population from 1990 to 1998. Last year, 19.1 percent of Oxford's residents were over 65.

Azalea Gardens, a retirement facility which opened in Oxford in December 1996, has drawn many retirees. According to Paul Kline, director, Azalea Gardens offers an active lifestyle. Kline said that the 62 independent and 18 assisted living residents go to Memphis, Tupelo, museums and tours. He said the residents stay busy running errands, eating at local restaurants, and doing arts and crafts.

Kline added that people from the university volunteer at the facility. The residents enjoy playing Jeopardy regularly with volunteers from women's athletics.

Coming up Kline said they have planned Easter egg-hunts for children from local day cares and kindergartens, and have plans to take historic tours of North Mississippi towns.

Kline has a degree from Ole Miss, and said he had always wanted to come back to Oxford. He said that Oxford "maintains its history and is still progressive."

"It's just a nice town," Abbey said.