NATCHEZ &045; They don’t have ties here. But somehow these six people, coming from as far away as California, chose to make Natchez home. Here, they share the reasons why &045; in hopes Natchez will build on that foundation to attract even more out-of-town residents.

‘There are so many great qualities’

Michael Norrell and Douglas McCallum could have gone anywhere.

Their jobs in the entertainment business are done largely through telecommuting, so their choice of where to live didn’t have many restrictions. So when the time came to leave the Los Angeles area, the options were plentiful. The men had previously lived on in L.A., San Francisco, Paris and New York, so they wanted something that was just right.

&uot;We debated. We like Hawaii. We looked at Florida,&uot; Norrell said. &uot;But we had visited here in 2000 and thought it was beautiful. It was an undiscovered jewel, nothing like bigger cities.&uot;

In the end, the decision was simple. The couple packed up and moved across the country to Natchez in September.. &uot;There were a lot of things that brought us. We love history and love beautiful architecture and nice people,&uot; McCallum said. &uot;We saw the potential that Natchez has. There are so many great qualities that it has. For people from other areas, it seems like too many Natchezians take what they have for granted.&uot;

McCallum and Norrell said the cultural opportunities, including the Little Theater and arts and music festivals also encouraged them to come here.

Since moving to Natchez, McCallum said he’s been continuously asked why the couple moved here. &uot;I’ve been asked it so many times I’m beginning to question myself,&uot; McCallum said.

The couple bought a house and are working to restore it.

There was some concern about moving to a small town.

&uot;Natchez is an oddly cosmopolitan town. We weren’t going to move to just any small town,&uot; McCallum said. &uot;We were trepidatious about moving to a small town. But there’s a big-city feel to this small town.&uot;

One of the reasons they left California was the price. With the real estate market skyrocketing in Los Angeles, somewhere that was more affordable looked attractive.

&uot;When you see middle-class people trying to buy homes that start at $1 million, something’s wrong,&uot; McCallum said. &uot;It’s inexpensive here. You get amazing historical homes for peanuts compared to California or New York.&uot;

‘The history … and the people’

You could say that for Ken and Jeanie Attenhofer, the road to Natchez began 36 years ago.

That was when the couple, visiting Natchez on their honeymoon, first became fascinated with the area’s history, saying that would want to live here someday.

Then in 2002 the artists and, now, business owners decided to make the jump from their home in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie to Natchez.

&uot;We sold a 1,300-square-foot home in Metairie Š and purchased our bed-and-breakfast, Arlington Heights, for less than we sold our (former) home for,&uot; he said. &uot;And this home has an elevator.&uot;

But he said low house prices aren’t Natchez’s only selling point.

&uot;At first it was the history, but the more we came back, it was the people &045; they’re so friendly,&uot; he said. &uot;Where I’m from, you don’t speak to strangers. And then there’s public safety. When I see people here jogging early in the morning or late at night, Š you just don’t see that in a big town.&uot;

Downtown Natchez is still small enough to be a walking community, Jeanie Attenhofer said. For example, she walks to her needlework shop &045; Attenhofer Studios, now on Main Street &045; from her home if her husband’s out of town.

She also likes the idea that in Natchez, it’s easier to get involved in a number of community activities than it is in a large city. Both she and her husband are involved in the local Scottish Heritage Society.

And the weather is inviting compared to other retirement meccas, she said, adding &uot;the hurricanes in Florida are a good selling point for Natchez.&uot;

The only thing Jeanie Attenhofer said Natchez might want to step up are its efforts to attract tourists to see the area in the first place &045; perhaps years before they move to here to stay.

‘On the verge’

It was potential that brought Robert and Jacqueline Stephens to Natchez, and it’s potential that’s keeping them here.

After prompting from friends to relocate closer to them, the Stephens left their northern California home to plant new roots in Natchez.

Jacqueline, originally from Chicago, but a 28-year resident of California, said they first explored Louisiana, but didn’t like what they found.

&uot;We came to Natchez and we fell in love,&uot; she said. &uot;It’s like the greatest secret of the United States.&uot;

For a self-proclaimed Yankee, Natchez has many benefits, Jacqueline said, including the weather and the low crime rate.

Microbiologist Robert and long-time human resources professional Jacqueline left their careers behind, moved to Natchez and opened a business that carries the finest of accessories &045; for dogs and cats. &uot;I felt Natchez needed some fun stores,&uot; she said. &uot;And we are doing pretty OK.&uot;

Last month, the couple started their newest venture, Moonlight Productions Ghost Tours. Tours start most nights from the pet store, Fydeaux’s Pet Co. on State Street. Both businesses are investments for not only the couple but for the community, they hope.

The Stephens hope their mini-industries will soon employee more Natchez residents. &uot;I’m a visionary,&uot; Jacqueline said. &uot;I saw the potential, but now and again I do get discouraged.&uot;

That discouragement is something she pushes out of her mind though by thinking about changes in Natchez like the completion of the federal courthouse and the idea of a Convention Center hotel.

&uot;All this stuff is on the verge,&uot; she said. &uot;We are definitely going to give (Natchez) a couple of years.&uot;