Possible move to BR area...help! (New Orleans, Baton Rouge: for sale, homes, best schools)

[sambt]

My husband recently found out that in January we will need to move from the small town of Demopolis, AL to either Baton Rouge (the plant he'd be working at is actually in Geismar) or a suburb of Houston. We're leaning towards BR, but I'd love a local's suggestion on homes in the 150k range that are near good/improving schools (we don't have children yet, but soon...) Where are the BEST public schools in the BR area? Gonzales has caught my eye as far as the homes for sale go, but I can't find much about the schools. What tips do you have - suburbs to avoid, etc? THANK YOU!

[WhoDat2011]

I'll be in Houston over thanksgiving and have been there many times. To me there is no better place than South Louisiana. As far as the schools go, you would probably need to put your kid in private school, but the pricing of private schools in Louisiana compared to Texas is at least 50% less. If you moved to Houston proper, you will probably need to send your kids to private schools as well. However they may have schools in the suburbs that aren't bad- Woodlands, Katy etc.

It's defintetely worth a visit to both places. Good luck, let us know what you decide to do!

Have a blessed day

Originally Posted by sambt

My husband recently found out that in January we will need to move from the small town of Demopolis, AL to either Baton Rouge (the plant he'd be working at is actually in Geismar) or a suburb of Houston. We're leaning towards BR, but I'd love a local's suggestion on homes in the 150k range that are near good/improving schools (we don't have children yet, but soon...) Where are the BEST public schools in the BR area? Gonzales has caught my eye as far as the homes for sale go, but I can't find much about the schools. What tips do you have - suburbs to avoid, etc? THANK YOU!

[sambt]

Thanks, WhoDat! We will be checking out both places right after Thanksgiving. It's that professionally, the job in Geismar seems to be a better move for him professionally.

[annie_himself]

Geismar, Prairieville, and Gonzales are all good places to live, schools are good. Geismar with the best schools. Zachary has the best schools but is much farther from Geismar for work. Ascension Parish as a whole is a good fit, just some parts of Gonzales can be sketchy. Also, the area is on the close side to everything in south Baton Rouge and on the way to New Orleans.

You would not need a private school in Houston as long as you move to a good district, I don't know why you would. Suburbs of Houston vary and depends on where you and you're husband work.

[BR_Bound]

I grew up just outside of Houston. Being in the Houston area - even 30 miles away - will give you more options in every aspect of life. Housing costs will be lower, groceries less expensive, public schools will be better (you don't HAVE to go to private schools). There's more, diverse entertainment. Roads are better, traffic is lighter, infrastructure more advanced. You can vacation in TX and have a great time - beaches, spas, resorts, outdoor life, desert, big cities. However, the cajun food in TX is only so-so.