Update: moved to Baton Rouge! (New Orleans, Shreveport: apartments, lease, house)

[Dementia]

Well...I've been in BR for 2 weeks now, and I thought you guys would like an update.

The town is adorable! I'm loving all the red brick construction and the big shade trees. Weather has been a little cold for me (I'm moving from Ft. Lauderdale, after all), but nothing too bad.

The Place du Plantier apartments are crummy. They're dirty and very small. Luckily, I'm only about 10 minutes from work and I only have a 4 month lease. That will be the last time I pick a place online! Silly me.

Tried Buffalo Wild Wings, yummy! Went to the Spanish Town Mardi Gras parade and had much fun. Afterwards, over to Phil Brady's for some blues and pulled pork. Spent some time at _The Chimes_, again yummy and such a fun beer selection.

It's nice to be so close to 'downtown' and everything seems so conveniently located! Still want to hit the Red Stick Farmer's Market and head down to New Orleans one weekend. Guess I have time for that though.

If anyone has any suggestions for anything else fun to do in the area (I saw some sort of 'swamp nature preserve' off of Blue Bonnet, anyone know anything about it?), I'd love to take suggestions.

Once again, thank you everyone for your suggestions.

[DyingBreed]

I lived in Baton Rouge for 4 years while I went to LSU for my undergrad. Without LSU and the state capitol, Baton Rouge would be nothing. You think it's cold in Baton Rouge!!?? Haha wait till this summer when it's 98 degrees heat index 112 or so! A nice authentic Louisiana restaurant to try in Baton Rouge is Mike Anderson's. While downtown, you should go see the old state Capitol building... it is gorgeous.

[BetaBeta]

The swamp thing you mentioned is part of BREC... to learn more about Brec go to: brec.org Poke around the site a bit, you might find something that is of interest to you. I'm into scrapbooking and found a scrapbook class at my local BREC park.

Hmmm something else to do... there is a nice bar/restaurant on the top of the Shaw center downtown that give amazing city river views at night... it has an outdoor terrace.. take your camera.

[darylwi]

There is Alligator Bayou as well. I know people who canoe in that area.
And I have to agree heavily on Tsunami's (on top of the Shaw Center). That place was great (a little high on price, but high on quality as well, and you get an awesome view). I can't wait to go back. Well worth the time and money.
Also, Schlittz & Giggles has finally opened up downtown at 3rd and Florida. Great pizza and great atmosphere. Too bad I gave up fast food and all food restaurants for Lent.
(I actually got it in one time before Ash Wednesday.)
But that's the first place I'm heading after Easter.

And welcome to BTR. Glad you are enjoying it sofar. There will be bad days, but it's hard to beat some of the things this city has now and the proximity. And it's still growing a lot fast than it has anytime in recent history.

Also, if you're into any recreation sports, there are plenty of opportunities through BREC and other organizations throughout the city.
And LSU baseball is about to start up. Go check out a game at Alex Box before they close it up. This is the last season before they open up a new stadium down the street.

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by DyingBreed

I lived in Baton Rouge for 4 years while I went to LSU for my undergrad. Without LSU and the state capitol, Baton Rouge would be nothing. You think it's cold in Baton Rouge!!?? Haha wait till this summer when it's 98 degrees heat index 112 or so! A nice authentic Louisiana restaurant to try in Baton Rouge is Mike Anderson's. While downtown, you should go see the old state Capitol building... it is gorgeous.

We used to have Mike Anderson's here in Shreveport ... I really miss it. I guess I didn't realize it's still around in Baton Rouge. I'm going to eat there next time I'm down that way, no doubt about it.

[CindyM]

Jazz Fest is coming up the end of April/first of May. If you're into music pick a day and have a blast! The first Thursday is usually the least crowded. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival | April 25 - May 4, 2008

Just north of BR is a quaint, historical community called St. Francisville. The Tunica Hills offer hiking opportunities and the city of SF has a number of plantation homes worth touring. St Francisville West Feliciana Tourism Commission - Home

If you like Thai food there are 2 restaurants within a couple miles of where you live. Thai Kitchen in the Southdowns shopping center (on Perkins) and Rama's a little further west down Perkins Road.

Oh, and it's crawfish season. My top picks would be Mike Anderson's (on Lee near Nicholson), Heads & Tails (off Perkins near Staring/Essen Lane) and always Tony's Seafood (up on Plank Road).

Heads and Tails Seafood - Baton Rouge, LA

:: Tony's Live Seafood & Deli::

[Caa]

Originally Posted by DyingBreed

I lived in Baton Rouge for 4 years while I went to LSU for my undergrad. Without LSU and the state capitol, Baton Rouge would be nothing. You think it's cold in Baton Rouge!!?? Haha wait till this summer when it's 98 degrees heat index 112 or so! A nice authentic Louisiana restaurant to try in Baton Rouge is Mike Anderson's. While downtown, you should go see the old state Capitol building... it is gorgeous.

I think it is cold in Bton Rouge, but remember, the OP said he was from Ft Lauderdale and I am from Ft Myers Florida, so to us, it is cold here. The heat is also nothing compared to South Florida. AS far as BR being "nothing w/outh the univ ans capitol, I kinda agree a little bit, but everyone I know says the same thing about their town. I think BR is terrific!!

[cstopa]

My husband and I are moving to Baton Rouge in June so he can start his E.R. residency at Earl K. Long Memorial. His family lives in New Orleans, but we still don't know much about this city. We're looking for a 3 BR house or apartment. We have an infant son and a small dog. We just want to be in a safe (not so collegy) area. Do you have any suggestions?

[KimberlyM]

Originally Posted by cstopa

My husband and I are moving to Baton Rouge in June so he can start his E.R. residency at Earl K. Long Memorial. His family lives in New Orleans, but we still don't know much about this city. We're looking for a 3 BR house or apartment. We have an infant son and a small dog. We just want to be in a safe (not so collegy) area. Do you have any suggestions?

Yes, stay faaaar away from where he'll be working.

[darylwi]

Originally Posted by cstopa

My husband and I are moving to Baton Rouge in June so he can start his E.R. residency at Earl K. Long Memorial. His family lives in New Orleans, but we still don't know much about this city. We're looking for a 3 BR house or apartment. We have an infant son and a small dog. We just want to be in a safe (not so collegy) area. Do you have any suggestions?

If you're planning on staying long term and looking for a house, and for sake of education, I'd look in Zachary or Central. St. Francisville is a nice rural area if you don't mind the drive, but it's usually little to no traffic from that direction.