French student going to LSU (Baton Rouge: 2009, apartments, crime)

[french student]

Hello,
I am a french student and I am going to LSU for the academic year 2008/2009, I am very exciting but I am quite worried about what I read about crime in Baton Rouge. I will be living on the campus.
What is it like to live in LSU?

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by french student

Hello,
I am a french student and I am going to LSU for the academic year 2008/2009, I am very exciting but I am quite worried about what I read about crime in Baton Rouge. I will be living on the campus.
What is it like to live in LSU?

Baton Rouge is NOT this war zone you read about on here, although there are plarts of town I'd avoid. North of LSU is one of those areas, although recent constructgion of new apartments and retail establishments ought to help some. Specifically, I would not want to be in places like Kirby Smith or the Edward Gay apartments north of campus. The grad student apartments on Nicholson are OK, but older. South of campus is pretty safe, although you have your typical campus crime (burgularies and the like).

[french student]

I will be living on east campus appartment, is it ok?

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by french student

I will be living on east campus appartment, is it ok?

I believe so. It's newer campus housing, and it's near the Law School, Rec Center, and the sororities/fraternities. So there will be people around. Don't know if you've seen the place, but I found a graphical map showing where it is:

East Campus Apartments

[darylwi]

I've had many friends live in East Campus at one time or another. Noone ever had any complaints. The apartments themself looked great. I thought the area was a little dark at night, but that's been 4 or 5 years now. I know LSU has added lighting to some areas, maybe not so much in other areas. You'll have great access to the Rec Center and the University Lakes to walk around. Just take your normal big city precautions and you shouldn't have any problems. You'll probably spend most of your time on campus and south of campus. It won't take you long to figure out where not to go, especially at night. Just lean to the locals and they'll be more than glad to help you around campus and town. You'll love the experience LSU and south Louisiana have to offer. This coming from an LSU grad himself.

[MStant1]

I just graduated this past May from LSU and I lived in The Venue which is right off of campus on the north side. I lived there all four years and never had a problem with crime or anything of the sort. The crime in Baton Rouge is pretty well contained in small pockets of the city. Just be smart and you will be fine.

[french student]

Thank you!