South Park and Coursey -- decent safe area? (Lake Charles, Sulphur: apartment complex, rentals)

[lulu9837]

Preparing for a move to BR later this summer -- we are looking (long-distance) at a duplex at or near the intersection of Coursey and South Park. Anybody know if this is a safe/nice part of town? How bad is traffic at this intersection?

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by lulu9837

Preparing for a move to BR later this summer -- we are looking (long-distance) at a duplex at or near the intersection of Coursey and South Park. Anybody know if this is a safe/nice part of town? How bad is traffic at this intersection?

Southpark is a slum that has been going down since the 1980s. It helps that you have a police/fire station there, but I would NOT live on Southpark. Plus, the Bluebonnet/Coursey traffic is awful.

[darylwi]

Southpark has gone downhill in recent years.
Bluebonnet traffic is managable west to I-10. Coursey is rough around Sherwood and eastward.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by darylwi

Southpark has gone downhill in recent years.
Bluebonnet traffic is managable west to I-10. Coursey is rough around Sherwood and eastward.

You know what's funny about Bluebonnet traffic is that 90% of the problems are between Blue Cross Plwy and I-10, because everyone wants to turn left to go to Prairieville. So what does the city do in its infinite wisdom ? They add a RIGHT turn lane on I-10 going into town. Sheesh.

[darylwi]

Originally Posted by BRMan

You know what's funny about Bluebonnet traffic is that 90% of the problems are between Blue Cross Plwy and I-10, because everyone wants to turn left to go to Prairieville. So what does the city do in its infinite wisdom ? They add a RIGHT turn lane on I-10 going into town. Sheesh.

Yeah, that one kind of boggled me. Because if I'm coming down Bluebonnet from Jefferson, I'm not usually planning to turn westbound onto I-10. So the turn lane seems pointless to me.
I wish when DOTD decides to expand I-10, they would just build it up to Texas standards, six-eight laned freeway with four laned (one way) service roads and u-turn underpasses. Seems like the best solution for that stretch of highway anyway.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by darylwi

Yeah, that one kind of boggled me. Because if I'm coming down Bluebonnet from Jefferson, I'm not usually planning to turn westbound onto I-10. So the turn lane seems pointless to me.
I wish when DOTD decides to expand I-10, they would just build it up to Texas standards, six-eight laned freeway with four laned (one way) service roads and u-turn underpasses. Seems like the best solution for that stretch of highway anyway.

One thing that will make you see red - when my wife and I went on a trip to Austin recently, I-10 is ALREADY 3 lanes west of Sulphur, and they're widening it to 3 lanes between Lake Charles and Iowa. That'd be the equivalent of I-10 being 3 laned between LA 415 and, say, Livingston.

Another thing Texas does WAY better than us is having accessible service roads that parallel the entire stretch of interstate.

[lulu9837]

Thanks so much BRman! You have saved me some potential headaches there, I will definitely avoid the Coursey/Southpark area.

I have found a couple other rentals that might work. One is in the Broadmoor area and one is at the Jefferson Shadows apartment complex. How are those 2 places in your opinion, any better than Coursey/Southpark? I'm kind of worried that my budget (and my 2 dogs, LOL) may limit me to some of the crappier areas, although I hope not.

L.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by lulu9837

Thanks so much BRman! You have saved me some potential headaches there, I will definitely avoid the Coursey/Southpark area.

I have found a couple other rentals that might work. One is in the Broadmoor area and one is at the Jefferson Shadows apartment complex. How are those 2 places in your opinion, any better than Coursey/Southpark? I'm kind of worried that my budget (and my 2 dogs, LOL) may limit me to some of the crappier areas, although I hope not.

L.

Broadmoor is going down, as you have slummy apartments north of Florida Blvd AND near the old dollar movie theater. Jefferson Shadows is in a better area.

Let me ask you this - where in BR is the job ? That should drive what part of town you live in, because the traffic may or may not affect you, depending on where you live.

[lulu9837]

Hi BRman! Thanks for the advice, I think that rules Broadmoor out too. I have a 2-year-old and it's real important to me that we be in a safe area.

I will be working at Ochsner on Summa (off Bluebonnet). I'm thinking Jefferson Shadows is reasonably close, isn't it? I agree I'd like to stay near work (would like to find daycare near work as well).

I looked at some of the other apt. and condo complexes near Ochsner -- they look pretty nice, but I think my 2 medium-sized dogs are going to be a problem. What I really want is a small rental house or duplex w/a yard, but they are hard to find (at least in my price range -- $1000/mo or less). Any other suggestions you have would be very welcome, you have been such a great resource thus far!

There seems to be lots of housing closer to LSU but I've kind of been shying away from that area -- concerned about crime, loud partying, etc. Do you think that's reasonable or is it worth looking there anyway?

L

Laurie

[darylwi]

Most everything on Jefferson is in a good area although the individual properties vary. I always thought well of Jeff Shadows but I've heard otherwise from another. You'll want to check any place at night to see who hangs around there.
Jefferson East usualy accepts most sizes of dogs. Not sure about the Warwick. Both are further up on Jefferson near Corporate. Jefferson Hwy traffic north of I-12 isn't always kind in the afternoon rushhour either. South of I-12 to Airline you shouldn't have much problem.
Maybe check Chateaux Dijon on Essen as well. Traditionally it's a good property, but you're always going to run into the occassional scum even in the best places.