Coming to BR soon - HELP PLZ (Baton Rouge, Gardere: 2009, apartments)

[amohammed]

Hello there everyone,

My name is Ali and I'm from Bahrain (it's a country in the Middle East if anyone is asking). I got a provisional admission to do my graduate studies at Louisiana State University for the Fall semester 2009. I was googling a lot to find more information about Louisiana, Baton Rouge in particular, and the university and I think I'm lucky enough to come across this site.

First of all, my first concern is finding a suitable place to stay as I will be spending almost 5 years in BR. I will be coming with my wife and I want to find a nice place to stay in, which has to be somewhat close to the university and most importantly a safe and secure place.

I also would like to know about the entertainment places in BR and the activities available there. Food also comes as an important issue, are there good varieties of restaurants around? Are there lots of shopping malls, grocery stores and supermarkets in the area?

One more thing, are people in BR welcoming? I mean since I'm coming from outside the US, and am an Arab, would this cause me any trouble or discrimination? We in Bahrain have mixtures of people from all over the world and we are the home of the US 5th fleet or navy or something like that. I like to meet people from all over the world and it has always been my dream to come to the US and that dream is coming true soon. I really hope that I will enjoy BR and achieve my educational goals as well.

I'm asking all these questions because I'm also expecting an admission decision from Ball State Univesity in Muncie, Indiana. I'd like to know as much as possible about Louisiana so that I can make my mind to where I should be going. I don't know anything about Muncie, IN, because I haven't been accepted there yet so I haven't done any googling about the place.

I would really appreciate your feedback and replies.

[BRMan]

Welcome to Baton Rouge ! There is a significant Arab/Middle Eastern/Asian population at LSU, and the first thing you may find helpful is that there is an Islamic Center here in BR: Islamic Center of Baton Rouge

Now to your specific questions:

Originally Posted by amohammed

Hello there everyone,

My name is Ali and I'm from Bahrain (it's a country in the Middle East if anyone is asking). I got a provisional admission to do my graduate studies at Louisiana State University for the Fall semester 2009. I was googling a lot to find more information about Louisiana, Baton Rouge in particular, and the university and I think I'm lucky enough to come across this site.

First of all, my first concern is finding a suitable place to stay as I will be spending almost 5 years in BR. I will be coming with my wife and I want to find a nice place to stay in, which has to be somewhat close to the university and most importantly a safe and secure place.

I would recommend staying south of campus. There is plenty to choose from along Highland (between the south gates and Lee Dr), Lee Drive near Highland, Burbank between Nicholson and W Lee, Brightside, and Alvin Dark Drive. I would NOT recommend going north of campus, espcially with student housing (the Edward Gay apartments are way too close to the bad areas, and they have thefts and murders there - this murder http://www.littleindia.com/news/142/...008-02-04.html was a big deal over a year ago). Married student housing on Nicholson near the Assembly Center is probably OK, and is walking distance to campus. Anyway, these are some places to start looking. And do NOT even think about looking at apartments on Gardere further away from campus.

Originally Posted by amohammed

I also would like to know about the entertainment places in BR and the activities available there. Food also comes as an important issue, are there good varieties of restaurants around? Are there lots of shopping malls, grocery stores and supermarkets in the area?

Depends on what your entertainment tastes are. Since you are married, you may not like the downtown/campus bars. But there are two decent movie theaters about 15-20 minutes away from campus. They have a Super Wal-Mart on Highland near Lee, a Wal-Mart on College, and a Wal-Mart on College - those stores are 5-15 minutes away, depending on where you live. For food, let us know your tastes - there is a decent variety of ethnic food in BR, especially Mediterranean.

Originally Posted by amohammed

One more thing, are people in BR welcoming? I mean since I'm coming from outside the US, and am an Arab, would this cause me any trouble or discrimination? We in Bahrain have mixtures of people from all over the world and we are the home of the US 5th fleet or navy or something like that. I like to meet people from all over the world and it has always been my dream to come to the US and that dream is coming true soon. I really hope that I will enjoy BR and achieve my educational goals as well.

Generally yes. Near campus, you'll find people of similar interests, and that won't be an issue. You'll love BR if you like crawfish boils and LSU football (and other LSU sports as well). You won't love BR if you're looking for a pretensious town.

[amohammed]

Thank you so much BRMan for your comprehensive reply. You sort of made me more scared with the crime in BR, although I believe that crime is everywhere even in my country we do have crimes. I don't think I will have any financial problems with getting a good, secure and safe place to stay in and I hope that there are places like that. As you said, and I've also read in the forum, that the south part is a better place than the north and I'm not thinking about going to the university housing.
Regarding the entertainment in BR, I'm thinking of shopping malls where my wife can spend most of her time while I'm at the university. When it comes to food, I'm not so picky. I can do with fast food restaurants if I'm not dieting. But, as you might know, food has to be Hallal for us muslims. So any muslim restaurants available in the area? Lebanese food for example?
I think I'm already starting to like BR from what I've read so far, except for the crime news. If I was alone I wouldn't be so worried, but having my wife with me and leaving her alone most of the time when being at university is what is mainly worrying me.
Thank you again BRMan for everything you provided me

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by amohammed

Thank you so much BRMan for your comprehensive reply. You sort of made me more scared with the crime in BR, although I believe that crime is everywhere even in my country we do have crimes.

I'm glad you bring this concern up, because it's something (the crime in BR) that gets repeated endlessly and is exaggerated. YES, there is crime in BR (as we are a metro area of about 700K), but it's not like the ENTIRE CITY is unsafe. Just certain areas. The area to the north of LSU is one of those areas, which is why I'm telling you areas to look for and areas (like the Edward Gay student housing) where you don't want to waste your time. But in the areas to the south of campus, there is plenty of apartments/condos to choose from where you'll be near people and they're in safe neighborhoods.

Regarding the entertainment in BR, I'm thinking of shopping malls where my wife can spend most of her time while I'm at the university. When it comes to food, I'm not so picky. I can do with fast food restaurants if I'm not dieting. But, as you might know, food has to be Hallal for us muslims. So any muslim restaurants available in the area? Lebanese food for example?

There are two malls: Cortana and Mall of Louisiana. Mall of Louisiana is newer (opened in 1997), nicer, and closer to LSU. As to "Hallal" (food permissable to eat under Islamic standards, for those who are wondering) there are Lebanese/Mediterranean restaurants around town - Romans, Alabashas, Arzis, and Serops are pretty good - and they can answer the halal question. There is also a place called Al Mazza near campus which is pretty good.

[amohammed]

Thank you so much BRMan. I'm already looking forward to being in BR as soon as possible. If I have any more questions, I'm sure that you are the man to ask.

[Wakco]

Originally Posted by amohammed

Hello there everyone,

My name is Ali and I'm from Bahrain (it's a country in the Middle East if anyone is asking). I got a provisional admission to do my graduate studies at Louisiana State University for the Fall semester 2009. I was googling a lot to find more information about Louisiana, Baton Rouge in particular, and the university and I think I'm lucky enough to come across this site.

First of all, my first concern is finding a suitable place to stay as I will be spending almost 5 years in BR. I will be coming with my wife and I want to find a nice place to stay in, which has to be somewhat close to the university and most importantly a safe and secure place.

I also would like to know about the entertainment places in BR and the activities available there. Food also comes as an important issue, are there good varieties of restaurants around? Are there lots of shopping malls, grocery stores and supermarkets in the area?

One more thing, are people in BR welcoming? I mean since I'm coming from outside the US, and am an Arab, would this cause me any trouble or discrimination? We in Bahrain have mixtures of people from all over the world and we are the home of the US 5th fleet or navy or something like that. I like to meet people from all over the world and it has always been my dream to come to the US and that dream is coming true soon. I really hope that I will enjoy BR and achieve my educational goals as well.

I'm asking all these questions because I'm also expecting an admission decision from Ball State Univesity in Muncie, Indiana. I'd like to know as much as possible about Louisiana so that I can make my mind to where I should be going. I don't know anything about Muncie, IN, because I haven't been accepted there yet so I haven't done any googling about the place.

I would really appreciate your feedback and replies.

Moderator cut: copyright advertisementSouthgate Towers Condominiums in Baton Rouge, Louisiana The address is 4005 Nicholson Dr, Baton Rouge,La. This is just a walk from Tiger stadium and your classes are in bike range. Goodluck for you and your wife.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by amohammed

Thank you so much BRMan. I'm already looking forward to being in BR as soon as possible. If I have any more questions, I'm sure that you are the man to ask.

Feel free to PM me. I've lived in BR most of my life, so I have a pretty decent feel for the place

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by Wakco

South Gates Towers is the best place for you and your wife.Southgate Towers Condominiums in Baton Rouge, Louisiana The address is 4005 Nicholson Dr, Baton Rouge,La. Type this address in at Live Local maps or Google maps[/b]. Interconnectivity. That is what modern life is about. And that is what Southgate Towers Condominiums has to offer. From restaurants and shops downstairs to wired for high speed Internet in your home, everything you need is always within reach. This is more than a residence. This is a fully integrated, high-tech community designed for modern living. The future promised a place like this. And now it's here. Entertainment all around! This is just a walk from Tiger stadium and your classes are in bike range. Goodluck for you and your wife.

Goodluck

Word of advice (this sounds like an ad to me) - Southgate Towers are nice and pretty convenient. I also know they're kind of pricey and they had vacancy issues because they've been overbuilding high dollar condos south of campus - one condo community I saw had units starting over 300K and they had some unsightly duplexes right behind them.

[Loralcb]

BRMan...you are always a wealth of knowledge. I am amazed!

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by Loralcb

BRMan...you are always a wealth of knowledge. I am amazed!

Thanks much - BR has a nastier impression than it deserves. Part of it is because it's in Louisiana. And part of it is our "skyline" of petrochemical plants right next to downtown/the casinos/the Capitol. So I try to paint a realistic portrait of our city for all those who think they're moving to a war zone