Moving to Baton Rouge--Help! (Jefferson: for sale, apartment complex, lease)

[mefa4268]

Hi everyone,

I am a 23-year-old male moving down to Baton Rouge from New England in two weeks. I am moving down to take a great job, but now I'm struggling to find some place to live. I am looking for somewhere with other young people that is safe. Everyone keeps telling me about areas of Baton Rouge to consider and avoid, but I'm looking for specific suggestions about where to move. I'm looking for specific complexes to live in. My budget is between $650-$700 for a one bedroom, including as many utilities as possible. Any suggestions? I keep reading reviews and looking at places online, but since I am all the way in New England, it's hard to get an idea about what these places are really like. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks!!!!

[fbbertusa]

What is Your Job?Where is it located?What are You thoughts about driving time ,traffic.Do You want an Apt. only,no house?There are some places near LSU that are safe and have plenty Young people.What types of hobbies do You enjoy.Do You cook ,like to Bar B Q .Like indoors or out.

[BRMan]

Ditto - a lot is dependent on where you work.

[MetroBTR]

I will say that I know someone with a 500sq/ft garage apartment in the Garden District. She pays about $700 and it includes all utilities. I would start with craigslist. Garden District has a good amount of students and people your age range. Also, places like Southdowns (Area off of Lee Drive between Perkins Road and Bayou DuPlantier) and the Brightside Area (Brightside Lane). Spanish Town also has many young people but it leans towards the hippie vibe.

Like I said, check craigslist religiously. If you find something you're interested in you can ask one of us about it to see if its in a good area or if its a good deal.

[mefa4268]

I am going to be working at a TV station as a producer downtown. Ideally, since I don't know anyone in the area, I would love to live in some type of an apartment complex with amenities like a fitness center and pool so that I would have some type of social outlet where I live.

I am very extroverted and love going out with friends. In terms of commute, anything under 20 minutes would be ideal, but my hours are 11pm-7am, so in a lot of cases traffic won't be a major concern in my commute.

I am big into working out and playing tennis, so a complex with either a gym or tennis courts would also be great, but I do realize that I'm asking for a lot with a limited budget.

Thank you so much for your help.

Since I have no idea about the area, are there any specific apartment complexes that you would recommend? I am going to be moving down in a week, and I will have about 48 hours in Baton Rouge before starting my new job, so the more research and such I can do before I get down there, the better!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[MetroBTR]

It'll be a bit of a stretch to get a good apartment complex for that budget, especially if you want alot of the utilities included. Alot of them around here just like to pay for the usual water/sewer/trash and then leave everything else up to you.

It is possible to get a one bedroom apartment for the budget, but you would have to expect to pay extra for utilities in most cases. I believe there is a complex called The Warwick that may still include all utilities. Now, I must warn you this complex is older and pretty ugly, but it is safe and affordable. They are your very standard apartments. Might be livable for a year while you make some connections and get used to the city.

[mefa4268]

Thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it. Are there any other complexes that you could recommend? I would be willing to pay a little bit more money for certain amenities and I can always cover the utilities. Since I won't know a lot of people down in Baton Rouge, I at least want to be able to really enjoy where I'm living!

Thanks again for all of your help!

[MetroBTR]

Originally Posted by mefa4268

Thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it. Are there any other complexes that you could recommend? I would be willing to pay a little bit more money for certain amenities and I can always cover the utilities. Since I won't know a lot of people down in Baton Rouge, I at least want to be able to really enjoy where I'm living!

Thanks again for all of your help!

This is a website that has details on many complexes.

Baton Rouge Apartments 16 thru 25 for Rent - Baton Rouge Apartments Reviews and Ratings

And I would advise you to steer clear of any that are near LSU. Not only are those complexes loud, they prey on college students by charging them rediculous rents for crappy, cheaply built junk.

[redbean]

That's a fairly tight budget, but I would look at: Jefferson East, The Jeffersonian, and Normandy Village. Stay away from Warwick, my friend lived there in a crappy 1 br, and I think she was paying $900 (with utilities). I've no idea what the places I mentioned charge, but you should be able to get in for that amount.

Also I would look at smaller complexes or duplexes in the capital heights neighborhood. Check the paper. Stay south of Government street and east of Glenmore and you'll be OK. I think you would really enjoy this neighborhood a lot. You could walk to stores and restaurants, and it's close to a large Brec tennis center and workout facility. And it would be easy to get to downtown from there. The Garden district and Southdowns would be great choices also. Good luck.

[redbean]

Oh and check out Jefferson Oaks. I got it and the Jeffersonian mixed up earlier. Jeffersonian would be OK but all those units are for sale, so be careful with a lease. I saw where they were advertising starting at $700 though. I live in the area and love it, but I'm pretty sure my apartments are full.