Moving to Baton Rouge in January '10 (Jefferson, Gardere: apartment complexes, rental homes) - Louisiana (LA) -Metro area - City-Data Forum

Mikness · 11-28-2009, 07:12 PM

For the past few weeks I have been scouring these forums for all the information I can get on safe areas/neighborhoods in the Baton Rouge area. I want to thank everyone who regularly posts on here and provides people with invaluable information as they prepare their move and then get acclimated to the area. With that being said, I have just a few questions that I need a little clarification on:

1) I have seen countless posters stating that Gardere is not the place I want to relocate to, but I have found several townhouses on Bayou Fountain that might be appealing. I have checked Google maps and see that it appears to be a block or two north of the undesirable section between Burbank and Nicholson...is that still too close?

2) Also, I mapped the distance between Bayou Fountain and LSU (work/school) and it's only 5.5 miles, that's going to keep us from getting slammed in terrible traffic, right?

3) Flooding - is this one of the areas you all spoke of as having been hit with flooding in the past?

4) If Bayou Fountain is no good, where would you suggest I look for a good place for a renter? My sister and I are moving together, so we are looking for some place safe and reasonably priced. I've checked craigslist, rent.com and various other apartment search sites.

Thank you all in advance for your time and local knowledge.

Oh! And thanks for all the info about things to do in the area! I love the local music scene here in Tampa, but now I can't wait to see what BR has to offer!

darylwi · 11-29-2009, 12:52 PM

I can say that Bayou Fountain, assuming the Meadow Bend area, isn't what it used to be. It is still mostly student, but there are rifraf troublemakers in there too, so it does get it's share of trouble from time to time, although usually not extreme like off of Gardere (south and west of Burbank). [i.e. loud noise, public intoxication (out in the streets), some domestic disputes.] I'd still make sure I had adequate outdoor lighting and keep doors and windows locked. You should do this almost anywhere though.
The road into Meadow Bend floods (or gets high water) fairly regularly although the houses generally fair better unless we have an extreme event. Allison in 2001 was an extreme event. Not to mention there was little development in that area during Allison. Many of us are interested to see what happens the next time we have a slow moving tropical rain event like Allison in the future. Has the parish adequately addressed drainage issues even with the new development? That's the million dollar question.

Traffic should be little issue for you in that area if you stick to Burbank. Highland can get heavy from time to time, especially between Kenilworth and Gardere. Burbank is all four lane now and flows nicely. You'll probably park mainly on lots south of campus.

Mikness · 11-29-2009, 07:37 PM

Thanks darylwi! I appreciate your response and I think I'll keep looking

darylwi · 11-29-2009, 10:14 PM

The overall best area of town is along Jefferson Hwy between Gov't Street and I-12. Apartments and Townhomes line this stretch. It is generally a higher dollar part of town though although there are cheaper rents to find in here. The commute to LSU shouldn't be any more of a hassle. Capital Hieghts also has several older apartments and rental homes that are frequented by LSU grad students and young progressive professionals.
Same deal in the Garden District, although depending on what street you're on, you're close to some shady areas of higher crime. Typically, crime does not spill into the Garden District, but many people don't want to live so close to it. Stay east of Park Blvd/N. 19th to be sure. Can't beat the location to City Park though, and an easy bike commute to LSU.

Best of luck.

If you find something else that you want to pass along us, just post it on here.

BRMan · 12-04-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darylwi

I can say that Bayou Fountain, assuming the Meadow Bend area, isn't what it used to be. It is still mostly student, but there are rifraf troublemakers in there too, so it does get it's share of trouble from time to time, although usually not extreme like off of Gardere (south and west of Burbank). [i.e. loud noise, public intoxication (out in the streets), some domestic disputes.] I'd still make sure I had adequate outdoor lighting and keep doors and windows locked. You should do this almost anywhere though.
The road into Meadow Bend floods (or gets high water) fairly regularly although the houses generally fair better unless we have an extreme event. Allison in 2001 was an extreme event. Not to mention there was little development in that area during Allison. Many of us are interested to see what happens the next time we have a slow moving tropical rain event like Allison in the future. Has the parish adequately addressed drainage issues even with the new development? That's the million dollar question.

Traffic should be little issue for you in that area if you stick to Burbank. Highland can get heavy from time to time, especially between Kenilworth and Gardere. Burbank is all four lane now and flows nicely. You'll probably park mainly on lots south of campus.

Agree with everything said, and have another issue with the Bayou Fountain area: they're extending Staring Lane to Burbank. Part of that extension involves elevated roadway. So you kind of wonder where the high water will go, despite the fact they're installing sewer lines beneath the road.

Mikness · 12-05-2009, 06:23 PM

Hey guys/gals!

I'm back with a quick question - on the post "Relocating to Baton Rouge and scared..." MetroBTR said to steer clear of EVERYTHING north of Florida Blvd. b/c there is a stigma - is everyone in agreement with that? Is this a "dangerous part of town" or not well kept so kind of run-down looking or what? The part in particular that I'm looking at is off Wooddale Blvd., near the Kommeyer Plaza Shopping Center.

Thanks all!

darylwi · 12-06-2009, 07:16 AM

I'm guessing Savoy? It's a Patrician property which generally is pretty good. I've never heard anything bad about them and even had a friend who lived there when we were in college. So all-in-all, it might be ok. It's old now. Might be showing it's age, but then again I like older properties because the new ones are built out of cardboard. I for one would be very skeptical about living there mainly because of it's location and the potential for it to attract undesirables, but the bulk of the undesirables are over around Mall City which is over on the other side of Lobdell. That is a high crime area. Wooddale is more industrial/business.

Mikness · 12-06-2009, 02:20 PM

Thanks again darylwi - you have been so helpful! And yes, we were looking more seriously at the Savoy Plaza. I can tell by the pics it's an older building, that's why I liked it. I think I'm just going to have to face the inevitable and go with one of the cookie-cutter apartment complexes. It's tough not being in the area; I can't go looking for privately owned/rented places, but I still wanted something unique and something that will feel like home. We've lived in Tampa our whole lives and this is such a huge change! We're not kids so I don't want to move into some college apartment where there's a bunch of 20 yr olds running amock at all hours of the night. We plan on being in BR for a few years, so I'm sure once we've been there a little while, we'll know where to look. I guess this is really just our starter apartment, so if it's cookie-cutter, that's better than being in a bad area. Well, thanks so much for everyone's help and we look forward to our move to your amazing city!

BRMan · 12-07-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikness

Thanks again darylwi - you have been so helpful! And yes, we were looking more seriously at the Savoy Plaza. I can tell by the pics it's an older building, that's why I liked it. I think I'm just going to have to face the inevitable and go with one of the cookie-cutter apartment complexes. It's tough not being in the area; I can't go looking for privately owned/rented places, but I still wanted something unique and something that will feel like home. We've lived in Tampa our whole lives and this is such a huge change! We're not kids so I don't want to move into some college apartment where there's a bunch of 20 yr olds running amock at all hours of the night. We plan on being in BR for a few years, so I'm sure once we've been there a little while, we'll know where to look. I guess this is really just our starter apartment, so if it's cookie-cutter, that's better than being in a bad area. Well, thanks so much for everyone's help and we look forward to our move to your amazing city!

My personal opinion - Savoy/the Wooddale area has always been near more industrial commercial property and Mall City. But as recently as the 80s/early 90s you still had a decent amount of retail around it, and as such, it was a good place to live. Slowly but surely, however, retail on Florida Blvd is leaving, with either abandoned buildings and/or payday loan type of businesses replacing it. I think this is because additional retail proliferation along Bluebonnet, Corporate, Siegen, Essen, College, and Perkins are coming at the expense of what once thrived on Florida. Plus, if you're trying to get to LSU, that part of Flroida isn't exactly the most convenient.

I personally think from the standpoint of commuting to LSU you'd like complexes along College near I-10/S. Foster, Highland near LSU, and Place Duplantier along Lee Dr.

Mikness · 12-07-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRMan

My personal opinion - Savoy/the Wooddale area has always been near more industrial commercial property and Mall City. But as recently as the 80s/early 90s you still had a decent amount of retail around it, and as such, it was a good place to live. Slowly but surely, however, retail on Florida Blvd is leaving, with either abandoned buildings and/or payday loan type of businesses replacing it. I think this is because additional retail proliferation along Bluebonnet, Corporate, Siegen, Essen, College, and Perkins are coming at the expense of what once thrived on Florida. Plus, if you're trying to get to LSU, that part of Flroida isn't exactly the most convenient.

I personally think from the standpoint of commuting to LSU you'd like complexes along College near I-10/S. Foster, Highland near LSU, and Place Duplantier along Lee Dr.

BRMan, we are actually narrowed down to 4 places now, 2 of which you mentioned: Highland Plantation on Highland Rd, Place du Plantier on Lee Dr, Cobblestone at Essen on Essen Ln, and The Warwick on Jefferson Hwy. I'll be calling these places today so hopefully our search will soon be over! I'm really excited! You all have been so helpful! Thank you!!!