Moving from Scotland to Lafayette...HELP!!! (New Orleans, Broussard: real estate, apartments, to rent)

[scotslass77]

Hi

M partner has just been offered a relocation to Lafayette from Aberdeen, Scotland and we would appreciate any help/information that anyone could give us!
I suppose most importantly is how family friendly is it? I am 29, my partner is 28 and we have a 2 year old son.
Also which areas are good to rent in, how is schooling, would I find it easy getting a Part time job (I am a teaching assistant at present)
In fact...anything we could find out would be a great help!!

thanks

[Drouzin]

I have family in Lafayette and they seem pretty happy with it. When I was there this past weekend (for a wedding) I saw a children's museum downtown that looked like a fun place to visit. A real estate agent can help you with finding a good place to rent in the neighborhood that would suit you.

Lafayette Consolidated Government

Best of luck!

[larice]

We lived in Lafayette for 3 years. There are some cute areas to live, ie...the saint street area close to UL. One nice thing about Lafayette is that I found it to be a city really geared for families. Mardi Gras is so fun and like it was when I grew up in New Orleans (NO is way too crazy now!). They have a small zoo, the children's museum, fun festivals and more.

What kind of job are you desiring? If it is still in the teaching field, what age children?

[scotslass77]

Thank you both fro replying, in answer to the job question I would prefer to stay within a teaching role, younger children if possible, age 5 plus if I could.
Which areas would we be better househunting then??

[larice]

have you found a job? My children attended Our Lady of Fatima, a nice Catholic school on Johnston. They have classes from pre-k-8. They also have an after school program. You might want to see if there are any openings there. The staff is very nice. Other nice schools are Cathedral and Ascension. Ascension is also located on Johnston and Cathedral is not that much farther away.

I have no experience personally with the public schools there but I did know many people whose kids attended public schools without hesitation.

Where is your partner going to work? Housing prices are all over the map and Lafayette is surprisingly not a bargain. After Katrina/Rita and the oil industry doing well, there market is high (as compared to where Houston where we live now). What price range are you looking at? Do you want to live "out"? If so, Youngsville and Broussard are developing at a quick rate but are further from town. I personally liked living in Lafayette as all of my activities were there.

[scotslass77]

My partner is relocating within his company, Petrofac? Price range , not sure in dollars!! Lol, but probably about £150,000?? I'd like to live quite near all main bits an pieces, ie shops etc but if that's not really practical, or safe! then I dont mind living out! I think his company is based near Youngsville so we have looked there a bit

[larice]

That price range is probably $300-$350,000 US. There are plenty of nice homes in that range. There is a new development that is nice and is located close to Youngsville called Sugar Mill Pond. Pretty houses and brand new. River Ranch is the hot area right now and there are several cute cottages available. There is a gorgeous neighborhood off Hwy90 called LeTriomphe. It's situated on a golf course and is gated with a guard. I have several friends who live there and love it.

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[BADEGG]

Ok, I'll help you move but it'll cost you.

[scotslass77]

Thanks for the info, and offer of help!
We're not sure when we'll be out as yet, but will be sure to let you know
thanks again

[scotslass77]

Hi again, have a couple of questions if anyone could possibly help me out! Do we pay for education over there or are public schools free, but are private schools hugely better etc?? And we have been told we are likely to be housed in Aubudon Apartments for the very start until we decide where we want to go, are these aprtments good or bad???