Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
For many of those living in Monroe/West Monroe, what is greatly missing is perspective. I know older residents in their 80s who have never traveled outside the state. I know residents in their 50s and 60s who heavily discourage their children from leaving the area completely discount FACTS when trying to talk their children into staying. The fact is, at its current state and direction, there is no future for its youth. The older citizens clinging onto the past will die, the middle aged who are there will probably be a 50% stay and those under 30 will continue to exit in large numbers as the overall economy begins to pick back up and the migration to areas where growth and the ability to flourish is. Those who stay (and aren't in jail) will be poor, will get poorer, and contribute very little to the future of the area, except for lawyers, doctors and politicians who are really the only "new money" that exist.
That is...unless REAL change happens.
I believe that is the best statement I have EVER heard about the area here. I still live here and just waiting my my way to escape from here. Very very good statement though.
For many of those living in Monroe/West Monroe, what is greatly missing is perspective. I know older residents in their 80s who have never traveled outside the state. I know residents in their 50s and 60s who heavily discourage their children from leaving the area completely discount FACTS when trying to talk their children into staying. The fact is, at its current state and direction, there is no future for its youth. The older citizens clinging onto the past will die, the middle aged who are there will probably be a 50% stay and those under 30 will continue to exit in large numbers as the overall economy begins to pick back up and the migration to areas where growth and the ability to flourish is. Those who stay (and aren't in jail) will be poor, will get poorer, and contribute very little to the future of the area, except for lawyers, doctors and politicians who are really the only "new money" that exist.
That is...unless REAL change happens.
......like the Saints being 7-0 and being very good. T
that quote post was written in 2008 and 2000 career jobs have and were in the process since then. Career jobs like engineering. The social scence have erupted since then, as downtown begins to emerge with art crawls and festivals. The abundance of new bars and old bars here. ULM college still in evolving to become an elite college with the emphasis of medicine, not to mention the community, technical, and vocation schools around here are cracking down emensly training students with career jobs that WILL have at least $25,000 yearly income.(big jump from that false number of $12,000, that restaurant numbers homie).
By the way, Delta Community College has a huge new campus under construction maybe two miles away from New V-Vehicle plant's constuction which is 2 miles from the new Motor speedway.....
Im no genuis but between the three of those, somewhere in there is area, and literally off that highway is a mass areas for huge explosions of retail growth built around these projects. As an entreprenuer and businessman, you would have to be an abosolute idoit or from Dallas, TX not to cash in on this. Theres a Mall 4 miles up the road, airport 1.5 from that, 2 Chase business buildings (5 stories, about 2 blocks long) down from that, a plastic manufactoring company, warehouse for grocery stores, on down from that Lakeshore and Swartz area somewhere in the is ULM college.............ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!! If thats not grounds for flurescent growth then you need to change the light bulbs on your ideas?
Monroe as well as North Louisiana will serve as the mecca as Louisiana's wave in the ocean of career jobs!!!
I believe that is the best statement I have EVER heard about the area here. I still live here and just waiting my my way to escape from here. Very very good statement though.
Monroe will survive just fine too. I have traveled so much and have yet to find an area that was as clean, conveinent, easily commuted, cool, convincing as the classy and calm city of Monroe/West Monroe area. I just left Lafayette and love what I saw. But when i returned, I took a long drive from the top of the parish to the bottom. What I concluded was compared to more larger cities with all the amenties and luxury in Louisiana, the city of Monroe has the most well constructed, natural, and relaxed commercial areas I have ever seen. You wont find places in Louisiana where you will see big ranches and pecan trees then a Fortune 500 company(Centurylink). You wont see a beautiful body(Bayou Desiard) of water criss crossing under the highway without sometype of rising of the highway and then see restaurants with pecan trees in between them. The cities natural architecture is so sleek with out making concrete forests everwhere.
The point im trying to make to you is, if you first of all part ways with pessmistic demons that most Louisiana residents are possessed with, you would be open to ALL the aspects and assets, not just the negatives that your specific Louisiana area has to offer. Then, if you count all the blessings your particular city has in comparision to others, maybe you can learn to appreciate it a whole lot better. It doesnt do you or the city of Monroe any good to down this area.
It is because of people like me and all the postive minded people who believe and loved this place that have at least slowed unimpressed residents from escaping town long enough for these people to say, "Hay, Monroe has got something going here, lets wait and see". Based on what im seeing these days, you and your peers will not be disappointed.
Tell me Louisiana Legend - do you work for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce or something? No offense, but you seem very defensive about the Monroe area as is my fiance'. I've been trying to get him out of his hell hole but he won't go b/c its all he's ever known. I, on the the other hand, have lived other places and realize that there are much better cities to live in then Monroe, LA. The ecomony here is awful, no jobs, low pay, limited housing, lack of entertainment, and so much small-town drama its not even funny, and why? Because there is nothing better to do then to be in everyone's business and getting into trouble. Monroe is so far behind the times its crazy. Its a sad fact but its the truth. And I hate its this way b/c I was born and raised here in Monroe and have lots of friends here as well but after living in other places, you realize just how sad and depressed this area is..its not what it was years ago when I was growing up for sure. So please, Louisiana Legend, at least admit that Monroe has some things WRONG with it and its not perfect...you seem in denial about it for some reason. I'm not trying to be rude but its kinda sad that you seem to hold out so much hope that Monroe will "turn around" one day and prosper because unfortunately, it probably will not - hasn't yet and not too many ppl here interested in making the changes necessary for the city to grow and become a place where ppl will want to move to.
Monroe still functions as a small town. The economy is not a wash there. There are jobs, but it still operates on the "bubba network." Most businesses are a little skiddish of hiring people who are not from the area or the state. My husband worked for a company there that was sorta a club/family, so they were very selective with new recruits. I understand what Louisiana's Legend is saying about Monroe. If you are an outsider and you are passing over I-20 through Monroe, you might not be impressed. It's not a showpiece or anything, but if you delve into some of the older neighborhoods, meet some of the charming residents and sit down at a privately owned restaurant for a long evening meal, the town will grow on you quickly. As far as younger generations leaving Monroe for greener pastures? Uh, hello. Can you find another city/town where that doesn't happen? I got news folks. We live in a transient culture where lots of twenty-somethings get their degree and head off for the next best thing. Why would Monroe be the exception to the rule?
Tell me Louisiana Legend - do you work for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce or something? No offense, but you seem very defensive about the Monroe area as is my fiance'. I've been trying to get him out of his hell hole but he won't go b/c its all he's ever known. I, on the the other hand, have lived other places and realize that there are much better cities to live in then Monroe, LA. The ecomony here is awful, no jobs, low pay, limited housing, lack of entertainment, and so much small-town drama its not even funny, and why? Because there is nothing better to do then to be in everyone's business and getting into trouble. Monroe is so far behind the times its crazy. Its a sad fact but its the truth. And I hate its this way b/c I was born and raised here in Monroe and have lots of friends here as well but after living in other places, you realize just how sad and depressed this area is..its not what it was years ago when I was growing up for sure. So please, Louisiana Legend, at least admit that Monroe has some things WRONG with it and its not perfect...you seem in denial about it for some reason. I'm not trying to be rude but its kinda sad that you seem to hold out so much hope that Monroe will "turn around" one day and prosper because unfortunately, it probably will not - hasn't yet and not too many ppl here interested in making the changes necessary for the city to grow and become a place where ppl will want to move to.
Aww, hubby should take such a fun loving gal like you out on the town he's so fond of. I can refer you to some places if you like, just message me.
Look, I am very familar with the "flaws", but why focus on that. Go down the lines of every city, theres downsides and flaws, but guess what Mrs. Dunn this is our city. We live here, we contribute to the taxes, our friends are here. If the attitude is negative then the city will have a negative output. This town contributed to so many things in my life, and made produce one heck of a guy.
You have to understand, I do business all over the city, parish and surrounding.....I see more than the average resident, and I can see the city as a whole. What I have gathered is Monroe has waaaaaaaaaay to much to be proud of, we just have to claim it. I traveled around the country like others and said " Dam, Monroe aint like this". Well maybe so but......do they have a true real Historical Garden District, with real gardens, real cultural people, really beautiful historic homes. Alot of places claim to have a Garden District, but I dont see the naturous, garden look like we have. Pecan Trees, Oak trees, Cypress, plum and fig trees drowning the homes in this area. I havent found a comparision in my travels, so Im proud of that.
I just leaned back and took a deep broader indepth look at Monroe & Vicinities. We are blessed compared to most cities bigger than we are. We are cleaner believe it or not, the people are friendlier. lol. Monroe's big shots around here are so cool and friendly. Like Mr. Johnnys from Johnny's pizza, the guy is hilarious, the guy from Waterfront Grill is a stand up guy, and im sure you know all about the Ink's Firestone Guy.....enough said, hahahahahaha
Many other things to be proud of, you just have to be more interactive with Monroe, do things you normally wouldnt do. Many people think with that ol' small town attitude, "Monroe aint no Greek Restaurants", yes we do, theres 3. Just go out and ride around, this town is very interesting, the way things are hidden, people are fascinated by the things they find deep in over the river and through the woods.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $53,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
