possible move to Baton Rouge, need advice (Shreveport, Hammond: real estate, housing)

[bstreet]

I may have an opportunity to relocate to Baton Rouge from Nashville, TN with my company. I need info on where to leave and what you can buy for $350K to $450K. I am married with a 2 year old and were not catholic, so concerned about private school. How is the real estate market? We need a safe, family friendly area that also has things to do. Main questions are is it safe, and what areas have the best schools and living. We are white, if that matters. Please help.

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by bstreet

I may have an opportunity to relocate to Baton Rouge from Nashville, TN with my company. I need info on where to leave and what you can buy for $350K to $450K. I am married with a 2 year old and were not catholic, so concerned about private school. How is the real estate market? We need a safe, family friendly area that also has things to do. Main questions are is it safe, and what areas have the best schools and living. We are white, if that matters. Please help.

Just drink the wine and eat the crackers and pretend to be Catholic. That's what I'd do.

Just kidding. I'm sure there are private schools in Baton Rouge that aren't religious-based schools... or at least not Catholic-based.

Or perhaps Baton Rouge has a magnet program like Shreveport has. If so, go that route.

[Caa]

Originally Posted by bstreet

I may have an opportunity to relocate to Baton Rouge from Nashville, TN with my company. I need info on where to leave and what you can buy for $350K to $450K. I am married with a 2 year old and were not catholic, so concerned about private school. How is the real estate market? We need a safe, family friendly area that also has things to do. Main questions are is it safe, and what areas have the best schools and living. We are white, if that matters. Please help.

I personally love in here in Baton Rouge. WE have our 4 year old daughter in a private Baptist School here. Only 20 percent of the kids that go there are actually Baptist, but it does have religion and non Denominational chapel once a week-but she and we love it. There a tons of great neighborhood here, Woodridge is one of them. There are also older neighborhood that are very well kept-Westminster and Shenendoah and 2 of them. Latter-Blum realty has a good web site for searching neighborhoods that have homes for sale in them. The safest areas-south Baton Rouge. Do not go near North Baton Rouge, the Gardere area, or anywhere around Florida Blvd north. Plank Road is another road that is ok for awhile then turns very seedy. Anywhere around Highland Road, Bluebonnet area are nice as well. Briarwood Estates is also nice-no sidewalks though if that is a concern since you have a child. Best public schools around are in Ascension Parish-def not East Baton Rouge Parish-public is awful-about 95 percent black and 5 percent white these days! Not that that is bad, just letting you know. There are many things for children to do here and we love it here. Tons of families and some new fun grown up places to go to as well. Good Luck to you and welcome to Baton Rouge!

[msritajd]

Well, first stating that you are white is inconsequential. I have lived in all of my life (30 years) and will be leaving to take a job in DC. However, it's a great place to live. Although, yes most of Louisiana is Catholic based, I went to one of the best schools in Louisiana (or in the US) for that matter....Episcopal and I'm Baptist. It was never an issue with me because my church is my religious base, not my school. As far as nice areas to live, try the Highland Road area which I believe is mostly listed as Area/Region 5? in real estates columns. The trend now has been moving further outward past East Baton Rouge Parish, but I don't know if you would prefer that. Also, Bluebonnet Blvd., Old Perkins Road, are very nice areas as well. However, you should note that mentioning race is somewhat of a put-off because we tend to mix well here so if I were you I would refrain from mentioning the race issue. The city is undergoing major new developments I'm sure a realtor could help out with showing you newer construction. Lastly, keep in mind that most of the areas considered the "nicer" parts of town are diverse. I thought I should mention that since you find it necessary to mention your race. For example, I live in, what most would consider an exclusive part of the city...I am African American, our neighbors are Latin American and across the street is an African Family...and this is a much sought after subdivision. Good Luck!

[mrmojo32]

Baton Rouge is not the same place it was before Katrina. Your best bet in my opinion, is to make your move to Ascension or Livingston Parishes that border the city. 350-450k would buy a wonderful home in a great neighborhood in either of these areas and both have absolutely great public school systems. Baton Rouge has had a huge influx of population since hurricane Katrina which has caused a traffic and crime increase. My wife has taught in the BR school system and you could not pay me to send my children there and things are only getting worse.

[Caa]

Originally Posted by mrmojo32

Baton Rouge is not the same place it was before Katrina. Your best bet in my opinion, is to make your move to Ascension or Livingston Parishes that border the city. 350-450k would buy a wonderful home in a great neighborhood in either of these areas and both have absolutely great public school systems. Baton Rouge has had a huge influx of population since hurricane Katrina which has caused a traffic and crime increase. My wife has taught in the BR school system and you could not pay me to send my children there and things are only getting worse.

AS far as I am concerned, the reason that it is more crowded in Baton Rouge Parish is not the people moving to BR, but the people moving to the areas outside of BR and coming here to work etc. In an of itself, I have seriously not noticed a lot of difference in traffic or crime(at least in the areas I go to). The crime rate has increased in BR, but it has also increased all over the country! If you drieve around BR on a evening or weekend, it is like a ghost town compared to 5pm rush hour and as I mentioned before, it is mostly due to people from other parishes coming here to work etc. Baton Rouge is wonderful and I would not live anywhere else in this state. I think that things are worse in public schools here, but I love the private school we send our child to. Best to you!

[Caa]

Originally Posted by msritajd

Well, first stating that you are white is inconsequential. I have lived in all of my life (30 years) and will be leaving to take a job in DC. However, it's a great place to live. Although, yes most of Louisiana is Catholic based, I went to one of the best schools in Louisiana (or in the US) for that matter....Episcopal and I'm Baptist. It was never an issue with me because my church is my religious base, not my school. As far as nice areas to live, try the Highland Road area which I believe is mostly listed as Area/Region 5? in real estates columns. The trend now has been moving further outward past East Baton Rouge Parish, but I don't know if you would prefer that. Also, Bluebonnet Blvd., Old Perkins Road, are very nice areas as well. However, you should note that mentioning race is somewhat of a put-off because we tend to mix well here so if I were you I would refrain from mentioning the race issue. The city is undergoing major new developments I'm sure a realtor could help out with showing you newer construction. Lastly, keep in mind that most of the areas considered the "nicer" parts of town are diverse. I thought I should mention that since you find it necessary to mention your race. For example, I live in, what most would consider an exclusive part of the city...I am African American, our neighbors are Latin American and across the street is an African Family...and this is a much sought after subdivision. Good Luck!

There was nothing wrong with his "white" statement and frankly, I prefer the term Caucasian. He may have just been concerned as he probably saw the demographics of the population here and saw it was about 50/50 Caucasian and Af. Amer. Stop taking offense please-we are all here together! Black white whatever....

[mrmojo32]

I was born right here in BR and I can honestly say that I have never heard of such crime as is being reported lately. If you watch the evening news they report armed robberies on roads like Coursey and South Sherwood Forest Blvd in broad daylight. I agree that there are some great neighborhoods and some great private schools as well, but this city is on the decline. White flight took place in the 90's because of the horrible school system, bad roads, corrupt government, and now the influx of people from Katrina all make BR less desireable than Ascension and Livingston.

This is even more so true if you are a middle class family who cannot afford private schools or an elite neighborhood.

[msritajd]

Caa: What does a 50/50 demographic have to do with finding appropriate housing? Unless, you, too share the same sentiments, maybe? If the fact can be supported that here, in BR we are indeed equally porportioned, then please explain to me exactly what does that have to do with real estate. An equally porportionate population would simply mean that no matter where one chooses to live, one would have a high probability of being surrounded by both races...Therefore the choice of neighborhoods would be inconsequential. Unless, perhaps one is trying to avoid the more "colorful" parts of town? As far as my possibly "taking offense," I can't help but wonder why the post that you so readily defend felt the necessity to mention he was white? Now I must ask you, "what does it matter?" Or maybe it does matter. After all it was enough to perhaps put a slight edge in your tone.

[pandora39]

As with any new location, Baton Rouge or any small town/city, there will always be pros and cons. Regarding crime, may I suggest that you go online and view some of the past articles of the local newspaper, "2theadvocate.com", or research the statistics on crime here at either "WAFB" or "WBRZ", the main t.v. stations. Derrik Todd Lee was the serial killer who murdered at least 7 innocent victims...all women, mostly under the age of 35,and women in our area were frightened to go out not just at night,but at any time. He is now in custody. There is crime here,but "Lee" is an exception to the rule. Originally I am not from here,and have lived in CA., Holland, Virginia, my home state. The oil and gas companies draw many here,but other industries exist as well.
Frankly, if you enjoy good food, good times like Mardi Gras, and festivals for just about any and every occasion ( the crawfish festival,for one)..the Rayne frog festival etc. The fact remains,as others have stated, our traffic is one of the worst problems..with overcrowding of streets, and traffic snarls.
L.S.U. and Southern Universities, as well as Southeastern U in Hammond draw many here. Need I mention LSU fighting tigers? Football is a huge draw here,and of course, tailgating and overcrowding on game days in the Southern parts of town.
The people here are, for the most part, friendly...Denham Springs still has a home town feel,and antique shops, however, it is bursting at the seams. Zachary, on the outskirts of town, is the fastest growing area outside of the Livingston Parish area. We don't have "cities",but parishes here. On the other side of the Mississippi river is West Baton Rouge, Plaquemine parish and many older homes and a feeling of quaintness.
We have a governor's election coming soon,and it there are problems of the "good old boy" network, though we have a female governor at the present time.
I am married and currently live here, just outside of B.R. or "redstick",and my husband and I argue about where he'll retire. I would not choose to be here,but rather enjoy cooler weather and fall leaves changing colors. Down here, at the end of October, the children normally have to wear bug repellant when they go trick or treating.
I would suggest a visit to Baton Rouge,and stay here for at least a week or so to see how you like it. The food is great, the people are nice,and the outskirts of town would be my choice..if I had to choose a place to live near here, I would choose the Gonzales or St. Francisville area ..but not the city.
Let everyone know what you choose. I understand that "The Dunham " school is excellent.