HELP! We need the inside scoop on Louisiana (New Orleans, Baton Rouge: 2013, movers)

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by violet70

SBCmetroguy, I didn't mean to step on your toes... I've heard there is lots going on in Shreveport these days with the filming there and all. I have friends from there and my sister went to school there, so I know it a bit. And I AM from south Louisiana (I know it's obvious), but I've lived and traveled all over the world: west coast, east coast, Europe, South America, and I can't imagine sending some young people interested in a 'different' experience to live in Shreveport... personally (and this is my opinion, this is why people use these boards, to see other people's opinions) I think New Orleans and even Lafayette have more to offer. Notice I never mentioned Baton Rouge (I went to LSU)... also another 'bible belt' town. From what you mentioned about Shreveport: casinos, strip clubs, night clubs, churches, military... it would be a very different experience that Seattle, and maybe that's what these women are looking for. It's up to them to choose. If they want a more progressive area, they should head south.

I only responded to begin with because the girls PMed me asking about Shreveport. But I know full well how great of a place Shreveport is and I will always defend it publicly when someone says anything along the lines of "don't move to Shreveport." I know you didn't say that exactly, but that is the gist of what you said. The girls' first post on this thread said "We are cousins in our twentys relocating to louisiana for a change from Seattle, Wa." Sounds to me like they want something different from Seattle.

Shreveport is different from Seattle, and so are Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, etc. Shreveport is one of many options in this state, and being someone who has been many places but still enjoys coming home to Shreveport, I feel the need to offer it to someone looking for a nice place to live.

But for someone to say "...even Lafayette have more to offer" obviously has not visited Shreveport, or perhaps has visited briefily and not experienced it. Lafayette? Are you serious? I think it's a decent place but over the past few years it's become an overgrown small Cajun town. Its big claims to fame are the oil industry and its suburban sprawl, the latter of which is something that no city should be proud of.

You said, "I have friends from there and my sister went to school there, so I know it a bit." No, I would have to say that you clearly do not.

I have to defend Shreveport quite often because small-minded people from south Louisiana often tend to believe this state consists of JUST Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans... but I have news for you, it's got plenty more to offer in north Louisiana. And I'll be quite honest, if we could break from Louisiana and become part of Texas I'd much prefer that.

[Vampgrrl]

^We in South Louisiana would prefer it as well.

=)

I moved to New Orleans 7+ months ago and I love it..(outside of the freakishly large roaches) and I don't think there is anywhere else I would rather be, where there is this much room to make a name for yourself. It's much easier than it would be in Atlanta or Houston, because people are so starved for giving people a shot at making this city great again.
Plus it's nice in that everything is close by, walkable (just dodge the bullets, heh) and I find that people are much nicer.

Love New Orleans!

[violet70]

For its size, Lafayette is a pretty interesting place... it's got one of the best festivals in the U.S. (and free): Festival International at the end of April every year, with music, theater, dance, food from all over the world. The downtown area is completely revived and hopping day and night. There are so many music clubs with authentic Cajun, zydeco and original music from south Louisiana. It's got a great art museum, a natural history museum (downtown), a children's museum. There are a LOT of restaurants, not just Cajun but pretty much anything you'd like: sushi, Cuban, Lebanese, Indian, etc. Shopping is great and I'm not talking the mall... there are loads of local boutiques around now. (and a lot of that is thanks to the oil industry which has brought a lot of money and diversity there) There's a lot going on for a town of its size. Suburban sprawl is a problem, as it is in most growing cities. I'm definitely not saying it (or New Orleans for that matter) are perfect places but for young people wanting a Louisiana experience, those are the choices I'd give.

[violet70]

I found this while looking around: SBCmetroguy's own version of the best place to live around Shreveport... what's so interesting here?? This sounds like every other strip-mall town in America... my own personal version of hell. Vampgrrl, you said, it not me!!

Southeast Shreveport. Lots of nice neighborhoods with "somewhat" spacious lots like Acadiana Place, Twelve Oaks, etc. Also looking further south to the new Provenance suburban development and all the subdivisions around there. Provenance is right off the new Southern Loop and I-49 and is only 5 minutes south of the Shreveport city limits.

Southeast Shreveport will give you plenty of options... Wal-Mart (gag me,) Sam's, Target, Kroger, etc for groceries... plus all the major national chain restaurants (Friday's, Ruby Tuesday, Olive Garden, Macaroni Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, etc) and all the major chain stores as well. Another new shopping area is getting ready to open which houses Friday's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Logan's Roadhouse, JC Penney, Kohl's, Dick's Sporting Goods, etc. Eventually PF Chang's will have to decide on a location but they keep going back on their commitments in southeast Shreveport... I don't know what that's all about. There is also a Lowe's right there and a Home Depot a couple miles from there. Lots of hospitals and doctors' offices as well. And besides Dick's there is also an Academy Sports store near the Home Depot, a couple miles from the major southeast Shreveport shopping hub.

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by violet70

I found this while looking around: SBCmetroguy's own version of the best place to live around Shreveport... what's so interesting here?? This sounds like every other strip-mall town in America... my own personal version of hell. Vampgrrl, you said, it not me!!

It's not the best place to live, it's the safest... since afterall the girls did mention to me that safety was an issue. It's just the same as "suburban anywhere" and you're right, not very interesting. Whoever said it was? I'd much prefer to live in downtown Shreveport but my wife doesn't want that (got to keep her happy, she's from sleepy little Texarkana afterall)... safety isn't a concern for me as I was raised dodging bullets in the inner-city. No big deal for me. When I offer someone a safe area to live in where everything is convenient, the suburban areas come to mind.

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by violet70

For its size, Lafayette is a pretty interesting place... it's got one of the best festivals in the U.S. (and free): Festival International at the end of April every year, with music, theater, dance, food from all over the world. The downtown area is completely revived and hopping day and night. There are so many music clubs with authentic Cajun, zydeco and original music from south Louisiana. It's got a great art museum, a natural history museum (downtown), a children's museum. There are a LOT of restaurants, not just Cajun but pretty much anything you'd like: sushi, Cuban, Lebanese, Indian, etc. Shopping is great and I'm not talking the mall... there are loads of local boutiques around now. (and a lot of that is thanks to the oil industry which has brought a lot of money and diversity there) There's a lot going on for a town of its size. Suburban sprawl is a problem, as it is in most growing cities. I'm definitely not saying it (or New Orleans for that matter) are perfect places but for young people wanting a Louisiana experience, those are the choices I'd give.

Suburban sprawl is a problem in most growing cities, no doubt, but Lafayette IS suburban sprawl! The old city of Lafayette is extremely tiny and everything new is spread out along the suburban hellscape.

I never disputed Lafayette's amount of cultural restaurants, but since you're on this "like any other city" kick, I'll go ahead and add for the record... every other city has cultural restaurants as well. What makes Lafayette any better?

The oil industry brings in roughnecks, and does not in any way help add diversity to a city. To say otherwise is, to say the least, stretching the truth.

[Vampgrrl]

That's because today's developers shovel that tract housing subdivision crap on everyone and people start to think there is something special about living like that.

That said as much as it may rub people the wrong way, I still think New Orleans is the pinnacle of living in Louisiana. I avoided moving here for 12 years when I wanted to because people spun the crime stories into scaring the hell out of me. It is something to be wary of but most any city has an element of that...it's well worth the trouble. Every single day has been an absolute joy from friends, to social events, to politics to learning the history.

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by Vampgrrl

That's because today's developers shovel that tract housing subdivision crap on everyone and people start to think there is something special about living like that.

That said as much as it may rub people the wrong way, I still think New Orleans is the pinnacle of living in Louisiana. I avoided moving here for 12 years when I wanted to because people spun the crime stories into scaring the hell out of me. It is something to be wary of but most any city has an element of that...it's well worth the trouble. Every single day has been an absolute joy from friends, to social events, to politics to learning the history.

For the record, I really didn't mean to go off assaulting Lafayette or any other place, especially since I do like south many Louisiana cities. But I was very much offended when it was basically said that Lafayette might perhaps be a better, more exciting or progressive place to live than Shreveport. Especially given that Bossier City and Lafayette are consistently neck-and-neck as far as growth rates. Both cities are growing rapidly, and Bossier City is about to grow by another 5,000-10,000 from one development alone.

I will also never dispute what you say about New Orleans, I really love that city. Screw the crime, it's all about learning your way around the city! It's the same way in Shreveport... there are literally shootings every day and homicides every few days... but if you get to know the city you will easily figure out the areas to avoid.

And yes, you're correct, developers DO push that crappy suburban sprawl lifestyle on us. My wife and I know it as much as anyone, since we are both in careers related to these types of developments.

[Caa]

Personally, I love Baton Rouge. I need to visit Shreveport one day though. I also like Layfayette, but have only been there 2 times. I think the people in baton Rouge are pretty friendly though!

[violet70]

OK, last post on this, this is getting old... obviously SBCmetroguy works for the chamber of commerce or something...

I agree with Vampgrrl... New Orleans is the spot in LA for young people. I thought I'd mention Lafayette too in case the women were looking for a smaller town. Also, some people are worried about NOLA after Katrina (another hurricane, I mean). And personally if I were moving back to LA, I'd only move to NOLA or Lafayette. Shreveport, from what I know of it, doesn't strike me as all that interesting. Borrowed Cajun culture and borrowed cowboy culture mixed in with casinos and military. My sister went to med school there and her friends still go down to Lafayette to have a good time because (they say) there isn't much in Shreveport and no (interesting) men! One of my best friends is living there with family temporarily (artist with an art show coming up in Berlin)... she's "stuck", as she puts it. Although she does admit that it has been changing over the last years.

Seattle ladies, good luck with your choice and I hope you have a great time wherever you choose!