Where is the "BEST" place to live in Louisiana now? (New Orleans: crime, houses)

[gumbomu]

I am a Katrina survivor who swam in the stormsurge with my two dogs in Waveland Ms. where I moved to from New Orleans a few years before Katrina hit (both to take care of my Mom and the rising crime pervading New Orleans) and was relocated to Arkansas--which is beautifull but just not home, if that makes sense. I have ruled out New Orleans as a place to return to---the crime is worse than when I left!!--but wonder what places are lower in crime, have some affordable housing and jobs. I have heard the Northshore is VERY expensive and yet have heard Hammond is a reasonable spot. Not looking for heaven on Earth---but a reasonable place to run the years out in southern Louisiana. Any feedback gang?

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by gumbomu

I am a Katrina survivor who swam in the stormsurge with my two dogs in Waveland Ms. where I moved to from New Orleans a few years before Katrina hit (both to take care of my Mom and the rising crime pervading New Orleans) and was relocated to Arkansas--which is beautifull but just not home, if that makes sense. I have ruled out New Orleans as a place to return to---the crime is worse than when I left!!--but wonder what places are lower in crime, have some affordable housing and jobs. I have heard the Northshore is VERY expensive and yet have heard Hammond is a reasonable spot. Not looking for heaven on Earth---but a reasonable place to run the years out in southern Louisiana. Any feedback gang?

Of course, it all depends on what type of job you want to take. My thought, assuming you could live almost anywhere in SE Louisiana:

(1) St Tammany Parish has become expensive and congested;
(2) Hammond/Pontchatoula in Tangipahoa Parish might work - they're building like crazy there
(3) The eastern part of Livingston Parish (Holden, Satsuma, Livingston) are getting some Orlenians
(4) Parts of Ascension (Sorrento, Gonzales, Pelican Point subdivision near Gonzales) might also work

[darylwi]

St. Tammany is getting expensive and the infrastructure is frantically trying to catch up to the growth. Tangipahoa might be your better bet.
Livingston and Ascension are also good choices depending on exactly what you are looking for. But if you want to avoid future flooding, you may want to avoid the diversion canal and along the Amite River in lower Livingston. Even if you're above the flood plain, you might risk being blocked out of your driveway or road even.

[ILUVMAINE]

Originally Posted by gumbomu

I am a Katrina survivor who swam in the stormsurge with my two dogs in Waveland Ms. where I moved to from New Orleans a few years before Katrina hit (both to take care of my Mom and the rising crime pervading New Orleans) and was relocated to Arkansas--which is beautifull but just not home, if that makes sense. I have ruled out New Orleans as a place to return to---the crime is worse than when I left!!--but wonder what places are lower in crime, have some affordable housing and jobs. I have heard the Northshore is VERY expensive and yet have heard Hammond is a reasonable spot. Not looking for heaven on Earth---but a reasonable place to run the years out in southern Louisiana. Any feedback gang?

I would recommend Lafayette and the surrounding area. We lived down there for 3 years while attending USL and loved the area. Still has a lot of Cajun influence AND the food was so delicious. Good luck!

[Brock Landers]

It seemed to me when i was there in March that Mandeville was an EXCELLENT area to live. Possibly pricy, but you are right down the causeway from New Orleans...

[CkPhoto]

I'd say right now that Bossier City will be "THE PLACE" it will be home to a large research park pretty soon.. similar to the one in Huntsville. Soon to be the home of the nations cyber command center.. theyre saying at least 10,000 jobs are coming with this.. it should change the entire regions economy.

[bozziescott]

Try Bastrop in Morehouse Parish.

[gypsylife]

If you are looking to retire, I would suggest looking into Jefferson Davis Parrish. It is full of small towns, country living. The jobs don't pay much, but it doesn't cost much to live here. there are lots of houses for sell, and land. New construction all the time. Welsh is 22 miles east of Lake Charles, 60 miles west of Lafayette, and a Wal-Mart 10 miles in Jennings. For beauty, look into the town of Lake Arther. Just a thought....

[ByDonn]

Lifelong resident, so I'm biased, but Breaux Bridge is a great town. Very trendy, but not full of ourselves. Great central location (5 minutes from Lafayette, on I-10), so statewide travel is easy. You're in baton Rouge in about an hour, etc.

Housing is really not too bad, price wise, and the people are great. Lovely downtown character, yet still 'with it' when it comes to keeping up with the times. Perfect bedroom community to Lafayette, which is an increasing technological area. (fiber optic city-wide very soon).

On the edge of the Atchafalaya basin, one of America's largest frshwater playgrounds, and we're home to the World Famous Crawfish Festival. Not to mention near some of the best festivals in the state. Mardi Gras is great here, too!

UL is a great college, and it's minutes away.

breauxbridgelive.com

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by ByDonn

Lifelong resident, so I'm biased, but Breaux Bridge is a great town. Very trendy, but not full of ourselves. Great central location (5 minutes from Lafayette, on I-10), so statewide travel is easy. You're in baton Rouge in about an hour, etc.

Housing is really not too bad, price wise, and the people are great. Lovely downtown character, yet still 'with it' when it comes to keeping up with the times. Perfect bedroom community to Lafayette, which is an increasing technological area. (fiber optic city-wide very soon).

On the edge of the Atchafalaya basin, one of America's largest frshwater playgrounds, and we're home to the World Famous Crawfish Festival. Not to mention near some of the best festivals in the state. Mardi Gras is great here, too!

UL is a great college, and it's minutes away.

breauxbridgelive.com

Even as someone from north Louisiana and having only limited experiences with Breaux Bridge, I'd say I agree with this. It seems like a nice town and that crawfish festival is awesome.