Info on Ruston, LA (Shreveport, Lafayette: 2009, apartments, crime rate)

[Daniel_T]

Hi there, I am trying to get more information about the town of Ruston. I see that it is kinda small. It is a desirable place? What is the commute like to Monroe or Shreveport?

Also I would like info on Monroe, LA. What is that city like? I know it's about 30 miles east of Ruston so that is why I am interested. I can commute for internships. Is it a clean, safe place? What are prices like for apartments? what are jobs like? thanks all

Daniel_T

[Bayoukid]

Ruston is a very nice town. It is small but, packed with alot of people because of Louisiana Tech. Construction has really been booming in the years in Ruston.

I do not know alot about Monroe. I get the news from Monroe and crime does not seem to be a problem. Just like any city, it has it's good areas and bad areas. Monroe is closer to Ruston than Shreveport. Shreveport is suppose to be the "most dangerous big city in the South" and I would probably agree. Bossier City is alot better and is just over the river from S'port.

You may want to do a search on "Monroe Louisiana Newspapers" and the same for Ruston. That will give you a good idea of appartment costs and job listings.

[Daniel_T]

Thanks much for replying. Didn't think anybody would. I didn't know Shreveport was so dangerous. I haven't much good things about Monroe either.

Thanks,
Daniel

[Bayoukid]

I just joined and I live about 30 minutes to the west of Ruston and go there often. I am also in the process of moving but, I am going north of Little Rock, Arkansas. We were considering moving to Ruston but, ready to get out of LA.

I had pulled up a website the other day for an online Ruston newspaper but, do not have that link handy. You can just run a search and find it.

Will you be going to Tech?

[Daniel_T]

Yeah, that's where I want to go. The reason I ask about Shreveport and Monroe, is because I would need to intern there while in college. You are right, Ruston looks like a very nice place.

is it fair to compare LA to AR? I've been to Little Rock and around AR.

Daniel

[Bayoukid]

I take it you will be doing your internship at LSUS in Shreveport?

I would say it would be fair to compare North LA with Southern Arkansas, below LR as far as how it looks, cost of living and racial make up.

I am thinking it is about a 30 or 40 minute drive from Ruston to Monroe/West Monroe and then about an hour and 15 minutes from Ruston to Shreveport. Both accessable by I-20. Shreveport is only dangerous in certain areas now, don't get the wrong impression. However, it does have a high crime rate and if you do your intern at LSUS, you will be able to see first hand, especially in the ER.

When will you be coming to Tech? Oh yea, there are alot of pretty ladies in the Ruston area!

[Daniel_T]

when I intern it would be at a tv station. not at a college. I want to major in journalism and that major requires an internship in that career field. I don't think Ruston has their own network tv stations, they are all based out of either Shreveport or Monroe. I want to start TECH in January 2009 as a transfer student. It's either TECH or University of Louisiana Lafayette.

Daniel

[Bayoukid]

Gotcha. And I believe you are correct about Ruston not having a tv station. Monroe and S'port does. If you do go to S'port for your internship, you can check for places to live in Bossier City and/or Haughton. Haughton is a really nice community and about 15 minutes from Bossier/S'port.

I have friends in Lafayette and it seems to be a descent big city. It did get rough when the hurricanes came thru with all the people moving around but, has settled down. He is over a security alarm company and says they are always looking for help.

[Daniel_T]

Hi there, I got your PM. Thanks for the invite. I appreciate that. Any info I can get will greatly help my decision on coming to LA.

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by Daniel_T

Thanks much for replying. Didn't think anybody would. I didn't know Shreveport was so dangerous. I haven't much good things about Monroe either.

Thanks,
Daniel

Shreveport is dangerous in certain neighborhoods, but it's less common for the bad things to spill over into decent areas. It happens, but not every day. Mostly people in Shreveport are safe... just stay out of the ghettos. Honestly, it's the same story in Monroe.

Depending on your field, you might make more money in Shreveport than in Monroe. Not sure what your field is, but definitely look at both cities evenly. And don't hesitate to consider Bossier over Shreveport. Bossier is more progressive and growing extremely fast, and the overall and violent crime rates are lower as well.