Lafayette? R there casinos...lofts downtown..whats racial demo's? (Baton Rouge: apartments, condo)

[ROBINGRAV]

Are casinos in Lafaytte or nearby? Also I am considering living in true Lafayette meaning older section...not much for the new housing developements,like historic areas etc....and my biggest worry is that Lafayette may be a little to small town for me...I am from Tucson AZ...I want mid-size.... not to country feel....also, if I live in older areas of Lafayette,will cost be less or more? Are there any hi-rise apartments in Lafayette? Are there lofts in older areas, and last but not least, whats the areas...for example south,north etc...based on racial demos. I ask because I like mixed areas, not all black not all white......Thanks

[Innotech]

"Are casinos in Lafaytte or nearby? Also I am considering living in true Lafayette meaning older section...not much for the new housing developements,like historic areas etc....and my biggest worry is that Lafayette may be a little to small town for me...I am from Tucson AZ...I want mid-size.... not to country feel....also, if I live in older areas of Lafayette,will cost be less or more? Are there any hi-rise apartments in Lafayette? Are there lofts in older areas, and last but not least, whats the areas...for example south,north etc...based on racial demos. I ask because I like mixed areas, not all black not all white......Thanks "

Lafayette parish does not allow casinos, however, all the surrounding parishes do. Duson has a few good casinos right off of I10 and many casinos are a short drive away from Lafayette.

Older section of Lafayette is the northside and downtown. Downtown area isnt the safest as in most cities, but the northside of town is actually very nice north of the I10/I49 intersection. It is more rural however and a bit far from the main parts of town. The interstate allows you to reach the southside and downtown very quickly though.

the historic areas of town are Vermillionville and Acadian village, and you cant live in those, but there are plenty ofp laces nearby. Acadian village is located in northwest Lafayette in the outskirts of town. Vermillionville is right by the airport on the southeast side.

High rises, not really. the tallest building in Lafayette is about maybe 15 stories high and thats Hilton hotel. The new buildings in River ranch are condo type multiple stories, but you dont want anything too new.

As for racial demographics, the northside is mostly black, with majority of whites in Northside (including my parents) living in the very northern part of Lafayette parish, the northwest is more mixed, the southeast is somewhat mixed, and the southside is predominantly white. The central corridor where I49 turns into Evangeline throughway is the most dangerous part of town so do not buy a home there. Also stay away from apartments in that area, and near the strip (north of the university is a area full of bars and clubs called the strip and it can be dangerous)

If you are from Tucson, Im not sure how much you will like Lafayette because it is very different. The ground is very soft and almost always wet so it is not cost effective or easy to build high rises in the area. downtown is nice to walk in, but overall Lafayette isnt a very interesting city architecturally. Its strengths lie in great food, cajun culture and music, and for the most part, really great people. It also doesnt have any large parks directly downtown, though girard park by the university is very nice. There are several large devoted areas with a stage for festivals like Festivale Internationale de Louisiane which attracts bands from all over the world for a week (April 2008 was the recent one).

Overall, the metro Lafayette area including the towns of scott, broussard, youngsville, carencro and a few others might be around 235-250k people. Traffic is pretty crazy and in that respect Lafayette certainly isnt very rural. It doesnt have the traditional grid layout though, it is more scattered, which is why people have to drive everywhere. So I guess, depending on exactly what you are expecting, it may be the size city you are looking for or it may not be interesting enough for you. Keep in mind Louisiana isnt the richest state so everything is probably a class lower than most of the country. That doesnt mean its bad, just different. I suggest visiting the city to know for sure if it is for you or not. I have lived here 22 years and enjoyed it thoroughly.

[ROBINGRAV]

Thanks so much, I have another questuion. I am confused about all these area names such as, Vermillionville and Acadian village. are these towns, counties? I am now looking at Baton Rouge for historic area living. I would love to refurbish an old home in a decent neighborhood somewhere in the city of BR.

[Innotech]

Originally Posted by ROBINGRAV

Thanks so much, I have another questuion. I am confused about all these area names such as, Vermillionville and Acadian village. are these towns, counties? I am now looking at Baton Rouge for historic area living. I would love to refurbish an old home in a decent neighborhood somewhere in the city of BR.

they are actually tourist attractions. small historically accurate or reconstructed villages of what life was like in Acadiana when the settlers first came to this area. You can tour the buildings, and there is actually a small group of cajuns and people devoted to preserving the history found there and showing it to people who visit. they are interesting places to visit and they also host several events a year. Acadian village decorates for CHristmas with a lot of lights and its really spectacular. There are functional blacksmith shops in these villages as well. Its a neat place to spend some time with family or friends.

downtown is historic in the sense that it is the oldest part of the city of course, and has some nice old buildings, but not to the degree that some other cities have, so perhaps pay a visit to Lafayette and Baton rouge and see which one you like better. Lafayette has most of cajun culture though, Baton rouge is more traditional americana and not so much cajun, though being the capital it does have some substantial history.

Heres a link to the Vermillionville and Acadian Village websites:
Vermilionville
Acadian Village

[ROBINGRAV]

thanks so much

[Okhotneek]

Originally Posted by ROBINGRAV

Thanks so much, I have another questuion. I am confused about all these area names such as, Vermillionville and Acadian village. are these towns, counties? I am now looking at Baton Rouge for historic area living. I would love to refurbish an old home in a decent neighborhood somewhere in the city of BR.

I think people are nicer in Lafayette than in Baton Rouge. The two cities are very different. I went to LSU in BR. The city always seemed dirty and run down to me. Lafayette just seemed cleaner. Check cancer rates in the area you want to move too and be very careful with flood zones... it can flood very fast in Louisiana.

[Innotech]

the southside of Lafayette does flood alot in intense rainstorms, and can be a problem so be wary of that. However I dont know about Baton rouge flood patterns.