Moving to LA (New Orleans, Lake Charles, Bossier City: to rent, low crime, house)

[The4Moores]

My husband will be an Army Recruiter in Louisiana. What area of LA is a good place to raise small children? I would like to stay away from New Orleans, but we are looking into the Lake Charles area. Is this a good choice for a young family? Our Children are 4 and 1. I would also like to live in an area with a good public school system.
Thanks!

[Mike n Gina]

Believe it or not, Ft. Polk if you can get housing there. The school is top notch. Otherwise I just moved back to Louisiana this year and found me a lovely home in Merryville. Depends on personal taste though. I didn't want to live in a big city anymore. Do you prefer a larger population or a smaller one? Also is your husband going to be stationed at one city or do you all get to pick? There are great places across the state. All the info you can put in here as to what kind of area you prefer can get you the best possible reply. Mike

[The4Moores]

I would love to live on post. We would like a smaller town or a larger city with a military base. The only thing is our BAH is extremely low.
2008 BAH for Enlisted Members (with dependents) -- LOUISIANA I'm concerned about finding a place to live with such a low amount of money. Would it be possible to find a house within our BAH in a decent (low crime) area of town? We are looking into the Fort Polk area, Lake Charles and Bossier City. My husband is an E-5 an of course you don't join the military to get rich. So I'm a little nervous looking at our BAH across the board for the state is the lowest I've ever seen. I think maybe we will have to pay out of pocket a little to live in a decent area. [b][/B

Thanks a lot for you response!

[Tucson81]

We are strongly considering a move to Lake Charles so have done some research, as well as visited twice. My father in law, coincidentally, was an Army Natl Guard recruiter in the Lake Charles area prior to his current deployment to Iraq. We really enjoyed our time in Lake Charles. It is a small city with most of the services one would need, yet offers a relaxed lifestyle with plenty of outdoor recreation. The schools in Moss Bluff, a northern suburb of Lake Charles, are generally considered to be the best in the area.
We haven't looked much into rents, but given home prices in the area and the rents I have seen, I think you would be just fine with that BAH amount. I am sure locals can provide more insight into this, but it is an affordable area, at least compared to what I am used to. Whatever your decision, the best of luck to you and your family!

[asimplegirl]

We have a base about 2 miles from my home, and we live in a great family oriented town. We have good schools, and new businesses setting up right in the middle of town. This is of course, a small town, though. Across the bridge, not ten miles in, there is a bigger city (still not big by national standards). The one right down the road is Camp Beauregard/ Camp Cook. The most people that live here are families. It is a low crime area. Btw, price of living is fairly low, so...

[The4Moores]

Thanks everyone for your input!