How big a difference, culture wise, is Northern Louisiana different from Southern Louisiana? (New Orleans: apartments, home)

[ArkLaTexana]

Originally Posted by SBCmetroguy

An extension of Texas is what I've always heard.

I grew up in Northeast Texas and always heard that that area of Texas is an extension of Louisiana. It's nothing like the rest of the state.

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by ArkLaTexana

I grew up in Northeast Texas and always heard that that area of Texas is an extension of Louisiana. It's nothing like the rest of the state.

No doubt the cultures of the two states mix quite interestingly in the Ark-La-Tex. Are you from Texarkana or Atlanta, or somewhere up that way? Anyway, the part of Texas nearest northwest Louisiana seem to have a lot of Louisiana influence. Even the Houston area got a lot of its influence from Louisiana, all the way down to calling their city's drainage ditches "bayous" like we do here in Shreveport-Bossier. But at the same time, Shreveport-Bossier has a lot of Texas influence. It's quite a mix up this way, that's for sure.

[ArkLaTexana]

I lived in Elysian Fields for about 10 years. It really is a different culture in Northeast Texas and Northwest Louisiana.

My mother's family is from the Port Arthur area and they moved there in the 30s to find work after living in the New Iberia area for something like 100 or 200 years. A lot of Cajun families transplanted to Houston or Beaumont/Port Arthur to work in the oil refineries during and after the Depression because oil paid well. There's a lot of Cajun influence down there, a lot of Thibodaux and Fontenot families... There really is a shared mix of culture in East Texas and West Louisiana, but there is nothing like any of that here in Central Texas. Nobody here can make a roux to save their life!

[karenthomas76]

I got three degrees from ULM. It is a great school! It's small enough that you make some great friends and connections with faculty. The president of the university has really made some dramatic improvements. The dorms are now very nice ($50 million project). The people are down to earth and friendly. There's plenty to do in the area, and the campus is very nicely situated on the bayou (which is one reason the ski team who practices there has been national champions for many years). ULM is definitely a good choice!!

[Bideshi]

The difference is huge. Go there and see for yourself. Visit Monroe and then go to New Orleans.

[megsy]

I'm born and raised in Lafayette and we lived in Shreveport for six excruciating long months. I will never, ever live there again. Now, that's not to say Shreveport's a bad town, because it's not, but it's so painstakingly different from South Louisiana that I missed the culture of the people way too much.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by megsy

I'm born and raised in Lafayette and we lived in Shreveport for six excruciating long months. I will never, ever live there again. Now, that's not to say Shreveport's a bad town, because it's not, but it's so painstakingly different from South Louisiana that I missed the culture of the people way too much.

Bottom line of the "North vs South" debate is it all matters what type of place you'd like to live in. I'm content with BR, although Lafayette is pretty nice, too.

[Daisy8]

North Louisiana is like the true south. Things move a little slower and are more laid back. People are very friendly and treat you like family. Of course, there are downfalls as well (though I won't elaborate on them as I LOVE North Louisiana). You do have a certain amount of closed-mindedness to deal with.

South Louisiana is like its own country, if you ask me. I don't find the people to be as friendly, and to me, it has been very hard to get to know people in this area because most were born and raised here. Of course, the food is amazing and the culture is unique, but I miss Shreveport!

As far as schools go, I'm not a big fan of Monroe. In North Louisiana, look into La Tech or LSU-S first. Northwestern is good as well. If you're looking for a private university with a good liberal arts program, Centenary in Shreveport. I would say that Tulane and Loyola in New Orleans are top-notch, but I haven't been very impressed with anything else down here. I'm not a big LSU fan only because it is such a party school, but I am sure you can get a great education there as well. ;-)

[jcourt]

Born and raised in south Louisiana (New Iberia) and now living in Shreveport. Honestly, north of I-10 is VERY different culturally! Food, hospitality and yes even weather! I have to agree with the notion of North Louisiana being very influenced by Arkansas and Texas. Not that it is a bad influence, but VERY different.

[kinpatsu]

I am also a south Louisiana expat living in north Louisiana. I appreciate the differences between the two regions, and I believe that the attitude that you find in an area is generally the attitude that you take with you--"No matter where you go, there you are."

I've had a few people make unprovoked bigoted remarks towards me after discovering I'm from south Louisiana. Excluding that very small minority of people, I find the people here to be warm, friendly and helpful.


This is a great article on the different cultural regions of the state:

Louisiana Folklife: Our Tradtional Cultures