Best City in Louisiana (New Orleans, Baton Rouge: best cities, crime, casinos)

[TN-rox]

What city do yall think is the best to live in/around nowadays? Shreveport, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette, Monroe, even Alexandria or Lake Charles? What is the new and upcoming city? I know theyre not really comparable in size, but which ones are the best crime-wise for their size and are experiencing the best growth and such? Thanks

[SBCmetroguy]

Personally I think the best cities in Louisiana to live in right now are (not in any particular order):

Lafayette
Bossier City
Baton Rouge
Covington

Lafayette and Baton Rouge would include their respective suburban communities as well. Covington may or may not be considered a New Orleans suburb, but I think it stands well on its own these days. And the same goes for Bossier City, which has basically developed suburbs of its own these days in Benton and Haughton.

I really cannot speak for Alexandria or Lake Charles as I have not heard much about either city lately, and I am admittedly not a big fan of Monroe. And I do not say that with any disrespect for those who live there, I just do not hear of much growth coming out of that area. Likewise, Shreveport is not growing at the present time... all our growth is coming from Bossier City and Benton mostly.

[Rmaf623]

I agree with SBCmetroguy's picks for the best cities.

Alexandria and surrounding areas have seen growth over the past few years after years of stagnation following the closure of England AFB. Union Tank Car built a plant here a few years ago and some other industries have expanded. However, Alexandria does struggle with a number of problems such as crime and some tension within the city government, which I believe are hampering the city from reaching its full potential. Downtown and inner city Alexandria continue to decline, but the west side of Alexandria, Pineville, Woodworth, and many outlying areas are growing.

[MetroBTR]

I like Lafayette and Baton Rouge. They seem to be the only metro areas where the citizens are interested in the city itself. Places like Bossier City are large enough to stand on their own two feet mostly...whereas many Baton Rouge and Lafayette suburbanites still have to make a trip to the city fairly often for alot of entertainment/retail/restaurant options.

[Rainbow Island]

Shongaloo. Ha! Ever heard of it? I surely wouldn't want to live in any large city. I live an hour from Shreveport/Bossier. It seem pretty nice. Monroe/West Monroe is OK. I haven't spent enough time in any of the others you mentioned to form an opinion.

[bustaduke]

Covington and Mandeville are nice, we have land in Abita Springs and will be building this spring so we like the area.

As far as growth, Baton Rouge has it and also has lots of money but it sure is a pain in the rear getting around because of traffic.

busta

[summer grace]

Is the traffic in Baton Rouge or NOLA worse? That might seem a naive question, but I've never been to either one. I have an online friend from Metairie who thought the traffic in Baton Rouge was bad.. I guess I should just ask her this question, but I like other people's opinions too.

[WestbankNOLA]

Originally Posted by summer grace

Is the traffic in Baton Rouge or NOLA worse? That might seem a naive question, but I've never been to either one. I have an online friend from Metairie who thought the traffic in Baton Rouge was bad.. I guess I should just ask her this question, but I like other people's opinions too.

Good question, I've been wondering this myself. From what I understand in BR there is no alternative to the I-10 whereas here there is always a way around traffic unless it involves crossing the lake or if all river crossings are crowded. I dread NOLA traffic but I hear BR is absolute hell at peak time.

As far as the Best City.. I will always say New Orleans, but I guess Baton Rouge would be the safer up and coming City. I don't get up there much. Maybe I should

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by MetroBTR

I like Lafayette and Baton Rouge. They seem to be the only metro areas where the citizens are interested in the city itself. Places like Bossier City are large enough to stand on their own two feet mostly...whereas many Baton Rouge and Lafayette suburbanites still have to make a trip to the city fairly often for alot of entertainment/retail/restaurant options.

Less than a decade ago, we in Bossier City were in the same boat... had to go to Shreveport for just about everything (except casinos, of course). And I say that honestly, within a decade Bossier has changed so much from being just a suburb to its own city. I'm definitely proud of that and I'm glad that change has been noticed by someone from outside the area. These days it seems people from Shreveport are driving to Bossier more than the other way around. From CenturyTel Center to the Boardwalk and cleaner, safer city parks, it definitely makes sense. I do love Shreveport, though; I just wish it would clean up its act.

[summer grace]

Originally Posted by WestbankNOLA

Good question, I've been wondering this myself. From what I understand in BR there is no alternative to the I-10 whereas here there is always a way around traffic unless it involves crossing the lake or if all river crossings are crowded. I dread NOLA traffic but I hear BR is absolute hell at peak time.

As far as the Best City.. I will always say New Orleans, but I guess Baton Rouge would be the safer up and coming City. I don't get up there much. Maybe I should

That makes a lot of sense, about 1-10. My friend really thought the traffic in Baton Rouge worse than N. O, it seemed to me.