what is the best town in Louisiana to live in and why? (New Orleans: construction, school)

[Innotech]

Originally Posted by beau99

I've been to every "major" city in Louisiana and MANY small ones. I have to honestly say that with the exception of Alexandria, I love every one of them! I can't think of any city that I would hate to live in...like I said, except Alexandria and probably Monroe. It just depends on what kind of lifestyle suits you! Regardless of the lifestyle you prefer, you're likely to find a city to suit it in Louisiana! Why do we continuously put ourselves down when we have SO much here that no other state has! I believe that if we ALL start being proud of our state, it will only improve! I've lived in other states, and they were ok...but there was always SO much I missed about Louisiana! I guess you don't fully appreciate certain things because they seem insignificant...until you don't have them anymore. I'll never leave again...I'll work to improve and continue to be proud of my state...LOUISIANA!

I agree with you that although Louisiana doesnt seem to have great overall schools or funding or infrastructure, it does have a vast community and culture that is the envy of many other states. We have a unique history among the states and very popular traditional folk music, hugely popular cajun food and one of the best places for sportsman in the world. There really is a lot to love about this state that no other state can match and those are the things that keep us here. Any state can havebeautiful parks, big bustling cities, and large comfortable suburbs, but they will never match our cajun and creole influence. Coming to visit down here really does feel to some people like visiting a different country.

[Greenestgrass]

Originally Posted by Innotech

I agree with you that although Louisiana doesnt seem to have great overall schools or funding or infrastructure, it does have a vast community and culture that is the envy of many other states. We have a unique history among the states and very popular traditional folk music, hugely popular cajun food and one of the best places for sportsman in the world. There really is a lot to love about this state that no other state can match and those are the things that keep us here. Any state can havebeautiful parks, big bustling cities, and large comfortable suburbs, but they will never match our cajun and creole influence. Coming to visit down here really does feel to some people like visiting a different country.

I agree with most of what you said however this is one of the reasons why we continue to stay at the bottom. Culture and community aren't substitutes for crime, poverty, corruption, etc... I'm pretty sure Zimbabwe has a unique culture as well. Ask a politician about our high crime and poverty rates and you'll get a lecture on our unique heritage. Let's celebrate our culture however don't let that keep us from demanding better schools, roads, politicians and so forth.

[MetroBTR]

If you really think Louisiana's public schools are all bad, then you are mistaken. There are many, many parishes in this state that have managed to build up wonderful public schools.

Take West Feliciana, for example. Now, nobody jump all over me for this, but typically, districts with high black populations have underperforming public schools. West Feliciana is majority black, yet the public school system is excellent. It just proves that things on the Louisiana public school front are not as bad as some would like you to think.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by MetroBTR

If you really think Louisiana's public schools are all bad, then you are mistaken. There are many, many parishes in this state that have managed to build up wonderful public schools.

Take West Feliciana, for example. Now, nobody jump all over me for this, but typically, districts with high black populations have underperforming public schools. West Feliciana is majority black, yet the public school system is excellent. It just proves that things on the Louisiana public school front are not as bad as some would like you to think.

For perspective, W Feliciana also has the advantage of a good tax base, because of the nuclear power plant. In fact, I never remember hearing much about the W Feliciana schools until the power plant had to start paying taxes (we have a 10 year property tax exemption for those businesses which locate here). Parishes in a similar boat (having a good tax base) are the River Parishes, as they have petrochemical plants up and down the river. I recall that this is one of the things that helps the schools in St Charles Parish, in fact.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by stacieberry

Ok here we go again! I need info on towns here in Louisiana. I want to move and need to know the best town/cities and why so I can better decide where to move. Thanks for your help.

Well, I prefer towns that have a strong Cajun influence. Lafayette, Beaux Bridge, Abbeville. They are all swell. Great people, great food. I also love towns that are closer to the coast. Lake Charles (good casinos), Cameron, Hackberry. You have to love and appreciate the Cajun people, but that is very easy to do, cher.

20yrsinBranson
formerly married to a guy from Kaplan

[eyewrist]

Originally Posted by WestbankNOLA

New Orleans of course (VERY BIASED).. seriously the best place in Louisiana is w.e. place feels right for you and as diverse as this state is from corner to corner I'm sure you'll find somewhere.

For me it's NOLA. It's home and it's a place that can't be duplicated. Baton Rouge and the Northshore are nice, They kinda have more of a Florida panhandle feel to me for some strange reason. Haven't been to SWLA enough to know what it's like although I would like to get a better feel for Lake Charles. Anything north of I-10 and I'd be sick. There is nothing wrong with CENLA and NWLA but the culture is just too different from what I like. nice places just wouldn't want to live there and Monroe stinks.

Northern LA was perjudice in the 80s and STILL is according to a recent thread. I went to college in Monroe LA but was from Indiana. My city was totally mixed where I grew up. I didn't know people could be like that in the 80s esp at a college "educated" level. I was shocked to say the least!!!!

[beau99]

Originally Posted by Greenestgrass

I agree with most of what you said however this is one of the reasons why we continue to stay at the bottom. Culture and community aren't substitutes for crime, poverty, corruption, etc... I'm pretty sure Zimbabwe has a unique culture as well. Ask a politician about our high crime and poverty rates and you'll get a lecture on our unique heritage. Let's celebrate our culture however don't let that keep us from demanding better schools, roads, politicians and so forth.

Oh pleeease!! Louisiana is alone in those areas?? I think not! I can think of corruption in MANY other states than Louisiana! Illinois comes to mind right now! Where there's politics, there's corruption...Louisiana just doesn't hide ours as well! Nor does Louisiana corner the market on crime and poverty! Atlanta, D.C., Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York...I've seen PLENTY of both in all these cities! Education? I have been educated in Louisiana and I can read, write, comprehend and...God knows...SPELL better than many people in these more "advanced" states!

[Parmesan]

Originally Posted by skinbowl Where is SBC? North west Louisiana close to the border of Texas!I live in Louisiana and have been everywhere in the state and I have never heard of a town called SBC near the Texas border. Is it a town with initials only or does it have a name?

[hdwell]

Originally Posted by Parmesan

Originally Posted by skinbowl Where is SBC? North west Louisiana close to the border of Texas!I live in Louisiana and have been everywhere in the state and I have never heard of a town called SBC near the Texas border. Is it a town with initials only or does it have a name?

SBC is short for Shreveport Bossier City. Many of us use that abbreviation.

[Parmesan]

Originally Posted by hdwell

SBC is short for Shreveport Bossier City. Many of us use that abbreviation.

Thanks. I don't know why the abbreviation threw me. The only SBC I could think of was Southern Baptist Convention. ha ha.