moving to Monroe, LA (Baton Rouge, West Monroe: transplants, real estate market, apartments)

[gsat]

Hi,
I would like to know about Monroe, La.
I am planning to move in to Monroe. How is the town and cost of living?
Also I would like to know about the best neighbourhoods to rent a house/apartment that are safe for women, children having easy access to shops.
Also I would like to know the best options available for buying used cars in Monroe.

Thanks in advance.

[pandora1971]

Hi,
I moved away a couple of years ago but my family is there so I still visit it a lot. Right now the economy is bad there but in all honesty I think that's the case pretty much everywhere. I don't know what kind of job you want but there always seems to be retail and administrative jobs available. I'd stay away from the south side of town, that's where the majority of crime is. You might even consider living in West Monroe, the taxes are a little better and I've always thought it was a little nicer area (again stay away from the south side of town). As far as buying a used car, check out Car Town at the foot of the Louisville bridge in Monroe. I bought mine there in 2000 and it's still doing great. I have several friends and family that have also bought from them and didn't have any problems. Hope this helps.

[spkrman]

Monroe's stench at night (the paper mill correct?) I found absolutely unbearable.... right to the brink of being sick. Had I not of been in a friends car, I might have succomb to the overwhelming urge to see what I ate for lunch.

Thats the extent of my experience... and frankly as much as I'd want to have!

[gsat]

Originally Posted by pandora1971

Hi,
I moved away a couple of years ago but my family is there so I still visit it a lot. Right now the economy is bad there but in all honesty I think that's the case pretty much everywhere. I don't know what kind of job you want but there always seems to be retail and administrative jobs available. I'd stay away from the south side of town, that's where the majority of crime is. You might even consider living in West Monroe, the taxes are a little better and I've always thought it was a little nicer area (again stay away from the south side of town). As far as buying a used car, check out Car Town at the foot of the Louisville bridge in Monroe. I bought mine there in 2000 and it's still doing great. I have several friends and family that have also bought from them and didn't have any problems. Hope this helps.

Hi,
Thank you for the info. But I have a few more questions.

1) When you say the South side of Monroe, is it the area south of Rte 20? Can you be more specific so that I can keep myself away from that place.

2) Which is better for staying West Monroe or the North Monroe/Town and Country?

3) What is the average rent for a 1 bedroom + bath apartments in Monroe.

4) Any other key DOs and DON'Ts that a new comer to the town should be aware of?

5) Also someone was referring to a stench that comes out during the nights in Monroe. Is it true?

Thanks again in Advance for your help.
Thanks again

[spkrman]

There are quite a few posts in this forum about the odor - search and you shall find

I imagine you get used to it... but even if I was on the tail end of a 24 hour drive and about to pass out, I wouldn't stop there to even take a nap... at least not in the area of the most potent odor.

Maybe a week or so and you get used to it, and I'm sure there are areas where its not as noticeable.

I would DEFINITELY say spend a few days cruising around your prospective areas at night.

[Israel318]

I would not recommend anyone move to this area. I grew up here and moved to Baton Rouge for 8 years. We have been back in Monroe for 5 years and are moving away in June. The economy is terrible, the shopping is terrible, it's dirty and smelly. As far as schools go, you are better off using private schools. Ouachita Christian School on Hwy 165 is fantastic. West Monroe is a good place to live. The garden district in Monroe is very safe and nice. North Monroe by Town and Country is also nice. In general, I'd pick another town. There are no jobs and little opportunity here.

[Rmaf623]

In Monroe, avoid anything south of Louisville Ave. (Hwy. 80), not just I-20. Even though the neighborhoods are bad in this area, many of the shopping areas, restaurants, and recreational activities are located here. The Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo is located in far south Monroe. The Pecanland Mall (which contains plenty of restaurants and a movie theater) is located just off I-20 in the southeast part of town. NASCAR is supposed to locate a speedway off of I-20 in the near future. The Civic Center is just east of downtown on I-20.

The economy as a whole is in bad shape. Two large companies (State Farm and Guide) recently departed from the area. However, the retail sector seems to be doing very well.

West Monroe, and northern Monroe are all probably good places to live. Swartz, a suburb to the northeast of Monroe, also seems nice.

[leaffan]

I've lived here for just about 2 years now and relocated from a city up north of about 1 million people- so...my views may be out of line dependent on where you are moving from.
This town is built for people with trucks. The roads are narrow, with absolutely no provisions for cyclists, bladers etc. There are no sidewalks. There is no recycling. The downtown core, although full of potential, has been abandoned.
However- there is no snow. JS Clark Magnet school is a GREAT school but has a waiting list. Most people are quite nice on the surface but don't expect to make close friends too quickly...I'm sure I could live here for 50 years and still be considered a Yankee. Black Bayou is a gem. Kiroli Park is very nice too.
I've been told that the way to survive here is to leave often and that seems to be working for me.

[jwtkdplus]

Originally Posted by gsat

Hi,
Thank you for the info. But I have a few more questions.

1) When you say the South side of Monroe, is it the area south of Rte 20? Can you be more specific so that I can keep myself away from that place.

2) Which is better for staying West Monroe or the North Monroe/Town and Country?

3) What is the average rent for a 1 bedroom + bath apartments in Monroe.

4) Any other key DOs and DON'Ts that a new comer to the town should be aware of?

5) Also someone was referring to a stench that comes out during the nights in Monroe. Is it true?

Thanks again in Advance for your help.
Thanks again

1. The South Side generally refers to anything south of Louisville (US 80). While there are a few OK areas, much of it is somewhat run-down.

2. When I first moved to the area 10 years ago, I lived in West Monroe. I now live in Monroe and personally prefer it here, but to each his own. As someone who grew up out of town, Monroe is a bit more friendly to transplants -- most West Monroyans have lived there their whole lives. However, the public schools further out in West Monroe perform very well.

3. Expect to pay about $600 for a decent one-bedroom apartment.

4. Tips for newcomers -- Ignore the local complainers. You will hear some whining, just like you read on here. Ignore these people -- they would be miserable anywhere and blame it on the city rather than their own inadequacies (if you've moved around you know them anywhere). Traffic from Monroe to West Monroe is really bad at rush hour for this size city.

5. Living in Monroe, I never smell it. The smell can be strong passing through town on the interstate though, because the mill in West Monroe is not far from the interstate. Live in a decent area (Town & Country is fine), and you won't have to worry about it.

[blawd]

We raised our kids in the Town & Country area; moved away about 3 years ago. I did love the area; we lived in Monroe over 20 years.

I'd have to agree with alot of what's been posted; Monroe has alot of positives, but the economy is struggling right now. I don't know what it will take to turn it around - the whole area from Monroe up through southern Arkansas seems to be in decline. Lots of good people up there and I wish them the best.

Housing is pretty affordable, and if you're in a position to purchase a home, the real estate market may work in your favor. Last time we were in town there were alot of houses on the market.