I know this is an old thread but I recently joined and some interesting topics were brought up here that Id like to comment on. Use this as a local guide to the city of Lafayette if youd like.
Ive lived in Lafayette for 21 years now. Moved here when I was 5 and my parents live on the North side of town. However, the north side gets a bad rep because, honestly, parts of it ARE a dump. But north of Pont Des mouton road onwards into Carencro is actually a very relaxed and excellent place to live. My parents live on the northernmost edge of town, away from the traffic and crowds of the Southside. It has a great church community and very very friendly and close knit people. Crime in that area of the northside is very very rare.
Myself, I live in an apartment complex (and soon a small house) in the northwestern portion of the city,very close to Scott within easy reach of the southside. I dont drink or do drugs, so the party life isnt to my tastes, but theres other things to do in Lafayette that make it a nice place to live.
This area is ok, but there are much nicer parts of town. Luckily to get there only takes a few very well placed back roads that lead directly to the bustling parts of town.
What I like about the city is not only the food and the cajun culture, but also the very warm and friendly people. Now there are always a ton of rude people in any decent sized city, and with the influx of people to this area, you will likely encounter a few. The area is flooded with Cajun culture, and in Lafayette especially you will be inundated with it everywhere. One thing I particularly enjoy is going to Prejeans or other seafood restaurants in the area that actually have live cajun bands playing on occasion. It really sets the mood for the area listening to a cajun folk song while dining on crawfish ettouffee
The driving situation does suck terribly, because there are a few main streets where all the business activity is located. these are the Johnston Street and Ambassador Caffery corridors. Traffic can be avoided in many cases, however, with some easily taken routes through certain subdivisions and sideroads. I have learned very efficient ways of getting around the city without getting stuck in too much traffic. It can be done. However, prepare to plan your trips around traffic in some areas. Some places, it is extremely dangerous to turn left, so driving down a block to the right and taking another road is often a good solution. It beats waiting for an opening that may never come.
As far as internet goes, Lafayette is very much a high speed networked town. Few areas are still on dialup but most of the city, even the northside has at least 5 mps connections, and the house I am moving into is capable of a 15 mps connection. On an interesting note, my uncle is actually the head of the Lafayette Chamber of commerce, so if you have any suggestions business-wise about the city or ideas, I would be more than glad to tell him about it and see if hes able to do anything. Hes very gung-ho about making Lafayette a better place for business and really supports the I49 corridor project and the Louisiana avenue extension.
Lafayette is growing pretty rapidly and Im not sure how long that will last, but its got a pretty stable economy, although much of it is currently dependent on oil related companies. I am employed as a part time dispatcher for a gasoline hauling company that is headquartered here, and my father works in a local rubber products facility as a head foreman of sorts, but its good work. the cost of living here isnt that bad aside from housing prices, and everything you need is pretty much within reach. Even in the case of living on the northside, just hop onto the interstate and you can be at the mall in 15 minutes.
Crimewise, there are pockets of town to avoid certainly, but generally you can drive around most places without worry. Ive been to every concievable part of this city and I know most areas really well. you can raise a child safely and get them a decent education if you know where to look. the Southside is very good as far as having a more modern city look and feel. I love to drive around over there. In general though, the worst parts of town are along Louisiana avenue near Evangeline throughway, Evangeline crossing near downtown, and behind the northgate mall area. I worked at a cinema right next to the mall though for several years and while the people who attended it were definitely dangerous looking, there was never an actual criminal incident near the area that Im aware of.
Park-wise theres a few around town and they are generally safe in the daytime. Dont go into them at night though. One park however, is located near campus and is very nice and large. It has a huge pond and gazebo buildings and facilities. It also has a nice big running track around the perimeter.
Really theres a lot to like about Lafayette and aside from the normal things that plague almost any city, I dont see much of a problem living here. true, it doesnt have a big city mentality or design, and I would desire a few more interesting shops, less traffic, and the heat and humidity take some getting used to. but Ive called it home for 21 years now and I have visited other cities across the nation, but Im proud to call Louisiana my home. I wouldnt trade the culture, the friendly people, and the relaxed laissez faire attitude around here for anything. It has a certain appeal that you just have to see for yourself.
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Lafayette, Louisiana
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