Plano, TX or Lafayette, LA????????????????? (New Orleans, Shreveport: appointed, apartment, houses)

[nbb003]

My wife and I moved from Monroe, LA to Plano, TX after graduating from college. It has been a very good change, to say the least. Though I am not happy with my current job situation, I feel like there is plenty of opportunity in the DFW area. However, I have now been presented with an opportunity for myself in Lafayette, LA, and I am trying to decide if I should make the move after only being here for a year. We are currently living in an apartment and do not know when we will be able to afford a home in Dallas (due to the property taxes). While I know that we do not pay state income taxes, the thought of EXTREMELY HIGH property taxes worries me. If anyone could help provide me some information regarding my concerns, I would be very grateful.

Thanks!

[Innotech]

I thought taxes and housing were cheap in TexaS? Thats a really nice place though. Lafayette housing is actually a bit expensive as far as Louisiana goes, but its not bad. We would be happy to have your company here if you choose to move.

[SacalaitWhisperer]

You could always move into a small town just down the interstate (i10 or i49) from Lafayette and make out like a bandit. Far cheaper... particularly now.
VERY easy commute... if you are on the outskirts of Lafayette.

Something kinda cool about small town America... that is being lost. Get some while you can.

I have lived in Houston so I don't want to hear from locals how the traffic is "bad" in Lafayette. ROFLMAO. Get real.

Good luck in your endeavor. Good choice. Lafayette is a nice place.

[linicx]

The nice thing about Plano is it is close enough to Lafayette to visit for a weekend. There is a big culture difference between the two states. While every thing is "big" in Texas, LA is steeped in wonderful French. Cajun, and pre-Civil War history, and old houses - not to mention Katrina and Rita.

Texas has miles and miles of sand and tumbleweed. LA has miles and miles of greenery and lush gardens. Even the food is different. I don't know that you can find Tex-Mex, but you can find Chicory coffee, real Louisiana hot sauce and a fresh French baguette. It is a wonderful opportunity to enrich your life experience. However, if you come with expectations of Dallas you will probably be disappointed.

I urge you to come and explore Louisiana before you make a life changing decision. You might even like Zydeco . YouTube - Sesame Street film - Louisiana Zydeco music

[stan4]

Sand and tumbleweed? Have you even been to Texas?

[linicx]

Been to Texas more times than I can remember. 1-10 and 1-20 from LA to NM and more than a few short hops from Dallas to Las Cruces. If you want to know the truth I love the FTM that keeps me off I-35.

YouTube - Tumbleweeds

[stan4]

The only time I ever saw tumbleweeds, etc, was in West Texas. Never in Big D.

[linicx]

Me either. There is a lot of West Texas between Dallas and Las Cruces. Even in the panhandle.

[stan4]

Kinda miss 'em. They were so random just tumblin' down the neighborhood streets in El Paso. The weather/scenery was one of those neat things about that town...glad to be back home in DFW, though, where I live 20 minutes or less from at least three different lakes. *grin*


Being tha water rat that I am, I would rather water than sand, although in the right mix, it is a wonderful growing medium. I have the best of all of it: 13000 acres of lake, 278 miles of river and black sand. Such a deal - until it floods.

[linicx]

If you want to explore LA, hop over to Shreveport and check out the Rose Garden. It is west of SBC. Exit Greenwood and go N a few short miles. It's awesome. Spend the night; it's a beautiful town, Leave early. Stop at Natchitoches where the movie "Steel Magnolias" was filmed on your way downstate. If you take the time to stop at St. Francisville, you'll find a pre Civil War Catholic Church with some of the original relics.

I was thinking I was never in Lafayette, but I was. I stopped at a really great BBQ place on the highway on my way to New Orleans. The food was good and the people were very friendly. It was a very enjoyable meal. It is the kind of restaurant I would return to more than once.