Bastrop, is it really that bad? (Monroe, Many: 2009, high crime, neighborhoods)

[ehanvey]

Possible move to Bastrop, researching the area, 99.9% of what I found/read was negative. High crime, no jobs, stifling heat, etc.... Is it really that bad in Bastrop?

[LOUISIANA'SLEGEND]

Its a country town, thier economy is dwindling fast since the closing of International Paper. Country, Country, Country all i have to say. Monroe is 20 minutes away for all your amenities.

[ehanvey]

Thanks Legend.

I'll take country, country country over crime anytime. As long as Bastrop has a Wal-Mart, what else would you need?

[mhounit]

I worked in that area some years back . Wasn't impressed . But , I think they do have a WalMart .

[todd00]

i dont know your reason for a possible move there, but if your serious best to take a road trip and do some looking on your own. small places in the country generally dont have lots of job opportunities, but 20 minutes to a larger city isnt bad. even some small towns have gang problems now, amazing as that seems. if you havent been reading the newspapers in the area, thats sometimes a good way to get an idea of crime and whats going on in the city. bastrops link wasnt working for me, but here is the monroes newspapers crime report for the day. from this report it seems monroe has a pretty active group of criminals. remember, even god awful places usually have a walmart! good luck.

Crimes | thenewsstar.com | The News Star

[ehanvey]

Sterling's Best Places had the crime for Bastrop (on a scale of 1-10) at a 7. Unusual for a small town.

[LOUISIANA'SLEGEND]

Originally Posted by ehanvey

Sterling's Best Places had the crime for Bastrop (on a scale of 1-10) at a 7. Unusual for a small town.

Like I said, country, country, country. Crime happen more in country areas because.........who cares? Small law enforcements there thats why, and not to mention the crooked officials. I admit though, alot going on in Bastrop as far as street activity amongst small gangs. But trust, you can relax and watch crop fields, hunt deers and ducks all day in Bastrop. Crime can easily avoided in country, country Bastrop. and yes there is a Wal-mart, super walmart. Your just going to have to drive to Monroe for many luxury items, if you can call it that.

[Twintastic]

If you want a country feel and want to be close to Bastrop, try Sterlington. I am not real impressed with Bastrop.

[LSU Tiger Z71]

I commute to Bastrop OFTEN for my job. My parents are from the area and I have family there.

I must say, that I pride myself on Northeast Louisiana.. but Bastrop is the last place on earth I'd EVER want to live.

First..

1. I know you don't have kids.. but the school system SUCKS and is struggling. The private school, PVA, also has problems.

2. NO good neighborhoods in the city AT ALL. The good neighborhoods like Space Estates, the Country Club behind the high school, etc. are DEAD. There are only pockets of good places to live.

3. The city has a lot of white trash, especially north of the city in places as they say, "BONN EEEE TA" (Bonita) and Beekman. A lot of racist people here than ANY other small town I've been too. It's horrible. There is a drug problem.. pick up the Bastrop Daily Enterprise and count the drug arrest.. You won't have enough fingers.

4. A ton of depressed people, a lot of people simply take to walking the streets. You can see random people, hoodlums walking around. I've seen people on wheelchairs riding to the grocery store and back. Be prepared to see a ton of ugly buildings everywhere. The Courthouse square and the area around Wal-Mart is the only attractive part.

5. The Rose Theater (struggling) and the Cinemark (gross, only 4 movies) is about the only thing you'll have for entertainment...

6. Local politics...wow. Enough said. The police chief, Mike Tubbs, is a good man.. but the police department have brand new Chargers... and love to use them. Check out speed spots on your way to town.. Especially around the school board offices on 139 N..

7. Few jobs. Bastrop has tried to present itself as progressive.. and its not there. Its a place without the charm of the country with big city problems.

I would suggest places outside of Bastrop.

If you need help, let me know addresses. I can actually drive to it and tell you how its like. Just direct message me.

Don't get me wrong, I love small towns, the country, and The South.. but I just don't think Bastrop is a good place to be right now.

[LSU Tiger Z71]

Originally Posted by LOUISIANA'SLEGEND

Like I said, country, country, country. Crime happen more in country areas because.........who cares? Small law enforcements there thats why, and not to mention the crooked officials. I admit though, alot going on in Bastrop as far as street activity amongst small gangs. But trust, you can relax and watch crop fields, hunt deers and ducks all day in Bastrop. Crime can easily avoided in country, country Bastrop. and yes there is a Wal-mart, super walmart. Your just going to have to drive to Monroe for many luxury items, if you can call it that.

Bastrop has a large influx of crime ridden demographics because of its dwindling economic prowess and the mentality of the residents. You can no longer get by with good job by being a Ram and getting a paper mill job anymore. There are too many people there for the level of economic activity that does take place. Many people on welfare.

Country places and small towns usually have less crime. Bastrop is strange because in a lot of places you feel like you're in Detroit.