We're a young family relocating to Shreveport... (Bossier City, Haughton: for sale, apartment)

[charswillsmom]

and we would welcome any advice regarding neighborhoods. We are moving from Virginia and will possibly only have a few days to check out the town before moving our clan. Yea!!! I can't wait to get back down South! Although my husband and I have lived in several states and in some large cities, this is the first time we'll have our 2 newest members along for the ride and a safe area is an absolute must! I'm not so concerned with being close to area attractions (shopping, movies, etc...) as I am with a yard and some quiet porch sittin'. Out of town a ways is OK with us but we're not opposed to in town livin' either. We just want to find a quiet, safe, family oriented area. Any suggestions?

[Lord_willin']

Welcome to Shreveport!

You may want to look in the south/southeast Shreveport area (anywhere near Bert Kouns, Ellerbe Road, Southern Hills or Keithville).

Nice shopping and restaurants along south Youree Drive and the Louisiana Boardwalk right across the Red River in Bossier City:

Welcome to Louisiana Boardwalk!

There are also casinos and horse racing if that's you thing. Lots of different dining experiences of all types of cuisine, especially cajun and creole dishes. We also have festivals such as Mudbug Madness and the Louisiana State Fair is held here every year. The Century Tel Center in Bossier is home to a minor league hockey and arena football team. The Independence Bowl is held every year for college football and hosts SEC vs. Big 12 matchups.

As far as crime, considerable more in Shreveport than Bossier City (our 'sister' city). I grew up in the inner-city, so I can give you some advice on this. I won't say avoid these areas, but just be careful:

Northern Shreveport - Allendale (nearest downtown), Lakeside, and Queensborough. Heavy gang activity in the MLK (Cooper Road) area. L.A.-based gangs have been entrenched since the late 80s. Also parts of North Market.

Greenwood Road near the Fairgrounds and Independence Stadium - especially after high school football games. Police have a difficult time with crowds and our police force is understaffed as it is.

Cedar Grove - heavy gang activity; very large neighborhood that stretches across south central Shreveport

As far as schools, there are good public and bad public schools. But we also offer a nice variety of private elementary schools and high schools. A plus is that we're not very far from Dallas if you wanna take a day trip west to Texas.

I know this isn't a lot, but I hope it gets you started in the right direction.

[charswillsmom]

Thanks for the help! I've read a little about some of the areas you mentioned but you kinda get conflicting info. What freaks me out is the whole great neighborhood/scary neighborhood on the same block thing that Shreveports got goin' on. I've read some really good things about Southern Hills. Reasons not to look for places there? If "pricey" is a reason, please let me know what "pricey" means to you. I live in Charlottesville Virginia and it's the most expensive place that I've ever lived. I'm in a 2BR townhome. No yard and poorly built, although great location, and it's priced (currently on the market) at $249K. So a house with a yard for that amount sounds like a dream!! Any input appreciated. I could use the wisdom of thousands in this decision.

[SBCmetroguy]

Southern Hills is the opposite of pricey. It's very affordable but has sketchy areas. If you're looking for the lowest crime and a more suburban feel, try going out Ellerbe Road toward the new Provenance development.

Actually Google "Provenance Shreveport" and you'll likely be impressed enough to build a home there or purchase a townhome there. It's an up-and-coming master-planned suburb and will eventually have its own post office and town square. The homes will range from about $200,000-$1 million+ There's already a home in there that's probably in the $1-$2 million range but there are others built that are in the $300,000 range and townhomes that will start around $200,000-$250,000.

I live in Haughton, east of Bossier City but I've been completely impressed with Provenance. I drive out there sometimes (it's a good 30+ miles from my home) just to see what's new.

[charswillsmom]

Provenance looked perfect...but it's a little more than we can afford right now. But that's exactly how I *want* to live. I loved the park look and feel to the community. Looked perfect for kids. Any suggestions for neighborhoods that resemble in picture but not price?
Also...we were planning on renting for the first few months we're there just to get a feel for the town. I initally thought about larger apartment communities but now am leaning more toward houses. Would you think I'd have any trouble finding a rental house in one of the nicer communities? Ideas about rent?
I have a Shreveport paper and I'd identified a couple of houses that I'm interested in in the $1100 range. Without seeing the houses, I'm unsure of what that'll get me. Thoughts?

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by charswillsmom

Provenance looked perfect...but it's a little more than we can afford right now. But that's exactly how I *want* to live. I loved the park look and feel to the community. Looked perfect for kids. Any suggestions for neighborhoods that resemble in picture but not price?
Also...we were planning on renting for the first few months we're there just to get a feel for the town. I initally thought about larger apartment communities but now am leaning more toward houses. Would you think I'd have any trouble finding a rental house in one of the nicer communities? Ideas about rent?
I have a Shreveport paper and I'd identified a couple of houses that I'm interested in in the $1100 range. Without seeing the houses, I'm unsure of what that'll get me. Thoughts?

$1100 should rent you a pretty decent house. Under $800 and you need to seriously question the neighborhood.

As far as Provenance but more affordable, try Googling Legacy in north Bossier. You'll probably be quite impressed there and knowing that the homes start in the $120s-$130s. They're building a new elementary school right next to Legacy and you can't go wrong with the schools in that district.

[charswillsmom]

You're incredibly helpful SBCMetroguy. Thank you.

[IloveNOLA]

Originally Posted by charswillsmom

Provenance looked perfect...but it's a little more than we can afford right now. But that's exactly how I *want* to live. I loved the park look and feel to the community. Looked perfect for kids. Any suggestions for neighborhoods that resemble in picture but not price?
Also...we were planning on renting for the first few months we're there just to get a feel for the town. I initally thought about larger apartment communities but now am leaning more toward houses. Would you think I'd have any trouble finding a rental house in one of the nicer communities? Ideas about rent?
I have a Shreveport paper and I'd identified a couple of houses that I'm interested in in the $1100 range. Without seeing the houses, I'm unsure of what that'll get me. Thoughts?

If price is a major concern, you ought to look at the Broadmoor area in Shreveport. You can find some great values there, and it is fairly safe neighborhood. Good luck. Don't forget to consider Bossier City as it is a much safer city than Shreveport. Shreveport's murder rate has doubled this year, but Bossier City hasn't had a murder yet.

[charswillsmom]

Yea...I think that we've pretty much decided BC is probably the way to go. Subdivision and neighborhood suggestions? The more specific the better. I'm seeing alot of really cute houses for sale in BC and the prices look great, which makes me a little nervous. Metroguy...tell me about Haughton. I Googled Legacy and couldn't really find anything. Lots of cute subdivisions, though. Any other young mothers with children that can give me some suggestions? Hubby got his PhD in Birmingham. We lived there for almost 5 years. Loved, loved, loved it!!!!! Best I can tell, crimes no worse in the S/BC area. I think that maybe I've gotten a bad impression somehow. We visit in July and meet with a realtor to look around. One question. In Birmingham the crime was sorta limited to inner city. Most suburbs were relatively safe. Is S/BC that way as well? Do most people feel safe. say, at the mall? Or at a park?
Random question...do ya'll have a Sam's Club? And is it in a safe area?

[larice]

my husband's family have all left shreveport (along with many) to move to bossier. there are so many nice areas being built in bossier and the schools are better. the kids attend stockwell and they are pleased with that. they live off 220 and shed road in a nice area (carriage oaks).