Jefferson Hwy neighborhoods (Baton Rouge, Westminster: houses, place to live, restaurants)

[MBloom1]

Any thoughts on Jefferson Hwy neighborhoods like The Hill, Willow Bay, Westminster and Berkley Hill? This area seems nice and convenient to many things. We are moving to BR and like houses with some character/age rather than cookie cutter new ones (i.e., Highland Road neighborhoods) but also want nice updating already done or something we can renovate. Looking to spend $500-600K and trying to get the best house and location for our money.

How do these areas compare with the Hundred Oaks/Walnut Hills/Goodwood areas in terms of liveability/convenience/good neighbors/value retention, etc.? Would love knowledgeable input. Thanks!

[MetroBTR]

I live in the Old Goodwood area and I love it. There's alot of redevelopment around this neighborhood. That is, older homes being demolished and replaced with larger, flashier houses. Different people have different feelings about the redevelopment, and my opinion really doesn't matter. However, I'd say it is a very good neighborhood with fantastic neighbors, and it is convenient to alot of shopping and restaurants. It is a trendy neighborhood right now, and houses are expensive, partly because of huge lot sizes.

Westminster/Pine Park is an older neighborhood (60s-70s), but not as old as Hundred Oaks, Walnut Hills, or Old Goodwood. It has been described as one of Baton Rouge's "best kept secrets." This neighborhood is below your price range, for the most part.

Honestly, any of the neighborhoods you listed would be a more than comfortable place to live. One thing to be careful about with neighborhoods on Jefferson is traffic...it can be a real nightmare to make a left turn on Jefferson when you don't have a traffic signal. Pay attention to that when you are looking at houses.