Moving to Ruston (Many: real estate, apartment complex, rental homes)

[jeffpv]

Hello all,

I have been offered a job in Ruston, on the LA Tech campus (but not part of the university). I'm pretty sure I'm going to accept the offer.

Some questions:
1) I have a wife and two (small) kids. Where would be a good apartment complex to rent (quiet, appropriate for small children)? Or would you recommend renting a house proper?

2) I'm from MN and my wife's from Russia. I understand the town has quite a few out-of-towners, due to the university. Have other young(ish) families found it easy to integrate or find friends?

3) My salary will be in the $50K+ range. According to what I have found on the Internet, this would seem enough to support a family of four at least until my wife gets all of her working papers done (a year or so). Would you concur with my assessment?

4) I understand small towns, as I was raised in one. Is the church the main social networking place in Ruston (as it was in small-town MN)? I was raised Methodist, if that makes any difference.

5) Are quality daycares/preschools easy to find? My oldest son has just turned 4, and we would have him enter a preschool as soon as we arrive (which would probably be late April-May). Are there summer day camps/preschools for 4 year-olds?

6) This is not a question, but: Any other insight people familiar with Ruston could give would be greatly appreciated. Otherwise, I will keep researching online to see what can be found.

I appreciate and value your input.

[hdwell]

I will give you an overview of Ruston since I am fairly familiar with it. The rather sizeable La Tech presence gives the town a little more diversity than you would see in other places around here. All the mainline protestants and Catholic churches are located here. The shopping isn't bad for a town of 22,000; there is a downtown with nice stores, restaurants etc. Ruston is a hilly town, not flat like many other places in La are. North of I-20 are the better places to live. As far as apartments, there are several complexes; some new ones near the campus. There are townhouses in many areas on the north side of Ruston.

I don't think being Russian would be bad as there are foreign students at Tech, many middle eastern. There is a sizealbe health food store (the old wheat barn) and some other college town oriented type businesses. T.here is a multi screen cinema (with another one in the works); Lowes, Walmart(of course). Many strip malls along I-20. It's not a bad town at all.

Daycares I can't speak on; I know there are church-ran and non church ran ones. Yes, churches can be the social centers for people here as well, but not everybody. Many aren't connected with them.

[redbean]

There's a child care center on the Louisiana Tech campus; it likely has a waiting list but you could check into it. I can't think of any apartment complexes that would be suitable for a family... All are either low-income subsidized or heavily populated with students. You should be able to find rental housing, just try to stay north of the interstate and you will be fine. Ruston is a lovely town that I lived in for too many years; y'all shouldn't have many problems.

[jeffpv]

Thank you both for your insight. You have cemented basically what I'd thought. The townhomes hdwell mentioned sound up our alley. However, we would rent a house if necessary.
I have read a number of times to "stay north of I-20". Could you spell out exactly what that means? Is south of I-20 dangerous in some way? Or is it because the college and its students are south of I-20?
All the best.

[redbean]

South of I-20 contains some nice neighborhoods, but a lot of the area is either student housing oriented or minority neighborhoods. North of I-20, I can't think of any areas that are like that (although there may be some); it's just basic suburbia and therefore easier to generalize about. I will be happy to comment on any particular addresses if you want to post them here or DM me. I always lived south of I-20 and never had any problems.

[jeffpv]

Well, I have accepted the offer and I will move to Ruston in mid-April (my family will join me later in the spring). I am having a hard time finding places to rent out on the internet. Is it easier to find something once I'm "on the ground"? Does anyone have a good web site for finding rental homes in Ruston?
I've tried homes.com and the Ruston Daily Leader and haven't had any luck thus far.
Regards.

[redbean]

We rent to everyone! (http://www.todaysrealtyhomes.com/content/article.html/2063878 - broken link)

This was the only website that I was able to find on a somewhat limited search. Rentals in Ruston are not typically advertised in the paper; usually they go through a real estate agency or word of mouth. I would wait til you are in town and can look around in person. You should have more choices the closer it gets to summer. I might be up there in a few days for work, and if I have time will take a look around.

[jeffpv]

Thanks, redbean!