Lafayette: Neighborhood characteristics (New Orleans, Many: apartments, to rent, condos)

[Mzurie]

I'm thinking to move to Louisiana at the end of this year, and Lafayette is at the top of my list of places to settle for a year.

I'm choosing Louisiana (and Lafayette) to listen to good music, soak in the different layers of culture and history, and enjoy what the geography has to offer in the ways of flora and fauna.

Will be looking for a small place to rent for one year. One bedroom, one bath - even a studio would be fine. Budget less than $500 per month. Renting someone's mother-in-law flat or a converted garage or something along those lines - perfect. (That is also along a bayou with an overhanging deck and a screened porch and a live oak adjacent ... but OK, back to reality ... )

Mostly I'll be working online, so I need a fast and reliable internet connection.

Can anyone help me get an idea for the character of different neighborhoods in Lafayette? Characteristics might address: age of neighborhood, city center/near city center/suburban, walkability, architecture, mixed zoning (i.e. mixed single-family, multi-family, commercial), age demographic, proximity to parks, trails, perception of safety, general vibe, etc.

No kids with me, so school districts not relevant to me.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[annie_himself]

Perfect city for you and the city has great internet.

[aab7855]

The city doesn't have a lot of urban communities, it's a lot of suburban sprawl. Many subdivisions, dead end streets, etc. I felt like I was in a real city when I lived in the downtown/university area. Outside of that, it's got a more suburban or rural feel. You can really chose what you want, unlike New Orleans where you'd be forced to be in the city.

[Innotech]

Originally Posted by aab7855

The city doesn't have a lot of urban communities, it's a lot of suburban sprawl. Many subdivisions, dead end streets, etc. I felt like I was in a real city when I lived in the downtown/university area. Outside of that, it's got a more suburban or rural feel. You can really chose what you want, unlike New Orleans where you'd be forced to be in the city.

Its definitely more sprawled but still has a lot of gridlike traditional neighborhoods.
Not really identifiable specific neighborhood area except for broadmoor. Thats the closest to a real family neighborhood.

[Mzurie]

Thanks, all.

I'll just wait til I get there to poke around, I guess.

[aab7855]

You'll know what's right for you. I had a little of everything from moving around, it's just a great place to be overall.

[puginabug]

Probably plenty of condos and apartments, duplexes, and some houses in that price range. I rent, and I always look in the newspaper, rags, and craigslist just to be informed in case I find something rentable that's better than where I am!! lol

Check out quikquarter.com. it's a rag paper with lots of rents.

And, btw, Lafayette is the bomb.

[TommyTucker]

You'll want to stay on the south side.

[Mzurie]

Thanks to both of you today and yesterday.

pug - I'll check out the quickquarter.

TT - what's attractive about the south side? Also, is this anything south of I-90 or is there a different boundary in use?

[Innotech]

Originally Posted by Mzuie

Thanks to both of you today and yesterday.

pug - I'll check out the quickquarter.

TT - what's attractive about the south side? Also, is this anything south of I-90 or is there a different boundary in use?

Southside is where most of the new development is found. The shopping, dining,and amenities are all excellent on the southside.
southside is basically anything south of university/evangeline thruway.
This is where the bulk of stuff to do in Lafayette can be found.