Opinions from locals of Calhoun, Ruston, Choudrant, West Ouachita areas (Bossier City: house, neighborhoods)

[researching_mommy]

Hello,
I am hoping to learn about the Calhoun, Ruston, Choudrant, and West Oauchita areas.

My husband has accepted a job in Dodson and we will be moving from North Mississippi. We are originally from South Louisiana and are looking forward to returning to our home state. We have 2 children, 10 years old and 13 years old. Schools are a very important factor, as well as nice neighborhoods/ areas with at least an acre size lot.

My husband will be working in Dodson, so we would like to keep his commute to under an hour. I have done research online and Calhoun really appeals to us, but we would like input from the locals. We would like to be close enough to shopping, restaurants, and activities for out kids. My daughter does competitive cheer and my son does karate and also plays percussion in his middle school band. My husband will begin working mid January. My children and I will stay in North Mississippi to finish the school year and then will make the move. We will be making regular weekend visits to be with my husband to see him and learn the area more.

We want to make sure we purchase a house in a good area with good schools. Anything you can offer on your experiences would be so helpful.

Thank you in advance!

[hdwell]

Hi. I am not from the area; actually Bossier City. But I do know quite a few people from that area. Choudrant has good schools as I understand as well as west Ouchita. Ruston not so good. I cant answer about Calhoun. Calhoun is a nice looking clean town. That is south of I-20; north of 20 it becomes more rural in nature. I've heard the Ouachita parish schools are pretty decent overall. Ouachita is its own school district. It doesn't include Monroe. Hope this helps.

[Phil75230]

I spent eight years in Ruston, and grew up an hour from Monroe. Ruston does have good schools on the north side of town (disagreeing with hdwell here). Still, West Ouachita has good schools as well. The city of Monroe, with the possible exception of Neville HS near the city center but north of downtown, are not so good. Ouachita HS exists east of the city, in the rural part of the parish, and I've never heard anything bad about it. West Monroe schools are reasonably good too, north of Cypress Street. Schools to the west of West Monroe are pretty good too. If you are looking to ensure a good resale value for your home if the time ever comes to move,, then I'd look to Western Ouachita Pa., then to the Ruston area.

[researching_mommy]

Thank you both for the info. Our first pick was schools that feed in to West Ouachita High. (This just based on the research we have done online of the area) Our kids will be in 6th and 8th next year, so elementary schools aren't much of a concern for us. We like what we have seen online for Calhoun Middle and Woodlawn Middle. Sounds like we are on the right path. Thank you again for taking time to respond.

[hdwell]

Ruston has done a district realignment in the last year or two from what I understand so thats the reason I stated that. It primarily affects elem and jr hi.

[tmizell]

Calhoun is a very good area for relocation. Also Choudrant. I grew up in Ruston/Choudrant and have MANY friends and family still in the area. Choudrant High School is smaller than Ruston or West Ouachita. And West Ouachita HS and the middle schools are fantastic. Great community as well. Ruston is VERY cliquish. I would not move my child into that town at that age. (hey, I grew up there, I can say it). Go for the Calhoun area...you won't regret it.

[researching_mommy]

I really appreciate y'all taking the time to share your opinions. Thanks so much!