Louisiana thread calling for input from those living in Shreveport/Bossier City, Baton Rouge, and Lake Charles areas. (buyer, income)

[pandorafan5687]

I I’d like to eventually. I had a brief stay in BR but was laid off from the work so I had to return home.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by pandorafan5687

I I’d like to eventually. I had a brief stay in BR but was laid off from the work so I had to return home.

That don't even count lol. Never out of state?

[pandorafan5687]

If I did, I'd love the Carolinas. If I were to go west, I'd like to go to Dallas. Houston is a bit jam packed for me.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by pandorafan5687

If I did, I'd love the Carolinas. If I were to go west, I'd like to go to Dallas. Houston is a bit jam packed for me.

Both Carolina's are nice. I love Asheville.

Dallas is bigger than Houston so good luck haha.

[Tom Lennox 70]

One thing I've noticed is that there seems to be less local pride in Lake Charles than in other parts of the state. Here in Baton Rouge we are "BR proud". New Orleans definitely has the most pride out of any city in Louisiana if not the nation. Most of my friends from the Alexandria area are quite content to live there, especially those from the small outlying towns who truly enjoy the rural lifestyle. Most people in Lafayette seem proud of their hometown.

However when I was in Lake Charles and talked to some locals and mentioned I was having a great time there (which I was). And the response they gave me was that Lake Charles "sucks", that they hated it there and couldn't wait to get out, that there was "nothing to do", that it doesn't matter Holly Beach is nearby because that beach is "boring" and "dirty". (yes I did notice there wasn't a single store or restaurant by the beach itself since the hurricane but its a nice quiet town). They would also mention how the lake beaches are bad, how the water there is also dirty, how the air is dirty, etc (I didn't think the air was bad despite the refineries).

I do have one friend there who truly tells me enjoys it a lot. But then he was originally from New Jersey. And as he agrees anywhere is better than new Jersey.

[pandorafan5687]

Lake Charles pride.......interesting. I do agree. You see more LSU gear here than McNeese. I don't even think they rock this much LSU gear in Baton Rouge. Lake Charles residents pride themselves on being "close knit" but half don't even know their neighbors. The city could be a lot more than what it is, but NIMBYism and old money do run deep. The nimby mindset needs to be ditched. Communities are supposed to grow, otherwise they'll die. That's my criticism. There have been so many hotels built along Prien Lake Road (Those casinos really did spark a huge increase in lodging, in an area that kind of needed them), but not building anything to complement them.

[sluggermatt15]

Originally Posted by pandorafan5687

Lake Charles pride.......interesting. I do agree. You see more LSU gear here than McNeese. I don't even think they rock this much LSU gear in Baton Rouge. Lake Charles residents pride themselves on being "close knit" but half don't even know their neighbors. The city could be a lot more than what it is, but NIMBYism and old money do run deep. The nimby mindset needs to be ditched. Communities are supposed to grow, otherwise they'll die. That's my criticism. There have been so many hotels built along Prien Lake Road (Those casinos really did spark a huge increase in lodging, in an area that kind of needed them), but not building anything to complement them.

Yep, I completely agree. LC could have all the corporate and oilfield that Lafayette currently has, but they said, "no we don't want it". It's a shame, IMO. I think that is why Lafayette grew and has over 120,000 residents. LC is growing, but I don't think we'll hit that number any time soon.

You're right on the hotels, too, especially considering Sears/Kmart closing this summer is going to take shopping options away.

[pandorafan5687]

Originally Posted by sluggermatt15

Yep, I completely agree. LC could have all the corporate and oilfield that Lafayette currently has, but they said, "no we don't want it". It's a shame, IMO. I think that is why Lafayette grew and has over 120,000 residents. LC is growing, but I don't think we'll hit that number any time soon.

You're right on the hotels, too 16 hotels (including the casino hotels) from Lake St to Prien Lake Rd, especially considering Sears/Kmart closing this summer is going to take shopping options away.

Sears/Kmart has been struggling for years. I still wonder how LCs managed to slip through the cracks for so long. K-Mart was convenient for me being right by the campus, also they always had a sale on their water. I only hope that all these hotels along Prien Lake Rd and along I-10 (in Sulphur), spark some of what you mentioned. Companies have been trying to set camp out here forever.

[sluggermatt15]

Originally Posted by pandorafan5687

Sears/Kmart has been struggling for years. I still wonder how LCs managed to slip through the cracks for so long. K-Mart was convenient for me being right by the campus, also they always had a sale on their water. I only hope that all these hotels along Prien Lake Rd and along I-10 (in Sulphur), spark some of what you mentioned. Companies have been trying to set camp out here forever.

Kmart since the '60s, no? LC needs more shopping. Sears, JC Penny, among others going down the hill. Bad news for the mall since those are two of the anchor stores. Have you been to the mall in Alexandria? It is turning into a ghost town as many of the stores went out of business. I hope Prien does not take that turn one day in the future.

LC wants to grow, but the area infrastructure is not supporting it. Shutting down one lane on the I-10 bridge caused massive delays and outrage. I can only imagine what that will do for the I-210 bridge. The problem is there are only one or two ways to get anywhere from one side of town to another community, typically via the interstate. There are also many roads that need to be improved in addition to the bridges. We all pay road tax, but where does it go?

[pandorafan5687]

What kind of work did they really do on I-10 lol? I don't see any new exits, no upgrades to interchanges, etc. I don't see the improvements. Road work is always inconvenient but it still needs to be done. Regarding malls....enclosed shopping malls are kind of losing their appeal. Those town centers are the ones gaining popularity. LC definitely needs more shopping options. Even if not in LC, there are other areas in greater LC that these could be built.

Where does the road tax go? Do you want to REAL answer or the politically correct answer? Plenty of roads need improvement, but when has LC done anything that actually makes sense?


I must say that the transportation plan for 2040 looks interesting though.
https://imcal.la/mpo/resources/mtp-2040-maps/