Lake Charles grew! 84,000!! (place to live, Lebanese, places)

[brock2010]

That's great and I hope the growth continues.

[bpollen]

I imagine the new SASOL industry has a lot to do with it. Plus, the industries bring people in for a couple of years, then send them elsewhere. When house hunting, I viewed a number of houses that were obviously owned by people employed in L.C. temporarily and moving on to another city. So some of the new "residents" are long term temporary. Those "temporary" residents didn't take care of the homes, either. I suspect the companies would buy the homes from the employees and sell them later, driving up house prices for properties not in great shape.

Also, the industries likely have grown in recent years, requiring more employees.

Bear in mind that when recessions hit, L.C. gets hit hard, if the recession affects the industrial businesses.

Still, growth is good. People get upset because of new developments, but then they keep having babies. What do they think their babies are going to live in when they grow up and get local jobs?

I wouldn't recommend anyone move to a natural disaster zone, unless they have to. It's insane. Also, flooding is rampant in many (and increasing) areas. All these things are likely to get worse with time. It wasn't always this way in L.C. When I left in 1985 there were no hurricanes the force of which we see now. There were no evacuations. And while some streets flooded and a few houses in a few areas, there wasn't widespread flooding like exists there now...and increasing. Taxes are high in L.C., as well, with one of the few places in the U.S. that taxes prescription medications and necessary groceries. (OTOH, property taxes are low, which maybe makes up for the high homeowner's and auto insurance.)

The people are very friendly, though.

[SonySegaTendo617]

Originally Posted by brock2010

That's great and I hope the growth continues.

Same here. I see there was a downturn in population there looking at Census data, between 1970(where Lake Charles had a previous population peak, of about 77K) to 1990. Then it started to go up again, since then. Good to see Lake Charles is bouncing back, in population.

[KerrTown]

Before or after Laura? The Census is always taken on April 1st in years ending in 0.

My heart sank when I was watching this live report on my bedroom TV from the safety of my Houston home at 3:00 am that night.

https://youtu.be/s6NFlMXPwZ8

I kept pondering in the back of my mind as I watched: "That could have been me and the rest of Houston!"

Originally Posted by bpollen

Taxes are high in L.C., as well, with one of the few places in the U.S. that taxes prescription medications and necessary groceries.

I know how it feels!

5 years ago, I was visiting the other state that taxes prescriptions (and non-prescription too!) medicine and groceries. During my Thanksgiving visit to Chicago, I had a slight cough from the constant extreme cold. Stopped by the closest CVS to buy some cough syrup--was fined 1% for being sick.

[Lizap]

Lake Charles is one of the last places in the U.S I would want to live. Are there any positives to living there?

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by Lizap

Lake Charles is one of the last places in the U.S I would want to live. Are there any positives to living there?

Food. The best part of living in Louisiana period.

[DeanGuitarist]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

Food. The best part of living in Louisiana period.

Indeed. However I have to cut back!

[Lizap]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

Food. The best part of living in Louisiana period.

Of course, Louisiana has great food. I miss it, but of all the places in LA, Lake Charles would not be anywhere near the top of the list of places I’d want to live.

[Rayna2]

Its most area's are rebuilt and grew rapidly.

[sluggermatt15]

Originally Posted by Rayna2

Its most area's are rebuilt and grew rapidly.

It was hit hard by Hurricane Laura. I am glad to hear it is now rebuilt.