How is Shreveport for a single, educated, young professional? (New Orleans: college, to live in) - Shreveport-Bossier City - Louisiana (LA) -Bossier Parish, Caddo Parish, De Soto Parish - City-Data Forum

RLCMA · 06-16-2011, 05:12 PM

Hey all,

I may be moving to LA within the next few weeks with my company from Atlanta (originally from Boston) and I was wondering how Shreveport is as far as the young, single, educated crowd goes? I was originally looking at Alexandria but it appears Shreveport is much larger and I've heard decent things about it.

I'm just really curious about the best areas to live in the city, if there is a lot to do, and if there are a good amount of educated young professionals in the city. Your feedback is appreciated. Thank you.

annie_himself · 06-16-2011, 10:52 PM

Definitely not an ideal city for a young professional. It has some nice amenities due to it's nice infrastructure for such a small city and it's entertainment from it's tourism industry. Not much there for drawing young people such as Charlotte, New Orleans, Austin, etc..

RLCMA · 06-17-2011, 05:45 AM

How about Alexandria? Better option or worse?

annie_himself · 06-17-2011, 08:13 AM

Much worse.

RLCMA · 06-17-2011, 08:30 AM

Anywhere in between Alexandria and Shreveport that is nice?

SouthernBelleInUtah · 06-17-2011, 09:03 AM

Nice, yes, suitable - no.

My sister lives in Alexandria, I grew up there a long time ago, my parents lived there until they died. My sister came back as a 50-ish single. She seems to like it (educated, professional). But she doesn't go to clubs, although I am sure there are some; she likes cultural activities and seems to find plenty to do.

RLCMA · 06-17-2011, 01:33 PM

Any suggestions for really nice towns close to Winnfield or Natchitoches?

hindsight2020 · 06-17-2011, 01:42 PM

Not a suitable place. I left there at the beginning of the year after a 3.5 year stint. I joke that places like Shreveport are GREAT places to raise a family, terrible places to MAKE a family. Think of places where singles abound and the lack of families in the communities. The same is true for the places where families go to graze, such as small to medium cities such as Shreveport.

It's all about the demographics. Families have eligible children that turn into eligible bachelors. These individuals run away from Shreveport in search of a competitive college education and a JOB. Shreveport offers neither outside gas work (cyclical), some health care, and military. The rest of the town is "pass go, don't collect 200" fuel exits on your way to Dallas, to be frank, as far as what you're looking for.

I was engaged at the time and brought my wife with me to Shreveport, which is why none of these dynamics particularly jumped out at me at the onset. Once divorced and back on the dating scene, it became quite clear why I had brought my own partner to town; it's a desert. For a person with a career and competitive employment, the local sampling will frustrate you quickly. Remember, your peers fled for jobs and opportunities. If it hadn't been for the military, Shreveport would have never been a destination of consequence for me, job or social-wise. Your best bet is to hang out in Dallas and cough up the gas money and hope you can convince someone of your liking to move to Shreveport for you (good luck on that one!). This is not a jab on Shreveport, it's simply a BYOF city.Good luck to you.

RLCMA · 06-17-2011, 02:54 PM

So if I move to the area I'm going to be bored? Are there any upscale towns near the two towns I mentioned? I don't mind giving up the city life if there are nice towns to live in. There are singles everywhere (just not a lot in small towns).

SouthernBelleInUtah · 06-17-2011, 04:04 PM

Natchitoches has some wealthy families as does Alexandria. I don't know that I'd call them "upscale." What do you mean by that?