Homes for Rent & Jobs in Shreveport, LA (Alexandria: apartments, houses)

[kimNtony]

Hello everyone!

My husband and I will be moving back to Louisiana in the summer of 2009. We both lived in Alexandria for about 6 months before moving, however I was born and raised in Louisiana (was there for 21 years before moving). I've never lived in or around Shreveport so I don't know anything about houses for rent (that accept large dogs) or what's really in Shreveport. I can look up job openings on-line but even that only gets me so far without knowing much about the city. My husband will have 2 Associate of Applied Science Degrees when we move (Civil Construction Technology and Computer Aided Design/Drafting). So far he's made the Dean's List twice, has a 3.25 GPA and will be interning at a local engineering company this summer...so he's doing very well and it should not be to hard for him to find a job. We just need to know what kinds of places there are in Shreveport that hire CAD drafters and designers.
If anyone knows of any homes that may be for rent at the time we move I'd appreciate it if you could let us know. Also, are there any places to ride 4-wheelers or bring dogs?

My family is in and around Alexandria but I don't think there are to many places that offer CAD, drafting or design positions down there. We'd need a place within 15 or 20 miles of the city we choose to live in that accomodates large dogs.
I just found out I have a half-sister in Alexandria but Shreveport is looking like top priority job-wise.
Thanks for any help, websites or information you can give.

[SBCmetroguy]

Well, Shreveport-Bossier is much larger than Alexandria, so I think you will like it here. There's plenty more to do, we have a nice, clean riverfront area with a childrens' museum/IMAX/space center, a riverfront park, etc all within walking distance of two casinos.

I have a photography business, but my "day job" is in the architectural design field, and my wife works in the civil design field. We both use CAD quite extensively, and I can tell you that if you're looking for a job in that field your options should be limitless. Civil engineers, builders, architects, factories, etc in this region all use CAD designers and drafters.

Based on your husband's education, I suggest you look up Shreveport area civil engineers and see who is hiring. I do know that hiring isn't as good as it was before the economy went south a bit, but my wife's boss just hired another person and the architecture firm she works a lot with just hired another person. This shows that there is some major strength in this market still, and that your husband shouldn't have too hard a time.

Hope this helps some. PM me in the event you need more information, since we can't post links on the forum.

[kimNtony]

Hey again. Just figured I'd bump this up a little to get some more responses.
We've moved our moving date to late January '09. Still looking for homes for rent OR rent to buy. Also if anyone has any info on CAD/D companies that may be looking or are usually looking for someone with an Associates Degree in CAD/D let me know. Thanks.

[ILUVMAINE]

Hey KimNtony,

If you find a good site that show houses and/or apartments in Shreveport, please DM me? The only things I have found so far are crazy "Rent..... type" places and they just about want my first born just to see the availability.

Thanks.