Moving to Shreveport soon--- How to find a good rental? (Bossier City: real estate, sublet)

[PeterDragon]

So, I accepted a job in Shreveport, with Louisiana Teaching Fellows.

For those of you unfamiliar with Louisiana Teaching Fellows, LTF will want me to move to Louisiana for the placement process ideally in May (June at the latest), but won't pay me a cent til near the end of August. And I may not be told where I'm working until the first week of September, after my training is completed.

In light of that, my ideal apartment is cheap and/or temporary, keeping safety and cleanliness in mind as well.

So what's the best way to go about this? I get the sens I'm not seeing the full picture on craigslist (especially with how sparse their roomate and sublet listings are).

I called an apartment search company called "RentMax", but was put off by their hard sell and poor reviews on the web.

What is a common price for a 1 bedroom in decent repair n a safe area in Shreveport Bossier? And what sources should I look to--- on and offline for rental listings? Should I bother with apartment search companies? (I've seen several besides rentmax).

[hdwell]

Oftentimes I have seen some of the local realtors adv rentals and you might want to contact them. If you think craigslist is sparse, you should see the local paper. It's even worse. I would just google on Shreveport real estate and try that route. I also have read in the past about complaints for Rent-Max. Good Luck to you.

[andygrl]

craigslist is just taking off in this area compared to larger cities like DFW area, you should look at the online classifeds with ShreveportTimes.com if you are looking at houses, also you can cold call the local realtors there are a few in the area listing rent houses (coldwell does I know).

If you are looking at apartments and want something very reasonably priced in a great area, then I would go with Orleans Square Apartments..located right behind LSU-S, off Youree Drive in SE Shreveport, and close to all major hwys and shopping etc. It's also very close to the bridge over into Bossier City. Some of their units are older but they are the only reasonably priced ones on this side of town IMO and located in a very safe area surrounded by the college and nice housing neighborhood (South Broadmoor). They have effeciencies, one to 3 bedroom apts.

Please do not use Rent-Max, I have read way too many c/o about them and heard the same also from friends.

If you are looking for a roomie, you may want to advertise at the college..

I will tell you that the housing rental prices here are outrageous right now, we are paying 1400.00 out in the country, and were paying 1350.00 for a house off Youree Drive recently.

Other apts that might fit the bill....any off of Millicent Way (SE Shv) or Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, although I dont know about the price.

Good luck, and I hope you enjoy your time here

andygirl