Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Just up the Mississippi River from New Orleans in Baton Rouge you’ll find a city marching to the beat of its own drum. Cajun and creole influences (Baton Rouge likes to eat) combine with a good dose of southern charm and a city that’s uniquely Louisiana.

In the words of a local: The best part of living here is the food. So so many great seafood/creole/French restaurants. The people are generally very welcoming and exhibit that southern charm. At times the community can be inclusive and right leaning. But I’ve made some great friendships here and there are definitely like-minded individuals around.

Swampy summers. And Hurricanes. Traffic (the population grew by nearly a third after Hurricane Katrina.) And a certain lingering plantation mentality.

A transplant from Arizona notes: As someone that relocated from AZ, a word on humidity. It’s not like ‘after a rain’… It’s serious and can be brutal on a desert rat. But, it’s been five years now, so kinda used to it. (Not really, but keep telling myself…)

Baton Rouge’s downtown is compact and walkable. You can jog along the banks of the Mississippi and watch the sun rise along the iconic river.

The Garden District, if you can afford it, is nice with some good restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets like Trader Joe's and full of young professionals. Similar is Capital Heights and Southdowns. Oak Hills and Quail Ridge are pretty much a straight shot to LSU. Turnberry is up and coming. Lots of LSU professors live in Kenilworth (older demographic) as it’s out of the college bubble (quiet) but 15 minutes from campus.

Otherwise, almost anywhere in Baton Rouge is 30 minutes away. You can just embrace the traffic & live a little further out.

The Acadian Style is common in BR— This American style originated in homes built by Acadian settlers to Louisiana. A hallmark of the style is a high pitched roof which typically contained a loft. A hybridized variation of this style was popular in the Baton Rouge area in the 1990’s – 2000’s as an alternative to the traditional style of the 1970s. While no longer single room homes, these modern hybrids typically exhibit open floor plans. Found in Woodstone, Woodgate, Oak Hills, and all throughout the area.

Cottage / Bungalow–The style, often called the California Bungalow, can be found in the Garden District, Capital Heights & Southdowns.

French Provincial design had its origins in the style of rural manor homes, or chateaus, built by the French nobles New construction found in University Club, Lakes at Highland and Lexington Estates.

If you want to see what Baton Rouge locals do for fun and culture check out the calendar of events: https://www.visitbatonrouge.com/events