Just up the Mississippi River from New Orleans, Baton Rouge is 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 to create a city that’s uniquely Louisiana.

This amazing food and charm come with swampy summers, hurricanes, and traffic (the population grew by nearly a third after Hurricane Katrina).

We highly recommend visiting Baton Rouge and staying in the community in a [**VRBO**](vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [**partnership with Expedia**](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.

It's The Food

LookyLOO Review of Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge’s downtown is compact and walkable. You can jog along the banks of the Mississippi and watch the sunrise 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 contains a loft. A hybridized variation of this style was popular in the Baton Rouge area in the 1990s – 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 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 was 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).

We highly recommend visiting Baton Rouge and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [partnership with Expedia](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.


Lifestyle

If you love a tailgate, Cajun food and a Creole vibe and want all that for a heck of a lot less than in New Orleans check out Baton Rouge. The city has its challenges but given housing prices and the opportunity for savings while still experiencing some of the best of what Louisiana has to offer you should take a look.  


Lousiana for Less

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**Silas_Ivan**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

The natural beauty here is absolutely unparalleled. The sunsets will take your breath away every single DAY. The rain is torrential and moving. The food is some of the best in the world. The culture is deep and hundreds and hundreds of years old. And Southern Hospitality still spills out of almost every doorway. It’s very quaint and cozy. I call it the worlds biggest neighborhood. 

For more reviews of what living in Baton Rouge is like from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/baton-rouge/reviews).





Reviews of Baton Rouge from Locals

**The Best Thing About Baton Rouge?** 

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. 


**The Worst Thing About Baton Rouge?** 

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


**How You Living?** 

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.

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

If you love a tailgate, Cajun food and a Creole vibe.


LSU/Lakeshore is an interesting spot for college students. Plenty of apartments surrounded by wealthy families living in historic homes along the lake make it a bit of an oxymoron. Great, cheap eats in a busy commercial district and lots of fun on the different lakes in the neighborhood. 



College Students

LSU/Lakeshore

Downtown/Beauregard Town/Spanish Town is a great spot for young professionals. Not only are you in the midst of a great concentration of restaurants and bars,, but you’re also a walk from work if you’re lucky enough to work downtown, and you’re a short hop to LSU if you like the college scene. Added benefit is close proximity to political and historical landmarks, and the Museum center of the city if you’re feeling like getting a dose of culture. 
- Downtown/Beauregard Town/Spanish Town
- Mid City
- Capital Heights
- Garden District



Young Professionals

Downtown

Mid City/Capital Heights/Ogden Park is very cool area with a mix of historical and modern groovy.. It’s filled with artists and entrepreneurs and hipsters. Ideal for singles and couples who want great social options but a less crazy/dense option than LSU or Downtown. The neighborhood has tons of community events, many of which celebrate the music and art that many of the locals revel in. 
- Mid City/Capital Heights/Ogden Park


DINKs/SINKs

Mid City

Spanish Town and Beauregard Town are the two neighborhoods that have the greatest concentration of the LGBTQ+ community. Each have great eclectic vibes with cool architecture, tons of funky bars, restaurants, shopping and an arts scene. They also have plenty of open green spaces and central, public squares for community events. https://www.gayrealestate.com/news/usa/louisiana/baton-rouge/lgbtq-baton-rouge--be-a-part-of-this-beautiful-bayou-city.html
- Spanish Town
- Beauregard Town


LGBTQ+

Spanish Town/Beauregard Town

Broadmoor/Sherwood Forest neighborhood is a nice spot for families. Older homes on tree-lined streets with a beautiful park nearby for the kiddos to play. There’s also tons of international foodie options right in the neighborhood so you get the best of both worlds: bucolic blocks for living, but also a fun commercial area for cool dining. Hundred Oaks/Steele Place/Webb Park is another great option if you want to get a bit more posh. Beautiful luxury homes and the Webb Memorial Golf Course means you can live in style here. 
- Broadmoor/Sherwood Forest
- Hundred Oaks/Steele Place/Webb Park


Families/Retirees

Broadmoor/Sherwood Forest

Bocage is a very cool option for retirees that want to be in the city but also live a plush lifestyle. You can play tennis at the Bocage Racquet Club, see movies, grab amazing meals and cocktails and find easy and upscale shopping at Towne Center. You also get the views and access to Bocage Lake should you choose to live in that nice little spot in the area. 
- Bocage
- Bocage Lake


Retirees

Bocage

Baton Rouge

**Silas_Ivan**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

The natural beauty here is absolutely unparalleled. The sunsets will take your breath away every single DAY. The rain is torrential and moving. The food is some of the best in the world. The culture is deep and hundreds and hundreds of years old. And Southern Hospitality still spills out of almost every doorway. It’s very quaint and cozy. I call it the worlds biggest neighborhood. I <3 BR.

**geauxtigerFan97**
2y ago
🦉🦉

Despite what a majority of people think, Baton Rouge isn’t terrible. If you have the opportunity to make money here, do it. The crime is typically sectioned to a different part of the city than most with the occasional spill over into the nicer areas. If you want to raise a family be aware the schools in the area are not good unless you pay a small fortune to send them to Private School.

**Alarmed_East7432**
2y ago
🦉🦉

If you're thinking about moving to Louisiana, Baton Rouge is the best city.

Pros: LSU football, diverse cuisine, pretty much everything you need out of a city. Less damage from hurricanes.

Cons: Flights is not the cheapest. New Orleans has the cheapest and more flights options.


New Orleans is the best but damages from hurricanes are rough. Gotta evacuate and repair.

Decent drive to the beach: Orange Beach (3 Hours), Pensecola (4 Hours), Destin (5 hours)

Decent drive to major Cities: New orleans (1 hour), Houston (4 hours)


Honest Opinion: My favorite city that I would love to live in is Charlotte, NC. That city have everything and more. It's a growing city.

You're basically Near everything. Drive to the beach in South Carolina. Hit Tennessee for nature and mountains. Head to Georgia to hit Atlanta. Or take a road trip up north to see major cities (DC, Baltimore, Philly, New York, Boston).

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Marching to its Own Louisiana Beat

Looklyloo Score: 80