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.*

The Food

The Best Thing About Baton Rouge?

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...)*


It's Seriously the Humidity

The Worst Thing About Baton Rouge?

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


Baton Rouge 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?

**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

**Moving to Baton Rouge! Where do all the young professionals live and socialize?**

Mid city / capital heights / garden district is going to be the best bet. I have friends who live in the commerce building and in Spanishtown downtown. Downtown can be quiet but it’s not a bad place to be (I prefer mid city). Anything right off of Perkins from Siegen to Overpass would be great too!

Welcome to BR! Feel free to reach out if you’re looking for tips on what to do. There really is plenty of cool stuff going on all the time if you know where to look.

**Moving to Baton Rouge! Where do all the young professionals live and socialize?**

I moved to Baton Rouge from New Orleans a little over a year ago. Although I knew living anywhere after the french quarter would be an adjustment, this has really been a strange transition.

There’s not really much going on at night here that I’ve found. Hopefully I’m wrong, but downtown feels like a post-apocalyptic wasteland after around 9pm. It literally feels like you’re walking a sprawling set of a zombie movie. Seriously, you can drive a mile and not see a single person outside.

It’s bizarre. Lately to amuse myself I’ll take a walk and convince myself it’s all for my enjoyment. The capital building and grounds are meticulously manicured. Desolate nights, so a beautiful walk, but no other humans.

I don’t have a clue where I’d make new friends here. Fortunately New Orleans friends are only an hour away but moving here alone will require you to step outside of your comfort zone and talk to everyone.

People are pleasant, easy to talk to, and don’t seem to avoid engaging with strangers. It feels like a small town in that way.

Bring hobbies. You’ll need them. I enjoy sailing and camping on the barrier islands. I used to do it for a break from the hustle of French Quarter life. Walking downtown at night is nearly as desolate as uninhabited islands, and doesn’t require packing a cooler.

Best of luck to you. It’s a quiet city for newcomers.

**What is it like living in Baton Rouge? What are the pros and cons?**

I enjoyed living in Baton Rouge and this is coming from an Alabama girl born and bred. I lived in Baton Rouge for almost 2 years so I didn't get a chance to see everything of course, but Louisiana just has a lot of culture in general. Great food and the people are so down to earth. I met lots of very nice folks and had so many favorite restaurants there. I can't wait to go back and visit just for some of those restaurants. They also have great night life if that's the sort of thing you like. They have a casino, several movie theaters and lots of shopping choices. It's also very beautiful. The Mississippi River down by the capital is beautiful and much of the architecture in town is traditional, which I think makes it beautiful. Taking all of the great things about Baton Rouge into consideration, with bigger cities, also comes more crime; therefore, it can be more dangerous than some other places. Honestly though I'd say as long as you aren't out walking by yourself or in the bad areas of town you would probably be okay, just keep an eye out, as anyone would. There are still much more dangerous places out there. All in all, it was so worth it to live in Baton Rouge..my home is in Alabama, but I feel a piece of me is still in Louisiana.

**What is it like to live in Baton Rouge?**

Being from the area and returning to Baton Rouge after having lived on the east coast and mid west I have a better understanding of what Baton Rouge is and isn't. First if you've ever lived anywhere outside of the south you'll realize upon arriving in Baton Rouge that it's very segregated racially and economically not always on the surface but it's most definitely there. Baton Rouge is largely a blue collar town with white collar money owing to the large amount of well paying jobs in area chemical plants. 

Culture in Baton Rouge revolves largely around eating and college sports. There's a very healthy bar scene but little else to do unless you really look for it. While it's a large college town with two large universities and several smaller colleges, Baton Rouge is usually comprised of people who are here for a short time due to school or career and those who have been here forever. The people who have been here forever often tend to get very defensive about what's wrong with Baton Rouge and the list is long. From public health woes to crime there's a lot of room for improvement but if like most Baton Rougeans you are ok with not scratching the pretty surface of the city it can be quite pleasant.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Marching to its Own Louisiana Beat

Looklyloo Score: 65