Not bad but not great either
-
3/4/2011
I definitely don't hate Lake Charles, but I would choose Lafayette over Lake Charles any day. One of the main positives about Lake Charles is the cheap cost of living. The same home in Lafayette could be more than double. Another great thing is the ease of traffic. I don't know if Lake Charles's traffic is good, or if Lafayette's is atrocious. Either way, that is another thing better than Lafayette. Lafayette and Lake Charles have a lot in common. The people are friendly and the food is great. Also, the weather is equivalent to a hot shower from April to October. That is primarily due to the oppressive humidity. I met a family from North Dakota, and I thought they were gonna die. They said, "It gets up to 90 degrees at home! I don't understand why this is so unbearable." In case you are new here, 90 degrees here is a huge difference from anywhere else. The water in the air just seems to magnify the sun. Lake Charles's economy is not the greatest, and there are not a lot of things to do. This is a great family oriented area, but if you are single and looking for fun, please don't do this to yourself. The schools are not the greatest either. Lafayette has better schools and a wealth of great activities to participate in. Lafayette may have awful traffic and a crazy cost of living, but it's worth every dime. Also, from personal experience and the experience of many family members who have attended both, ULL in Lafayette is a lot more vigorous and advanced of a curriculum, no matter what your major is. McNeese State University is the local school in Lake Charles, but I don't recommend it at all. One thing I should mention before I close this is that the population of Lafayette is nearly double Lake Charles. Honestly, both of these cities are great; it just depends on what you are looking for. Lake Charles has more of a small town feel, while Lafayette is a little busier, though it is still far from being a large city. If you plan on living in Louisiana at all, these two are great and so is New Orleans. Don't try Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Monroe, and Alexandria. The cities are dull with awful traffic. Shreveport in particular should come with a warning label. It's probably the most dangerous place you can find without leaving the country. Pack your bullet-proof vest if you are interested in visiting. Many of the small towns are great, but try to pick one near an interstate. That puts the larger cities at your fingertips.
DR | Egan, LA