Quality of Life? - 6/3/2007

There are many imperfections about life in Baton Rouge, as well as Louisiana in general. But I do enjoy the atmosphere in town-when you are around the long time residents, you get an acceptance that will ignore a lot of woes, including yankeeistic tendencies. I moved away for 17 years, and realized the friendliness of the people was not to be duplicated, even in other areas of the South. The biggest fault is the lack of infrastructure and a sense of urgency to correct things. Nearly 2 years after Katrina, our traffic is still at a crawl during rush hour, housing is hideous, and crime is not what it used to be.

[Comment on this Posting]

What you see here is how it is - 5/26/2007

I'm from Baton Rouge, born here, and moved hither and yon, only to end up back here for the last 5 years. If you've had a look at any of the other posts on Baton Rouge, you get a good idea of the range of people you deal with. Illiteracy is a real problem here, as I'm sure you can tell from reading some of the posts. Crime is ridiculous, partly because cops are invisible. Don't bother calling the police for anything but violent crime that you actually witness with your own two eyes. If you hear shots, don't call, they'll just be rude to you. If you hear noise that alarms you (screaming, thumping, etc.), don't call, they'll just ignore you. If you see someone driving drunk or abusing a child, don't call, they won't respond in time to do any good. I've tried. People throw trash on the ground, dogs run loose, even in the "nice" parts of town, traffic is really bad for a city this size--there really isn't much nice to say about Baton Rouge unless you are very, very wealthy and pay for your own policing by private security. Notice help wanted ads in Baton Rouge's newspaper The Advocate are packed full of people hiring for security. Baton Rouge has a huge portion of its population that are under-educated, poor blacks who are in fact exploited in their jobs, frequent vicitms of crime, and habitually discriminated against, but they have no chance to get better jobs because the social systems (such as education, but not just government based programs) have completely broken down. You can see multimillion dollar estates in some parts of town, and they will have a good old-fashioned household staff of yas'm and nawsuh like you see in movies, and those jobs are the good ones! If you are raising kids and can't either get into magnet schools or afford private schools, move outside of town rather than put your kids in the regular pub schools in BR. They're dangerous and ineffective, and you don't want your kids coming home with the language and attitude they'll pick up at a Baton Rouge public school. There is a real problem with basic etiquette, so if you're used to being treated like a fellow human being, don't bother coming here. The people in Baton Rouge will do whatever serves them best at the moment they stand. It's a town full of slack-jaws and bullies, and I'm glad I'm leaving this year.

[Comment on this Posting]

Central; Louisiana's newest city - 5/6/2007

In the past year Central has broken away from Baton Rouge and become it's own city, the 12th largest in the state. Housing is booming with exsisting houses up over 20%, new subdivisions are springing up everywhere, some national builders, DH Horton are planning nice subdivisions and begining this August we will have our own school district, which will be the # 1 or 2 in the state. I hope in the next few years, when stats are in you will be able to rank us. we have a nice mixture of rural setting with morden homes, farms, new stores and restaurants a very low crime rate. Altough we have traffic congestion due to growth and a very high sales tax our propiety taxes are very low thanks to Huey P Longs Homestead excemption, no taxes on 75,000 house and we pay on the value above $75,000. eg. $140,000 house I pay $340. per year. Auto and homeowners insurance is very high and so are electric and gas. Love your site and look foward to see Central ranked in the near future. Dennis

[Comment on this Posting]

Do Not Go to Baton Rouge - 4/11/2007

I am from New Orleans and I lived in Baton Rouge for 1 year after Hurricane Katrina and the experience was awful. I never want to see that miserable city again. The people are narrow-minded and rude. The food is a poor attempt to mimick New Orleans food. The weather is horrible. The jobs are terrible. The traffic is a nightmare. Quality of life is the worst. LSU is a shameful, ugly magnet for people looking to party, not to receive an education. In fact, I cannot say one good thing about Baton Rouge. Do not go there. Stay away. You can find a better place to live.

[Comment on this Posting]

Louisiana weather myth - 4/10/2007

Moved here a year ago from Saint Louis. Everyone told me that the hot humid summers would wilt anyone not raised in this climate. They were wrong. The summer was humid and hot, but no more so than Saint Louis where I had been. And guess what, when winter came I didn't have to shovel any snow. Good tradeoff. Baton Rouge is a college town and state capitol making it a little more diverse for a southern city. Growth has been fast since it took on a lot of post Katrina evacuees from the coast but I am new enough that I don't remember "the way it was".

[Comment on this Posting]

Taxes and apartments are expensive now - 4/5/2007

About a year ago I moved to louisiana and I still havent seen anything positive about louisiana. The people are very self-absorbed. They dont throw the trash in proper places. The people use louisiana as their personal trash can. Apartments since Katrina are more expensive and have a low minimum wage. They expect the people to work for $5.15 a hour and be able to afford a apartment that costs $695 a month. If you live out of state expect to pay 9% for car plates and tags...So you better bring some cash because state of louisiana does not take credit cards. There is not much to do in baton rouge only go shopping, see movies or go gambling. If you are a very religous person then it is a good place to move here but if you think there is more to life than religion dont move to the south.

[Comment on this Posting]

This is the reality! - 3/11/2007

The job economy tend on how much you are willing to compromise your life to have a job ,which in turn brings you in as a slave. the job economy is available to super underpay with a rate under$15/hr. we have no labor laws. the jobs have no ethics. you be lucky if ya check come on time. racism and political system is still confederate and unjust. if someone have to get an attorney just as a witness to everything, that's ridiculous. there is too many people in the world you have to bribe justice. this is confederate mentality. traffic stops are racially profile. it's ridiculous. we just had a job fair, it should have been advertise for teenagers. alot of people have that slave mentality of accept whatever, you tell your boss to accept whatever, and pay you whatever you need.... you can't have a day off from work---you have too tell 100 explanation of why you taking that day off--- you don't have money for anything come in town, the insurance company take it,,all the crooked insurance commissioners in this state---our estaurants are mainly plantation---the only ones right off hand to give patron to is tony's(to-go spot), chicken shack, and table of bread. anything else will make your blood broil.... don't waste your time on these misusing, indentured servant laboring people, oneworld mind, deceptive people,,,it's alright---they tryna' decorate reality in the background----- there are alot of caucasion cops killing in auto accidents and traffic stops,african americans,,,some coincidental,,,they don't try to prevent it pokey chatman resign from lsu, they just was using her to lift there name and get a fanbase, that profit she made with them---she going to need to use that to tend to an attorney,,, they got a caucasion to replace her spot---i know espn and cnn done talked about it----in the matter of the situation ,she was confronted out of a rumor somebody repeated they heard----not a letter, telephone, video---when you're african american you have to prove yourself innocent? when you're caucasion you have to prove to the extreme guilty or they are excuse as human /pardon/o.k. or provoked/? ya'll betta open y'all eyes/minds----the 602 coming back down here

[Comment on this Posting]

person who blame of the change in baton rouge - 1/15/2007

to the person who made the comment on blacks moving by tthe droves its sad to see people only see the one side of the issue people get desparate in situations first of all anytime you treat people like cattle and animals in which on historical point of view been to different worlds now just combine into one by poverty its sad to take a race people of charactor and assume majority blacks bringing problems to other city like baton rouge just plain ignorant. people make bad choice for certain reasons. not excusing the crime but heck man if you say that these people are animals put them in category out of race instead of charactor like this person made is a sad indivual my heart goes out to people where the goverment ignore people at this time of need shows that the country who spead demoracy to other places need to check how they treat their citzenz

[Comment on this Posting]

come on lets go... - 12/6/2006

to another state! Just kidding - Baton Rouge has alot to offer. Great jobs in the industrial and engineering careers. Really, really good food (try to find that just anywhere!). Locally close to New Orleans, Houston etc, if you get bored here. The weather is very hot from July to September, but extend spring-fall the rest of the time. Not much of a winter - so you can't count on snow. But mostly, plan on private school for your kids.

[Comment on this Posting]

Restaurant Diversity - 10/13/2006

I dont think one of the previous posts is quite true on the lack of restaurant diversity outside of seafood. while not as diverse as bigger cities, it does have a growing line of places to eat. there are authentic "mom and pop" places for Jamaican (on Jones Creek) and Mexican (on north Siegen). More Lebanese\Greek restaurants than many larger cities could even dream of. Great cajun places (not necessarily just seafood) and New Orleans-style poboys that you just cant get anywhere else in country. Not to mention a German restaurant, a Central American place, soul food, and BBQ places including Memphis-style BBQ. Another Brazilian steakhouse is opening soon. There are many restaurants if you look for them online and local free papers and magazines. And try getting decent cafe au lait (with chicory) and beignets in most other large cities!

[Comment on this Posting]

very boring here - 9/23/2006

the baton rouge area does not offer alot of things to the young professional or in general a active person.. in louisiana people will say hi to you but yet they wont let you in a different lane if you need to change lanes..not alot of diversity when it comes to restaurants ..unless you love seafood...if you dont like seafood ...not alot of options..the transit system is not very good, they think everyone has a car. people in louisiana throw alot of trash in public places.

[Comment on this Posting]

IS BATON ROUGE DIRTY????? - 9/14/2006

If someone can tell me if baton rouge is run down, I would appreciate it. I am considering attending college at LSU and no one will tell me if the city is clean or dirty. So is it? Yes or No? thanks Daniel True TrueDaniel_G@hotmail.com

[Comment on this Posting]

Increased - 9/11/2006

Crime has increased significantly following Katrina.

[Comment on this Posting]

Baton Rouge Has changed - 8/27/2006

Baton Rouge has really changed for the worst. Sure family values and some gracious people are still here. But in response to the so called "ignorant person" that red stick addressed; they are just stating the facts about Baton Rouge, not just complaining about the blacks. The blacks that are from Baton Rouge are a much different (better) class of people then those that came from New Oleans. But now, most of your people with good family values are moving to other surrounding areas. Now, when you talk to someone, you have to watch out, because they might just shoot you. I guess "red stick" does not watch the news or read the newspaper, because that is what all the news is now. Everyday some black has killed another black. So, if you want to know the facts, just read the newspaper or watch the news. Sure Baton Rouge has good food, but so does some of the other areas around Baton Rouge, like Lafayette or Breaux Bridge or Hammond. Most of Lousiana has good food, fattening food, but real real good. The schools are the worst in the state, besides New Orleans. I have lived in Baton Rouge for more than 50 years and it has changed. There is nothing for the children to do here. That has been a problem way before Katrina. Just a small zoo and a few movie theaters. And the bus system is really bad. It only goes to certain parts of Baton Rouge, not the whole city. So, if you can not drive, you are up a creek, if you do not live in a certain area. Come to Baton Rouge and find out for yourself.

[Comment on this Posting]

Red Stick - 8/11/2006

I grew up in Baton Rouge and I love it there. Yes, it has changed since Katrina as far as traffic, population and real estate are concerned, but it is still a wonderful place to live. If you are not a sun worshiper, stay away! I can say since I have lived in many hot places in the U.S., Louisiana is probably number one for heat. As far as education is concerned there is a lack of attention paid to the education system and a lack of money put into it, just as with other cities in the U.S. But the attention of the people thwarts that and many people go to college and become successful. One of the best things about Baton Rouge are the family values and the gracious people. People genuinly speak to you on the streets and the food is amazing!! As for all of you who read the comments made by the ignorant person who basically complained about African Americans....everyone is not like that in Baton Rouge. That persons remarks paint a picture of prehistoric ideals that some are trying to hold on to...for dear life, but is slowly dwindling. Baton Rouge is not perfect, but I love it nonetheless.

[Comment on this Posting]

Should not be called Baton Rouge - 8/7/2006

Baton Rouge should not be called Baton Rouge anymore. It should be called New Orleans #2. Ever since Katrina, more blacks have moved into Baton Rouge and they are staying, because the city's black Mayor and the state is taking really good care of them. They don't have to work and don't want to work. They just drive around on the main roads looking for drugs. If you go to a fast food resturant or a low price resturant, you have to wait a long time to place your order and to get your food; not only because of the many people, but because of the people that work there, do not care if you get your food or not, because they do not want to work and they can get assistance for money and housing. The schools are really bad. The employed people and whites are moving to towns outside of East Baton Rouge Parish, so their kids will have a better education. In Baton Rouge there is not anything for the kids to do around here. They could go to the very small zoo that is in Baker, a little north of Baton Rouge or they could go to Blue Bayou, which is a small theme park and a water park for about $35.00 per person and $5.00 to park. There are a few movie theaters, but that cost about $22.00 for two people, tickets, and popcorn and coke at the movies before 5:00 p.m. The bus system is very bad. The buses do not go all over Baton Rouge, just downtown, where there is nothing to do and around Mall City and Zoin City, which is where the drugs are. So stay where you are, because Baton Rouge is getting to be like New Orleans, with all the drugs, positutions, and drive by shootings.

[Comment on this Posting]

Education ratings are a joke! - 7/23/2006

I am a teacher here in Baton Rouge and the lowest teacher to student ratio that I have seen is 22 to 1. I have no idea where they are getting 14.9 to 1.

[Comment on this Posting]

The heat!! - 7/21/2006

The heat and humidity are miserable. We don't have real seasons. We have two. Hot and not-so-hot.

[Comment on this Posting]

crime in the city - 7/15/2006

Why is crime so high?

[Comment on this Posting]

Baton Rouge will never be the same - 3/26/2006

Baton Rouge will never be the same. I have lived here most of my life, 40 years. Baton Rouge has always seemed like a small country town. Friendly people, good food, the LSU tiger football games, and low cost of living made Baton Rouge a nice place to live. Well, all of that had started to change with in the last six to 10 years, but now, with half of New Orleans living here, Baton Rouge has become more like a lot of other big cities, unfriendly people, always in a hurry, terrible traffic and every where you go is crowded. It takes longer to get out of the gerorcy store, twice as long to get to work, and you can't even get a seat in your favoriate eating place. I just can't wait to get out of here. I never did like the heat amd humidity in south Loiisiana. We are relocating in June to a small town in Alaska.

[Comment on this Posting]