Lafayette is your home. It's my home. It's our hom - 10/30/2007

I am floored by the negative comments about Lafayette, LA- both about the city and its people. My question is for those who made rude comments about the people of Lafayette. You say they don't accept you...are rude to you...are uninviting. How do you act towards them? Unaccepting? Rude? Uninviting? I'd venture to say yes on all accounts. My fiancé moved here several years ago for work. He'll be the first to admit that he hated it. Then he came to realize that this is HIS HOME and he could continue to hate it or venture out and become involved in the community. He strives to be an example to his co-workers, all of which are from out of state, that if you open your mind and your heart to the area, the area will welcome you in with open arms...just as I strive to be an example to his co-worker's significant others. You don't like the schools? Get involved. You have issues with the roads? Get involved. You have issues with the people? Get involved. You can sit on your sofa and stew about what you don't like about Lafayette or you can get out to Downtown Alive or Festival Acadiens or Festival International and meet people who think Lafayette is the best place to be and want to share that with you.

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Lafayette, Louisiana - 8/5/2007

The first one must know about Lafayette, and Louisiana in general, is that the climate from March to through October is extremely hot and humid. Second, the public school system is abysmal, which caused is by wide scale cronyism, and legendary governmental corruption. Everyone that has the wherewithal sends their children to private or Catholic schools. The roads, generally, are awful, and not just because of the aforementioned systemic corruption. There is no bedrock to speak of, foundation slabs merely float on the soil. Same thing for roads. Even new roads don't last very long because of the poor foundation. On the plus side, Lafayette is extremely diverse. Whites only represent a major minority. The climate is conducive to growing anything. Unemployment is low, and it is fairly easy to find a job, even though the jobs may not be the best available. Of course, there are hurricanes and we all know what happened with Katrina.

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Lafayette is a family-friendly town - 5/5/2007

Lafayette is very family-friendly. There are many activities surrounding children's sports: karate, t-ball, hunting, fishing, and the like. There is a children's museum and a natural science museum (needs a little work, though!). We also have the University of Louisiana - Lafayette here, with all the amenities that come with a college town. We have one of the largest Academy Sporting Goods in the country, and we have multiple outdoor-outfitting shops. The annual Festival International is held every April and is a free event, with great music and wonderful food. The area is predominately Cajun-Catholic, with an influx of people from other areas of the country due to the 70's and 80's oil boom (which eventually busted, I might add). Professional jobs pay a livable wage given the low cost of living in Louisiana (no property taxes), although housing is more expensive due to the scarcity of units (Hurricanes Katrina and Rita of 2005). New Orleans is about 2 hours away, and Baton Rouge is about 45 minutes down the interstate. I would highly recommend this area to anyone.

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Unique lively city continued - 4/20/2007

The rest of my post that was somehow cut off (Maybe I had too many words for a post on this site. As I am a well rounded educated individual, oh and have all my teeth, I could choose to live anywhere, but choose to stay here, something is just different about this place that keeps me here. Maybe because its like no place else in this country. I Currenly don't live in Lafayette but work in Lafayette, Am Currenly in Opelousas about a 20 min drive north of Lafayette (Only because of the cost of housing to me is too high in lafayette and has gotten worse since the hurricanes of 2005 As we say done here Leze Le Bon Temps Rouler (Let the Good times Roll) and Joir De Vive (Joy Of Living). Lafayette is a city of Life and Good times. John P. Breaux Citizen of the state of Louisiana (not the Former Senator that Resides in Maryland)

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Uniquely different - 4/20/2007

I don't know what all the negative commets about Lafayette are for. I was raised in this very Unique Louisiana City. The City has a Very lively and Unique Culture. Yes We the people of Lafayette are very different from most places in this Cookie Clutter Country. At least most of our Neighborhoods are Unique and most homes don't look the same and are different Architecturaly. We are a very Different City than most Louisiana Cities. You Can Travel From one end of the state to the other and No Dialect is the same, New Orleanians sound like there from Boston or other New England Dialect. Lafayette people have a very differnt dialect all on there own cher. Lafayette and Surrounding area is one of the fastest growing cities in the state of Louisiana even before Katrina & Rita. If it was so bad Schools, Roads, People, Then why is it one of the fastest growing cities in the state. (As some where saying in Other post that schools and other quality of life issues were horrible). Yes We do have our problems like most American cities Do. Yes it does get hot an Humid, but I'd rather be warm than cold. And its easier to beat the heat these days, Its a modern thing Called Air Conditioning(For those who are Complaining about the heat). With all the different Resturants & Fresh seafood is plentiful, Cajun Spicy Food, theres enough to satisfy anyones taste buds. Also there is the National Chain restruants if you don't like the Local Resturants. We are a very Laid back People, Who are never in a rush to get anywhere, and Family is the most important thing in most peoples lives here. Even if some family member does something to offend the other, Folks blood is thicker than water. I have traveled to many places the worst so far I've been to is Las Vegas, Very Rude People there, People there are very much all about themselves, there is no culture and no respect for others. At least when you get a flat tire or car troubles People here in Lafayette (and surrounding area)stop to help. Every Friday in the Spring and Fall there are Downtown Concert series Called Downtown Alive, Where else in the country and you have a big dance party in the middle of the street, Representing many different types of music. Its nice to see all the diffent people and Cultures mixing with each other and having a good time. With the Downtown Revitalization, New Buisness and old are thriving in the once dead downtown area. As I am a well rounded educated individual, oh and have

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here to stay - 2/27/2007

I am an outsider but I've been here for 12 years. I feel very accepted anywhere I go. Cajun people are just like everybody else; if you are friendly, they are friendly in return. I love the food and the culture, however I am not a party goer nor do I participate in Marti Gras. There seems to be more partying here than other places I,ve been: that is the biggest negative to me. The hot humid weather is unpleasant at first but you get acclimated to it after awhile. I'd rather have the heat than the cold in winter any day. Love the swamps, cypress trees and spanish moss. I am here to stay

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Leaving Lafayette... - 10/13/2006

Having been part of a military family for 16 years now, I have lived in a lot of places, in various parts of the country. I must say that Louisiana is the least favorite place I have lived. The town is pretty much trashy, except for certain exclusive areas. The people won't like you at first, give them a couple of years. The schools are at the bottom of the nation's list for a reason. Pay for a private school, it is worth it. Have you ever noticed a lot of LA license plates on the highway? It is because you have to leave LA to find anywhere nice to visit. The festivals, booze and food is aplenty, but most of the natural resources have already been screwed up. We have requested to leave this area early. Moving on...

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Culture - 9/12/2006

The University of Louisiana offers many opportunities for music, plays and the like. Also the acadiana symphony orchestra offers a lot of free performances. There are lots of concerts (pop and country) at the Cajundome. There are also many chances to experience cajun/creole culture.

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I must disagree, it's a great place to live - 5/6/2006

I'm a Cajun, raised in the Lafayette area and like many young people I moved away after I graduated from USL. I've had the opportunity to live in every region of this country and travel to others. I've learned that there are good and bad aspects of anyplace you live. The culture here is slow and easy and the family is the most important aspect of their lives. The culture that was said to be non-existant is apparent in the multitude of festivals that are held practically every weekend in the spring and summer. The weather is hard to take, which is why I don't live there, but better than the desert SW like Phoenix. Then again, it's all what you make of it. I don't know where these people are from who are denegrating the Cajun people, but I've never been anywhere with kinder more generous people. Just have a flat tire, anywhere else in this country you are on your own. In Cajun country you'll be turning away help.

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I must disagree, it's a great place to live - 5/6/2006

I was raised in Lafayette and like many young people couldn't wait to leave. I've had an opportunity to live in every region of this country and after military life and travel nursing I've found out that there are good and bad aspects to any place you live. I miss the people and culture of Lafayette. I agree the weather is hard to take, which is why I don't live there, but I prefer it to Phoenix. It's all a matter of taste. As far as the people, I don't know where these other people who are denegrating the Cajuns are from, but I've never been anywhere where the people were nicer or more accepting of outsiders. Remember, until the 1940s this was a very isolated Cajun area, now filled with people from all walks of life and different areas of the world. It's uneducated people who judge a whole culture on the actions of a few.

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SOME NICE PEOPLE< NOT A NICE TOWN - 4/29/2006

I have lived here for 2 years. The people are friendly for the most part. In every town you will find jerks, no exception here. Cajun people are unlike any other and they seem to live in a world of there own. Culture and food is a big thing here, I don't like the food much and the folk music is horrible. There is not much to do here except eat out at the many restaurants. There is fishing, if you have a boat and can handle the mosquitoes and bugs. Did I mention the bugs, millions of mosquitoes and bugs?? As for the town itself I find it dull and boring, there is ZERO natural beauty, houses workshops, factories and trailer homes can share the same street, there is no order; very messy. The roads are outrageous, best suited to 4x4's, worst I have ever seen. It is VERY HOT and HUMID here, it is horrible. Food is a big thing here because there is nothing else to do especially when you are hiding from the heat. Heat brings bugs and mosquitoes!! I can not wait to get out of here. I have lived all over the world, Louisiana is the worst place I have been to, Lafayette is one of the worst towns in Louisiana. I hate this place! An average toilet bowl is more interesting than this town!

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Ugly town some nice people - 4/28/2006

I have lived here for 2 years. The people are friendly for the most part. In every town you will find jerks, no exception here. Cajun people are unlike any other and they seem to live in a world of there own. Culture and food is a big thing here, I don't like the food much and the folk music is horrible. There is not much to do here except eat out at the many restaurants. There is fishing, if you have a boat and can handle the mosquitoes and bugs. Did I mention the bugs, millions of mosquitoes and bugs?? As for the town itself I find it dull and boring, there is ZERO natural beauty, houses workshops, factories and trailer homes can share the same street, there is no order; very messy. The roads are outrageous, best suited to 4x4's, worst I have ever seen. It is VERY HOT and HUMID here, it is horrible. Food is a big thing here because there is nothing else to do especially when you are hiding from the heat. Heat brings bugs and mosquitoes!! I can not wait to get out of here. I have lived all over the world, Louisiana is the worst place I have been to, Lafayette is one of the worst towns in Louisiana. I hate this place! An average toilet bowl is more interesting than this town!

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Some nice people, not nice town - 4/28/2006

I have lived here for 2 years. The people are friendly for the most part. In every town you will find jerks, no exception here. Cajun people are unlike any other and they seem to live in a world of there own. Culture and food is a big thing here, I don't like the food much and the folk music is horrible. There is not much to do here except eat out at the many restaurants. There is fishing, if you have a boat and can handle the mosquitoes and bugs. Did I mention the bugs, millions of mosquitoes and bugs?? As for the town itself I find it dull and boring, there is ZERO natural beauty, houses workshops, factories and trailer homes can share the same street, there is no order; very messy. The roads are outrageous, best suited to 4x4's, worst I have ever seen. It is VERY HOT and HUMID here, it is horrible. Food is a big thing here because there is nothing else to do especially when you are hiding from the heat. Heat brings bugs and mosquitoes!! I can not wait to get out of here. I have lived all over the world, Louisiana is the worst place I have been to, Lafayette is one of the worst towns in Louisiana. I hate this place! An average toilet bowl is more interesting than this town!

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Lafayette-pretty town--nice people. - 12/13/2005

Jack and Terri comments are totally wrong. I am not from Lafayette but I am here to tell you it is a beautiful city with great architecture and friendly people. Cajun people and people from the South are some of the nicest people--shame on you. Cajun food is the best tasting food in the USA. People from this area do everthing in excess--their food --architecture-- decorating and parties. To me that is great--if you got it flaunt it sugar. There are alot of educated people whom live here in Louisiana--they are not all illiterate, most of them have their teeth and most of them do not live in trailer parks. You encounter illiterate,toothless trailer trash in all 50 states not just Lafayette or Louisiana.

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Lafayette, LA - 11/20/2005

This is the Heart of Acadiana, Cajun Country. Great food, people and churches. Great health care can be found, caring doctors and nurses. Plenty of outdoor activities especially if you like hunting and fishing both fresh and salt water. ENJOY

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"Come See" WATERBOY, live and in-person. - 8/25/2005

I was prompted to register to this site because of Terri's comments about Lafayette. As far as her comments go, no truer words have ever been written! She hit the nail on the head. You will never in your life find people who are more idiotic, racist, inconsiderate, and selfish as the citizens of Lafayette, Louisiana. Everything these people do or say is done with such an arrogant pretense. For one, their city is located several miles off the main freeway, as not to attract passer-bys. If it weren't for the huge "LAFAYETTE: THIS EXIT" sign, people would undoubtably drive pass, because the city is hidden away. And don't think that wasn't done on purpose. They won't accept your kind unless you've lived there all your life. They can smell an outsider a mile away. If you must go to Lafayette, develop a fake southern accent, knock out some of your teeth, wave the Confederate flag, pretend like you're having trouble counting, and change your last name to Hebert ("A bear") or Broussard ("BREW-sard" with emphasis on "brew"). Above all else, think of yourself first and you should do fine in Lafayette. To paint a better picture about the life and times of Cajuns, go watch Waterboy with Adam Sandler. There is not one ounce of exaggeration in that movie! Lastly, Louisiana ranks 49th in the United States for education (behind Mississippi). Believe me, it won't take long for you to realize that rank is well-deserved.

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outsiders not welcome - 6/20/2005

cajuns accept only one way of doing things - their way. i guess with nothing else going for them, they can at least take the red-neck approach and say "if ya werent born here, ya aint good enough". no culture and all the fast food restaurants you could ever want. dull and lazy.

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