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Paisley Murphy moving

Relocating to Baton Rouge, LA — pros and cons?

Longtime lurker here, I'm retired and Poverty rate is 18.6%, which is higher than I expected. Household incomes average around $49,944 in Baton Rouge. Homes are going for about $224,500 on average. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Anyone in a similar situation? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
31 upvotes

7 Replies

Clara Adams
Bought a house here in 2024 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
38 upvotes
Alyssa C.
I work in consulting here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is decent. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Aiden A.
glad someone said it
16 upvotes
Jayden Parker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in The Heights for 3 years. Moved from LA for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.

**Employment:**
government is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Sebastian Martin
Bought a house here in 2023 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
9 upvotes
columbusvibes2022
+1
5 upvotes
Megan W.
yeah no that's not right
0 upvotes
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