Started By
Message
re: Which SEC town offers the best quality of life?
Posted on 7/3/15 at 11:22 pm to DaleDenton
Posted on 7/3/15 at 11:22 pm to DaleDenton
Good thing this thread is specifically about SEC towns then
1
Posted on 7/4/15 at 12:15 am to BowlJackson
Wouldn't wanna live in BR, but I love living just outside of it. Nice downtown area that's coming on strong. People ignore it but we have an IMAX-type theater that actually has better technology in it than only five other theaters in the U.S. Just doesn't carry first run films like IMAX contracted for.
There's an avid cycling community in BR, and a gorgeous new casino on the river owned by the Bellagio group called L'Auberge Baton Rouge. The food is better here than anywhere, easily.
The state's voucher program allows-or is meant to allow-children to attend any school they like in Baton Rouge. There's also a burgeoning magnet program growing in the Parish Public School System that has gotten good early reviews.
Baton Rouge has a virally expanding community based local healthcare system that is bolstered by FOUR Hospitals and Three ER's in the Parish. On top of that, the Our Lady of the Lake System has poured staggering sums into creating a regionally acclaimed Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
LSU and the Downtown Development District have beautified downtown, worked on beautifying the levees and created integrated linear green spaces/parks. They're also reworking the LSU Lakes and ensuring their environmental stability.
The Shaw Art Center downtown is a huge draw. I went there a few years ago to see a massive Rodin exhibit (the sculptor who did The Thinking Man statue) and it cost me a whopping $5.
The Parish has passed a massive tax to support the Library System and another $70,000,000 one to support BREC, the local parks and rec system, which maintains a ton of courses. BR has about a dozen if not more courses with public access, including some of the finest in the state.
Baton Rouge has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation and has inked agreements with IBM to create a massive new data/tech center downtown that's set to finish construction shortly and of course there is a thriving petrochemical presence in the sector as well.
Baton Rouge is less than 20 minutes from amazing fishing and hunting, in particular the Amite/Tickfaw/Diversion Canal area along with Lake Maurepas. We all know it's less than an hour from NOLA.
The crime statistics are concentrated in a tightly packed area within only a few zip codes in East Baton Rouge and much of the problems have arisen in the past decade when New Orleans moved in and simply decided not to move out.
Last but not least I'm not even from BR. I prefer living in a bedroom community out in the country. But I know a fantastic metro area when I see it, and from an employment to education to cultural opportunity and perspective, the five Parish Metro Baton Rouge Area is a great place to live.
Is it #1? Hell I dunno. I'm sure Nashville, Athens and lots of other places are wonderful. But I'd recommend anyone to live, work and definitely come enjoy yourself here.
There's an avid cycling community in BR, and a gorgeous new casino on the river owned by the Bellagio group called L'Auberge Baton Rouge. The food is better here than anywhere, easily.
The state's voucher program allows-or is meant to allow-children to attend any school they like in Baton Rouge. There's also a burgeoning magnet program growing in the Parish Public School System that has gotten good early reviews.
Baton Rouge has a virally expanding community based local healthcare system that is bolstered by FOUR Hospitals and Three ER's in the Parish. On top of that, the Our Lady of the Lake System has poured staggering sums into creating a regionally acclaimed Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
LSU and the Downtown Development District have beautified downtown, worked on beautifying the levees and created integrated linear green spaces/parks. They're also reworking the LSU Lakes and ensuring their environmental stability.
The Shaw Art Center downtown is a huge draw. I went there a few years ago to see a massive Rodin exhibit (the sculptor who did The Thinking Man statue) and it cost me a whopping $5.
The Parish has passed a massive tax to support the Library System and another $70,000,000 one to support BREC, the local parks and rec system, which maintains a ton of courses. BR has about a dozen if not more courses with public access, including some of the finest in the state.
Baton Rouge has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation and has inked agreements with IBM to create a massive new data/tech center downtown that's set to finish construction shortly and of course there is a thriving petrochemical presence in the sector as well.
Baton Rouge is less than 20 minutes from amazing fishing and hunting, in particular the Amite/Tickfaw/Diversion Canal area along with Lake Maurepas. We all know it's less than an hour from NOLA.
The crime statistics are concentrated in a tightly packed area within only a few zip codes in East Baton Rouge and much of the problems have arisen in the past decade when New Orleans moved in and simply decided not to move out.
Last but not least I'm not even from BR. I prefer living in a bedroom community out in the country. But I know a fantastic metro area when I see it, and from an employment to education to cultural opportunity and perspective, the five Parish Metro Baton Rouge Area is a great place to live.
Is it #1? Hell I dunno. I'm sure Nashville, Athens and lots of other places are wonderful. But I'd recommend anyone to live, work and definitely come enjoy yourself here.
This post was edited on 7/4/15 at 12:18 am
Posted on 7/4/15 at 12:18 am to GFunk
quote:
Wouldn't wanna live in BR,
Thanks for being honest.
Posted on 7/4/15 at 2:15 am to DaleDenton
Fayetteville people hate the Little Rock people for some reason. They turn their noses up at us.
This post was edited on 7/4/15 at 2:16 am
Posted on 7/4/15 at 2:48 am to ryanexsus
quote:
Fayetteville people hate the Little Rock people for some reason. They turn their noses up at us.
Because #WRTS
Posted on 7/4/15 at 6:41 am to WeeWee
quote:Once you hit BR, just stay south and you'll be fine. South of I-12 and south of I-10 after the 10/12 split.
Last would be BR. I would hate to raise kids in BR.
There are very good Private HS's in BR and many very nice areas, just stay South young man. (Except for "Corporate Blvd-Town Center" area which IS North of I-10, but only a short distance)
If you venture off course, the farther North you go, the scarier it gets.
That being said, it's still way behind in the rankings of SEC towns. Not as bad as the general perception, but still not in top half of the 14 SEC towns for overall quality of life. The demographics of the city have totally changed since Hurricane Katrina and have made it a much less desirable place to live overall.
Unless you were born/raised here and attended L.S.U., (And are still an L.S.U. fanatic) there is no real reason to be here. Many L.S.U. Grads can't find good jobs, so they move to Houston or Dallas.
Did I mention, stay SOUTH.....
This post was edited on 7/4/15 at 7:13 am
Posted on 7/4/15 at 8:56 am to semjase
Actually, many LSU grads DO stay in BR area and in state.
As was mentioned a few posts up, 1. BR has one of the lowest unemployment rates in America.
2. The new huge tech center being built downtown.
3. Shaw industries.
4. Gas and oil jobs have and still attract engineering snd petochemical grads not just from LSU, but all over the world.
5. BR is a great place to raise a family and for recreation with beautiful municipal parks, golf courses, festivals, the US Hot Air Balloon competition, water parks, shopping, and museums such as the Shaw Art Center.
6. LSU
As was mentioned a few posts up, 1. BR has one of the lowest unemployment rates in America.
2. The new huge tech center being built downtown.
3. Shaw industries.
4. Gas and oil jobs have and still attract engineering snd petochemical grads not just from LSU, but all over the world.
5. BR is a great place to raise a family and for recreation with beautiful municipal parks, golf courses, festivals, the US Hot Air Balloon competition, water parks, shopping, and museums such as the Shaw Art Center.
6. LSU
Posted on 7/4/15 at 8:59 am to ryanexsus
I think Little Rock is about the only place most people not from Arky would be open to living in. Fayeteville doesn't have enough jobs to be discussed realistically.
I've talked to a few engineering firms in BR the past 10 years, including Jacobs. I think overall they may be better for engineering than New Orleans now. I don't care for the scenery in BR or Louisiana in general and is too far from mountains.
I've talked to a few engineering firms in BR the past 10 years, including Jacobs. I think overall they may be better for engineering than New Orleans now. I don't care for the scenery in BR or Louisiana in general and is too far from mountains.
This post was edited on 7/4/15 at 9:02 am
Posted on 7/4/15 at 11:30 am to MetryTyger
If Athens is off the table, then Baton Rouge it is.
Posted on 7/4/15 at 11:35 am to Jamie Lannister
quote:
I think Little Rock is about the only place most people not from Arky would be open to living in. Fayeteville doesn't have enough jobs to be discussed realistically.
This statement couldn't be farther from the truth, and that's coming from someone who has lived in the Little Rock area their entire life. Little Rock plateaued about a decade ago, whereas NWA (Fayetteville, Springdale, Rodgers, Bentonville) has seen explosive growth. NWA is the "trendy" new place for large businesses to set up shop, and the population is booming up there from both out of state transfers and Arkansans looking for new job opportunities.
Posted on 7/4/15 at 1:11 pm to LSUbase13
Athens is by far my favorite. College street at Auburn is fun I guess.
Lexington and Fayetteville deserve some recognition.
I love living in Tuscaloosa. Always take my pontoon out on Lake Tuscaloosa, downtown has been revamped and is more lively and is still growing, good parks, golf courses are good ( Ol Colony is being renovated), and there's great BBQ. I wouldn't say T-Town is the best college town, but it's a fun city that's had major retail boom since the tornado and revitalized the downtown and riverfront.
Lexington and Fayetteville deserve some recognition.
I love living in Tuscaloosa. Always take my pontoon out on Lake Tuscaloosa, downtown has been revamped and is more lively and is still growing, good parks, golf courses are good ( Ol Colony is being renovated), and there's great BBQ. I wouldn't say T-Town is the best college town, but it's a fun city that's had major retail boom since the tornado and revitalized the downtown and riverfront.
This post was edited on 7/4/15 at 2:03 pm
Posted on 7/4/15 at 4:47 pm to LSUbase13
1. Knoxville...I'm biased, but it has everything you want. Good schools, a lot to do, a small town feel and city life, outdoor activities, great food, and many new breweries opening up. Oh, and very little crime for a city its size.
2. Lexington....Nice and quiet with a good amount of stuff to do. Some fun new breweries and bourbon distilleries a short drive away. Beautiful part of the country. Solid schools. A good place to raise a family.
3. Nashville....Just an awesome place. Big city and growing. Very fun for all ages and great living in or around the city.
Those are my top 3. Oxford is ok, but just doesn't do it for me. Athens is fun and unique, but I wouldn't want to raise a family there.
Baton Rouge is meh. Auburn...no.
Never been to Fayetteville, College Station, or Columbia, Mo.
2 cities that should be at the bottom of every list is Gainesville and Tuscaloosa.
2. Lexington....Nice and quiet with a good amount of stuff to do. Some fun new breweries and bourbon distilleries a short drive away. Beautiful part of the country. Solid schools. A good place to raise a family.
3. Nashville....Just an awesome place. Big city and growing. Very fun for all ages and great living in or around the city.
Those are my top 3. Oxford is ok, but just doesn't do it for me. Athens is fun and unique, but I wouldn't want to raise a family there.
Baton Rouge is meh. Auburn...no.
Never been to Fayetteville, College Station, or Columbia, Mo.
2 cities that should be at the bottom of every list is Gainesville and Tuscaloosa.
Posted on 7/4/15 at 4:53 pm to LSUbase13
Nashville, Knoxville, Lexington, Fayetteville would be my first 4 choices.
Posted on 7/4/15 at 4:59 pm to volfan30
Tuscaloosa, Athens, Fayetteville, and Nashville
This post was edited on 7/4/15 at 5:00 pm
Page 9 of 9
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News