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Friday, March 03, 2023

What to Know About Baton Rouge – Your Moving Guide

Baton Rouge, LA

What to Know About Baton Rouge – Your Moving Guide

Congratulations on making the decision to move to beautiful Baton Rouge, Louisiana! Moving can be a stressful and complex process, but it doesn’t have to be. With our Baton Rouge moving guide, you’ll get the information you need in one place – from finding amazing neighborhoods that suit your taste and lifestyle to what you can look forward to doing once you’re settled into your new home. Whether this is your first time moving or you’ve done it many times before, let us help you get familiar with your new hometown.

Baton Rouge is super affordable

One of the perks of living in Louisiana is its affordable cost of living, and the state capital Baton Rouge is no exception. US News & World Report named the city as Louisiana’s best city for living. Why? A big reason is likely how it will go easy on your pocketbook.

It may not be nicknamed the “Big Easy,” but its overall cost of living is 7% less than what you’d spend in a typical US city. Only healthcare and transportation costs were above average. You’ll save big in housing and utilities, which are usually our largest expenditures. Its stunning housing options come 32% lower than the national average.

MIT’s Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult living in Baton Rouge would need to make $16.38 for a living wage that covers essential expenses with some padding. A family of four with two children and one working adult would need $37.07 or a pre-tax salary of $77,101.

Expenditures are pretty reasonable. That same family could pay around $11,564 per year in food costs and $14,484 in transportation. The average resident in East Baton Rouge County spent $2,556 per year on their electric bill. Internet services averaged about $69 a month, while utility costs averaged $137 per month for a small apartment.

Growth is slow and steady

Baton Rouge LA population growth

If you’re considering moving to Baton Rouge, you’re not alone. This part of Louisiana is growing, albeit slowly and steadily. From 2010 to 2020, the US Census reports East Baton Rouge Parish, which covers the greater metro area, added around 16,000 new residents. The metro and surrounding parishes surpassed one million people in 2020.

This is Louisiana’s largest parish by land mass, but its growth rate has been a little under 0.5% year-over-year for the past decade. This is still a gain after years of being stagnant. South Louisiana has been where the state has grown the most as people seek to live in affordable areas closer to the coast. From 2015-2019, New Orleans was the top place these new residents moved from, but Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth were two other leading in-migration sources.

Job market is looking up

This is the epicenter for employment, as the city-parish provides 62% of the region’s jobs. Baton Rouge’s unemployment rate in December 2022 was 3.0%, below the US average of 3.5% for the same month. The local unemployment rate trended under the national average for several prior months, signaling opportunities for new residents and economic growth.

While the median salary of $49,260 is below the national average, remember you also have a lower cost of living.

Louisiana’s oil and gas industry thrives in Baton Rouge, where the top employers are energy, industry, and construction. This industry is anticipated to keep growing in 2023.

If you’re looking for a job within public services, you’re in the right spot, thanks to the city’s status as the state capital. Not only does government work add stability, but so do the ample opportunities in education. Nearby Louisiana State University and Southern University bring in young talent and an educated workforce.

Workers lining up and smiling

For health care workers, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Hospital is one of the biggest hospitals in Louisiana and the region’s leading employer.

Real estate is reasonable

Your home choices in Baton Rouge range from historic homes dating to the antebellum period to modern, master-planned communities with the latest amenities.

Best of all, it’s highly affordable compared to the national real estate prices. At the end of 2022, the US market reported home sales had fallen for the eleventh straight month while homes had a median price of $366,900, a 2.3% increase year-over-year.

Baton Rouge’s market mimicked what we saw across the nation. Pending sales dropped 22.8% for the year, and new listings were down 8.5%, while median sale prices rose 6.7% to $255,000. So while these home prices were up, they’re still well below the national rate.

By the end of the year, Baton Rouge had a 2.5 months supply of inventory, signaling 2023 was starting as a seller’s market.

Great communities

One of the most challenging parts of moving into a new area is figuring out where to live. Which areas have the right mix of amenities you want? What’s available at your price point?

The answers vary person-to-person, but we’d like to highlight a few Baton Rouge neighborhoods in high demand or showing growth.

MidCity is the “trendy” part of Baton Rouge with chic shops and plush restaurants, while Garden District embodies a more traditional feel with its historic homes and majestic live oaks that adorn its streets.

Southdowns features oak-lined streets with easy access to downtown Baton Rouge and the LSU campus. Its Mardi Gras festival is unique for the flamingos that crop up around town and LSU Lakes.

Residents in Zachary can enjoy small-town charm combined with easy access to the community services they need. Families like how the Zoo is just down the road, and appreciate its top-rated school system.

Lastly, Spanishtown stands out for being one of Baton Rouge’s oldest districts representing its unique melting pot history. Residents live near downtown, Capitol Lake, and several city parks.

Summers are steam baths

This is the South. Anyone moving here should know they’re in for hot, humid summers and mild winters. July average highs hover around 91F, and it averages ten days of precipitation. Even if it’s not raining, the humidity means your clothes will feel soaked walking out the door some days. Meanwhile, January lows bottom out at 40F, making it the best time of year to be outside. April and October are the driest months.

Better education options

Baton Rouge has an impressive selection of quality educational institutions for families! East Baton Rouge Parish is the state’s largest public school system and operates 99 schools. With 26 high schools earning recognition from US News and World Report as being among the nation’s best, plus around 54 private school options, including both secular and religious programs, there is sure to be a perfect option for your family.

In addition to the East Baton Rouge Public School System, the surrounding suburbs have broken off into independent school districts, like Central and Zachary Community, with several consistently ranking as the state’s top-performing districts.

A car is best for getting around

The hands-down easiest way to navigate Baton Rouge is by car. It has the Capital Area Transit System, the bus network, with seven downtown routes, but the buses have a reputation for running infrequently. The Capitol Park Trolley provides free service around the downtown area.

Gumbo, po’boys, and BBQ

Louisiana has a melting pot of flavors inspired by the various cultures that lived and occupied the region. Locals have their favorite po’boy joint, and you’ll find Cajun and Creole dining. Find down-home cooking at places like George’s, where you can dive into shrimp etouffee and chicken fried steak. Fresh-caught seafood is a highlight, but which place serves it best is a toss-up. Some locals like Parrain’s for the Andouille-crusted fish or Juban’s for Seafood Diablo.

While Southern and Cajun flavors dominate, the dining scene is diversifying. You’ll find big chains like Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Zorba’s Greek Bistro. New craft breweries and distilleries are popping up for those that like trying newly brewed flavors.

Your bucket list attractions

Explore the legendary USS Kidd Veterans Museum, a retired naval destroyer docked along Baton Rouge’s downtown riverfront. It’s one of only four ships of its class left and the only one in its World War II configuration.

Baton Rouge Park near the Capitol in Louisiana

The Louisiana State Capitol is the largest state capitol building, rising 34 floors and 450 feet. You can tour the stunning building and get the best view of Baton Rouge from the 27th floor observation deck. For contrast, the Old State Capitol is also open for tours as the Museum of Political History.

Enjoy an exciting day at the family-friendly Baton Rouge Zoo, where you’ll find animals from local and endangered species! Another place people of all ages enjoy is the Louisiana Art & Science Museum, which has interactive activities for the kids.

For those who enjoy a good day out shopping, get your fashion fix in style with a visit to Perkins Rowe. This cool urban outdoor shopping venue offers all sorts of local and well-known brands for retail, entertainment, and dining.

Prepare for LSU game day

After a hard week’s work in Baton Rouge, one of the most rewarding activities is cheering on the beloved LSU Tigers! Every Saturday at Death Valley – the aptly nicknamed Tiger Stadium for its intense and faithful atmosphere – you’ll be surrounded by thousands in an electrifying sea of purple and gold. It promises to be a game-day experience like no other! And even if you’re not going to the stadium, you can’t miss the purple and gold throughout town or the weekend traffic around the campus.

Gorgeous golf courses

If you like to relax on fairways, Baton Rouge has your number. The city has over 30 golf courses across the metro, each with different challenges and amenities to suit your style of play. One unique feature is the Audubon Golf Trail which was curated by golf legends to highlight the unique landscapes in Louisiana golfing. Four area courses are on the list.

East Baton Rouge Parish has six municipal courses. City Park and U.S. Clark are nine-hole courses for quick play, while the 18-hole championship Santa Maria and Beaver Creek are its flagship courses.

Other popular choices include the 100-year-old Baton Rouge Country Club and the LSU Golf Course.

Pets are welcome

Good news for your furry friend! WalletHub calls Baton Rouge one of its top pet-friendly cities. Over 30 parks and green spaces welcome leashed pets, while a large number of restaurants with patio dining will also welcome well-behaved pets with water bowls and treats. Some even have pet-specific happy hours.

Spend the day on the water

Baton Rouge provides several easy boat access points for your kayak, paddleboard, or motorized craft! From the free Glass Beach Boat Launch on the Mississippi River to Floyd’s Morley Marina overlooking the Port Allen Lock, the local waterways feature something for everyone. Fish in shallow sawgrass flats and bayous or have fast-paced boating adventures heading down the Mississippi.

A melting pot of culture

Art is part of the city’s lifeblood. Drive around and discover murals and street artists across the communities.

Mid City does have a concentration of art galleries and studios and hosts several events during the year, like White Light Night, a winter art festival on Government Street featuring live music and local artists. Hot Art Cool Nights occurs in the summer at venues across the neighborhood.

Living in Louisiana, you can’t miss Mardi Gras. Baton Rouge throws its own celebration of parades each year. Find Krewes across town all week long. And, in a unique twist, the event colors here are more pink, thanks to a long-running flamingo tradition.

Live music is another city attraction. The Baton Rouge Blues Festival is one of the largest blues festivals in the nation and is free for all to attend. It’s held downtown each year.

The Louisiana Art & Science Museum is one of the city’s top attractions. It has permanent and rotating exhibits, a planetarium, and outdoor gardens.

Baton Rouge moving resources

Baton Rouge’s utility needs are serviced by a few companies. Generally, water is through the Baton Rouge Water Company. You can check with city services to set up garbage and recycling and see when your pickup is. Entergy provides electric and gas to city residences.

You’ll need to visit the Office of Motor Vehicles for driver’s licenses and car registration. You have 10 days after establishing residency to obtain a new driver’s license. Purchase a Louisiana-based car insurance policy for the vehicle transfer.

Get ready to live in Baton Rouge

Whether you’re single, raising a family, or retiring, you’ll find an opportunity here in Baton Rouge to live life abundantly. With the cost of living below the national average, real estate attractive and abundant, and all the attractions for nightlife and recreation, Baton Rouge can be a fantastic place to call home in Louisiana.

Now is the perfect time to take advantage of all this southern Louisiana city has on deck before more people discover its advantages. Talk to a local real estate agent today about where to live in Baton Rouge!

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Preston Guyton

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