Moving to Baton Rouge, LA

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Baton Rouge At-A-Glance

Moving to Baton Rouge puts you straight in the beating heart of Louisiana, its capital and second-largest city after New Orleans. Here, over 220,000 people bring the city to life, each adding a bit of their own story to a place where history is still pretty much alive and reminding us all of its role in the Deep South’s past. 

About an hour’s drive from New Orleans, it offers easy access to the Gulf Coast and, thanks to its prime spot on the Mississippi River, it is also a hub for the energy industry. But it’s not all work and no play; Louisiana State University (LSU) keeps things young and fresh with its sparkling campus life in Baton Rouge.

Ready to make your move? You’re stepping into a mix of past glory, academic buzz and riverfront charm, all rolled into one. You’re going to love it.

Good Food Pairs Well With Staying Active

After moving to Baton Rouge, you’ll notice the streets simply hum with Cajun and Creole rhythms. And it’s not just during Mardi Gras but all year round. You can tap your feet to zydeco music at a weekend festival and indulge in spicy jambalaya and sweet beignets as you please.

Now, like all delicious food out there, these should probably come with health warnings. No worries, the city is tackling its health challenges head-on. With obesity being an increasing problem for all ages, the city quickly came up with HealthyBR, a set of programs that help promote a healthier lifestyle. How? Since everyone should eat better and stay active, they bring you accessible fresh food and free fitness classes.

Family-friendly? Absolutely. In fact, Baton Rouge has the highest number of playgrounds per child in the country. And the weather? Insane humidity and heat aside, you can easily enjoy a family day out by the Mississippi or a picnic in one of the many green spaces around. Just don’t forget to bring your mosquito repellant along.

A Diverse Economy With a Low Cost of Living

In Baton Rouge, the dollar goes a long way. The living cost here is only slightly below the national average, but 13% cheaper than New Orleans. This city is a mix of industries, with big oil and gas companies like ExxonMobil and Dow Chemical as key players. Healthcare and education sectors are also doing pretty well, thanks to large medical centers and universities like LSU. Jobs in state government are a major plus, and tech is up-and-coming, especially in software and digital media. Do you know what else is booming lately? Construction.

The unemployment rate in Baton Rouge constantly beats the national figure, which is great. And while people here aren’t all rolling in cash, their incomes hold up pretty well, just 8% shy of New Orleans’ levels. What does that mean for you? Baton Rouge is a cool place where you can work, earn and still have money left for fun — you don’t have to be rich to live well here.

Unemployment rate: 3.2 percent (as of October 2023)

Average weekly wages for all industries in the Baton Rouge area: $1,234 (Q1 2023)

Affordable Housing To Own or Rent in Baton Rouge

There’s a very large share of seriously underwater mortgages in Baton Rouge and the percentage of delinquent mortgage holders is among the highest in the U.S. This could be the reason why only about 48% of residents own their homes, compared to nearly 65% throughout the U.S.

Despite this, the real estate market is fairly competitive and affordable housing is a main draw to the area. The median home value of $217,700 in Baton Rouge makes it 22-23% more affordable than New Orleans or most places in the country, really. At the same time, median gross rent barely goes over $1,000 — that’s 20% less than the national median rent.

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Baton Rouge Neighborhoods Are as Diverse as It Gets

Now, let’s do a bit of neighborhood research before moving to Baton Rouge, just to make sure you get the right fit for your lifestyle and budget:

If you’re into the artsy scene, Mid City is your go-to. There are a lot of cool local shops in the area, and artists, singles and young professionals all love it. It’s affordable too, which is a big plus.

Families and those just about to start their careers, check out Old Goodwood. You get lush green spaces and larger homes, while still not too far from shopping spots.

For those who love history with a side of fun, Spanish Town is just perfect. Established in 1805, it is known for its colorful Mardi Gras parade, the largest in town.

How about family-friendly living with a mix of, well, everything? Southdowns is the place you’re looking for: a variety of local eats, with easy access to LSU Lakes for a dash of outdoor fun.

Baton Rouge Revolves Around Cars

With about 100 hours each year spent in rush hour traffic, it’s clear biking isn’t a big hit here — blame it on the limited bike lanes and the sticky, hot weather. Most folks in Baton Rouge drive, and surprisingly, the average commute is just 21.5 minutes. That’s faster than many other places across the U.S. which need about 26-27 minutes on average.

Public transport? Sure, there are some options — 29 bus lines run by CATS to be more precise. So, while Baton Rouge leans heavily on cars, you’ve still got some choices, especially if you’re looking to avoid the hassle of driving and parking.

You Can Get a Good Education Here

There are over 40,000 kids in pre-K to 12th grade in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. This is the second biggest school district in Louisiana with over 80 schools, including 5 magnet schools of excellence.

For students wanting hands-on skills, there’s CTEC. Here, they can acquire medical skills and learn how to build all sorts of things. They can earn certifications and work towards a college degree while still in high school. Turning to higher ed, Baton Rouge Community College is the go-to for practical skills and getting job-ready fast.

Then there’s Southern University and A&M College, and we cannot forget about LSU, of course. It’s home to over 35,000 students and is one of only 24 universities nationwide with land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant designations. Not to mention its campus is a true gem with over 1,000 oaks and some stunning architecture that is a century old.

So, are you ready to join live mascot Mike and be part of the Tiger Twelve? That’s the outstanding seniors recognized each year by LSU for their positive contributions to the life of the campus, local community or society in general.

Hot, Humid Summers With a Side of Mild Winters

Springtime in Baton Rouge is really pleasant and just right for strolling through gardens and parks. As summer arrives, so does the heat. It’s a humid subtropical climate after all. But fear not, fall graces Baton Rouge with slightly cooler and nicer weather once again, setting the stage for lively festivals and outdoor concerts. Plus the trees put on their lovely reds and oranges, casting a warm glow over the city. And then, when winter arrives, while the rest of the country bundles up, Baton Rouge enjoys mild and inviting weather.

But here’s the twist: The city experiences hurricane season from June to November. Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall happen quite often during this period. So, pack sunscreen and a raincoat before moving to Baton Rouge — you will need both.

Summer average (June – Aug): 92℉ high, 73℉ low

Winter average (Dec – Feb): 64℉ high, 43℉ low

10 Can’t-Miss Things to Do in Baton Rouge

The one thing you’ll surely do after moving to Baton Rouge is attend the great Mardi Gras parade in Spanish Town. Of course, that’s not until the Saturday before Mardi Gras, so you have to keep yourself busy somehow else, right? Well, options here are aplenty:

  1. The Cajun and Creole cuisine is like nowhere else. Go ahead and savor authentic Louisiana dishes like gumbo, jambalaya and crawfish at the many local restaurants.
  2. Take a swamp tour to witness the beauty of Louisiana’s wetlands. It’s a unique ecosystem and you’re going to appreciate having a guide.
  3. Experience the excitement of college football at LSU’s Tiger Stadium. That’s the true Louisiana sports experience.
  4. Attend the Baton Rouge Blues Festival. It’s free, family-friendly and takes place every year in April in downtown Baton Rouge.
  5. Visit the USS Kidd Veterans Museum. Located on a WWII-era destroyer, it features cool exhibits on naval history. You can also spend the night there — hundreds of children and adults choose to every year, but you must put together a group of at least 20 people.
  6. Explore all the art galleries and creative spaces spread throughout the Mid City cultural district.
  7. Head to BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo. Just 15 minutes north of downtown, it features animals from all around the world. Plus, it has a specialized volunteer program for teens.
  8. You can’t miss the Louisiana State Capitol — it’s the tallest in the U.S. Head over to the Observation Deck on floor 27 and you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the Capitol lakes and gardens.
  9. Enjoy the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra’s classical and pop music performances throughout the year.
  10. Jog or bike along the Mississippi River levee from downtown Baton Rouge. It used to go for about 4 miles past LSU to Farr Park but is now 12.5 miles long and still growing.

Bonus: Go see the “Red Stick” — a sculpture at Scott’s Bluff, by Southern University’s campus, that pays homage to how the city got its name.

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