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Started By
Message
Where to buy first home in BR area?
Posted on 2/7/13 at 8:42 pm
Posted on 2/7/13 at 8:42 pm
Background: Wife + I, no kids yet. Both of us are 30 and well established with professional work experience. I know anything can happen, but I don't see either of our job possibilities slacking off anytime soon. My area is in engineering and petro chem. No, I'm not a used car salesman. 
Hers is retail management (area/district level). We do plan on her taking off for kid(s) eventually. We plan on being in Baton Rouge at least 10 years.
Our "issues": Both of us have been in Louisiana less than 3 years. We don't really have any friends here with our same situation on age/income/kid situation/etc. We don't know the neighborhoods here let alone suburbs and outer cities (Zachary, Prairieville, etc). We are not catholic and have no clue what the different school systems are.
Current stats: Earliest we would buy is end of summer '13. Cash flow is relatively good, even counting our $1000/mo current rent and monthly expenses we take in $2500 /mo. One true debt is recent new car, owe $15k. We plan on being able to put down $40k, but still unsure if we really want to.
What we are looking for: An area that will be great in ~10 years. We are both very handy fixer uppers so we are not afraid of work needed. We both agree that our first home should be just that, that with our first home and we want to not only afford it on one salary, but be able to live, travel, have fun with two salaries. However, I don't want to surpass something in a higher range if its worth the investment over 10 years. We know we can say it now, and will be more difficult later, but we don't want to fall in love with the house where we live in it for 30 years. One last thing, we both work in South Baton Rouge, so I'm note sure about living north of Baton Rouge.
So MB, I'm asking advice on where to start researching different "neighborhoods" of BR and the value histories.
Hers is retail management (area/district level). We do plan on her taking off for kid(s) eventually. We plan on being in Baton Rouge at least 10 years. Our "issues": Both of us have been in Louisiana less than 3 years. We don't really have any friends here with our same situation on age/income/kid situation/etc. We don't know the neighborhoods here let alone suburbs and outer cities (Zachary, Prairieville, etc). We are not catholic and have no clue what the different school systems are.
Current stats: Earliest we would buy is end of summer '13. Cash flow is relatively good, even counting our $1000/mo current rent and monthly expenses we take in $2500 /mo. One true debt is recent new car, owe $15k. We plan on being able to put down $40k, but still unsure if we really want to.
What we are looking for: An area that will be great in ~10 years. We are both very handy fixer uppers so we are not afraid of work needed. We both agree that our first home should be just that, that with our first home and we want to not only afford it on one salary, but be able to live, travel, have fun with two salaries. However, I don't want to surpass something in a higher range if its worth the investment over 10 years. We know we can say it now, and will be more difficult later, but we don't want to fall in love with the house where we live in it for 30 years. One last thing, we both work in South Baton Rouge, so I'm note sure about living north of Baton Rouge.
So MB, I'm asking advice on where to start researching different "neighborhoods" of BR and the value histories.
11
Posted on 2/7/13 at 9:02 pm to AutoYes_Clown
quote:
One last thing, we both work in South Baton Rouge, so I'm note sure about living north of Baton Rouge.
I'm biased to Zachary, but this makes me think you may be looking to Ascension.
Zachary property values have only went up for the past few decades with the exception of some high end housing in Copper Mill having trouble holding its value. But that is due to more of a localized issue inside the subdivision that occurred within the last few years.
Zachary has fixer uppers from 100k up in older areas, which are still good subdivisions. Schools are second to none except the best private schools. I could see Zachary declining 3-4 decades from now, but right now its a good place to be.
Also, if you are the real auto yes clown, I would like to get you to perform at some crawfish boils this year.
Posted on 2/7/13 at 9:24 pm to AutoYes_Clown
Southdowns, Shenandoah, Tara, Broadmoor, Spring Lake....all in your price range.
I'd go with Zeeland Gardens or Southdowns. Depends on where you work.
Definately stay south of Florida blvd.
I'd go with Zeeland Gardens or Southdowns. Depends on where you work.
Definately stay south of Florida blvd.
This post was edited on 2/7/13 at 9:28 pm
Posted on 2/7/13 at 9:34 pm to dewster
Zachary could be the next Baker, beware.
I'm in Central, moved here years back, and it's great. no offense, but there are absolutely no hoods in our area.
don't cross the Amite River or traffic will kill you, that's why i avoided the South BTR area or Prarieville.
resale will always be excellent in a good school district.
I'm in Central, moved here years back, and it's great. no offense, but there are absolutely no hoods in our area.
don't cross the Amite River or traffic will kill you, that's why i avoided the South BTR area or Prarieville.
resale will always be excellent in a good school district.
Posted on 2/7/13 at 9:51 pm to lsufan112001
quote:
Zachary could be the next Baker, beware.
Zachary - best schools in the state
Baker - worst schools in the state
Yeah, just because it is close does not mean it is anything like Baker. You can say that about any area in BR that has a low income area 5 miles down the road.
I don't see an Americana subdivision being developed in Baker, 2 brand new schools, new golf courses (2 in the last 5 years), remodeling of all the other schools, 2 brand new Medical centers. Looks like Baker to me! I think the only new thing in Baker is a Walgreens and a remodeled Popeyes. Yeah, we have a few low income streets, but I don't feel I have to lock my car door when I drive through.
Posted on 2/7/13 at 10:17 pm to AutoYes_Clown
Cedarcrest
Posted on 2/7/13 at 10:21 pm to ColdDuck
quote:
Zachary - best schools in the state
Baker - worst schools in the state
Yeah, just because it is close does not mean it is anything like Baker. You can say that about any area in BR that has a low income area 5 miles down the road.
I don't see an Americana subdivision being developed in Baker, 2 brand new schools, new golf courses (2 in the last 5 years), remodeling of all the other schools, 2 brand new Medical centers. Looks like Baker to me! I think the only new thing in Baker is a Walgreens and a remodeled Popeyes. Yeah, we have a few low income streets, but I don't feel I have to lock my car door when I drive through.
If he is referring to the race ratios, Zachary has always had a large black population. The schools are something like 60/40.
Baker has truly idiotic people running the city. The mayor is one of the few decent people in Baker and he gets regularly chastised for things like, *gasp*, cutting off water when people don't pay their bill.
Zachary will be ok for a long time.
Posted on 2/7/13 at 10:22 pm to AutoYes_Clown
Zachary is a nice community to raise a family and prices have been fairly steady. You also have choice - you may want a larger lot with an acre or two, or something in a subdivision. We lived there for a little over 10 years before moving to Lafayette. We bought and sold a couple of houses in addition to having rental property. It was very good to us. I've sold real estate for over 20 years and if you have any questions, I would be happy to help. Its nice to think we will find our forever home, but our needs change over the years - you just need to figure out whats important to you - schools, community, land, commute time. Best of luck!
Posted on 2/7/13 at 11:40 pm to AutoYes_Clown
oak hills
Posted on 2/8/13 at 4:35 am to AutoYes_Clown
Since you don't have to worry about kids and schools for a while, consider Garden District, Old Goodwood, even downtown in Spanish Town. All easy commutes to South Baton Rouge because you're going against the traffic. Southdowns IMO is way overpriced. You'll experience living in a real neighborhood instead of a suburban bubble.
There are a lot of young people in Broadmoor and you'll find some real bargains on the market right now but there have been some crime problems in recent years.
There are a lot of young people in Broadmoor and you'll find some real bargains on the market right now but there have been some crime problems in recent years.
Posted on 2/8/13 at 8:26 am to WhoDats10
quote:
oak hills
Posted on 2/8/13 at 8:40 am to AutoYes_Clown
Saw a nice house near St Alysious, but it was going for $600K.
About 5 years old, 4300 square feet.
About 5 years old, 4300 square feet.
Posted on 2/8/13 at 8:42 am to lsufan112001
quote:
Zachary could be the next Baker, beware.
I don't see that happening, given how well the area seems to attract middle class home buyers. The new bridge and the improved highway 61 will probably bring some pretty large retail developments in the future.
Plenty of room to grow, very good schools, and low crime makes it a pretty compelling choice. I'd probably live in Zachary or Central before I'd ever consider Livingston.
I'd choose a decent neighborhood in Baton Rouge before any of them if I could though. Capitol Heights or the Goodwood/Claycut area especially.
This post was edited on 2/8/13 at 8:49 am
Posted on 2/8/13 at 8:53 am to Layabout
quote:
Since you don't have to worry about kids and schools for a while, consider Garden District, Old Goodwood, even downtown in Spanish Town. All easy commutes to South Baton Rouge because you're going against the traffic. Southdowns IMO is way overpriced. You'll experience living in a real neighborhood instead of a suburban bubble.
Mid-City, Garden District, Old Goodwood, and Westdale would be my choices.
Posted on 2/8/13 at 8:56 am to Golfer
quote:
Mid-City, Garden District, Old Goodwood, and Westdale would be my choices.
This, buy a renovated home that is basically brand new
Posted on 2/8/13 at 9:24 am to Lloyd Christmas
quote:
Where to buy first home in BR area?
Love that the majority of responses say the same basic thing: Not in Baton Rouge.
For my money, with quality schools, infrastructure improvements galore, and a stereotype that's more bark than bite regarding the general intelligence levels of our citizenry, you can't beat the LP.
Denham Springs, Live Oak & Walker are awesome. I've been going through the permitting and zoning regs in Walker, and they are a breeze to deal with and very well thought of when it comes to their building codes & requirements.
Disclaimer: I have lived in Livingston Parish my entire adult life, and have worked in East Baton Rouge Parish my entire adult life.
Posted on 2/8/13 at 9:31 am to GFunk
quote:
Love that the majority of responses say the same basic thing: Not in Baton Rouge.
8 people in this thread listed Baton Rouge neighborhoods.
4 people (including yourself) listed Zachary or LP
Posted on 2/8/13 at 10:04 am to Golfer
quote:
8 people in this thread listed Baton Rouge neighborhoods.
4 people (including yourself) listed Zachary or LP
People only hear what they want to hear.
Posted on 2/8/13 at 10:55 am to Golfer
quote:
8 people in this thread listed Baton Rouge neighborhoods.
Right. I wouldn't have a huge problem living in BR if it wasn't for schools and the fact that I work in Zachary. The crime is limited to a few specific areas where I'm pretty sure the OP would never consider living anyway.
Posted on 2/8/13 at 11:44 am to AutoYes_Clown
quote:
Where to buy first home in BR area?
My wife is a real estate agent if you'd like to check out some of these. She's pretty up to date on homes with growing values in neighborhoods vs. slumping neighborhoods.
Email me if interested... cpt2117@aol.com. She can have you some of the better BR home listings within minutes.
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