re: Where to buy first home in BR area?

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.