re: BR natives and current residents: what's the best span of years for you?

The responses in this thread will consist of people telling you that when they were a kid in BR it was the best possible time because human beings continually think that when they were carefree everything else must have been, too.

I remember the 80's and 90's quite well. The city does feel differently now when I visit. But BR in the 90's was a fricking warzone and don't let anyone tell you different. Katrina my arse.

The 80's in Baton Rouge were fun. Drinking are was 18. Kids today can't imagine how raising it to 21 changed the dynamic.

Definitely wasnt a kid in the 80's. Actually i was a kid in the 60's and there was turmoil going on then, so I didn't include that decade for being a great time.
As far as Katina goes, well I know a shite ton of people who disagree with your assesment that it didn't mark a huge turning point for Baton Rouge, your arse or not.

Well that's why I admire you so much

Ok

68-72

1979-1986 were Good years.
Old Gaudcheauxs still open. Cortana Mall was one of the best in the country. Catfish town was nice. Steinbergs was still going strong.
Fun Fair Park was still going strong.
The Village Italian Restutant was still open.
Plenty of places to hunt in all areas of town. Fishing was actually good. Traffic didn't suck and Florida Blvd wasnt a slum.

1980's, had to transplant to Houston for job in 01 but get back every chance I get.....not the same but still every time I cross either bridge I know that I am "Home"!

70s/80s was the era BR became strip mall cul de sac living hell. People will be nostalgic for certain aspects of that era if they grew up then, but the aesthetics it shaped, and the fact that it is basically still dealing with developing in such a manner at that time to this day (along with the triggered white flight from a prolonged school desegregation) make for a shitty 21st century city.

The years under Mayor Holden saw the most progress in BR in a long time. He saw the benefits of having a vibrant downtown, well-maintained parks, clean streets, etc. Time will tell whether or not Sharon Weston Broome follows his lead.