re: Southeast Louisiana vs Southwest Louisiana

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Houma has changed a bit but if you think there aren't a lot of Cajuns around that city, you may need to go drive around.

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You must not be familiar with the difference in prairie Cajuns vs bayou Cajuns. Bayou is definitely NOT acadiana. You’re misunderstanding when I say “Acadiana”.

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Southeast Louisiana vs Southwest Louisiana

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Speaking from an economic, opportunity, and QoL perspective:

Southeast Louisiana:

Upsides: The Baton Rouge-New Orleans-Northshore area is the king in Louisiana and the most cosmopolitan region in the state, with 2 of the largest cities, 3 of the most populated parishes, the most white collar jobs, the most higher ed institutions, and the most opportunity. The two largest metropolitan areas in the state alone account for over 2 million people in that area. Most new Louisiana residents (the ones that actually move here) land in that area. And most new industrial investments in the state have and will occur along the river between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. This area is close to fishing, boating, and water recreation with Lake Ponchatrain, Maurepas, diversion canal, Tchefuncte River, False River, and the gulf. There's also a little bit more infrastructure here to attract more jobs, including a huge deep draft river. THE biggest college sports powerhouse (without question) in the state is there, along with all of the state's only NFL and NBA teams. Two of the state's largest and busiest airports are there. A new bridge being proposed on the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is going to help out with traffic and with economic development.

Downsides: New Orleans itself isn't the white collar economic center it needs to be, and hasn't been for decades. Baton Rouge is picking up some of the slack but it has a long way to go as well. These areas are still mostly blue collar and have a huge industrial base, and that's probably how they'll stay for better or worse. I wish this area were home to more large companies, tech centers, and research parks. And holy hell the highway infrastructure in that area is atrocious, especially in Baton Rouge. I'm optimistic on the region as a whole even though I'm bearish on New Orleans proper and, to a lesser extent, Baton Rouge proper.

Southwest Louisiana

Upsides:Lake Charles in particular added an insane amount of industrial jobs during the Bobby Jindal era, even carrying the state in some quarters during more recent economic downturns. There's a lot of recreation activities there, including fishing and hunting. COL is relatively low, especially compared to NOLA or Baton Rouge. Some of the nation's largest private industrial developments happened in the last 20 years in the Lake Charles area. That's HUGE, and it's put the area on a trajectory for growth in the future, come hell or literal high water. The eventual rework of Lake Charles's lakefront, downtown, and the new I-10 bridge will really improve the aesthetics of the area.

Downside: 2 major hurricanes and a slow recovery. Unfortunately that's a big deal and has to be underlined. It's infuriating to see how that region was just forgotten about after those storms. Also - McNeese is kind of an under-performer when it comes to being an economic driver, but it's there and it exists. The Lake Charles area got the shaft on federal aid for those hurricanes for political reasons, which is total bullshite. I don't know if I should be bearish or bullish on Lake Charles's recovery and future. I am leaning towards being optimistic about it, but they have some big headwinds.


***other considerations***

Lafayette is IMO a jewel, but it's not really competing with the other bigger Louisiana cities. It's growing, but it's still behind the average national growth rate. Lafayette was the beacon in Louisiana's economy in the 1970s, but it's sort of tapered off since the 1980s. USL/ULL hasn't really lit the world on fire in any way, but it contributes at least a little to the regional economy. Still my favorite Louisiana city though. It's not SE Louisiana or SW Louisiana. It's very much its own thing. But if you must bundle it with SW Louisiana, I still don't believe it will push the area over what SE Louisiana has.

All of the sub-regions in south Louisiana are better than north Louisiana, which is shrinking rapidly and can't even justify two legislative seats without borrowing voters from southern Louisiana. La Tech is awesome and it's up there, and there are a few other small bright spots. But overall its' pretty depressing. CenLa around the Alexandria area is even worse IMO. There's some good people there, but the economic prospects are very depressing. The food isn't as good as south Louisiana too.

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West: brown jambalaya and no tomatoes in gumbo

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But they put boiled eggs in their gumbo...

and I've never put tomatoes in my gumbo...

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Cajun is overrated garbage food.

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I cooked griards in a black pot for some "NWLA" baws this past weekend and they were tripping over themselves to clean the pot. At least some of y'all have taste.

After living in both the Lafayette area and the New Orleans area, I feel I am qualified to settle this debate

Southwest Louisiana is a 3rd world country

Southeast Louisiana is a 3rd world country with more crime

Southwest Louisiana wins

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WTF do you think is wrong with New Roads and SFv?

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Nothing. That's the point. I even halfway like your neighborhood.

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You’d find a smaller list of things not wrong with New Roads

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I really like that area around False River. One of my favorite parts of the state.

One day, Baton Rouge's suburban growth will start going in that direction. That will be a very sad day.

I don't mind New Roads/St. Francisville but I know people from the Morganza area and they just don't feel it's coonass enough.

I'll give them credit for trying but they make imitation boudin.

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You’d find a smaller list of things not wrong with New Roads

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You’ve lived in NOLa and now reside in Lafayette. Based on your residency choices, you have absolutely no credibility criticizing anywhere.