Is there anything "wrong" with this listing/area? (New Orleans: apartment complex, lease)

[havecamerawilltravel]

I must be the most indecisive person alive...I have almost decided to stay in my adopted town of St. Louis, but I just can't make myself sign the lease on a place I now know has roaches...plus the thought of the cold winters here makes me cringe.

I've long had the idea of just "picking up and moving" somewhere warm, in a walkable neighborhood (if not city), into a reasonable 1-bedroom apartment ($800 or less that allows cats). I've never been to Baton Rouge, though I visited New Orleans. I was warned about the crime in New Orleans (e.g., armed robberies!), but I haven't heard that's such an issue there.

I was searching online for places (what I've been spending way too much time doing lately!)...I should add, I'm young-ish (30s), but had to go on disability not long ago, so being able to walk to a grocery store and a drugstore for necessities is pretty important, although I am able to drive most of the time.

I guess at this point I just want something "easy," a place to settle down where there's not much hassle with bad landlords (or roaches!)...otherwise I probably wouldn't consider a big-box apartment complex (not sure what else to call it!) that might have a lot of college students.

I just have no idea and not sure I would have time or money to visit (not good, I know, but I'm willing to make the best of what I get). Anybody have any thoughts on this?

The Patrician Apartments, Baton Rouge LA - Walk Score

Thanks very much...kind of lost right now!

[rousseauhill1990]

1) Crime in Baton Rouge is comparable to NOLA. Every day heading home on the Interstate, I see a billboard saying how the murder rate is higher than Chicago.

2) If you don't like roaches, you're going to have a bad time.

3) Most of Baton Rouge is not very walkable.

It's always better to visit before you move somewhere. Like anywhere else, BR isn't for everyone

[havecamerawilltravel]

OK, thanks for the much-needed wake-up call! I'm sticking around here for now...maybe to search for a warmer place later.

[annie_himself]

The crime in Baton Rouge is a problem, however, like most cities it is concentrated in bad areas. It's not a problem as I don't think you will be in the ghetto. It really is an easy town to live in.
There are many walkable areas in Mid-City, although it's not easy to always be in walking distance from a pharmacy but you will most likely have to drive for groceries. Most of "Baton Rouge" is actually pretty walkable like downtown, Garden District, Spanish Town, and Capitol Heights. It's no New Orleans but you can be close enough to amenities on Government St, Perkins Rd, and of course downtown. Most of suburban EBR Parish is not walkable. If all you need is a relatively quiet city and a cheap, walkable neighborhood then Baton Rouge does fit the bill.

Roaches aren't a problem unless you're a dirty person. I've never lived with roaches.

[havecamerawilltravel]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

The crime in Baton Rouge is a problem, however, like most cities it is concentrated in bad areas. It's not a problem as I don't think you will be in the ghetto. It really is an easy town to live in.
There are many walkable areas in Mid-City, although it's not easy to always be in walking distance from a pharmacy but you will most likely have to drive for groceries. Most of "Baton Rouge" is actually pretty walkable like downtown, Garden District, Spanish Town, and Capitol Heights. It's no New Orleans but you can be close enough to amenities on Government St, Perkins Rd, and of course downtown. Most of suburban EBR Parish is not walkable. If all you need is a relatively quiet city and a cheap, walkable neighborhood then Baton Rouge does fit the bill.

Roaches aren't a problem unless you're a dirty person. I've never lived with roaches.

Thanks very much for the info. In terms of crime, I should probably remind readers that I'm in St. Louis! (Has gotten such a bad reputation for crime, but fortunately I've never had a problem, though I try to be street smart).

[havecamerawilltravel]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

The crime in Baton Rouge is a problem, however, like most cities it is concentrated in bad areas. It's not a problem as I don't think you will be in the ghetto. It really is an easy town to live in.
There are many walkable areas in Mid-City, although it's not easy to always be in walking distance from a pharmacy but you will most likely have to drive for groceries. Most of "Baton Rouge" is actually pretty walkable like downtown, Garden District, Spanish Town, and Capitol Heights. It's no New Orleans but you can be close enough to amenities on Government St, Perkins Rd, and of course downtown. Most of suburban EBR Parish is not walkable. If all you need is a relatively quiet city and a cheap, walkable neighborhood then Baton Rouge does fit the bill.

Roaches aren't a problem unless you're a dirty person. I've never lived with roaches.

Hmm, and re-thinking this (actually considering BR as a destination)...any hint of an arts scene there? Doesn't have to be huge, but I enjoy creative writing, photography...though there's so much online these days, of course.

[annie_himself]

And in St. Louis there are some very nice areas with little crime.

There is an art scene present, largely due to LSU being here. There are a few art walks and enough galleries and museums to patronize. There's a few places where I've seen many forms of local art being sold (metalworking, paintings, photography, etc.) There's a few film festivals as well, I assume that will only increase as long as the movie industry stays and grows.

Here is something I took of downtown:

[havecamerawilltravel]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

And in St. Louis there are some very nice areas with little crime.

There is an art scene present, largely due to LSU being here. There are a few art walks and enough galleries and museums to patronize. There's a few places where I've seen many forms of local art being sold (metalworking, paintings, photography, etc.) There's a few film festivals as well, I assume that will only increase as long as the movie industry stays and grows.

Here is something I took of downtown:

Thanks again, Annie...nice photo! Glad to hear there's some artistic stuff going on. I don't know/remember if I've read this from you, but do you generally enjoy living in the city? (Completely subjective opinion, I know...but I'm still curious!). Thanks for the help.

[annie_himself]

I don't live in the city itself, unfortunately I'm out in the burbs. I would like to live in Mid-City somewhere but I enjoy larger cities. I've been here all my life and my perspective is different from a transplant.

[havecamerawilltravel]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

I don't live in the city itself, unfortunately I'm out in the burbs. I would like to live in Mid-City somewhere but I enjoy larger cities. I've been here all my life and my perspective is different from a transplant.

Ah, ok, thanks. It would be hard to compare, I agree...and I've mostly only lived in big cities before (but think a smaller one would be nice, at least for a while). I'll look into some possibilities...thanks again.