A little birdie on the bayou told us you were in the market for a killer crash pad on the banks of the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana. Situated at the vortex of the Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas borders, Shreveport is a popular residential destination for budget-minded Southerners of all varieties. Sound like you? Fortunately, we come bearing good news: You’ve come to the right place, because we can have you living the dream in the Bayou State. So journey on boldly because the domicile of your dreams is just a few clicks away …
What should you know about Shreveport before packing up shop and making the city your new maison? Funny you should ask, because we were just about to tell you anyway
A little birdie on the bayou told us you were in the market for a killer crash pad on the banks of the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana. Situated at the vortex of the Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas borders, Shreveport is a popular residential destination for budget-minded Southerners of all varieties. Sound like you? Fortunately, we come bearing good news: You’ve come to the right place, because we can have you living the dream in the Bayou State. So journey on boldly because the domicile of your dreams is just a few clicks away …
What should you know about Shreveport before packing up shop and making the city your new maison? Funny you should ask, because we were just about to tell you anyway. Here are a few tidbits of info about Louisiana’s third-largest city that will make your apartment-hunting experience as smooth and delectable as an order of oysters-on-the-half-shell at Chicky's Boom Boom Room & Oyster House in downtown Shreveport:
- The great “Great Outdoors”: There’s a reason peeps-in-the-know refer to northern Louisiana as “Sportsman’s Paradise:” The area offers a plethora of outdoors activities, and Shreveport is home to numerous lakes, golf courses, biking/hiking trails, and parks (including the amusement and Frisbee varieties). Bottom line: Shreveport’s residents won’t have a problem finding options for fun in the sun.
- A Perpetual Jackpot: One of Shreveport’s most enticing charms is its affordability. The average rental unit costs less than $700, while quality units in popular areas like the Fairfield Historic District often pop up in the $550 range. The city’s cost of living index is 13 percentage points lower than the rest of America, which means you can save your money for more important things.
- Riding in Style: For downtown dwellers, the SporTran public buses are a viable option for bumming around, but if you live anywhere else in Shreveport, you better have your own set of wheels. Is it possible to live outside the inner city without your own vehicle? Technically, yes, though we wouldn’t recommend it.
Now that you have a taste of life in Cajun Country, it’s time to arm you with all the info you’ll need to track down your dream dwellings. Some things you should know about the leasing life in Shreveport:
- Impossible to Categorize: Unlike many Southern cities, whose rental units have similar décors and offer comparable amenities, Shreveport’s residential properties vary from site to site. Because the city’s neighborhoods grew gradually over the past several decades rather than all sprouted up at once, almost every part of town offers a variety of leasing options. From modern, spacious apartments and lofts with all the bells and whistles to near-historic, freestanding houses, you’ll find something in Shreveport that fits your style, no matter how traditional or esoteric that style may be.
- The Bayou Basics: As long as you’re equipped with proof of income and a decent renting history, you shouldn’t have a problem scoring an available unit at most complexes. Keep in mind, though, that you get what you pay for.
Generally, the most economical digs in Shreveport are located on the west side, while the more pricey and modern units are centered down south. North Bossier, meanwhile, is a fast-growing ‘burb just across the Red River.
And now you’re all set to trek on down to the Bayou State and kick it with the Creoles. So welcome to Shreveport, and happy hunting!