Did you know that Youngsville was originally called Roysville? That's right; it was named after one of the founding families of the town, but people were getting it confused with Raysville upstate, so the Post Office petitioned for a name change, and Youngsville was born in 1908, taking its name from the word "young village."
Youngsville is indeed one of the younger towns in Louisiana, having been settled by the French in the 1800s. By 1859, the settlement had doubled in size and was big enough for its own Catholic church. Today, it is still the fastest growing town in Louisiana, paying homage to its rural roots and French ancestry while still being a modern, vibrant town. Technically speaking, Youngsville is no longer a village; it's a small city with a population of over 8,000 people.
Moving to Youngsville
Since Youngsville is always growing, there are plenty of new houses being built all the time. If you want to rent an apartment, however, they are few and far between. Youngsville is a rural city gradually becoming suburban, and those people who live in apartments or houses tend to live there for a long time. However, in some areas of the city there are apartment complexes where you can find the types of apartment you need. One bedroom apartments for rent are more plentiful than other types of apartments in Youngsville.
If renting an apartment isn't for you, you can also look into housing developments. As the city grows, so do housing options, and you may find premier apartments and houses for rent at just the right time.
Make sure you start your search for housing in Youngsville early. Take a full six months to find the right housing for you and your family. When you're ready to start looking, make sure you know what your price range is before you begin. Then, bring your ID and your proof of income so that you can get into the apartment or house of your choice. If you can't find anything big enough or in your price range, don't get frustrated. Just keep looking. You never know when an apartment will be built or become available, so search daily until you find the apartment of your dreams.
Neighborhoods
There are several subdivisions in Youngsville; as the town grows, more and more sugarcane farms close and are converted into housing units for residents.
Highland Ridge: A newer development featuring affordable, customized and completely new homes. This subdivision is close to the churches and stores that make up downtown Youngsville. Many homes being built here use energy efficient technology in order to reduce environmental stress.
Sawgrass: Another newer development; this one features homes of various sizes, with the largest being approximately 1500 square feet. Sawgrass is located on the Youngsville/Lafayette border, making access to the larger city easy. There are plenty of restaurants here such as the Zeus Cafe , which features Greek and Lebanese food and Mudbugs Express, which features the best of Louisiana's seafood.
Copper Meadows: Copper Meadows is an older subdivision, full of people who are proud of their history. This subdivision contains old homes that were once farmhouses in the 1800s. Today, people here send their children to public schools and go downtown to work in local stores and worship at local churches. Copper Meadows is one of the first subdivisions to contain a roundabout in order to control traffic.
Living in Youngsville
Youngsville is in transition from a rural community to a more urban one. There are plenty of things to do in Youngsville, however. People here enjoy eating out--there are over 15 restaurants to choose from, many emphasizing Southern food and barbecued meat. If you are looking for night life, there are plenty of concerts at the Heyman Center in downtown Youngsville. There are also museums and cultural centers dedicated to the history of Youngsville as a French settlement in the 1800s.
Many Southern townspeople are fans of outdoor activities, and Youngsville is no exception. If you like hiking, camping or swimming you'll enjoy the summers in Youngsville. Summers tend to get hot, and many residents cool off by visiting Cypress Lake, a popular landmark and natural treasure that offers shade, swimming and outdoor recreation. There are also indoor and outdoor rock climbing facilities in Youngsville.
There's also plenty for families to do in Youngsville; there are amusement parks for the kids featuring kiddie rides and go-carts, and older children may enjoy going bowling in Youngsville's own bowling lanes. When the summer ends, there are several public schools accessible from all of Youngsville's sub-divisions, and older students all attend the same high school.