Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Southeastern Louisiana, the city of Baton Rouge is the capital of the state of Louisiana and the second largest city in the Bayou State after New Orleans.
As the Capital City, Baton Rouge is known as the political center of the state but the charming city has so much more to offer, a strong economy, excellent education, unique culture, delicious food, and music like you’ve never heard before.
Be sure to read what Baton Rouge natives have to say later in this guide about their own city and its unique quality of life (joie de vivre) – the main reason so many people choose to visit or relocate to Baton Rouge, LA.
You may also like to read: How to Decide Where to Live Next. In this guide, we suggest 9 things to take into consideration when choosing where to move to.
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Reasons to Move to Baton Rouge
There are some stunning homes in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge is an exciting and charming destination that will appeal to anyone who wishes to immerse in its rich culture, taste the delicious food offered there, receive top-notch education, and enjoy great year-round festivals among other things.
Here are just a few of the essential things to know before moving to Baton Rouge:
#1 Strong economy
The largest industry in the city is petrochemical production and manufacturing with Baton Rouge Refinery (owned by ExxonMobil) being the fourth-largest oil refinery in the country.
Additionally, the Port of Greater Baton Rouge is the 10th largest in the country in terms of shipped tonnage.
The capital city has cemented its position as a major industrial, medical, research, and even motion picture hub in the South.
The top employer in Baton Rouge remains the state government which employs around 22,000 people.
#2 Top-notch education
Baton Rouge is viewed as a college city and university and college students make up around 20% of the entire city population.
As a result, business entrepreneurs often state that their businesses benefit greatly from the wealth of young and educated people in the city.
The Capital City is home to Louisiana State University (or LSU) – a public coeducational university that was founded in 1853.
Nowadays, the main LSU campus is spread out on a 650-acre area along the banks of the Mississippi River and with more than 250 buildings on it.
Conveniently, a great number of Louisiana’s top universities and colleges are located within an hour’s drive from the city.
#3 Unique culture
Baton Rouge is a vibrant city with its own unique culture.
Not surprisingly, the city is considered to be the genuine center of Louisiana’s cultural emotion.
Most homes are heavily adorned with large balconies as a result of African American and Caribbean influential periods, the city’s music is an exciting mix of Zydeco, Cajun, and Blues, while the one-of-a-kind food is a delicious blend of Creole, French, Spanish and African American cuisine.
Fine restaurants, inviting concert halls and theater venues, and thrilling museums are scattered throughout Baton Rouge and await to be truly enjoyed by lucky visitors and residents alike.
You may also like to read: The Ultimate Guide to Moving for a Job. In this job we look at the pros and cons of moving for work and things to consider before doing so.
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To get a better idea of why Baton Rouge is such a special place, here’s what current and former Baton Rouge residents think about their own city:
Katherine Gauthier grew up in Baton Rouge, then moved for 12 years but finally realized that she could not resist the unique charm of the place and returned. “Baton Rouge or bust!”, exclaims Katherine enthusiastically. “The unique culture, food, LSU energy, family feel and growing opportunities set this place apart (even from other LA cities).
Hunting, fishing, plantations and New Orleans all nearby. Art, music and more food in the redeveloped downtown come to life at night.
There’s quality education available for anyone…university, community college or vocational institute. The cost of living is reasonable. Families still gather to cook, eat drink & pray. This feels like home, regardless of where you’re from. And that’s an energy that has to be felt to believe!”
Kate Hudson lived in Baton Rouge and found the city especially enjoyable. Kate shares the top reasons why she enjoyed so much her time in the capital city of Louisiana.
“Louisiana culture thrives in Baton Rouge. The Cajun food served there is amazing and the people who live there know how to host a great crawfish boil. All in all, the Baton Rouge culture is fun and lively, and completely unique to the rest of the country.”
“Housing is cheap in Baton Rouge. Whether you are a renter or a buyer, it is relatively cheap to live there. In addition, food and drinks are cheaper than in other big cities in Louisiana and surrounding states. You can have a good time for not a lot of money.”
“The people are very friendly. You can’t walk past anyone on the street without someone saying hello. Everyone will strike up a conversation with you and it will be very easy to make friends.”
Jon Aronson has lived in the state of Louisiana for 59 years and has visited Baton Rouge countless times.
He shares the top reasons why a person should consider moving to Baton Rouge, LA.
“It is a growing city with a good economic base that is a lot safer than other places (including New Orleans). If you are into sports, then you are moving into a sports-mad town with LSU there. The educational system is pretty good and in most places your children can play on the streets without the fear found in other cities. It is a typical sweet Southern town with people in less of a hurry than many other places.”
You may also like to read: The Pros and Cons of Moving After Retirement. With such great amenities and being such a vibrant city, Baton Rouge would seem like a great city to spend your retirement. In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of moving after retirement.
Main Points of Interest in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Old State Capitol Baton Rouge
There are so many things to see and do in the Capital City that we can’t possibly mention them all in this concise Baton Rouge Relocation Guide.
Still, here are the major points of interest so that you get a better idea of the vast opportunities for excitement, fun, and leisure in Louisiana’s capital.
#1 Louisiana State Capitol
Situated in downtown Baton Rouge, the Louisiana State Capitol is the tallest building in the city and the seventh tallest one in the entire state.
Inaugurated on May 16, 1932, the building serves as the seat of government for Louisiana and its façade is heavily decorated with reliefs and sculptures from the state’s history.
There’s a 23-foot-tall lantern on the very top of the State Capitol which is said to symbolize the higher aspirations of the state.
In 1982, the building was officially included as a National Historic Landmark.
#2 Shaw Center for the Arts
Opened in 2005, the Shaw Center for the Arts is a performing art center, fine arts museum, and education center in downtown Baton Rouge.
The Shaw Center features an advanced architectural design, featuring the clever use of translucent channel glass throughout the complex which earned the 125,000 square foot (12,000 sq. m.) building numerous prestigious awards for design in its opening year.
#3 Baton Rouge Zoo
Just a short distance away from downtown Baton Rouge (15 minutes to be precise) is located the Baton Rouge Zoo – the home of more than 1,800 animals from all corners of the world.
Opened to the public on Easter Sunday in 1970, the zoo was the very first zoological garden in the state of Louisiana to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Today, the Baton Rouge Zoo is the number 1 year-round family attraction in the state’s capital and attracts more than 250,000 annual visitors of all ages and backgrounds. The zoo is also very active in various conservation, education and research programs.
Other local attractions include the Louisiana Museum of Natural History, Capitol Park Museum, Old Arsenal Museum, LSU Museum of Art, Blue Bayou Waterpark, Baton Rouge Observatory, Louisiana’s two largest shopping centers (Mall at Cortana and Mall of Louisiana), and others.
Click here to see the complete list of all points of interest in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
How to Move to Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Spanish Town, Baton Rouge
As you are probably convinced by now, moving to Baton Rouge can be an excellent choice to advance your professional career, expand your knowledge at a reputable university or college, raise a family, or why not to simply start a new exciting chapter in your life.
However, relocating to Baton Rouge, Louisiana requires very good preparation on your part so that your entire move goes smoothly from start to finish.
How to Prepare to Move to Baton Rouge, LA?
To help you have a stress-free house move to the Pelican State’s capital city, we have selected the 5 most useful and practical tips for moving to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
#1 Find the best Baton Rouge movers
To have a safe and easy move, your top priority should be to find top rated movers to Baton Rouge.
Access our database of Louisiana movers and Baton Rouge movers in order to get in touch with an experienced and reliable mover to take care of the most difficult and time-consuming details of your impending move.
As a rule, the relocation price you will pay in the end will be dependent on the distance between your current home and Louisiana’s capital city, the total weight of your shipment, and the additional moving services you request.
Only by comparing a number of accurate moving estimates will you be able to select the best Baton Rouge mover for you.
#2 Have a realistic moving budget
You must set a moving budget at the very beginning of your preparations.
While holding the binding moving estimate of your moving partner in your hands, it shouldn’t be too hard to calculate how much the move will approximately cost you.
A personal relocation budget will give you direct access to the larger financial picture – you will be able to monitor closely your expenses and will have enough time to respond adequately should a moving job exceed its allocated limit.
You may also like to read: How to Create a Moving Budget. Whether doing a DIY move or hiring professional movers, in this guide, we explain how to budget for your home move.
#3 Organize your time
If you’ve decided to relocate to Baton Rouge, LA, then you should know that time is your most valuable asset during the crazy busy preparation period.
Fail to make the most of your pre-move time and you are set for a real bumpy road ahead.
You must have your own moving calendar – personalized, prioritized, and customized to meet your specific needs and preferences.
Consult our unique One Sentence Moving Checklist with more than 120 (!) one sentence pointers to get some good ideas for your personal Baton Rouge relocation planner.
#4 Understand that less means more
As you probably know, the final moving price is directly linked to the overall weight and size of your shipment, so transporting fewer belongings means that your moving costs will be lower.
Make sure you inventory your home and get rid of anything you no longer need and want way before your scheduled relocation to Baton Rouge.
Organize a profitable moving sale or donate to charity any items you haven’t practically used in over a year.
You may also like to read: How to Declutter for a Home Move. Nothing will make your home move easier and cheaper than decluttering, in this guide, we show you how.
#5 Use modern technology
Modern moving apps make it possible for you to organize your time and finances in the best possible way with just a few taps on the screen.
And the best part of it all is that some of these mobile assistants are absolutely free to download and use.
You may also like to read: Top 5 Free Apps To Help You Move and see what their extended functionalities can do for you. After all, any type of moving help is more than welcome, right?
Good luck with your move and be sure to check out our home moving blog which is packed with guides to make every aspect of your home move easier, cheaper, and safer.
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