I know this is an East Texas board, but I have just been offered a transfer to Shreveport and was looking for some advise on the area.

I lived in Marshall but worked in Shreveport for eight years before coming back to school.

I can probably tell you as much as anyone else who doesn't actually live there.

We tried moving there in '03 to eliminate the crappy drive, but it was not meant to be.

Thank God, now I'm in Aggieland!

I'd rather live in Marshall than Shreveport.


Big difference in carjackings, murders, drive-byes.

Little things like that.

www.shreveporttimes.com or www.ksla.com

www.marshallnewsmessenger.com

I post these because there was a murder in Marshall this weekend. But that is not the norm, at least not in decent parts of town.

I agree with roveram.
Anywhere in Texas is better than everywhere in Louisiana.


In Shreveport, all the growth has been happening on the southeast near LSU-S. About ten to fifteen years ago, it looked like southwest part of town was the place to be, but most of that area went down pretty quickly. Further out in that direction is still ok (Keithville, north Desoto).

Louisiana has a state income tax. Make sure you take that into consideration with the transfer. So you don't lose any disposable income. I know that's why some people choose to live on the Texas side.

Just because you live in Texas does not exempt you from income tax on earnings made in La. They took it from me every year - charged me for breathing their air.

You use to be able to get that money refunded. I know I did that when I worked for a company out of Shreveport years ago. They must have changed that. But then he needs to take into account the money he will lose to LA. Lots of people don't do that and a promotion turns into a pay decrease.

S'port would not be my first choice...maybe Minden???!!! But try Superior Grill when you get to S'port!! MMMMMMMMMM!!!!

I second all the points about TX being a great place to live (no income tax) and crime maybe being a problem in some parts of S'port (and I agree w/ the Superior Bar suggestion!; go get some good home-cookin' at Strawn's Eat Shop Too on E. 70th near Youree)

I grew up here and have seen the town change A LOT over the past 3 or 4 years.

For the most part, the changes have been good (more opportunities coming in). Some of the bad changes present here are the same bad changes you'll see elsewhere in biggish towns (older parts of town becoming run down as growth happens elsewhere). The biggest problem w/ S'port and LA at large for the past 10 years has been the "brain drain" on its population: talented Louisianans were drawn elsewhere to look for job opportunities.....

SO, that makes me glad to hear that people like yourself are actually being drawn BACK to Shreveport to work. It seems like people immigrating in for the next 3-5 years could be part of a bigger economic boom that makes parts of LA catch up to what most of TX has enjoyed for the past decades (that's what it's feeling like at least)

The town does seem to be growing despite LA's overall population drain. This makes traffic along the Youree Drive corridor VERY frustrating.

Downtown is only just starting to be a fun place to go out again, so it's best to get to know people first and then find their favorite social spots rather than finding the social spots first.

When you're really bored, you aren't too far from Dallas, so there's always that.

I'd be happy to answer more specific questions too: r w h 1 2 8 5 at gmail dot com

We moved from Dallas area to Shreveport and are now back in Dallas. We really enjoyed Shreveport and miss the "small town atmosphere". If you get a good realtor, then they can help you with any questions you may have about the area. Probably the MOST important thing you want to keep in mind is that if you have school aged children, you will need to consider putting them in private school. Just something to think about. Good luck!

I was born and spent much of my young life in Shreveport. Left there to go to A&M...also attended Centenary College in Shreveport. The oil bust in the late 80's early 90s was not kind....I'm a geologist and most everyone(including me)that was not from old money or already retired, generally left LA to find work. We went to Kansas and then California...then San Antonio. I still have several friends in town and we get there several times a year.

With the coming of "The Boats" in the 90s came renewed economic life...but Shreveport still seems like a one industry town....just a different industry now. That said, it was a good safe place to grow up and I still think its that way. Despite what others may say, the public schools are still generally good. I went to Captain Shreve HS and its still a good school, as are CE Byrd, Caddo Magnet and others.

Lately, we've been thinking of moving back. My mother in law (who lives there) needs some help these days. The pace is a little slower, and the cost of living is a little less. I know how to get anywhere in town without strategizing beforehand...and while the locals complain about traffic on Youree south of Southfield....it's nothing like trying to fight your way across San Antonio when 410, 1604 and 281/90 are a mess.

I still like Shreveport and miss it.

Look into Benton (north of Shreveport) or if you want to buy some land look into Waskom (east of Marshall)