Can anyone tell me about St.James Parish La?

[bamamom]

The company my husband works for is going to build a plant in St. James Parish Lousianna. My husband has a great opportunity if we relocate to this plant. I know nothing at all about La, I have been to New Orleans one time last Oct. I'm trying to research some on the internet but really don't know any cities or anything I should be looking at I would greatly appreciate any info on this part of the state. Surrounding cities, education, cost of living, recommendations, what to aviod, entertainment, shopping etc... Generally these plants are in more rural areas, but our plant is right outside of several larger cities. We will be going next month to check it out but I would like to know where I need to be looking to be able to make a decision that is right for our family. Any info will be helpful. Thanks!!!

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

Hey Bamamom I live in La. I have never heard of St.Parish before. We usually have a name like St. John Parish, St. James Parish etc. If you know the proper name and I know something about it I will try and give you some ideas.

 

[bamamom]

Oops! Its suppose to be St. James Parish.

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

Sorry I can't help you with this particular part of Louisiana. Maybe someone else might have some insight on this area. One thing I can say is we have some good food in Louisiana.

 

[ENSOCK]

It is located in between of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. There are small towns located there that will remind you of small town USA but you are about 30 minutes to Baton Rouge or New Orleans. New Orleans is more of a party town and big city feeling while Baton Rouge is smaller. The outlet mall is right next to there in in Gonzales, LA.

 

[ilovejack02]

St. James parish is pretty rural, lots of small towns. Public schools not in great condition, and I just got through looking at all of the schools rankings in the state yesterday, most of the schools in the area are pretty low on the list. Cost of living pretty low. What town is your husband going to work in? Do you have any clue as to where you might want to live? One of my close friends parents and family lives in Lutcher . I can get more info from her. I would imagine most kids go to private school. St James Parish is def going to be small town, USA. I can't say I would be jumping up and down to live there. If I had to pick a town to live in , most likely it would Laplace.

You could live in the New Orleans area and easily commute kids will most likely have to go to private school there or you could pick Ascension Parish. I would most likely lean towards Ascension, pretty good schools, but some good private schools also and you would be close to Baton Rouge, better hospitals, shopping , entertainment.

 

[ENSOCK]

St. James parish is pretty rural, lots of small towns. Public schools not in great condition, and I just got through looking at all of the schools rankings in the state yesterday, most of the schools in the area are pretty low on the list. Cost of living pretty low. What town is your husband going to work in? Do you have any clue as to where you might want to live? One of my close friends parents and family lives in Lutcher . I can get more info from her. I would imagine most kids go to private school. St James Parish is def going to be small town, USA. I can't say I would be jumping up and down to live there. If I had to pick a town to live in , most likely it would Laplace.

You could live in the New Orleans area and easily commute kids will most likely have to go to private school there or you could pick Ascension Parish. I would most likely lean towards Ascension, pretty good schools, but some good private schools also and you would be close to Baton Rouge, better hospitals, shopping , entertainment.

Totally agree with living in Ascension Parish or even in Baton Rouge and just commute. The cost of living in LA is cheaper than living up North.

 

[pixieprincessmom]

There are several small towns in the area. I live on the eastbank of the river in Vacherie and teach on the west bank in Paulina. Lutcher, Gramercy and Paulina all are in a few miles of each other. I like our school and the kids come to school there with me. Our school score is good.

As for moving here it depends on what kind of person you are. It is definitely small town. I enjoy living here, but the closest walmart is about 20 minutes away. About an hour to get to either Baton Rouge or New Orleans.

If you would prefer closer to the city I would recommend Prarieville or Gonzales, both toward baton rouge. Laplace is not the best place to be since Katrina.

 

[ilovejack02]

There are several small towns in the area. I live on the eastbank of the river in Vacherie and teach on the west bank in Paulina. Lutcher, Gramercy and Paulina all are in a few miles of each other. I like our school and the kids come to school there with me. Our school score is good.

As for moving here it depends on what kind of person you are. It is definitely small town. I enjoy living here, but the closest walmart is about 20 minutes away. About an hour to get to either Baton Rouge or New Orleans.

If you would prefer closer to the city I would recommend Prarieville or Gonzales, both toward baton rouge. Laplace is not the best place to be since Katrina.

I had no idea about Laplace , have a cpl of friends that live in area, but kids are in private school and they live in higher end neighborhood . We haven't really talked about what it is like . Katrina changed the dynamics of alot of towns , Baton Rouge is a much different place too, even though EBR schools haven't been really good in years , but since the storm they have really hit rock bottom, even the ones that were good are now very low . We have three or four really good public magnet schools in B.R. , but very hard to get in .

 

[pixieprincessmom]

So et us know what we missed. Be happy to answer more specifics if needed

 

[bamamom]

Thanks for the info. I don't know which town inside of St. James Parish the new plant will be located, that is something I need to find out tomorrow. DH just told me tonite about this opportunity and of course I have to research it first I do know that I do not have any desire to live in a small town USA type of place. I am thinking more of maybe a nice sub of Baton Rouge and DH commuting. Neither of us want to live in NO. I'm use to living in suburb of a larger city and don't want to give up the conviences, entertainment, shopping etc.. of that. I want my Target, Publix, shopping mall etc to not be a hassle to go I don't want to live inside Baton Rouge but maybe a nice sub. Our kids are DS15 and DD13....both totally against moving Thanks again for all your help!!!

 

[ilovejack02]

Gonzales or Prarieville is most likely what you will like, close to Walmart, outlet mall , a cpl of decent grocery stores, Leblanc's and Albertson's and Winn Dixie . Gonzales also has a Kmart. Both towns are pretty close together , close to interstate to hit Mall of Louisiana and close to Airline Hwy which will take you straight into B.R. and good places to shop. B.R actually has really nice areas to live in , I just prefer to be out a bit . No Publix in Louisiana : ( .

 

[jlima]

You must be speaking of the Nucor steel plant. Here is a news story in a local newspaper, the Daily Comet in Thibodaux, LA: http://www.dailycomet.com/article/2...Title=St-James-steel-plant-may-mean-more-jobs

I was born & raised in Terrebonne Parish, which is south of St. James Paris. I'll give my 2 cents!

St James parish is divided in half by the Mississippi river - half of the parish is north of the river, and half is south. Info here: http://www.stjamesla.com/ There are two bridges in the parish to cross the river. Two public high schools. http://www.stjames.k12.la.us/ A few tourist attractions such as plantation houses, etc.

From what I've read, the state is giving Nucor lots of tax breaks, etc. to build this plant. It is going into this area because of its high unemployment and the need for new jobs and new industry in the area.

As previous posters have said, definitely small town USA. I have a ex-boyfriend from high school who lives in Gramercy and he LOVES it. But from what you've said, I see a move to Baton Rouge in your future. Good luck with making your decisions and let us know how it goes!!

 

[cajunmommy]

So - DH is coming to build the NUCOR plant? Welcome!

The plant will be located in Convent, which is just down river from Gonzales & Prairieville in Ascension Parish. I'm a Prairieville resident myself, and based on your comments, it seems like the suburb-style area you're wanting.

I have to agree with the above posters and say that although the small towns of St. James Parish are quaint, family-oriented communities, their public school systems are lacking. It's a very rural parish, and based on the experiences of family members, I would not look to locate there, especially if this will be a short-term assignment.

I've also lived in LaPlace, and we have friends there, but again, I'd stay away.

Although my kids are in private school here, Ascension Parish has consistently ranked in the top 10 school districts in LA. It looks like your kids are high school-aged - Dutchtown, East Ascension, and St. Amant HS are the three public schools in the parish.

I know you'll have LOTS of questions, so please feel free to ask away! I have lots of friends in the school system (both teachers & Admin.), and I have a handful of real estate contacts if you need help on that end.

So, what do you want to know? Although I'd love to just brag, I'll try to give you the good, bad & ugly so you can be prepared to answer those inevitable questions from the teens!