Academics, Apartments, and Authentic Jambalaya: Living the College Rental Life in Baton Rouge

I'm Melissa, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Baton Rouge. If you like a big city vibe with all the amenities but also like the vibe of a friendly, tight-knit community, Baton Rouge is the place for you. On top of great vibes, this city has historic charm and that famous Cajun/Creole cuisine. You'll find it has a lively nightlife but there are quiet and relaxing places if that's more your scene. You'll find the housing options in this city to be quite diverse. You're sure to find something in your price range. As it's right on the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge is a hub of industry, so after you graduate you may be able to stick around for work. Let's have a look at the major colleges in this great city and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Louisiana State University

Of course, let's start with the state's flagship institution! Though Tigers merch can be found all over the city and the sports teams drum up a good share of excitement, don't mistake LSU for a jock school. It's really an elite research university dedicated to medicine, agriculture, environmental sustainability and more. Their mission is to deploy knowledge in order to develop students who have the ability to not only achieve personal success but contribute to the state's future security. While you're here, be sure to say hello to Mike the Tiger!.

Highlands-Perkins

Sports fans will love renting in the neighborhood of Highlands-Perkins, home of the Tiger football stadium and several great sports bars. For those students geared for more intellectual pursuits,  the natural science museum is easily within reach of this area. Milford Wampold Memorial Park has tranquil lakeside trails and kayaking for those who would like to seek adventure outside of their apartments. The building architecture in this area tends to be of the Italian Renaissance style and the streets are pedestrian-friendly making it a great area to rent.

Downtown Baton Rouge

Like other cities, of course everyone's favorite place to live in the city is downtown. This historic riverfront district has the vibrancy expected from a downtown area with the walkability of a small neighborhood. Third Street is the place to be for nightlife and the restaurants that make Baton Rouge famous. Those who prefer quiet study will enjoy the museums dedicated to the arts and sciences.

Lobdell-Woodale

The independent college student will be comfortable in this budget-friendly residential neighborhood with mid-rise apartments and a convenient commute. Government Street provides a wide option of dining areas. Lobdell Park is the place to go for serene green spaces or a game of soccer. Once school is out for summer, you can have some fun at Liberty Lagoon, a popular waterpark. It is a diverse neighborhood with an urban feel.

Southern University and A&M College

Here we have a historically black college dedicated to providing a learning environment that focuses on the student and molds future world leaders. Tennis courts can be found near Mumford Stadium and a baseball diamond is right next to the Clark Activity Center. Art lovers can tour the SUMA. (Southern University Museum of Art.) As the A&M suggest, the school has classes in agricultural sciences and mechanical engineering, but those looking to be health care professionals can also find classes to help them on their education journey.

Highland Farms

This historic residential neighborhood is close to the downtown area and offers diverse housing options, including many affordable apartment rentals. You may be able to get a cottage if apartment life isn't for you. Scenic Highway and I-10 are easily accessible from this neighborhood. If you like basketball or just going for a long walk, try the 4-acre Mills Avenue Park. And you simply must eat at The Blue Store.

Scotlandville

Those with an interest in history, archaeology and anthropology will enjoy this culturally rich neighborhood. It is a walkable neighborhood yet the freeway is easily accessible. It is a diverse, sparse suburban area where the neighbors are friendly. For nightlife options, you might want to go further into the city but Scotlandvile could be the place for someone who would devote most of their time to studying.

Mid City baton Rouge

This diverse, vibrant and rapidly developing neighborhood welcomes artists and historians with mural, galleries and the Lincoln Theater, The Mid City Beer Garden and Barracuda Tacos provide diverse dining options. It's a walkable neighborhood where you're sure to find either a cozy cottage or classy condo best suited to your lifestyle and budget. A little bit denser suburb than Scotlandvile, it might just fit your vibe.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University

FranU is a private Catholic university sponsored by Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady, North American Province and owned by Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. It started out as a nursing school but now offers more than 20 areas of study, including the arts and sciences. Class sizes tend to be small so that students can get a more individualized education. FranU has been named as the safest campus in Louisiana, so you can work on a project as late as you want to. They value knowledge coupled with faith.

Garden District

Here is one of the best places to live in Louisiana. Most residents in this area own homes, but you may find a rental at a reasonable price. The population is diverse and has a vibrant nightlife. It is a walkable neighborhood with oak-lined streets and diverse architecture. This charming residential area has a rich history and croquet is hosted every second Sunday of the month at City Park.

Old Jefferson

The Old Jefferson area is a bit of a sparse suburban neighborhood popular with families that own or rent single family homes. But, if you can a great rental in the area or find someone with a room to let, you can be really happy here. You might be so happy that you even stay after graduation. When school is out for summer, you have plenty of great options for entertainment like Blue Bayou Water Park to cool off in the hot summers. Though typically a quiet neighborhood throughout the year, there are frequent food and music festivals that pop up as well.

Shenandoah

The Shenandoah neighborhood is right next to Old Jefferson and the two areas share many of the same amenities and highlights. It is also a sparse suburban neighborhood of mostly homeowners where a car is necessary, but there are also plenty of apartment rental options for students in the area too. The eatery options for getting out and enjoying a meal are diverse, whether your pleasure is Italian, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Mexican or just an all-American burger. It's a quiet area, but it's a great home.

Baton Rouge Community College

BRCC offers degree programs in General Studies, Liberal Arts and Science, including two Applied Sciences programs, establishing a robust academic foundation. A nursing program and classes in construction management and biotechnology are also available. They embrace innovation with up-to-date equipment so that students may embrace new opportunities in a modern job market. They are always looking to the future in order to provide exceptional talent for an ever-changing global marketplace. There are classes for continued education available.

Old South Baton Rouge

As you might expect from the name "Old South Baton Rouge", although the real estate in this area can be a little bit on the old side, they're well maintained, making it still a promising place for a student to start out. A car will be necessary for renting in this area, but the place is well-kept with community gatherings to pick up litter. There is always some kind of community event going on so you can get acquainted with your neighbors.

Borganville Estates

Borganville Estates is a clean community with friendly neighbors and well-kept homes. It is a small community so very close-knit. It is considered walkable, but you may want to look into public transportation. It's a peaceful neighborhood with all the very nearby amenities. It is a charming place for someone who may spend most of their time studying.

Brownfields

Contrary to the name, this unincorporated community in East Baton Rouge Parish has its fair share of green spaces and conservation areas. There are many traditional single family homes, but there are some great options for apartment communities to rent as well in Brownfields. This lovely natural oasis is only five miles from the I-10 so you can have the best of both the urban and the bucolic.

Louisiana Culinary Institute

Want to learn how to make an authentic jambalaya or serve restaurant quality crawfish? At the number one culinary school in the nation, you can learn that, along with hospitality management, baking, pastry making and advanced culinary arts that are sure to make you an in-demand chef. It has been said that too many cooks spoil the broth, but that's only if the cooks don't work as a team. Teamwork is another skill taught at LCI. You can use what you learn at LCI to start your own restaurant or catering business.

Spanish Town

Habla español? Don't worry, this is a diverse town, so you'll get by even if your high school Spanish is a bit rusty. The Spanish Town neighborhood is renowned for hosting the largest Mardi Gras parade in Baton Rouge. It is the oldest neighborhood in Baton Rouge, but it has been modernized recently. Feel free to decorate your lawn with a pink flamingo. Nearly everyone has one or fifteen.

Bocage

Bocage is a great place to raise a racket. A tennis racket! This well-established neighborhood in the midst of Corporate Blvd, Jefferson Highway, Essen Lane and I-10 is celebrated for the Bocage Racquet Club. Culinary students will appreciate the popular restaurants and specialty food stores. Upscale shopping is available and most apartment complexes feature a pool, a must in hot and humid Louisiana summers.

Park Forest

This is a tranquil, family-friendly neighborhood that blends the old and the new. It is a walkable neighborhood with streets named after natural wonders. As the name suggests, there are several parks nearby along with a thriving community center in Park Forest. Most of the restaurants in this area are chain fast food places, but if you just need a quick sausage biscuit before class, maybe that's for the best.

Baton Rouge has come a long way since Pierre Le Moyne d'iberville and his expedition party first came across that red pole that marked the boundary between the Bayagoula and Houma tribal hunting grounds. It is now a culturally diverse and modern city that honors its rich history. If you decide to move here, bring an umbrella. It is one of the wettest cities in the United States. History buffs will enjoy exploring historical sites, century-old architecture and various museums. Culinary students will enjoy the diverse restaurants that don't begin and end with jambalaya. (But rest assured, you will find the best jambalaya in the country here.) Some people will like busy nightlife and wild parades. Some people will prefer tranquil parks and libraries. Whatever it is you're looking for, you are sure to find it in Baton Rouge.