When you decide to move to a new state, it can be quite stressful making all the adjustments and getting used to the changes. That’s why it’s always smart to do a little research before the actual move and see what you’ve gotten yourself into. If you’re considering hiring Louisiana movers and uprooting your life, we have some valuable information to share with you. Learning some things about your future home will make the transition much easier. After all, it’s good to be mentally and physically prepared. So, to help you mentally prepare for moving to Louisiana, we want to tell you some of the key facts about this state. We’ll tell you about the ways of getting to know Louisiana and go through the 4 most important things you should know. Let’s dive in.
Get to know Louisiana before moving
First of all, let’s go over some of the things you can do to become familiar with the state of Louisiana. Before moving to a new home, you will need to do some fact-checking. Did you know Louisiana is the only state with parishes instead of counties? Or that it is the birthplace of jazz? Louisiana is full of surprises and interesting things to learn about, so we suggest you do so.
The Internet is your friend
We know that learning about your future home can be a little overwhelming but learning everything there is to know about a place is surely one of the best ways of preparing a big family move to Louisiana. Read articles, reports, and reviews about Louisiana. Find out what the people are saying about this state and if it seems like a good fit for your lifestyle. There are a lot of resources to be explored on the web. We suggest looking into people’s experiences of the city. You would be surprised how much information you can get on forums and other websites regarding any state in the US. People love to share experiences and talk about their impressions online. You can even make some friends along the way!
Follow the news before you relocate to Louisiana
Other than seeing what the residents are saying and reading about the different aspects of life in Louisiana, we also suggest checking the news. Learn about the pressing issues and about relevant topics and happenings in Louisiana. It’s very important to be informed and aware of the current atmosphere of the state you will live in. We suggest looking into some local Louisiana news sources since local news is usually the best source of information for a given state.
Visit some places in Louisiana
Before moving to Louisiana with the New Orleans movers, it’s worth taking a trip or two and seeing what it has to offer. Visit a few places in the state to see which one you like best and where you’d like to create your new home. The best way to fall in love with a state is to explore its culture and important sites. It can make moving a lot more fun and a lot less like a chore. If you like new places to eat, explore some Louisiana cuisine. Louisiana is influenced by French and Spanish culture, so you have a great chance into tasting some Europe cuisine in this state!
If you are out of ideas, we collected some pretty awesome places to start from:
- Louisiana Wetlands – If you like wildlife
- Natchitoches – Home to some fine historic architecture
- Grand Isle – A charming beach village
- National WWII Museum – In-depth history
- Sci-port Discovery Center – If you fancy math, science, and space
Talk to the locals before moving to Louisiana
You can also take advantage of New Orleans local movers. They know the state well and will be able to provide you with a smooth move. Moreover, they’ll be able to tell you a little more about your future home and help you see if you’re making the right choice. Louisiana is home to some of America’s most diverse cultural heritage. On top of this, people are very friendly with a big affinity for jazz music. We suggest making friends with locals because they know their state the best.
The top 4 things to be aware of before moving to Louisiana
1. Louisiana is an affordable place to live
What is most people’s biggest deal-breaker when it comes to moving? Well, finances, of course! Namely, before you bite the bullet and move, you should learn about the cost of living in your new state. This will help you make the final decision and see if you’re able to cover the expenses of living in Louisiana.
Luckily, Louisiana is known to be a pretty affordable state. We suggest organizing a garage sale to ease your financial load when relocating to Louisiana! It’s also important to know that housing in Louisiana is quite inexpensive. Namely, the median monthly rent and mortgage payments are significantly lower than the national average. Renting is the more popular option, but either way, it’s cheaper than in many other states.
Some other things to consider are that car insurance rates are high, and traffic is pretty rough in New Orleans, but nothing compared to LA, NYC, or Boston. Other than affordable housing, the cost of living in the state of Louisiana is pretty great as well. Again, it’s lower than the national average, so that’s great news. The utility rates in Louisiana are also pretty low, which adds to the affordability. All in all, if you’re looking for a place where you won’t have to break the bank, Louisiana is a good choice.
2. Louisiana is a warm state
One of the factors that can greatly affect your lifestyle and your mood is the weather. Of course, weather preferences are very personal, and each person likes something different. Well, if you’re someone who loves long, hot summers and short, mild winters, Louisiana is the place for you. However, if you like the idea of a white Christmas, don’t count on it.
It’s not all beaches and sunny days, unfortunately. Something else you should take into account is that Louisiana is prone to natural disasters. Because of its geographical position and climate, hurricanes, floods, and heat waves are relatively common. This is one of the reasons we suggest getting climate-controlled storage in Louisiana if you want to safely store your things after the move. So, if the weather conditions are something that worries you, you should probably reconsider your relocation to Louisiana.
The weather can be chaotic sometimes, as summers are filled with thundershowers, mild winters, tropical storms, and hurricane seasons. Hurricane seasons extend from June 1st to November 30th. This can sound a bit scary, but the general weather is sunny with occasional rain.
3. The top cities to consider when moving to Louisiana
When you’re relocating to Louisiana, you need to pick a city that is the most fitting for your lifestyle. Different cities have different lifestyles. We suggest you pick a city with an established economy and something that makes you fall in love with it. Whether that’s food, art, or sports, this is personal to you, so we can’t help much. We can inform you as much as possible. Luckily, Louisiana has quite a few cities and all of them have something that makes them special and sets them apart from the others. Furthermore, if you need help choosing the best city for you, here are some suggestions.
Baton Rouge
The state capital and the second-largest city in Louisiana. It’s home to a pretty diverse population, its economy is thriving and there are many attractive neighborhoods. This is an exciting city full of opportunities, yet still affordable. It is home to a ship museum that is actually a Fletcher-class destroyer, one of the first ships of the United States Navy. Also, as home to the main campus of Louisiana State University, the city has a very youthful energy. Keep in mind that if you have a problem with high humidity and mosquitos, Baton Rouge is not a good choice.
New Orleans
A.K.A the Big Easy, is another popular option. This city is full of history, vibrant nightlife, good music, and delicious food. It is a very unique city with a high dose of art culture. Of course, there’s also the popular Mardi Gras festival. Regarding the financial standpoint, consider if it’s better to buy or rent a home in New Orleans. Moreover, New Orleans is home to some big, spicy, and tasty sandwiches, don’t underestimate sandwiches! It’s also the birthplace of jazz music. So, if you like amazing food and some jazz on the side, you won’t make a mistake by choosing to move to New Orleans.
One other thing to consider is the high crime rate in New Orleans. On the flip side, people always say that they never get bored in this city. There is always another festival, concert, etc. to entertain your mind. While New Orleans is a big city, the traffic is pretty good. You can get from one place to another in about 20 minutes maximum. It’s nothing compared to a lot of other major cities. If this sounds good to you, you can start looking for New Orleans portable storage where you can keep all of your extra items.
Shreveport
A city with many residents, great schools, and plenty of opportunities. It is the third most populous city in Louisiana. Shreveport is the commercial and industrial center of the Ark-La-Tex region. It has many theaters, museums, and art centers. It has a Shreveport Aquarium that is home to more than 3000 animals, located on the downtown riverfront. With a diverse culture and very attractive restaurant choices, hot summers, and a great hospital system, Shreveport is a city that definitely deserves to be on the list of some of the best places to move to in Louisiana.
4. Do some research on job opportunities before moving to Louisiana
Of course, it can’t all be good. When it comes to the economy and the job market, Louisiana is ranked pretty low compared to the other states. Namely, the median income is lower than the national average and the unemployment rate is a little higher than the national average. It is ranked 45th state by employment rate, which is pretty low. The job market in Louisiana goes through ups and downs and it might take you some time to find the job you’re looking for. But even though this is not the state with the most employment opportunities, it is improving every year. So, things are looking up.
The average weekly wage in Louisiana increased by $47, from $969 in the third quarter of 2021 to $922 in the third quarter of 2021. Minning, Tech, Manufacturing, and management are one of the highest-paying industries in Louisiana. Another thing to consider is that IT jobs are big in New Orleans. So, if you’re tech-savvy with a relaxed work ethic, consider that to be your city of choice.
If you’re thinking of relocating to Louisiana, we suggest getting on site storage containers. This way you can put all your items in there while you are looking for a job and a permanent home.
If you like what you hear, hire movers and start packing
So, does Louisiana sound like the right state for the life you envision? If so, you can always contact us and rely on our moving and storage services to make moving to Louisiana quick and easy. If you still aren’t sure yet, perhaps explore this beautiful state even more. Moreover, if you end up falling in love with it, we’re sure you won’t regret your choice by making Louisiana your home. We know moving can be difficult if you don’t have the right help and equipment, so plan accordingly and you will have a hassle-free move. You got this!
