So, anybody live (or have lived) in Lafayette, LA?
If so, what are some good neigborhoods for a family (e.g., safe, activities for kids, parks, locale, etc.)?
Any good recommendations for grade schools (private or public)?
General opinion on the Lafayette area?
What say you texags?
Thanks...

My parents live outside Lafayette in a small town called Iota. You might want to consider commuting instead of living in Lafayette city limits. It's a fun place to live, lots of great food and entertainment.

If you aren't opposed to private Catholic schools, there are a few in that area I could reccommend (Notre Dame, Redemptorist, both in Crowley, I don't know what feeds St. Thomas Moore High but that's the most prominant Catholic High School in the area). I'd also look into demographics of the area you're moving to before choosing to live there and sending your kids to the public schools. If you are totally against sending them to a private school, you may have to send them to a rural school.

Also - are you moving north or south of I-10?

[This message has been edited by Ronnie (edited 3/27/2008 3:20p).]

Possibly south of I-10...

You may be closer to Teurlings and those schools than STM. Not sure what kind of school Acadiana High is but they are good at football.

breaux bridge!

ahhh... the women from breaux bridge!

I lived in Lafayette in 7th and 8th grade. Both of my parents are from Lafayette.

When we first moved to Lafayette (after living overseas) my parents decided to have us try public school... it couldn't be as bad as people made it out to be. Wrong. It was horrible. I would finish my work in class or turn in homework and the teachers were surprised and didn't know what to make of it. The only two things good about it was that I made a bunch of friends in the neighborhood that went to school there, and I got my hunter's safety permit. The state paid for us to take it during P.E. part of the first semester. Not too many people can say they have shot skeet at school.

After the first semester I went to Westminster Christian Academy (non denominational) in Opelousas. My sister was younger so she could still attend the one in Lafayette. We would get dropped off at the Lafayette campus and take a school bus 45 min to the main campus in Opelousas. I still keep in touch with some people I was friends with there (moved after 8th grade). Definately send your kids to private schools. It is worth the money. Some of my cousins went to STM and they turned out ok.

Regarding Breaux Bridge... well that is where the side of the family we don't brag about lives.