Pros & Cons of Buying in Shreveport

The third most populous city in Louisiana, Shreveport has a history that dates back to 1836 when the Shreve Town Company established a town at the juncture of the Red River and the historic Texas Trail—a route used to drive cattle from Texas to Ogallala, Nebraska.

Surrounded by pine forests, cotton fields, wetlands, and waterways, Shreveport boasts picturesque scenery, attractive historic homes, and is the site of a number of important cultural events. Between 1948 and 1960, the hit Shreveport radio show “Louisiana Hayride” launched the careers of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Hank Williams. Many of the exterior scenes in the HBO series “True Blood” were filmed near Shreveport. And one of the largest art murals in the U.S.—the “Once In A Millennium Moon Mega Mural” which covers 25,000 sq. ft. on the side of an AT&T building—is located in Shreveport. In fact, Shreveport recently landed on iHeart Radio’s list of best places in the U.S. to live.

Thinking Shreveport might be where you want to put down your roots? Let’s dive into the pros and cons of this iconic Southern town:

Shreveport offers some of the most affordable housing in the nation, with housing costs in our state 37.9% lower than the national average. Tired of paying high prices for food, fuel, and other necessities? The overall cost of living here is 11.3% less than in the rest of the country.

Additionally, Shreveport-Bossier City’s housing market has been one of the most stable in the country, especially during times of economic uncertainty. When you take a look at the Shreveport-Bossier City House Price Index for the last 22 years, you’ll see that even during the Great Recession of ‘08, local home prices here remained steady. For this reason, Shreveport is an ideal location for first-time homeowners to dip their toes into the rewards of owning real estate—a form of investment that’s becoming increasingly out of reach in the rest of the United States.

If you're looking for a beautiful home that captures the rich history and culture of Louisiana, look no further than Shreveport. The city’s unique architecture is influenced by the geography and climate of the region as well as its storied past. The area is rich in historic properties, ranging from craftsman style to French-colonial dwellings nestled amongst centuries-old trees. Some architectural styles you’ll find downtown include Neo-Gothic, Italian Renaissance Revival, Art Deco, Streamlined Art-Moderne, Mid-Century, Italianate, Classical Revival, and Neo-Baroque. According to downtownshreveport.com, many buildings “display a massing of elements like columns and sculptures, and volutes, or decorative spiral shapes.”

Enjoy spooky stories and haunted places? There are plenty of spots renowned for paranormal activity in and around Shreveport.

Bring your ouija board to Shreveport’s Oakland Cemetery—what many claim is the most haunted place in the state—or visit the Municipal Auditorium, which was once used as a morgue by Dr. Willis P. Butler. Years after his passing, Butler’s ghost is allegedly still seen working in the area.

Interested in architectural wonders? Take a quick trip to the haunted Logan Mansion built in 1897 and renovated in 2005. It’s a 5,000-square-foot Victorian palace where visitors often hear disembodied, child-like voices. Favor cryptids over specters? Caddo Lake is the site of hundreds of Bigfoot sightings and was the setting for a 2006 Travel Channel documentary called “Bigfoot.”

Home to more than 45 public parks, Shreveport offers a variety of activities for residents of all ages. With great libraries, abundant retail shopping, and plenty of opportunities to connect with locals at farmers markets, Shreveport also offers a number of natural attractions and is just a short drive away from the Shreveport Aquarium. Further south you’ll find Chimp Haven—one of the best chimpanzee sanctuaries in the country.

Unfortunately, Shreveport suffered a prolonged recessionary period from 1985-1989 that impacted its economy for decades to come. An increase in poverty, inequality, and crime resulted from these economic shifts, but luckily changes are afoot that may help to mitigate these issues. According to bizmagsb.com, the arrival of powerhouse employers like the Cyber Innovation Center and Glovis America has put more people to work. Additionally, organizations like ReForm Shreveport, Housing Authority of Shreveport, and other area nonprofits are working to improve equality, reduce poverty, and provide access to affordable housing in the area. Continued work from nonprofits and local governments to provide infrastructure improvements and give residents access to resources is much needed in order to reduce crime and poverty in our region.

Climate change projections place Louisiana in the top three at-risk states for severe weather impacts. According to the EPA, Louisiana’s “changing climate is likely to increase damages from floods, reduce crop yields and harm fisheries, increase the number of unpleasantly hot days, and increase the risk of heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses."

Louisiana also has a higher flood risk than anywhere else in the country, and Flood Factor projects that “Louisiana will see a 62.8% increase in the number of properties with flood risk in the next 30 years.” This means Bossier City residents will need to be prepared for the potential of property damage and familiarize themselves with how to be safe in flood-prone areas. The State of Louisiana’s Governor’s Office has tips for preparing for floods including:

Humidity can give your skin a dewy glow, but it can also feel stifling for those without a sense of humor. Louisiana ranks third in the nation for its humidity, which means going outside can be uncomfortable—especially during summer. If you own a home in a highly humid area, you’ll need to be extra cautious of the negative effects humidity can have on your property. Peeling wallpaper can be an annoyance, but mold growth can be dangerous.

Energy.gov has some tips for keeping a home comfortable in a humid climate, including:

Ready to begin your Shreveport home search? We’ve rounded up some attractive Shreveport homes now available.

4 beds, 3.5 baths, 5,010 sq. ft.
Listed by Tammi Montgomery •TREC #0995682171 • RE/MAX Real Estate Services
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NTREIS #14762035

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,450 sq. ft.
Listed by Tammi Montgomery •TREC #0995682171 • RE/MAX Real Estate Services
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NTREIS #20202366

3 beds, 1 bath, 1,318 sq. ft.
Listed by Tammi Montgomery •TREC #0995682171 • RE/MAX Real Estate Services
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NTREIS #20196551

3 beds, 2 baths, 2,226 sq. ft.
Listed by Tammi Montgomery •TREC #0995682171 • RE/MAX Real Estate Services
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NTREIS #14762035

3 beds, 2 baths, 1,425 sq. ft.
Listed by Tammi Montgomery •TREC #0995682171 • RE/MAX Real Estate Services
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NTREIS #20168431

5 beds, 3 baths, 3,170 sq. ft.
Listed by Tammi Montgomery •TREC #0995682171 • RE/MAX Real Estate Services
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NTREIS #20189109

We know how precious your time is. And we appreciate that you’re thinking about making a move to Shreveport—whether it be this year or next! No matter if you’re looking at a specific neighborhood, or have a special need in mind, we want to make the process as seamless and stress free as possible. Reach out today and let us know what's on your wishlist. We’ll be here to help!

All listings provided courtesy of NTREIS.

Did any of these homes catch your eye? Give us a call today at 318-540-6108 and let's get the ball rollin'!