My husband and I have lived in Spanish Town since I moved here from California over 8 years ago. The quirky, walk-able neighborhood appealed to us along with its proximity to downtown, where we both worked. It also meant an easy walk home when we were finished at the bars and a night out. And most importantly, a prime spot for the Spanish Town parade! Our priorities at 23 were a bit different, but our love for the neighborhood hasn’t faded.
I’d always said there is nowhere else in Baton Rouge I would rather live, even once we had a kid. Of course, once the kid actually comes along the thought process is a little different. Once I got pregnant, I began wondering if this was the best place to raise a child. Suddenly the thoughts of schools and family-oriented neighborhoods were more predominant than the ease of walking home from work (and play). We regularly perused the real estate listings in the suburbs of Baton Rouge. It’s hard not consider the option of high quality and free public schools. I wondered if my son would miss out on the afternoons of playing in the street with the other kids in the neighborhood. But still, we stayed.
Fast forward almost three years later. This neighborhood we’ve loved has become even more a part of our family. Since we don’t have much of a yard, we spend our evenings and weekends going for walks around the surrounding parks to wear out our toddler and dog. I often lust for a backyard that I can watch my son play on a swing-set and let the dog run wild. But I see now that the lack of a yard has brought so much of this neighborhood together. We’ve met some great friends just by walking the parks at the same time. Our neighbors have watched our son go from being along-for-the-ride in his stroller to ruling the road on his tricycle. They get joy out of spoiling him with chocolate milk and giving our dog treats. When he’s out digging in the garden, they bring over shovels just his size. Our interaction with neighbors has grown more than ever before by having our son.
Our son may not have a bunch of kids in the neighborhood to play with right now. And schools are always a topic of discussion for us. But the collection of folks, activities, and history surrounding us seem to be enriching his life in a pretty special way. So for now, we’ll be staying right here. He’ll be the kid inviting his friends over for the Spanish Town parade every year and telling you exactly how many steps are in front of the Capitol.
Schools are topic of discussion no matter where you live. And there are some great schools in downtown Baton Rouge, if you don’t mind paying tuition. I’ve known a couple of kids who grew up in Spanish Town and did just fine…
I’m right there with you! My husband, our three toddlers and I live in Beauregard Town. We absolutely love our house (although we’ve out grown it) and love the walkability to restaurants, events, groceries, farmers market etc. Our kids go to ELC which is nice because we can walk there. But I also would love a neighborhood for the kids to play and a big backyard for our dogs to run around in. It’s just so hard to leave the neighborhood and our home. We hope our kids will go to FLAIM or the BR performing arts school. Hopefully we will bump into each other downtown and our kids can run around the green spaces we have now ?
Huh, I just bumped in to this while looking for something completely different. We’re also in Spanish Town, with a 1.5 year old and a grumpy old dog. Perhaps we’ll run in to each other some day! We’re usually out walking about in the evenings.
Hi Kelly! I see this is an old article from last year that must be recirculating, but my husband and almost three year old live on 8th street. My husband purchased this home nearly a decade ago and I have been living here for approximately 5 years. My child is actually one of 3 (and soon to be 4 children) on our street. Staying in Spanish Town was a no brainer for us. It offers a renaissance of culture complete with authors, musicians, writers, bankers, entrepreneurs (young and old), and politicians of every nationality —from every walk of life. Our kids will undoubtedly be afforded opportunities to see, touch, and explore historic state buildings on a daily basis that some children may only venture to see once or twice a year. To those who are critical of downtown family life, i have often said Spanish Town is no better or worse than suburbia…it is merely a different way and it is absolutely a place I wake up inspired to see on a daily basis and excited to explore on foot which is also a well established activity in my family! We welcome more children and families in this neighborhood and I would venture to say that our kids will have had the best of every world!