“I moved here 4 years ago from Shreveport. My territory with work consisted of Louisiana, East Texas and Arkansas. I love old neighborhoods and when I traveled with work, I was always on the lookout for the perfect little house in a great Garden District. I found it in Monroe on 3rd street. A bonus is that my house is only two blocks from a great public park and the lovely Ouachita River.” – Dawn Eakin, Garden District resident
The Garden District in Monroe, Louisiana, is celebrated for its tree-lined streets and overflowing flower beds. Most people find that Monroe’s version is decidedly more laid back—and affordable, than those you’ll find elsewhere.
The area borders the Ouachita River on its northern and western sides, and Forsythe Park, which offers tennis and volleyball courts, a nine-hole golf course, and a public boat launch. There is also a 4 mile bike trail that runs through the woods along the river. There are several restaurants in the neighborhood, as well as a few scattered boutiques. The area is also home to the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens, which includes a Coca-Cola museum and a bible museum where a leaf of a Gutenburg bible is displayed. It’s the kind of neighborhood where the kids walk to school, people socialize on their afternoon dog walk, and young families host rotating dinner parties.
The Houses
The earliest homes were built between the late 1800s and early 1900s, though construction continued up until the 1950s. Styles include Tudor, Spanish Mission, and Craftsman, as well as several large Dutch Colonial Revivals. Home prices range from around $67,000 to $385,000+, with an average sales price of $143,404 in 2013. (represents residential property sold and is based on information provided by the Northeast Louisiana Board of Realtors as of 10/30/2013)
Why Buy in this Neighborhood?
Architectural details, Southern charm, safe streets, friendly neighbors, and good schools are drawing long-term suburbanites back to the more urban Garden District. Home prices remain steady despite fluctuations of the economy, and there are plenty of fixer-uppers available at reasonable prices.
Among the best for: Reasonable Prices, City Life, Cottages and Bungalows, Families, Fixer-Uppers, Gardening, Outdoor Activities, Walkability, Waterfront
