The Pros and Cons of Living in Reserve, LA

About 35 miles west of New Orleans is the town of Reserve, Louisiana. Although relatively close to The Big Easy, living in Reserve, LA has its own definitive feel and vibe as well as pros and cons. This town has faced hard times; yet, it’s filled with resillant people who bring more than their fair share of history, art, culture, and entertainment.

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Pros and Cons of Living in Reserve, LA

The Pros and Cons of Living in Reserve, Lousiana

If you’re moving to Reserve, you likely have lots of questions, many having to do with the cost of living. (It’s a common concern for most American families.) Read on to find out what it costs to live, work and enjoy life in Reserve, LA!

PRO: Housing Costs in Reserve are Very Affordable

While transportation costs might be higher than average, housing costs in Reserve are genuinely affordable. A score of 54% less than the national average and a median home cost of $107,000 make Reserve one of the country’s most affordable suburbs. That’s over $120,000 less than the national average, which is remarkable. We’re also one of the cheapest places to live in all of Louisiana. Many folks rent a Reserve, LA storage unit when they arrive to have more time for house hunting. With prices this reasonable, that’s a good idea that could help you find your dream home. This is a major pro on the list of pros and cons of living in Reserve, LA!

CON: Transportation Costs in Reserve are Expensive

When you consider how close Reserve is to New Orleans and her oil refineries, there are surprisingly high transportation costs here. With a score of 126/100, gas, tolls, auto taxes, and more will be 26% higher in Reserve than average. Luckily, transportation costs are the only index above the average. Still, if you drive a lot, you’ll have to budget a bit more funds when you live in Reserve.

PRO: The Weather in Reserve is Mostly Pleasant

One thing you’ll never see in Reserve is snow, a four-letter word in this part of the country. Four or five months of the year here are also very comfortable. The heat and humidity, which affect Reserve for about three months, can get oppressive occasionally. However, evenings are pleasant and cooler. You’ll be able to enjoy the outdoors for almost the entire year.

Pros and Cons of Living in Reserve, LA

CON: The Public Schools in Reserve Need Help

Of all the pros and cons of living in Reserve, LA, public schools might be the biggest con, unfortunately. Of the nine public schools here, only one gets an A. Most of the rest get a C or, sadly, lower. That’s bad news if you have a young family but, if you’re older or have no kids, not so much. Suffice to say that the public schools here could use some improvement. However, one thing to note is that many students seem to be satisfied with their education here in Reserve.

PRO: Neighboring Cities Throw Great Block Parties

One thing that attracts people to reserve is the feeling of community here. People genuinely care about their neighbors and their neighborhoods. That’s led to a fantastic culture of block parties here you won’t find in many other places. They’re so good that The Reserve, LA area is ranked #2 in America for Best Block Parties! (Although truth be told, most of that has to do with New Orleans.) This is a major pro on the list of pros and cons of living in Reserve, LA!

Pros and Cons of Living in Reserve, LA

CON: Crime in Reserve is Sometimes Problematic

Like many suburbs of large American cities, Reserve, LA has its fair share of criminal activity. While not exceedingly high, at 34.3, we’re above the US average of 22.7 for violent crime. Property crime is 54.1, also higher than the US average of 35.4. All of that being said, most parts of Reserve are calm, quiet, and peaceful. Plus, Reserve is constantly upgrading and training its police force to serve its citizens better.

PRO: Groceries, Healthcare, and Utilities are Affordable in Reserve

No matter where you live, the cost of living is essential. We’ve already talked about the cost of housing and how affordable it is in Reserve, LA. Even better, the cost of groceries, healthcare, and utilities are reasonable as well. Below are the numbers for the seven major indexes compared to the national average, which are all favorable. (Except, as we mentioned above, transportation.)

Cost IndexCompared to the National Average
Grocery Costs6% less than the national avg.
Healthcare Costs9% less than the national avg.
Housing Costs54% less than the national avg.
Utility Costs16% less than the national avg.
Transportation Costs26% more than the national avg.
Miscellaneous Expenses1% less than the national avg.
The affordable cost of living is a major pro on the list of pros and cons of living in Reserve, LA!

Pros and Cons of Living in Reserve, Louisana

While it does have a few problematic spots, Reserve is a genuinely charming place to live. The people and community are open and welcoming, and the proximity to New Orleans is perfect. (Not too close, not too far.)


Check out more about Reserve’s neighboring city, NOLA


We’re Southern Self Storage, the storage leaders in this part of the United States. We have clean, safe, and secure Reserve, LA storage units around the city, ready for all of your things. Many people rent our reserve storage unit to store their outdoor sports equipment. Others store their boats and RVs with us as well as supplies and stock from their businesses.

If you have questions about renting a storage unit, you can chat with a friendly manager online. Also, visiting one of our facilities in person is perfect! Our on-site manager can answer all of your questions and show you around. Until then, we wish you all the best in your new Reserve home. We hope you enjoy living here as much as we do.

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