Bossier City

Bossier City is the sister city to Shreveport, Louisiana, but military folks know it better as the home of Barksdale Air Force Base. The airfield, once the largest in the world, stretches across 22,000 acres on the eastern edge of the city and is home to approximately 15,000 active duty members, reservists, military family members and personnel. Abutting the air base and the Red River is the neighborhood of Barksdale North. Though it’s outside the town center, the area hums with energy. “Barksdale has been, since its inception, kind of the heart of this area,” says Ryan Wheeler, real estate agent with Pinnacle Realty Advisors. “The base employs about 10,000 people, so it’s like its own little city.” It’s also just a few miles from the bars, restaurants and casinos that light up Shreveport’s Downtown Riverfront. While the property mix in Barksdale North favors homes over apartments, most residents rent rather than own. “It’s an area that has a lot of first-time homebuyers and a lot of investors who will either flip or hold it to rent,” says Adam Lytle, associate broker with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. “And the styles are eclectic; you never know what you’re going to get here. It’s not cookie-cutter.” Mobile homes, fixer-uppers and duplexes typically cost $25,000 to $100,000, while cottages and remodeled 1960s ranch-style houses are priced from $150,000 to $200,000. Paved sidewalks make it easy to visit neighbors, walk the dog or boost the daily step count. Lots typically measure under 10,000 square feet, with mature tree growth to lend shade and privacy to pocket-sized lawns. Airline Drive, one of Bossier City’s primary retail and restaurant corridors, curves through the center of Barksdale North. Chain eateries like Crispy Donut, Griff’s Hamburgers, Church’s Texas Chicken and Outback Steakhouse appear alongside the highway, along with Ivan Smith Furniture and Super 1 Foods grocery store. At Rincon Catracho, diners sample Honduran cuisine washed down with banana soda. Parallel to the Red River, Barksdale Boulevard is the neighborhood’s other major thoroughfare, clustered with automotive shops and discount stores like Family Dollar. El Novillo Carniceria, a neighborhood meat market and deli specializing in authentic Hispanic products, also resides on Barksdale Boulevard. Following Airline Drive to the northern side of Interstate 20 leads to Pierre Bossier Mall, home to department stores like Dillard’s, JC Penney and Spencers. Barksdale Boulevard, also known as Louisiana Highway 71, connects to Interstate 20 during the 3-mile trip to the heart of Bossier City. From there, it’s another 2 miles to the sister city of Shreveport and 4 miles to Willis Knighton Bossier, the closest hospital. Commuters can also access the interstate via Airline Drive. Shreveport Regional Airport is 10 miles away and connects to several major hubs, including Charlotte, Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth. Shreveport Area Transit System (SporTran) has a couple of bus stops on Airline Drive, but according to locals, the system doesn’t get much use in that area. The first stop for students is Central Park Elementary School, which earns a Niche grade of B-minus. Rusheon Middle School is next and earns a C-plus. Both schools are right in the neighborhood. Next up is Bossier High School, which is a short drive away in the East Bank District and gets a B-minus from Niche. By filling out a form no later than 30 days prior, guests can visit the Barksdale Global Power Museum, an institution devoted to preserving antique aircraft. Models from WWII and the Cold War are on display, along with the SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest fighter jet ever built. Hooter Park and the adjacent Martin Luther King Community Center are tucked into a quiet cul-de-sac near the base, with several shaded play areas, a picnic pavilion, a basketball court and a walking trail lined with benches. Inside the Center, residents find a gymnasium and community room that serves as a gathering place for local activities and events. At the centrally located Patricia Drive Neighborhood Park, youngsters clamber on the animal-themed play equipment while older kids practice pitching and fielding on the baseball diamond. Other highlights include a tennis court and jogging path. Holiday Lanes Bowling Alley and Hot Wheels Skating Palace are also in the neighborhood, presenting indoor alternatives for rainy days or birthday parties. The Barksdale Defenders of Liberty Air Show takes flight on the last weekend in March. First held in 1933, the two-day event features dazzling displays from military, historic and modern aircraft. Through this event, the U.S. Air Force aims to enhance public awareness of the branch’s capabilities while paying tribute to service members. The aptly named Industrial Drive runs between Barksdale Air Force Base and I-22. Numerous industrial plants and facilities litter both sides of the highway. The U.S. Department of Transportation also operates a branch nearby.

Bossier City’s roots as a cotton-exporting river landing are unmistakable in Sligo-Mayers, a rural neighborhood on the town’s outskirts. Though the sister city to Shreveport is home to just 60,000 residents, it’s a metropolis compared to the small community that lies to its south. Surrounded by former cotton fields, Sligo-Mayers invites homebuyers to enjoy life at a slower pace. “It tends to be quite a ways out there for most folks,” says Ryan Wheeler, a real estate agent with Pinnacle Realty Advisors. “There are some nice places down there, it’s just not as occupied.” While it’s several miles to the nearest grocery store, residents enjoy a few perks to accentuate their quiet lifestyle. The Red River courses through the area, drawing anglers and recreational boaters. Olde Oaks Golf Club, a 27-hole course designed by PGA Ryder Cup Captain Hal Sutton, spreads across 340 hilly acres. And homes tend to be built on larger lots, affording privacy and opportunities for creative landscaping. Boat ramps and covered slips at Red River South Marina & Resort allow anglers to cast lines for walleye, northern pike and channel catfish. Various fishing tournaments are held throughout the year, and onsite cabins and RV lots are available for visitors who want to get out on the water early. More wildlife-based recreational activities are available at Red River National Wildlife Refuge, a habitat for waterfowl and other native species that encompasses Lake Caroline and several miles of hiking trails. Olde Oaks Golf Club features a Hal Sutton Signature-designed 27-hole course, practice facilities, a pro shop, a bar and grill and a two-tiered patio. Cross-country teams routinely compete in local and regional meets at South Bossier Park, a popular spot for drone skill competitions and miniature rocket launches. Sligo-Mayers sits on the outskirts of Bossier City, well beyond the metropolitan area. More than 80 percent of properties are residences; most people own their homes. Most houses are concentrated around Sligo and Olde Oaks Golf Club, and vacant lots and investment properties leave room for growth. “You’ve got larger lots there,” says Adam Lytle, associate broker with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. “That area really slowed down on the growth prior to Covid, but since then, it’s exploded again, and there are new builders in the area.” Empty lots measure about a half-acre and cost $75,000 to $125,000 on average. Buyers can expect to pay about the same for a fixer-upper or investment property. Many existing homes date to the 1970s or ’80s and sit on lots measuring at least a full acre, with generous front and back yards. Acadian and contemporary-style homes with brick construction and gabled roof accents are typically priced at $200,000 to $700,000. Anyone considering a move to Sligo-Mayers should be interested to learn that the CAP Index score is 1, well below the national average of 4. This is likely due in part to the low population density, which hovers around one person per acre. It’s a short drive south to Elm Grove Elementary School, which earns a Niche grade of B. Elm Grove Middle School, which gets a B-plus, is also a short drive away, but it lies in the other direction. Parkway High School is right in the neighborhood and gets a B. At Parkway, students participate in various extracurricular activities, including the Pride of Pantherland marching band. Within a mile of South Bossier Park, Sligo Country Store is a convenient place to pick up a pizza or burger. Right down the road is Pinky’s on the Bayou, a roadhouse offering cold beer, pool tables and live music. Rascal’s Bar, another watering hole with a pub grub menu and a small yet well-stocked bar, awaits on Barksdale Boulevard. Also nearby is Cotton Belles clothing store, which specializes in women’s wear. Following Barksdale Boulevard toward Bossier City leads to Brookshire’s grocery store, 5 miles away. Barksdale Boulevard, or Louisiana Highway 71, cuts through the neighborhood and leads to Bossier City, 13 miles away. From there, commuters can drive the additional 2 miles to Shreveport or connect to Interstate 20. The interstate offers the quickest route to Shreveport Regional Airport, 20 miles from Sligo-Mayers. Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals-Bossier City is the closest hospital, about 5 miles north along Barksdale Boulevard. Wat Buddhasamakeevanaram — usually shortened to Wat Shreveport or Shreveport Thai Temple — is the first Thai temple in Louisiana, where the colorful Southeast Asian influence seeps into cuisine and culture. Buddhists visit the temple on Caplis Sligo Road to meditate and make merit. The Red River Research Station is one of the first things travelers encounter on the drive down Barksdale Boulevard from Bossier City. The station takes up a massive chunk of land and conducts research on beef cattle, water quality, insect pest management and other concerns relating to local horticulture. Farther east, the landscape around Sligo is dominated by oil fields, which contribute heavily to the area’s job market.

Resting along the eastern bank of the Red River, South Bossier provides residents with the best of all worlds. Only minutes from Shreveport or the heart of Bossier, this expansive area invites locals to explore rural charms like fishing and boating while remaining firmly suburban. “It’s right by the Barksdale Air Force Base, so there are a lot of military families nearby. It’s really a tight knit community as well. people all know each other by name,” says Jenny Spivey, Realtor with East Bank Real Estate, who has been in the industry for 16 years and is local to the area. South Bossier boasts a range of eateries, grocery stores, entertainment venues, and nature preserves all next door to the Barksdale Air Force Base. This mix of urban and country draws people in, and many choose to become lifelong residents. Homes in South Bossier consist primarily of single-family dwellings, in addition to the occasional townhouse and apartment community. Common architectural styles include midcentury ranch-style homes. There are even plenty of the oddly named snout houses, which have prominent garages taking up much of the streetside. Lawns are neatly kept, and some homes have natural landscaping. Prices range from the $100,000s for a ranch-style home that needs some updating to $340,000 for a newly built three-bed, two-bed home to over $600,000 for a spacious custom-built home in the gated communities that border the Red River National Wildlife Refuge. There’s no lack of education options in South Bossier either, home to multiple elementary schools within the Bossier Parish Public School District. A-minus-rated Sun City Elementary was ranked one of the top 75 best public elementary facilities in the state by Niche. The school is known for its clubs and activities like the Five Star Military Club, Spanish Club, and cheerleading. Older students may move onto B-plus-rated Elm Grove Middle School and B-rated Parkway High School. Mike Wood Memorial Park is one of the most popular green spaces in South Bossier. Here, locals can play a game or two of tennis, climb on the playground or splash around the outdoor pool during the summer. To the east, Barksdale AFB FamCamp is a popular campground for weekend getaways. Nearby, the Red River National Wildlife Refuge is ideal for bird and wildlife viewing. With 5 miles of meandering trails, the refuge provides hiking, fishing, biking, and paddling opportunities along the waterways. Olde Oaks Golf Club is close by for a different scene of greenery, while numerous fitness studios along Barksdale Boulevard offer indoor recreation options. Barksdale Boulevard is scattered with shopping and dining options, like Savage Roots Boutique for women’s clothes. “Fat Tuesdays is a well known little sandwich shop,” Spivey says, serving up specialty dishes like the Muffelatta Melt Po Boy and Cajun Club Supremo. “Gumbo to Geaux is also amazing,” Spivey says, known for Cajun classics. Johnny’s Pizza House is a popular regional chain for a slice of pie, while others can grab a sweet treat from dawn to dusk at the beloved Southern Maid Donuts. Numerous grocery stores like Kroger, Walmart Neighborhood Market and Brookshire’s are available, in addition to Smith’s Family Market, for fresh farm-to-table meats. Locals also have a 4 mile trip to major retailers like Target, Sam’s Club and Lowe’s Home Improvement along Youree Drive. South Bossier is home to the Brookshire Grocery Arena, which hosts various events and concerts throughout the year, like the annual Shreveport Blues Festival. Locals are also just minutes away from all that downtown Shreveport has to offer. Events like the Cork Wine Festival draw crowds to Festival Plaza to enjoy over 100 wines. The plaza also hosts events like Shreveport’s seasonal farmers market, open every Saturday from June to August. US Highway 71, also referred to as Barksdale Boulevard, is the main thoroughfare in South Bossier. Multiple buses run along the route, while other major roads like Interstates 20, 220 and 49 weave through the region. The sounds of planes may interrupt quiet evenings as the Barksdale Air Force Base borders the community. However, essential amenities such as the Willis-Knighton Pierrepont Hospital and the Shreveport Downtown Airport are conveniently close.

Ferguson is a rural neighborhood located in Bossier City, Louisiana, with great potential to grow. “We have a lot of employment opportunities, and that is a big draw to this area,” says Louis Johnson, Public Information Officer of Bossier City. “We have an Amazon plant opening very soon, and the gaming industry is really popular with five or six casinos in the area, so people are moving to Furguson for jobs.” Ferguson features Interstate 20 on the south side of the neighborhood and Interstate 220 to the north, so there is a lot of retail in the bordering area; however, the neighborhood itself is mostly residential. The median price for a single-family home in Ferguson is just under $100,000. Many of the houses in the area are brick ranch-style builds. The homes are located on quiet residential streets that feature wide sidewalks, good for dog owners looking for a walking route. Most of the houses have private driveways and modest front and back yards. Homes are on smaller lots close together, but mature trees provide a sense of privacy, as well as shade from the Louisiana sun. Kids attend Bossier Parish Schools, beginning at Meadowview Elementary, which received a C-plus grade from Niche. Next is Greenacres Middle School, which has a B-minus rating and is rated as the No. 36 most diverse school in the state. Airline High School has an A-minus rating on Niche and is considered by the service as the top school in the district. Airline is also rated by Niche as one of the top 20 schools in all of Louisiana. “The Bossier Parris Schools are some of the best in the state, and it’s a reason people come here,” says Johnson. “We are very proud of our public safety record and our schools.” Ferguson locals can visit Shed Road Community Playfield all year round for recreation activities. In the summertime, the pool is a great place to cool off, and the tennis courts and basketball courts are popular in every season. The Tinsley Athletic Complex is home to many youth sporting events. Kids in the area will come to Tinsley to compete on the baseball, football and soccer fields. Swan Lake Park also houses a pair of baseball fields and a playground for younger children. The park has tables, making it a popular place for a picnic. Party Central is an indoor/outdoor amusement park complete with go-karts and dozens of arcade games, ideal for birthday parties. When hungry, residents may head to Nicky’s Mexican for fajitas and margaritas. Nicky’s is colorfully decorated with murals on the wall and vibrantly colored tables. Sam’s Southern Eatery boasts homestyle cooking. Sam’s is a casual joint with a maritime theme serving up fried fish and shrimp specialties. Notini’s Restaurant is a classic Italian joint, complete with red and white checkered tablecloths. With pasta classics and wood-fired pizza, Notini’s is a good spot for an evening out. Shopping is easy in Ferguson, with a variety of national chains in the area. Target, Walmart, and Kroger are all located within a mile on Interstate 220 and provide convenient places to grab groceries for the week ahead. Shoppers can head south on Route 79 to Pierre Bossier Mall, which is home to dozens of local and national boutiques and a movie theater. Locals can hop on a SporTran bus for transportation around the neighborhood. SporTran is a free service that has stops along Shed Road and East Texas Street. With Interstate 20 to the south and Interstate 220 to the north, it is easy to head to neighboring areas.

About three miles east of Bossier City via Route 79, this area offers large lots and country-club living near the city’s commercial district. Gated communities like Stonebridge and Provident Oaks in northern Fosters, have homeowners associations and manicured lawns with a few trees. Adults can tee up at the local course, and secluded cul-de-sacs ensure a safe environment for kids to play. These planned suburbs fade away in the upper reaches of the neighborhood in favor of estates with open pastures and ponds. To the south, residents living toward I-20 and I-220 will find postwar homes and quick access to shopping malls, local restaurants and city parks. Those traveling to Barksdale Air Force Base often live in this area, where their commute is shortest. Nearer to Bossier City and Route 79, 1960s brick ranch-styles usually have fenced-in backyards and one-car garages. These properties don’t go on the market often but hover around the $100,000 mark. Manufactured and mobile homes are also available for around $60,000. “They’re all nice homes, just in an older area,” says Realtor Tammy Szekacs, who’s been selling in Bossier City for five years. “As you get farther north, there are larger lots, bigger square footage and full, three-bedroom two-baths or more.” These one- and two-story contemporaries are set back on sizeable yards with generous driveways and two-car garages. Homes in Stonebridge sometimes have fairway-facing lots, and residents can watch golfers tee off on the community’s private golf course. While they were primarily built in the last 20 years, different stylings of stone facades and low-pitched roofs ensure each house is unique. Three bedrooms run anywhere from $285,000 to $375,000, and four bedrooms top out at $550,000. For five-bed estates, prices start at $640,000 and move towards the $775,000 mark. Those living closer to the interstate can experience Swan Lake Park, a 25-acre green space with baseball diamonds and a giant playground called “The Field of Dreams.” A mile west, Shed Road Community Playfield has a basketball court, swimming pool, paved track and volleyball court. Though northern areas of the neighborhood are three or four miles from access, Realtor Tammy Szekacs has confidence in the alternatives. “These areas have sidewalks, lights and green spaces,” she says. “There’s plenty of families there, and if they wanted to get in some time outside, it’s a great area for that.” In particular, the Stonebridge neighborhood’s golf course is available to members and paying visitors. Northern residents are also 10 miles from the Cypress Black Bayou, where locals can take boats out for a day on the swamp. Bossier Parish is rated greater Shreveport’s No. 1 district by Niche, and its 34 schools routinely exceed the state average in assessment scores and graduation rates. Students in Fosters start at W.T. Lewis Elementary, rated an A-minus by Niche. For later grades, they can attend Cope Middle and Airline High, both of which receive A-minuses from Niche. Bossier High, rated B-minus, is another option for those living generally south of I-220 and has a business law course. Chain restaurants and shops are within four miles from anywhere in the neighborhood, with the occasional local spot mixed in. For a taste of Louisiana, Shane’s Seafood & Barbecue has fresh po’ boys and boiled crawfish. Locals say Taquería La Reyna has some of the best steak burritos in town, and frozen yogurt at nearby Counter Culture is a Shreveport favorite. Boutiques like Krush and Give Me 3 are closer to town, and just west, the Pierre Bossier Mall has more than 50 stores. For groceries, Walmart Neighborhood Market is just north of I-220. Barksdale Air Force Base, founded in 1933, anchors the neighborhood to the south and is home to the 2nd Bomb Wing, the largest bomb unit in the Air Force. The base is one of the biggest employers in Bossier City, serving 5,000 active-duty personnel, 2,500 civilians and 5,500 military family members. Though not heard in most of the neighborhood, residents nearer to base should be aware of occasional noise from training exercises. While the farther reaches of the neighborhood may take longer, residents have roughly a seven-mile commute into midtown via Route 79. Most places in and outside of Shreveport are easy to access by car, as the I-220 and I-20 loop runs straight through Fosters.

East of Louisiana’s Red River, in central Bossier Parish, the Dukedale-Vanceville area offers proximity to waterways and green spaces, two main north-south corridors to major interstates, and a quiet, suburban lifestyle. Sherry Stapf-Tolisano, Broker-Owner of Spartan Realty, says, “Home variety across this area is similar to what you’d find to the south in Brownlee Estates or Greenacres Place, plus some much newer builds. As you go further north into Benton, you see mostly new construction. It’s a desirable location because you have good schools and easy access to the Willis-Knighton Medical Center near Interstate 220.” Willow Chute waterway winds through the landscape, within backyard forest buffers that edge along curvy residential streets. A large portion of the terrain is either undeveloped woodland or farmland dotted with tractors. Yet within just a few miles, traveling I-220 or I-20 at night, the downtown Shreveport skyline sparkles into view. The area contains multiple gated communities, from active adult to master-planned single-family. Subdivisions include the brand-new Duckwater Landing, featuring farmhouse styles and contemporary painted brick beauties for around $400,000. Stapf-Tolisano adds, “The Legacy master-planned development has soccer fields, baseball diamonds, pools and an HOA that keeps the neighborhood beautifully maintained. Homes can range in size from 1,100 to 3,500 square feet, depending on which of the three Legacy communities you choose. And Willow Lake is a great choice if you’re seeking a 55-and-over neighborhood where you can slow down your pace.” You can also find brick homes built in 2003 for $255,000 or 1980s ranch styles for under $200,000. Residents often stroll pathways through neighborhoods, bike to shopping centers, or trade books at the Little Free Library. North Bossier Park spans more than 53 acres of walkable green space. Stapf-Tolisano says, “Locals call it Brownlee Park, and it’s popular with all surrounding communities because it has soccer fields, tennis courts and a playground area. You’ll always see families having birthday parties at the pavilion.” Residents can also head northeast to boat or fish on Cypress Black Bayou Reservoir or visit many native animal species at the Cypress Zoo, on a 7-acre parkland brimming with pine, oak and sweet gum trees. For some nautical fun, the Shreveport Aquarium is about 7 miles away, and from the Duckwater Landing subdivision, it’s only an 8-mile drive to the Louisiana Downs race track and casino. Public schools are within the Bossier Parish Public Schools District, which Niche gives an A-minus grade. Kids may start at Legacy Elementary, which earns a Niche A grade, and move on to Benton Middle and Benton High, which both earn a Niche A-minus. Benton High School recently enjoyed a major renovation that added 70 classrooms, two gymnasiums and two chemistry labs. Most residents drive to work; however, SporTran bus stops along Airline Drive offer transit to downtown Shreveport. Within the neighborhood, homes are close to a shopping plaza or two. Residents dine on pizza and pasta at Johnny’s, or dig into burgers, po-boys and oysters at Papa and Company. There’s also a new Brookshire’s grocery store nestled in a shopping plaza next to a CVS. In the adjacent community, Stirling Bossier Shopping Center includes famous chain eateries such as Another Broken Egg Café and Chicken Salad Chick, serving up fresh sandwiches and salads either indoors or outdoors under bright green umbrellas. “For date nights or outings with friends,” adds Stapf-Tolisano, “you’ll probably head into historic East Bank district in Bossier City. There’s a movie theater there, several craft breweries, and boutique shops.” More than 25 stores and 15 eateries fill the riverside Lousiana Boardwalk Outlets downtown, about 7 miles from home, where evening strolls along the boardwalk offer lovely views. While waterways are accessible here for fishing or boating, residents should take caution to avoid alligators.