Continuous suburban growth and comfort south of Lake Charles
South of Lake Charles, suburban stylings and services collide in Prien. Pronounced "pre-on," the community makes up the majority of developed land south of Interstate 210, area that was gradually annexed into the city of Lake Charles as Prien outgrew its original town site on the southeast shore of Prien Lake. Rapid expansion has persisted over the years, turning what was once a rural lakeside village into a sprawling country club-esque suburb. Combined with the highly rated schools, ample shopping and modern parks, Prien's comfort and convenience make it one of the most sought-after housing markets in Calcasieu Parish. "South Lake Charles is more of a prominent area. This is where you want to sell real estate," says Realtor Vicky Fuselier of Exit Realty Southern. "This area has always been booming. It has been for probably the last 30 years."
Prien has a variety of home styles and price points available to those in the market for a home.
The Prien area of Lake Charles is beautiful, and full of scenery.
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Top 50 achievements for A.M. Barbe High School
For potential homeowners, Prien's desirability comes across in several factors, perhaps none more important than its high-performing schools. "People do everything to get their kids in the schools," Fuselier says. Kindergarteners through fifth graders are split between St. John Elementary, rated B-plus by Niche, and Prien Lake Elementary, rated A. Additionally, Niche ranks Prien Lake Elementary in the Top 50 public elementary schools across Louisiana. For 6th through 8th grade, students attend S.J. Welsh Middle, then A.M. Barbe High School for grades 9 through 12. Both schools have Niche scores of B-plus. A.M. Barbe High earns notable distinctions from Niche for its college prep, athletics and diversity, each of which ranks in the Top 50 across Louisiana public high schools.
Prien Lake Elementary School students are inspired to belong, learn, and lead to succeed.
S.J. Welsh Middle has a student body of 1,107 students.
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Newer Colonial Revivals and Acadian homes
The prospect of newer, larger homes attracts many buyers to Prien. Options are mainly limited to single-family homes, although some newer rental apartments, like Country Club Pointe, were built in recent years. Most single-family homes sold in Prien received renovations within the last ten years, including a healthy mix of midcentury ranchers priced between $100,000 to $375,000. Even more properties were fully built within the last 10 years, primarily in subdivisions with strict architectural guidelines . Across the region, new traditional designs for Colonial Revival and Acadian-style homes are hugely popular. Most sell for between $250,000 and $500,000, although some homes with large, secluded yards, plus a few waterfront properties, have sold for over $1 million.
A larger acadian style home proudly sits on a manicured lawn in Prien.
Quiet streets can be found in the residential areas of Prien.
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Bus routes and connections with Interstate 210
Although Paratransit bus routes extend south to Country Club Road, like the rest of Lake Charles, Prien is mostly car-dependent. To get around, drivers rely on a sequence of major multi-lane roads extending north-south, ending at Lincoln Road. During midday and peak commuting hours, stoplights and congestion tend to slow down traffic along Nelson Road and other major roads. These roads collide with Interstate 210 north of Prien, forging the connection to job sites across the lake in Sulphur and beyond.
Residents needing a ride can hop on the bus at one of the several stops around town.
Nelson Rd intersects with Highway 210 in Prien.
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Nina-P's Cafe, garden centers and snow cones
Rife with retail and essential services like hospitals, Prien is well-served with amenities. Locals do all of their shopping and dining along major roads. Commercial hubs and shopping centers with grocery stores, restaurants and pharmacies, like Country Club Plaza Shopping Center, are in no short supply up and down Ihled Road, Lake Street and especially Nelson Road. "Ryan Street was the first main street in Lake Charles. And now you've got Nelson Road — that's the ‘new’ Ryan Street,'" Fuselier says. "It's nothing but restaurants and grocery stores and tons of commercial all the way down Nelson." Although roadsides tend to be dominated by tall signs for national chains, tucked between them are loads of local businesses, such as Prien Pines Nursery, where greenthumbs shop locally for plants and garden accessories. Nina-P's Cafe is among the most popular spots in Lake Charles for Southern comfort dishes like fried chicken and Cajun classics like gumbo and shrimp po'boys. Up the road, Big Daddy's Sports Grill beckons football fans with beer and pub grub. Further south, Lulu's Specialty Cones & More often attracts long lines of customers looking to cool off with a snow cone, so staff members hand out free lollipops to satisfy the waiting masses.
Nina P's Cafe is a staple among the Prien community.
Big Daddy's Sports Grill is one of Prien's most popular lunch time spots.
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Waterfront aplenty at Israel LeFleur Park and private golf courses
In a city known for golf courses and life on the water, Prien offers ample access to both. Some residents prefer private options, such as the Lake Charles Country Club, which offers an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, a pool and a marina, plus dining options. Multiple public parks dot the area, too, such as beaches and boat ramps at Israel LeFleur Park or hikeable urban forest at Tuten Park. Some residents also use the much larger boat ramp at Prien Lake Park, but the park is just as popular for amphitheater events and visits to the splash pad. The city has invested in Prien's parks over the years. After the double devastation from hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020, the 24-acre Tuten Park reopened with a brand-new nature trail and a host of eco-conscious design upgrades, including bioswales, rain gardens and benches made of recycled materials.
A family finishes up a round of golf at Lake Charles Country Club in Prien.
Prien is full of scenic views of the water, courtesy of its proximity to Lake Charles.
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Monthly drum circle performances at Prien Lake Park amphitheater
The amphitheater at Prien Lake Park hosts many concerts throughout the year, including monthly shows with the Lake Area Drum Circle. Families gather to watch a full day of drummers banging on bongos and djembes while dancers add to the revelry with belly dancing and Poi, a traditional dance form derived from the Maori people of New Zealand. Annual events occur at Prien Lake Park, too, including the Reelin' for Warriors Fishing Rodeo, which raises money for the local chapters of United Way and the Veterans Association. Tuten Park hosts regular events as well, such as art shows and free programming at the education center.
Located on the banks of Lake Charles, Prien offers many fishing and boating opportunities.
Tuten Park is open to the public, and located in central Prien.
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Things to consider
Most of Prien avoids flood zone designation. However, Bayou Contraband and several other small strands of water cut across Prien, which can flood in heavy rains. The areas surrounding Bayou Contraband between Nelson Road and Lake Street tend to experience the heaviest flooding in Prien. However, buyers looking to strike a deal near any canal, bayou or other body of water might be required to purchase flood insurance for their home. Also, Lake Charles has a high volume of industrial plants that have polluted its waterways. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality advises against consuming fish and other aquatic life caught in the Calcasieu River Estuary, which includes Prien Lake.
Due to its proximity to the water, Prien is prone to flooding.
Kayakers enjoy a morning on Lake Charles, launching out of LeFleur Park in Prien.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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