Monticello's suburban energy just east of Baton Rouge
Monticello sits just east of Baton Rouge city limits, about 20 minutes from the Louisiana State Capitol. Monticello residents are drawn to the suburban enclave for its slower pace without losing access to city amenities. “Some of it is just the sheer affordability," says Brandon Lively, a Realtor with Overstreet and Co. who has worked in Baton Rouge real estate for eight years. "As you get closer into the city, homes can get more expensive.” Monticello Boulevard, the community’s main artery, splits off from busy Greenwell Springs Road as it heads into Monticello's main residential area, where tall evergreen trees run down middle of the quiet road. “You get a little more bang for your buck, but I also know people who want to live out there so they can get away from the traffic,” Lively says.
20th-century ranch-style homes make up the community
Wide ranch-style homes line Monticello Boulevard and the surrounding streets. Houses were generally built in the second half of the 20th century and can sell for $90,000 to $290,000, with properties on the upper end of the spectrum featuring recent renovations. Prices in Monticello tend to be lower than in similar neighborhoods closer to downtown Baton Rouge. “People like the older-style homes. Some people don’t want a cookie-cutter style home,” Lively says.
Education in East Baton Rouge Schools or private options
East Baton Rouge Schools serve Monticello and receive an overall C-plus grade from Niche. Students can attend Greenbrier Elementary, which also gets a C-plus rating, followed by Park Forest Middle, rated C-minus. Belaire High School, rated D, offers specific programs in liberal arts, construction and entertainment technology. Students in the East Baton Rouge district can apply for open enrollment within the district or, in limited cases, request out-of-district transfers. Students can also apply for magnet programs. “There are so many choices these days,” Lively says. “Baton Rouge has a lot of people who go to private schools rather than the public route.” Private options include A-plus-rated Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, which teaches kindergarten through 12th grade, around 7 miles away.
North Sherwood Forest and Sugarland parks within the community
Residents have a handful of neighborhood parks in the area. The largest, North Sherwood Forest Community Park, features basketball and tennis courts, playgrounds and trails around a lake. Sugarland Park is more compact, with a fitness trail, a playground and a tennis court. Youth sports often play at Hartley/Vey Sports Park, which has several turf baseball and softball fields, 4 miles from Monticello.
Businesses along Monticello's perimeter, plus shopping centers close
Businesses sit off Greenwell Springs Road around the perimeter of the community. Dollar stores like Dollar Tree and Dollar General sell discount goods, while Jerry Lee’s Cajun Foods sells its famous boudin from a storefront next to Mary Lee Donuts. Two miles up the road, a small shopping center includes Oak Point Fresh Market for groceries, Walgreens for other essentials and several chain eateries. More shopping can be found in the direction of downtown. Walmart is 5 miles away, with a Lowe’s next door. Nearby restaurants like Smokey Watson BBQ and the Warehouse Restaurant are local favorites.
Family events at the library, state fair and downtown
The Greenwell Springs Regional Branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library is in the community and features family-focused events like storytime or crafts. Residents can head to downtown Baton Rouge for more events, such as Mardi Gras parades leading up to the holiday. The Greater Baton Rouge State Fair is held each fall at Airline Highway Park, 12 miles from Monticello.
10 miles to downtown Baton Rouge, with I-12 nearby
Monticello sits directly east of the Baton Rouge city limits, roughly 10 miles from downtown. Residents generally drive, though the Capital Area Transit System operates a bus line along Sherwood Forest Drive on Monticello’s western edge. Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport is 10 miles away, and Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge is the nearest hospital, about 8 miles from Monticello.
Flooding history and current risk
In 2016, tremendous amounts of rain fell on Baton Rouge and parts of Monticello, leading to what NOAA called a 500-year flood. Despite the disaster, only small portions of the community are currently within FEMA-designated high-risk flood zones. Homeowners within those sections may be required to purchase flood insurance.
