Red Chute

As part of Benton, the No. 1 best place to live in the Shreveport area, residents of Linton-Midway benefit from many highlights of the highly-ranked suburb: cul-de-sacs of new construction homes and a well-rated school district. “It is a growing area. The city is pushing up in that direction,” says Realtor Nancy Harner who has 25 years of experience and works with Diamond Realty & Associates. However, the centerpiece of the community both geographically and lifestyle-wise is Cypress Bayou Reservoir, where small-town locals can also spend quality time on the water from lakeside homes to a sprawling park brimming with amenities from a beach to a zoo. North of Shreveport, Linton-Midway is composed of winding roads of single-family homes on large yards and acres of undeveloped land, some also available for purchase. The subdivisions often can feature sidewalks, although the area isn’t walkable for errands. Homes often come with attached garages and manicured lawns with garden beds. The architecture includes Cape Cods, ranch-style homes, contemporary houses and colonials with second-story front porches. As for sales prices, these can range from $199,000 for a ranch-style home to $1.05 million for a waterfront Cape Cod mansion. “Most of the market is more expensive now with new subdivisions and upcoming growth. The prices are pretty much like the rest of the nation. The market value is escalating rapidly,” Harner says. Students in the area go to Bossier Parish Public Schools, which earns an A-minus rating and is the No. 1 best school district in the Shreveport area according to Niche. Schools include Benton Elementary School, Benton Middle School and Benton High School. All three schools have A-minus grades on Niche. The high school also features unique courses from Environmental Science to Cybersecurity Fundamentals. At the Cypress Black Bayou Recreation and Water Conservation District, locals can access activities on the reservoir like covered fishing piers, a sandy swimming beach and cabins for a weekend getaway. “I have spent many days at Black Bayou,” Harner says. “The lake is beautiful and known for fishing. It’s definitely an attraction.” For those who prefer dry land, visitors can also go on walks in woodland paths and bring kids to a playground. The large park also features peacocks, pigs and goats at the zoo. Another recreation spot is Benton Park, which has a large picnic pavilion, a playground and a weekly farmers market in warm months. To stock up on bulk produce and groceries, residents can go to Sam’s Club. People can also opt for Brookshire’s, a southern grocery chain. More stores include Five Below for discount items and TJ Maxx, a department store. As for restaurants, Trejo’s serves Tex-Mex dishes like tacos in a colorful eatery with daily specials. Residents can also visit Sonic or Sam’s Southern eatery for convenient fast-food drive-throughs. At Party Central Family Fun Center, visitors can race each other at the go-carts, play mini golf and win prizes at the arcade. The attraction is often a venue for birthday parties and other events. The Shreveport Aquarium offers hand-feeding stingrays, touching starfish and informative shark talks. About 15 miles from downtown Shreveport, residents of the area can easily commute to the big city via Benton Road by car since there’s no public transit in the area. As for a nearby hospital, locals can go to North Caddo Medical Center. Residents can also access the Shreveport Regional Airport for further travel from business trips to vacations.

Princeton is a rural, small-town community located 16 miles outside of Bossier City and 40 miles from the Texas border. “The area is the solid country,” says Jenny Spivey, a Realtor with East Bank Real Estate, who has lived in north Louisiana her entire life. “I would say it takes about 5 minutes to drive through the whole neighborhood.” The Barksdale Air Force Base-East and the Willis-Knighton Medical Center are the two largest employers in the area. Genesis Crude Oil is an oil refinery that’s another major employer, but also sometimes causes a strong odor in the area. The neighborhood has traditional-style and contemporary houses with ranch-style influences that are surrounded by tall trees, ranging from $150,000 to $400,000. “There are also many mobile homes in the area,” says Spivey. “Homeowners tend to have lots of acreage, but it’s still affordable.” The Bossier Parish Public Schools serves students in the area, with an A-minus from Niche. Kids may attend Platt Elementary School, which has an A-minus, before moving on to Haughton Middle, which has a B-plus and a student council. Children can advance to Haughton High, which also has a B-plus and offers students a Bossier Youth Leadership club. The Joe Delaney Memorial Park is used for its walking trails and playground. The park hosts an annual Christmas festival. The Haughton LA Park is open 24 hours a day and offers picnic areas for parties and barbecues. Residents can participate in organized sports like basketball, baseball and swimming at the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana, which is 18 miles away. Olde Oaks Golf Club offers residents a 27-hole course with scenic views. Highway 157 is the main highway that residents drive to get around Princeton. The Amtrak train services provide residents access to Bossier City. The Shreveport Regional Airport is 29 miles away. Residents visit Spring Market and Walmart for restocking on grocery and home supplies and Westlake Ace Hardware for home improvement items. Roger’s Corner Store is a convenient store for to-go meals and gasoline. Locals spend date nights at Don Lucio’s Bar and Grill, an authentic Mexican restaurant, or the Boomer’s Lounge for American classics and karaoke. The Party Central Family Fun Center is a popular destination for indoor amusement. Residents head to the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets in Bossier City, which has over 60 stores and restaurants, for retail therapy and riverfront views. Louisiana Downs is the go-to casino in the area, where residents can take a gamble. The annual Louisiana State Fair occurs during the fall in Shreveport, which is 15 miles away. Locals get to experience carnival rides and food, magic shows, a circus and zoo animals.

Considered a suburb of Shreveport and located just outside of Bossier City, the Eastwood neighborhood is a unique blend of rural surroundings, suburban vibes, and nearby urban amenities. “It has a residential suburban vibe to it,” says Jenny Spivey, real estate agent with East Bank Real Estate and longtime resident of the area. “But it also has a really rural, outdoorsy feeling to it, too.” With its unique environment, old-school Louisiana architecture, and active community, Eastwood may be the right neighborhood for those who want to have a little slice of the bayou lifestyle to call their own. A mix of styles, old and new Potential homebuyers in the Eastwood area have plenty of options when it comes to the housing market. “The area is a really nice mix of new and old,” says Spivey. “So you have a mix of house styles, from classic Louisiana styles to ranch style.” As mentioned, homes in the area typically consist of single-family ranch styles, with newer construction also making custom contemporary styles common in the neighborhood. Prices can range from $150,000 for a more established three-bedroom ranch style to $600,000 for a new, five-bedroom custom contemporary. Thanks to the more rural feel of the area, homebuyers can expect large lots with spacious front/back yards and driveways/garages. Scholastic success at Haughton school district While Eastwood has may have many things going for it, its local school district is particularly well-regarded. “The schools here are fantastic,” says Privey. “It’s the main reason some people or families move to the area.” Students in Eastwood start their academic careers at T.L. Rodes Elementary for grades K-1, move to Platt Elementary for grades 2-3, then to Haughton Middle and finally Haughton High School. According to Niche, these schools earned ratings of A-minus, A-minus, B-plus, and B-plus respectively. Haughton High School is also well-known for its football program, which has produced several NFL players—including current Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Dak Prescott. Shreveport, Bossier City, and more only miles away While it may feel like its farther out than it is, Eastwood sits just 11 miles from Shreveport and is even closer to Bossier City. With Routes 79 and 80 running through the area, residents will have no problem hopping onto the highway and getting wherever they need to go. Travelers looking to do a little adventuring outside of Louisiana can do so quickly too, as the neighborhood is just under 40 miles from the Texas state line. Find what’s needed nearby Eastwood’s location makes it easy to commute to Shreveport or Bossier City for whatever may be needed, but residents also have closer options. Nearby Spring Market serves as the community’s local stop for groceries, providing the most popular brands in a cozy setting. Don Lucio’s serves up fajitas, tacos, and margaritas in a friendly environment. Those looking to do a little shopping can do so at the nearby Target, TJ Maxx, or Five Below. Outdoor living, Louisiana style Thanks to its unique location along the bayou, residents of Eastwood have options when it comes to how they want to do their outdoor adventuring. “It’s a great place to be an outdoorsman,” says Privey. “There are a number of shooting ranges for residents to take advantage of, as well as horse stables.” The nearby swampland makes swamp tours, air boat rides, and fishing wildly popular activities. Those looking to appreciate the local greenery in a more controlled setting can do so at the Bossier Parish War and Space Memorial park, which provides residents with a playground for children and a picnic area for the whole family to enjoy. Friday Night Lights shine bright in Eastwood Thanks to the success of Haughton High’s football team, the close-knit nature of the community, and the popularity of the sport in the area, high school football games are big events in Eastwood. Rivalry games against Benton, Parkway, and Airline High Schools in particular are reasons for the community to come out in big numbers on a Friday night to support their team.