Lafayette questions. Moving from DFW (Carencro, Broussard: neighborhood, tornado, subdivision)

[Gig'em12]

Hows it going everyone!

Me and my wife will be moving to Lafayette for a job with a hospital there. I have never been there and only been through north LA driving. I had some questions I hoped that y'all could help with.

1) Tornadoes: My wife requested that I asked about this because she hates them lol. So do they happen down there? or do ya'll just get warnings and all that? I figure y'all get hurricanes but was not sure about tornadoes.

2) Nightlife/Entertainment: We are both in our mid 20's and still want to be able to go out and have a good time every once in a while. Can you go two-step and listen to live music? Are there a lot of places to go?

3) Culture: This was one I was really wondering about, growing up in Alabama, I'm used to deep south culture and really miss it, so what is the areas culture like? About the only reference I have is from running into LSU fans when they came to Alabama to play, which did not leave a good taste ha.

3) Religion: Me and my wife are pretty hardcore Catholic's, and I read that there is a big Catholic presence there, is this true? and are the parishes pretty close-knit?

and finally

4) Where to live: We have pretty much decided on the Youngsville/Broussard area but have not started looking yet until we were absolutly certain.

I think that about covers it for right now!

[Innotech]

Based on your questions I truly feel that you chose the right place.

First off, tornadoes.
In springtime we get an occasional tornado and several warnings.
Actual tornado touchdowns are rare and usually f0 or f1 intensity. Nothing like what you might experience in the high texas plains.

Nightlife. Lafayette loves to party.
Downtown has lots of events, live music, local bands, clubs, restaurants and the surrounding cajun towns arent shabby either! During certain times of year we have Downtown alive and my favorite world music and culture festival in April called Festival International. There are actually several restaurants in the vicinity with dance floors for two steppin to live cajun or zydeco bands.

Culture.
Lafayette is the main hub of activity in sw louisiana and it is the collecting point of cajun culture for the region.
Anything music, language, cuisine, artistic, or behavioral that has to do with cajuns or their culture you will find all around here. This place loves to pass a good time cher! And yes, you will hear and see French influence.

Catholics are highly prevalent in cajun culture.
You will find catholic churches all over the city.
I have been to several and they are all wonderful.

As for where to live, you have the right idea.
If you need to know anything else, just ask!

[sailordave]

Take the chance to visit the local area Catholic churches. They're very beautiful. my personal favorite is my hometown church in Carencro, LA.

[Innotech]

Originally Posted by sailordave

Take the chance to visit the local area Catholic churches. They're very beautiful. my personal favorite is my hometown church in Carencro, LA.

That church is a beautiful classic design. I love to visit it.
The one my parents have always gone to is St Elizabeth Seton on the northside. Its in an older neighborhood on the very northern edge of town and its a beautiful modern church.
Other good ones are St Pious X on the southside off of Kaliste Saloom and Holy Cross in the Broadmoor subdivision.

[aab7855]

You will love it there, period. I miss it terribly

[Gig'em12]

Thanks for all the answers!

I did have another question about the bayou's. I grew up swimming in rivers and playing in swamps and was wondering if it was safe to swim in a bayou? Or are there lakes and all that stuff in the region to swim or tube in?

[Innotech]

Originally Posted by Gig'em12

Thanks for all the answers!

I did have another question about the bayou's. I grew up swimming in rivers and playing in swamps and was wondering if it was safe to swim in a bayou? Or are there lakes and all that stuff in the region to swim or tube in?

There are lakes/swamps all over the area but there are alligators in those. I've seen people skiing/wakeboarding out there, but its mostly a fishing spot in the Atchafalaya basin. If you want to go swimming, there are other lakes further north in Louisiana especially in state parks that I would recommend to check out instead for safety reasons, but if you really grew up doing such things, its up to your discretion. I wouldnt personally swim in the bayous, as the current can be pretty strong and they are prone to high flood stages very quickly.