<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIt is extremely hot and humid in Shreveport in the summer. This is to be expected with any southern state, but if you’ve never experienced it before, seeing (or FEELING in this case) is believing. It would reach 100 degrees or more on most summer days, and chilling lows in the 40s over the winter season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Red River runs through the heart of the city itself, and the area outside the city hosts vast tracts of swampland. Shreveport alone gets 51 inches of rain a year, and these things combined make the humidity almost unbearable. Prepare to spend a lot of time inside in front of an air conditioner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
16. Insects Galore<\/h2>\n\n\n\n With the hot and humid summer weather comes insects. You can\u2019t go out for 5 minutes without being bitten by a mosquito, to the point where insect repellent will become a cologne. There are many options for insect repellants but the heavier the feet content the more potent it will be. But a word of caution for all those wearing the repellent. The higher the feet content the more poisonous it will be if inhaled or digested. Deet can be very dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The still and slow-moving waters of swamps are the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitos and other insects, who not only will make themselves very known in your life as an annoyance but also spread disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cicadas are ever-present in the summertime, and though they are harmless, they are extremely loud during the day and can get annoying. And even if you keep your home clean, you’ll likely face roaches from time to time and some of them can be up to 3-4 inches long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
15. On Note of Religious Persuasion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Shreveport resides in the heart of the United States Bible Belt. Many locals are devout Baptists, who sometimes exclude other sects of Christianity or religious groups. This isn\u2019t true of everyone, but if you generally don\u2019t fit in with that crowd, be prepared for an uphill social battle. I\u2019m of a different religious background than most of the people I came in contact with myself and was frequently excluded from groups and was seen as \u201cweird\u201d because of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This does not mean that these particular religious groups are bad or mean, they just have different views and opinions. So, it is more likely that they will stick around those with similar opinions. They may seem stand-offish but they are good people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
14. Mostly Conservative <\/h2>\n\n\n\n There is nothing inherently wrong with being conservative or liberal in your political ideology, as long as you don’t take those ideologies too far and disrespect other ideas or hurt them. If you lean conservative yourself, this point may be a good thing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Southerners tend to be proud of their heritage and way of life, and that’s typically a good thing. However, the south is also resistant to change, and Shreveport is no exception. If you lean more liberal, you’ll probably have a tougher time fitting in and finding a community. If you’re looking for a diverse local ideology, this probably isn’t the place for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
13. Sparse Higher Education Opportunities <\/h2>\n\n\n\n There are a few universities and colleges are in the area, but nothing about them especially stands out. Schools like Southern University or Louisiana state have branches there, but they’re small, with larger headquarters being stationed in the southern areas of the state. These are good schools, but not highly rated and nothing amazing. The local two-year college, Bossier Parish Community College, (BPCC) is a decent and affordable option, but you wouldn’t have the same experience there as at different colleges in the state. There are several good universities in the state, but they’re not located in Shreveport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But this could be a good thing, to get away from Shreveport a little bit and step away from the area. Louisiana is a great place to live, and university can add to that experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12. It’s not that interesting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n For a state that is as rich in culture and history as Louisiana, Shreveport just doesn’t cut it when it comes to things to see and do. Casinos and the boardwalk are what draw the most visitors, but considering how famous other places in Louisiana are, it’s not that impressive. At least Monroe has Duck Dynasty, and it’s a quarter of the size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Shreveport area is more similar to Arkansas than what locals would consider \u201ctrue\u201d Louisiana, which makes sense because it’s very close to both the Texas and Arkansas borders. If you’re looking for that famous, true Louisiana flavor, head to Baton Rouge or New Orleans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n