ABOUT
Jennifer is from a town called Stirling in Scotland 🏴. She is currently a flight student in Louisiana and she is trying to relearn german!
When and why did you move to Baton Rouge?
I moved to Baton Rouge in March 2021 to be an au pair for an amazing host family. An au pair is essentially a foreign exchange babysitter!
Moving to Baton Rouge
What is Baton Rouge famous for?
Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana but I think it’s best known for its college, LSU!
What surprised you about life in Baton Rouge when you first arrived?
I was surprised about how spread out everything is. From my house it takes 25 minutes to get to the nearest town and even living in the city, you have to drive everywhere.
How did you get set up?
I brought my phone from Scotland and it was easy enough to bring it to a phone shop here and get it changed over!
Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance in Baton Rouge?
There are lots of good, generic medical insurances online so definitely check them out!
What did you bring with you?
I came here with one suitcase and it was mostly filled with sentimental things! I did bring weather appropriate clothes (it’s hot here) but I found that you’ll want to buy clothes here so you don’t really have to bring a lot!
What are the main differences between Scottish people and Americans?
Americans are very outspoken and it can sometimes come across as being obnoxious. People will talk to you everywhere you go and it took me a long time to get used to that. Scottish people are good at balancing between talking with people and also giving space. Not everyone wants to have a long conversation when they’re just trying to get something in the shop lol!
Living in Baton Rouge
What are your favorite things to do in Baton Rouge?
Baton Rouge has a lake near the university and I love to grab a coffee and a muffin from my favourite coffee shop and go sit there. It’s so peaceful and I always spend my free time there.
When’s the best moment to visit Baton Rouge?
The best time to visit would definitely be either during the winter or spring. Louisiana doesn’t really get seasons, it’s either too hot or hot but you can go outside and not sweat. 😂 The weather in March is so nice!
Is Baton Rouge better than other cities in Louisiana?
Baton Rouge is one of the smaller cities in Louisiana but there is still a lot to see and do here: Museums, historic sites, festivals, and more!
Where is the best area to live in Baton Rouge?
I think I would recommend living in one of the towns outside of Baton Rouge or at least living away from downtown. Baton Rouge can get dangerous at night and the towns around it are very inviting places to live! Places like Central or Denham Springs!
Have you seen any wildlife?
Coming from a place like the UK where we don’t really have scary bugs or wildlife to a place like Louisiana was a big change for me. I’ve seen snakes, alligators, cockroaches, spiders, lovebugs, and so much more. For the most part they leave you alone and I live outside the city so they roam more. Still a massive culture shock though!
What are some underrated places in Baton Rouge?
I don’t hear anyone talk about the surrounding towns which have so much History to offer. There are many old plantation homes you should definitely check out!!
Do you feel safe in Baton Rouge?
I definitely feel safe during the day. There’s obviously bad parts of the city you don’t want to go to but that’s the same with everywhere. I wouldn’t go out by yourself at night though and you need to stay vigilant.
What are your favorite restaurants and bars in Baton Rouge?
Coffee Joy,
Pizza Byronz,
Albasha Greek and Lebanese,
Red Stick Social, and
Lit Pizza.
Final Thoughts
Was it easy making friends and meeting people?
I found it hard to make friends here. I attended the local college but everyone was doing their own thing and not really interested in meeting new people. I mainly spent time with other au pairs!
What has been the hardest aspect of living in Baton Rouge?
The hardest part has definitely been lack of walking and public transportation. There are places you can drive to for a walk but that’s not the same and not helpful for those who cannot drive.
What should people consider before deciding to move to Baton Rouge?
I definitely think you should consider the heat and also the fact of driving. It can feel isolating and make you feel stuck which is not good for when you first move somewhere. The heat can be a lot and if you’re not used to it like I was, it limits what you can do outside.
Are there any experiences there that you are particularly proud of or that surprised you?
I’m surprised at how acclimated to the weather. Don’t get me wrong, I still hate the heat and think the summer is too much but I don’t feel suffocated as much. 😂
What are your plans for the future?
I’m currently working on earning my pilot’s license!! My plan is to go back to Scotland to further it and hopefully one day have a flying career!!
Thank you Jennifer for your insight into living in Baton Rouge! I definitely feel you with the car situation, that’s something I miss too when I go to places where walking is difficult. Enjoy your time as an au pair in the USA and good luck with your pilot’s license!
Her IG here 🙂
