Moving can be stressful, no matter the reason or location. However, you might be able to sleep a little easier knowing what to expect from a recent transplant.

In June, John Mabida, 26, moved to Bossier from Biloxi, Mississippi. A native of Houston, Texas, Mabida left the Air Force and started his new career at a nonprofit based in Bossier City.

He was aware of Bossier from a high school field trip to Barksdale Air Force Base but admittedly, Mabida knew virtually nothing about his new home.

This led him to an internet search and advice from fellow Airmen previously stationed at Barksdale AFB. 

“An Airman living in Biloxi at the time, but had been stationed at Barksdale, told me that Bossier was similar to Biloxi but ‘without the water,’” Mabida laughed. “After Googling the area, I knew I could see myself living here.”

Bossier is ranked No. 19 for the “Best Place to Raise Your Kids” by Business Week Magazine, and 22nd in Louisiana for “Best Cities for Young Families.”

This is partly because Bossier offers a more affordable cost of living and a wide selection of housing at a lower cost than many comparable-sized and larger cities. 

The Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) produces the ACCRA Cost of Living Index to provide a useful and accurate measure to compare cost of living differences among urban areas. According to the C2ER ACCRA Cost of Living Index, the cost of living in Bossier-Shreveport is lower than several comparable cities.

The Shreveport-Bossier City area is 90.3% of the cost of living, compared to Little Rock, Arkansas, averaging 96.6% and the cost of living in Austin, Texas, averaging 101.2%.

According to the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation, a new, 2,400 square-foot, four bedrooms, two baths home costs an average of $303,979. Compare this to a similar home in Little Rock, Ark., that averages $389,088 and similar housing in Austin, Texas, costing $416,574. 

The Bossier Chamber of Commerce’s website, Move to Bossier, offers plenty of resources for everything you need to know about moving to Bossier. From registering your kids for school to getting a Louisiana driver’s license, it has everything you need to live, work, and play in the Bossier community.

Beyond the cost of living and housing, many things make Bossier a great place to call home. Mabida gave his perspective on some important things to know about moving to Bossier.

1. There is plenty to do in Bossier.

There is a thriving community in Bossier that offers many festivals, annual events, concerts, restaurants, and shopping. 

“While researching Bossier, I saw there is a thriving live music scene, plenty of outdoor activities, and great restaurants,” Mabida said. “During my interview, I was taken to the East Bank District and had great food. That left me with a good first impression of the area.”

2. Learn about the people of Bossier.

Mabida encourages prospective residents of Bossier to visit the area and talk to the locals. Specifically, he asks to find out why they moved here and why they stayed. 

“You will find out a lot about the area and how to get everyday essentials by asking the people who live here for referrals and recommendations,” he said. “Google can lie, trust word of mouth from people who live here.

3. Bossier is growing.

“Bossier has a lot of potential,” Mabida said. “The  more people come here and invest, the more we will see the community continue its growth.”

Bossier Parish is one of the fastest-growing parishes in the state. The Bossier Chamber of Commerce sites rankings that list Bossier City No. 7 for the “Best Places to Find a New Job” and one of the top “Best Opportunity Cities.” Lastly, its economic potential was the reason Bossier was given the title as a “Game Changing Community.”

4. It’s easy to get around Bossier.

Mabida noted that his commute to work is easy. And it’s about to get even easier. 

At the time of this writing, I-20 is being revamped in Bossier, the finishing touches are being put on the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway to bypass railroads and usual congestion, and new layers of asphalt are going down across the parish.

“Everything is within 30 minutes of each other,” Mabida said. “It will be even better when it’s done.”

5. Faith thrives in Bossier.

Mabida notes that the church community in Bossier is not only vast and dedicated, but it offers him another way to connect with people and make new friends.

“Being surrounded by people who are active in their faith and share the same values also gives me different perspectives,” he said. “My faith is important to me, and getting to learn about others deepens my connection with the community here.”

All in all, Mabida says he encourages people to give Bossier a chance. 

“It’s a thriving town and if people experience the area for themselves, they’ll see there’s a lot to do, amazing history, and wonderful people.”