Barksdale - Bossier City, LA

Barksdale surrounds the Barksdale Air Force Base, one of the most strategic bases in the country. The base officially opened in 1933 and housed attack and fighter pilot squadrons, but by 1937, most of the aircraft on the base were replaced with light bombers. Today the base houses the Air Force Global Strike Command, which develops and deploys combat-ready forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations.

The Barksdale Global Power Museum sits on the Air Force base and takes visitors through an exciting journey that details the history of strategic bombardment and the contribution of the 2nd Bomb Wing to war and peacetime activities. The museum also holds a large assortment of vintage wartime fighter aircraft and attack bombers. The Air Force Base holds annual air shows in May to educate visitors about Air Force preparedness and delight them with dazzling aerobatic performances.

Residents will need to travel north and outside of the neighborhood to find a variety of restaurants, including famous Louisiana Cajun fare. However residents are not limited to Cajun food.

When in the mood for Asian fusion dishes, check out Lemongrass Asian Fusion Cuisine. The small diner on Barksdale Boulevard serves the best pho in town. Start your meal with the steamed dumplings or lettuce wraps, then round it out with the banana wontons. The diner opens daily at 11 a.m and closes at 9 p.m. The diner has dine-in and carry-out options but not delivery.

To get a taste of the famous Cajun flair stop by Sam's Southern Eatery and order a serving of red beans and rice. You can choose to accompany your meal with shrimp, fish or chicken. Make sure you arrive with an empty stomach, because the portions are more than generous. For an extra treat, pick up an order of fried green tomatoes or fired pickles.

When you need a night out on the town, downtown Shreveport is the place to go. Nightclubs and bars dot the streets in the area. If you want something more laid back, try Bilbo Baggins Pub on Old Minden Road. Regulars frequent the small pub, and the wait staff is friendly and fun.

Streets within the neighborhood were not designed with cycling in mind, but they do feature sidewalks. Homes and apartment complexes contain private parking options. Overflow parking along streets provides additional options. The Arthur Ray Teague Parkway Trail provides miles of paved trail with picnic areas along the route provide a recreational outlet for the athletically minded.

Barksdale residents have access to Highway 71, but because it is the only major freeway through the area the route can become congested. Commuters generally use cars for everyday transportation, especially those who live on the southern ends of Barksdale Boulevard. Public transportation routes along the northern edges of the Air Force Base helps to alleviate traffic, but there are no stops south of Twining Drive.

Towards the south side of Barksdale sits the major community park Mike Wood Community Park. The park features a swimming pool, tennis courts and a Frisbee golf course. Three pavilions and a picnic area make it the perfect place to host a family reunion or birthday party. With two modular playgrounds and a jogging trail, the park offers something for everyone.

Another large park in the area, Hooter Neighborhood Community Park, houses a recreation center with an air-conditioned gym. The park also contains a playground and water spray park. A jogging trail and practice baseball and football field keep the area athletes in shape.

The area does not have a dedicated dog park, but dogs are welcome in the parks as long as they remain on their leashes. The parks host no official events, but you can reserve the facilities for private parties.

The cost of living in Barksdale lands approximately 12 percent below the national average and 3 percent lower than the Louisiana average. Housing is particularly affordable in the area, running 28 percent lower than the national average. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment is approximately $682 per month.

If commuting to Shreveport via bus, expect a commute time of approximately 40 minutes. One-way fare costs approximately $1.25, while you can purchase a monthly FlashPass for $40. Gas prices in Barksdale trail the national average by 10 percent. You can expect to pay around $4 for a pint of beer at local bars and restaurants.

Kroger and Walmart Supercenter both provide shoppers with groceries for everyday shopping, while several convenience stores serve as backups in a pinch. The Shreveport Farmers' Market opens from late May to late August on the corner of Crockett Street and Commerce Street.

Small towns need a local hardware store, and Tubbs Hardware & Rental fits the bill, but you won't just find a new hammer at Tubbs. Since 1922, this locally-owned hardware store also sells Cajun gifts and King Cakes. The King Cakes are a Mardi Gras tradition in which a plastic baby (representing the Christ Child) is baked into the cake. Tradition obligates that the person who finds the baby baked inside of the Kings Cake hosts the next year's celebration.

Residents who appreciate the arts travel less than five miles northwest to partake in exhibitions at Artspace. This hands-on art center provides gallery showings, music concerts, poetry readings and fine cuisine for residents to enjoy.

High-end shoppers will find the latest in fashion at Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets. The outdoor mall features shops such as OshKosh B'Gosh, J. Crew Factory, Banana Republic Factory Outlet and Fossil.