Relocating

Ouachita Parish, an Inviting Community

Ouachita Parish offers a great combination of southern charm with a small town feel, urban amenities and suburban comforts. Located on the banks of the Ouachita River in Northeast Louisiana at the crossroads of Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 165, the area has a mild climate, friendly neighbors and endless recreational opportunities. Residents enjoy the unsurpassed beauty of the region, cultural diversity and a nurturing environment.

The Monroe Regional Airport is the gateway to the region with air service to Dallas, Houston, Memphis and Atlanta. In addition, Ouachita Parish is home to the new Ouachita Parish Port, an inland container port that connects Ouachita Parish manufacturers with the world.

The Monroe community is linked with some of the biggest names in business. Delta Airlines and Coca Cola trace their beginnings to Monroe and CenturyLink, one of the largest telecommunications providers in the nation, is headquartered in Monroe. Soon, Monroe will also be home to the newest American car company, Next Autoworks. Thanks to these industry giants and their many suppliers, the region provides a variety of career opportunities for area residents.

Monroe is home to the University of Louisiana at Monroe, which offers exceptional undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition, Louisiana Tech University and Grambling State University are located just 35 miles away. The region is also home to Louisiana Delta Community College and the Northeast Louisiana Technical College. For younger students, public elementary and secondary education is provided by many schools in the Monroe City School System and the Ouachita Parish School System. There are also several excellent private schools, for parents who prefer private education for their children.

Monroe and West Monroe serve as the medical hub for the region with three medical centers, three specialty hospitals, a cancer treatment center, and a wide array of medical specialists. Ouachita Parish is also the retail hub for the region boasting the largest shopping center in Northeast Louisiana. Shoppers will also discover unique shops, charming antique stores and superb restaurants.

Ouachita Parish offers abundant housing options from traditional neighborhoods to unique downtown condos with a river view. For those who prefer a home in the country there are numerous choices that will provide peace and tranquility and the opportunity to relax, and escape from it all.

The Ouachita Parish area provides a wealth of recreational opportunities. Whether leisurely boating down the Ouachita River, bicycling through beautiful parks or hunting for bargains at unique shops or just wandering through downtown and the historic district, Monroe is the perfect setting.

Outdoor activities are possible year round with winter months considerably milder here than in the north. The area has some of the best hunting and fishing in the south and numerous opportunities to watch college and high school athletic events throughout the year. For golfers, the region provides outstanding public and private courses. These outdoor offerings are supplemented by numerous indoor activities, like shopping, visiting museums, attending the theatre and listening to excellent musicians.

Ouachita Parish has a host of organized sports programs available to youth that include little league baseball, soccer and basketball. In addition, there are abundant youth programs available at area churches and schools, as well as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other clubs and organizations.
For festival goers the region offers a plethora of opportunities. Ouachita Parish is home to Delta Fest, The Celtic Fest, The Southern Fried Festival, Art Fest and Christmas on the River. There are even more annual festivals to be found throughout the Northeast Louisiana Region that include the Louisiana Peach Festival, the North Louisiana Cotton Festival and the Farmerville Watermelon Festival.

Ouachita Parish has so much to offer visitors and new residents, but our greatest asset is our people who are warm, friendly and welcoming. We invite you to come and experience Ouachita Parish with its graceful southern charm. You will discover that this is the perfect place to live, work and raise a family.