Bayou Cane, LA

11 Apartments for Rent

Bayou Cane, Louisiana / First came the sugar cane then came Thibodaux / Cane sugar built this town cane sugar paved these roads / They burn the leaves to harvest cash, money for the company / Money makes the world go round money money money." (Mary Gauthier, “Sugar Cane”)

A tiny town situated just inland from the Gulf of Mexico, Bayou Cane is made from the same stuff as legend and song. It’s been hit hard by various hurricanes over the years, and its history seems ripe for Tarantino parody, but it boasts a unique identity, plenty of Cajun charm and a moderate cost of living. Plus, those houses on stilts are pretty cool, right? It’s also a renter’s paradise, with more rental properties than single-family owned homes. Community life is still important though, with a focus on the arts and education, even if the schools aren’t always impressive.

It’s About Culture

Bayou Cane, like all of Louisiana, has a very distinctive culture. It’s rich, beautiful and delicious, so much so your eyes and tongue may roll back in your head from overstimulation. You may find Cajun speech to be endearingly foreign at first, but you’ll learn to love it, and imitate it, by the time you slurp down a few crawdads and shrimp in spicy Creole seasoning.

While the food is a major draw, it’s not the only grand aspect of this area, inhabited by a slim population of roughly 17,000 people. Don’t forget about the outdoorsy lifestyle. The Gulf of Mexico is minutes away and hot air ballooning is breathtaking, whether you’re riding or watching. It’s also the jazz, dance and water gambling capital of the south. Those riverboat casinos aren’t just movie magic, they really do chug around the waterways all night.

But before you go thinking this is a sinner’s paradise, it’s necessary to point out the family-friendly community spirit in these parts. Sporting leagues, after school classes and art shows encourage both physical and intellectual development. About half the residents are married with kiddos, so with or without a family, it’s a warm, welcoming place to live.

The Livable Areas

Bayou Cane is lovely and livable, with several budget-friendly property rentals within and nearby. The weather can be a bit rough. It’s not just the hurricanes you have to worry about, it’s the humidity. You’ll be sweating from the spices too, so don’t worry much about it.

Bayou Cane: Rental homes are a good choice here, and not only because you don’t have to worry about the property loss if another hurricane hits. Houses are fairly affordable and offer much more space than an apartment. Plus, the streets are residential, with a few walkable areas. Therefore, you should probably really like your neighbors. $$$

Houma: It’s inexpensive, with lots of nearby shops, restaurants and cute stuff, and a fair amount of parks too. Houma is a great choice, but there’s high crime. Schools are about the same as all the local areas, middling in quality, just be careful not to let the tots out after dark. $

Gray: There is considerably less crime here and plenty of access to cool shops and the like, so it’s walkable, bikeable, what have you. But, it’s definitely more expensive. Gray does have the best freeway access, so your commute is a breeze but other than that, Bayou Cane is probably a better bet. $$$$

Shriever: The most expensive of them all, Shriever lays claim to the lowest crime levels and a graduation rate nearly the same as BC. People in this neighborhood have a bit more money, but the same cost of living. It isn’t for walking, however. And the houses are cheap enough you may just want to buy. $$$$$

Bayou Cane is a quirky place that isn’t shy about its sometimes difficult personality, but it’s ultimately worth it. People are happy and inviting, there’s a real feeling of support and community, and the opportunities for personal enrichment are diverse and limitless. Skip the boring white bread towns of Middle America and head south to Cajun country, where the gumbo isn’t the only thing that’s addictively spicy.