Gonzales is perfectly situated between Baton Rouge and New Orleans; residents enjoy a small town feel, and the comfort of knowing they are never far from the fun of the big city. The area is home to some of the South's richest history and most beautiful antebellum homes.
Located in the Ascension Parish, the fastest growing parish in Louisiana, Gonzales is a diverse, vibrant area that is growing for good reason. The Ascension area offers an exceptional education system, a strong infrastructure as well as easy access to shopping, dining and recreation, and it has a growing business sector, which means plenty of new jobs.
Gonzales real estate includes Pelican Point Golf & Country Club. This is a resort-style living community in Gonzales that offers residents its own unique environment. Pelican Point is an 800-acre rural retreat with a championship golf course and a number of recreational and social amenities.
Golfing at The Point has become a sought after opportunity. The golf club was developed in 1997 by Douglas Diez. It opened in 1998 and was immediately selected by Golf Digest as one of the best places in the United States to play. It is recognized as one of the South's premiere golfing facilities, and its two 18-hole championship courses combine British style golf with a Louisiana flair. The views from the course are terrific.
Living in Pelican Point offers residents access to plenty of amenities; there are tennis courts, playgrounds, and a swimming pool as well as walking and riding trails.
Pelican Point is a multi-generational community; it offers residents a variety of housing options such as garden homes, town homes, single family homes, "West Indies"-style homes, French country homes, and River Winds Estate Homes. Or, residents who are 55 and older may choose to live in The Greens, a lifestyle community for those 55 and older.
Gonzales' Parks Department is committed to providing open spaces for children and families to spend time together. The city of Gonzales believes that parks and recreational facilities add to one's quality of life, so they offer a number of facilities for family enjoyment.
Jambalaya Park is an area that residents from all over the parish drive to, as it offers swimming and fishing; the park also has a meditation pond, a splash park, a jogging path, an amphitheater, a playground and plenty of picnic tables. This park is popular year round.
And for those who enjoy volleyball, the Oak Grove Community Park has sand volleyball courts as well as a playground and a splash fountain for the kids.
Both in Gonzales and the surrounding areas there are numerous restaurants which feature original cuisine as well as boutique shops and the Tangiers Outlet Mall. Both Baton Rouge and New Orleans are within driving distance, and both cities are chock full of excellent shopping and flavorful foods.
In Gonzales, the outlet mall features a variety of designer outlet stores as well as a number of restaurants. Or, head to The Mall of Louisiana, located in Baton Rouge, which is the largest mall in Louisiana.
As for dining, the seafood in town can't be beat! Residents and visitors love Mike Anderson's Seafood. It's an area staple that has been delighting guests for more than 30 years. Their grilled oysters are the best around. Mike's is perfect for date night or a special celebration.
Another favorite is The Cabin Restaurant, which offers homemade Cajun dishes. Located on an historic plantation, now turned into a restaurant, they serve traditional local fare, including po' boys.
The cost of living in Gonzales is below the national average, which is always a plus. The National Average cost of living is 100, a Gonzales is at 91. In fact, everything in Gonzales is less than the National Average, from groceries to healthcare costs to housing prices. The housing prices in Gonzales are 87% of the National Average.
The highest average monthly temperature in Gonzales is in August, at 82 degrees, and the lowest average monthly temperature is in December, at 54 degrees. The city sees an average of 62 inches of rainfall each year, and they average less than 5 inches of snow each winter.
The air quality in Gonzales is 7% better than the national average.
Gonzales is part of the Ascension Public School District. There are nine primary and secondary schools in Gonzales, and the highest rated is Spanish Lake Primary School, which has nearly 800 students. There are four private schools in the city, serving just over 1,400 students.
There are also a number of colleges in the area; there are 22 colleges within 50 miles of Gonzales. The nearest college is River Parishes Community College, which is just 4 miles outside of the city.
As for health care, there are many hospitals in and around Gonzales. The main hospital in Gonzales is St. Elizabeth Hospital, which is a 78-bed non-profit facility. The hospital has twice been name 'Hospital of the Year' by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation, and it has twice been named one of the 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare® by Modern Healthcare Magazine. The Ascension Gonzales Rehabilitation Hospital is a 12-bed inpatient rehab hospital that specializes in recovery from stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury and neurological disorders.
Gonzales is just 30 miles from Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport and an Amtrak station.
Search homes available in Gonzales, Louisiana. When you are ready to buy, sell or relocate, the Pat Wattam Team is here to answer any questions about this wonderful area.