Living in Bossier City, Louisiana: a local guide

Where is Bossier City?

Bossier City is in Bossier Parish, on the east side of the Red River. Shreveport is directly across the river, and the two cities are often treated as one area. Bridges on I-20 and I-220, and the downtown bridges, link them.

We are in Keithville, south of Shreveport, and we buy and sell homes in Bossier City, Shreveport and DeSoto Parish. This guide describes the place so you can decide whether it works for you.

Barksdale Air Force Base

Barksdale Air Force Base is a major local employer, and it shapes the area. It sits on the east side of Bossier City, just off I-220, and it is home to bomber units and to a large group of civilian and contract jobs. You can reach it from I-20 by way of I-220 or from Barksdale Boulevard, and the main gate gets busy at shift change.

The base also has the Barksdale Global Power Museum, which has aircraft on display and is open to visitors. Check its site for hours and for what you need to bring to enter.

Roads and commutes

I-20 crosses the river and runs east through Bossier City toward Haughton, Minden and, farther on, Monroe and Mississippi. I-220 is the loop that curves around the north side of both cities. It links I-20 on the east side of Bossier City with I-20 on the west side of Shreveport, and it passes close to Barksdale.

Bossier City's main surface roads include Airline Drive, Barksdale Boulevard and Benton Road, with LA-3 heading north to Benton. The river crossings and the Airline Drive area can back up at rush hour. For a trip into downtown Shreveport, plan on about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the hour and the bridge.

The Boardwalk and things to do

The Louisiana Boardwalk is Bossier City's best-known place to shop and eat. It sits on the river and has outlet stores, restaurants, and a large outdoor sporting goods store. Next to it is the riverfront, where you can walk along the water, and across the river downtown Shreveport's Red River District is a short drive.

For something outdoors, look at the parks list on the City of Bossier City website. Cypress Black Bayou Recreation Area, near Benton, is a short drive north and has lakes and trails. Bossier City also has casinos, a racetrack and a large arena, which draw people from around the area for events.

Shopping, food and hospitals

Most shopping is along Airline Drive, Benton Road and the roads around the Boardwalk. Pierre Bossier Mall and the shopping strips near it are another main stop. Restaurants run from local places to chains.

Hospitals include the Willis-Knighton Bossier Health Center and the Willis-Knighton Medical Center campuses, and CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center in Shreveport is a short drive. Check each hospital's site for what it offers.

Schools

Bossier City is served by Bossier Parish Schools. The district's website, bossierschools.org, lists schools, zones and calendars. We don't rank schools, and we suggest checking the district site for the exact address of any house you are considering.

How to look for a rent to own home in Bossier City

Start with your drive, because that decides more than anything. Pick the road you will use most, I-20, I-220 or Airline Drive, and the place you need to get to. Then call or text Vana and tell her the area.

Here is the usual order.

• Vana takes a few quick questions by phone, 8 AM to 8 PM every day.
• Vana texts you the address of a home that is open.
• You go see the house the same day, and you drive the commute from its front door.
• If you like it, ask us how the agreement works. We go over every term with you, in writing, before you sign.

We own our homes, so there is no bank qualifying, and bad credit is OK. Homes go first come, first served. To understand the whole process first, read how rent to own works.

Updated October 21, 2026