Need some help... Suggestions.

Ok guys I was born and partly raised in West Monroe, La. Moved from there at an early age and lived on Lake Washington the last 25 years in Ms.
Here is what's going on....
My wife just got a heck of a job offer in west Monroe. "Both of us are in the medical field." So a job for me shouldn't be to hard. I've worked in the ER and that's my specialty. My question is.. Any suggestions on nice places to live(houses) maybe close to or on a lake within 30 minutes of say Monroe? We need a GOOD school system also. And of course CRAPPIE! Lol. I have family that lives in West Monroe and out towards Calhoun but I try not to give them to much info. You know how family is... So much has changed since I've been gone. Of course I've always loved Lake Claiborne and Darbonne. But they might be to far out. ??
So much has changed. Any suggestions??? I just need areas that I can show her around.. Thanks for any replies! D

I live in the River Oaks neighborhood in North Monroe thirty minutes to darbonne. Thirty minutes I Poverty Point Reservoir. The Sterlington area is really booming right now. My kids go to OCS so I really do not know about the monroe public schools. I am sure they are good. Sterlington and West monroe have excellent public schools. Good luck. FYI I would be sick if I had to leave lake washington will be heading over there a lot coming up. Maybe we can trade some info.

Overall, the Ouachita Parish schools like West Monroe and Sterlington are best. There's a lot of nice neighborhoods in the West Monroe area off Arkansas Road that puts you within 30 minutes of Lake D'Arbonne, Ouachita River/lakes, D'Arbonne Bayou, and Cheneire Lake.

I like Tbones' suggestion. You won't be on the water but I don't think you're gonna find exactly what you described

I duno. I live within a mile of Darbonne and I can be in WM in about 30 min. I see places come up from time to time. What ya lookin for?

I was born and raised in Monroe and then moved over to West Monroe for a little while and it PAINS me to say this, BUT WM > Monroe inpublic school systems. Strelington is booming right now and the schools are good as well. If I get back up there it will be Sterlington or western WM.

As far as fishing I can't think of anywhere better, you're biggest concern will be which direction to head out in the mornings to go fishing. You can head any direction from either of those places and be fishing pretty quick. D'arbonne Lake, D'arbonne Bayou, Ouachita River, Cheniere Lake, BayoU Desiard, Bartholomew, and within 45 minutes you can double those places

get the best schools---- you can drive a little more to go fish

That leaves farmerville out.

You might want to look at Caney Lake in Jackson parish. Very nice houses on that lake.

I'd pick schools first then decide on the housing.

Thanks guys.. I've had family graduate from WM, Sterlington, and Neville. Just recently my little brother played for Neville and won a state championship in football there. Y'all are right, school comes first.