5 homes for $400k or less in Mid City: breakfast nooks, historic charm and wood floors

Mid City Baton Rouge is a booming mix of residential and commercial properties. From Mexican restaurants, to bakeries, to flower shops and gift stores, the area is a charming, cozy retreat from the hustle and bustle (and traffic) of suburban Baton Rouge.

"I've paid attention to Mid City since the beginning of my real estate career," said Rhett Sandusky, Realtor and owner of The Sandusky Group. "It feels detached from Baton Rouge. It's hip. It's cool. It's got some of the city's best restaurants and bars. It feels like a mini Austin, as opposed to the suburbs." 

Sandusky noted that the area is one of the only semi-walkable, bike-friendly places in Baton Rouge, with community members striving to make it more accessible. Mid City is home to more young adults — often unmarried, with roommates, who are young professionals just starting off in the world. 

While some include the Garden District in Mid City, Sandusky separates it. He describes the Garden District as a neighborhood with a different, older demographic of homeowners. The Garden District includes some of the oldest houses in Baton Rouge. 

Some of the challenges of the homes in Mid City, Sandusky said, include higher per-square-foot price points that some people can't afford. He also said that, while younger buyers are attracted to the area, older homes require more maintenance. 

"If that's your first house, and you're getting an old house, sometimes you don't know what you're signing up for with the extra expenses of an older home," he said. 

Nevertheless, Mid City is a hot spot for the arts, dining and nightlife, with plans to continue to grow. 

"It's been a very stable part of Baton Rouge," Sandusky said, "especially with people putting money into the area as far as putting their businesses there." 

Here are five homes for $400,000 or less in Mid City. 

Details and photographs about the homes below are provided by listing agents.

2122 Government St., Baton Rouge

$400,000

This home includes enough parking for seven vehicles — a detail on its own that's enough to hop on this gem. Built in 1916, the home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and boasts a 500-square-foot covered front porch, 10-foot ceilings, two fireplaces, original wood floors and an extra den downstairs. 

Plus, the fenced-in yard includes gardens and various fruit trees: orange, lemon, satsuma, blueberries, olive, peach and fig. The kitchen includes Bosch appliances, a large pantry, a quaint breakfast nook and more. The property is also zoned C1, which qualifies it to be "light commercial," according to the listing. 

With a 20% down payment, the estimated monthly payment is $2,682 with a 30-year fixed loan. 

Key details

• 3 bed
• 2 bath
• 2,638 square feet/$152 per square foot
• 24 days on the market

1810 Cherokee St., Baton Rouge

$352,000

As the listing describes it, this "bargain bungalow" in Roseland Terrace charms with a professionally landscaped yard, mother-in-law suite, original wood floors and screened-in porch. 

The dining room features French doors and window bench storage, while the kitchen includes two pantries, plenty of counter space and more. In the back, the separate suite includes one bedroom, one bathroom and a full kitchen.

With a 20% down payment, the estimated monthly payment is $2,239 with a 30-year fixed loan. 

Key details

• 3 bed
• 3 bath
• 2,198 square feet/$160 per square foot
• 123 days on the market

1955 Olive St., Baton Rouge

$392,000

Speaking of curb appeal.

First of all, the yellow exterior. Second of all, the blue door. Plus, there's a breakfast nook in the kitchen. Talk about cozy. The location of the home is near LSU, downtown Baton Rouge and Government Street with plenty of shopping and restaurant options. 

The interior features wood floors, new lighting, fresh paint and new mirrors with an open floor plan. In the kitchen, there are stainless steel appliances, a gas stove and more. The fenced-in backyard includes a wooden deck with seating, gated carport and Generac generator. 

With a 20% down payment, the estimated monthly payment is $2,501 with a 30-year fixed loan. 

Key details

• 3 bed
• 2 bath
• 1,396 square feet/$281 per square foot
• 55 days on the market

320 S. Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge

$279,000

The windows in the living room — swoon! Imagine all the natural light. With two living rooms and a formal dining room, the Mid City home is perfect for those who love to entertain. In the formal dining room, the owner can fit an 8-foot dining table. 

Other amenities include original wood flooring, a freshly painted exterior, original counter tiles in the kitchen, stainless appliances and French doors that lead to the backyard. 

With a 20% down payment, the estimated monthly payment is $1,751 with a 30-year fixed loan. 

Key details

• 2 bed
• 2 bath
• 1,468 square feet/$190 per square foot
• 126 days on the market

322 Wiltz Drive, Baton Rouge 

$265,000

This fully renovated house, with a home generator, features vinyl flooring, new windows, fresh paint and tons of natural light. In the kitchen, there's shaker-style cabinets, quartz counters and stainless appliances. The various restaurants and nightlife of Mid City are just a stone's throw from the house, plus the backyard includes a screen-in patio for those nights in. 

With a 20% down payment, the estimated monthly payment is $1,527 with a 30-year fixed loan. 

Key details 

• 3 bed
• 2 bath 
• 1,283 square feet/$207 per square foot 
• 126 days on the market