Covington, LA? (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Hammond: crime, townhouses, neighborhoods)

[Kaligirl]

Hi All,
I would like to know about Covington, LA....
Thank you!!
Kali

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by Kaligirl

Hi All,
I would like to know about Covington, LA....
Thank you!!
Kali

Fast growing area north of New Orleans. Growth has accelerated since Katrina. And companies (like Chevron) have been moving there.

[Kaligirl]

Hi BRman,
Thank you for your post, I appreciate it!!

Does anyone else have further information. Cost of living, things to do, what the people are like, the best places to live, etc? Thank you!!
Kali

[Nan C]

Link to local newspaper serving Covington.

http://www.thesttammanynews.com/

Everything is so topsy turvy since Katrina, it would be hard to give an accurate current description of the area now. Cost of living is a lot lower than other areas of the country - cost of HOUSING has soared since the hurricane. The people down here are generally very friendly. I hope someone from the area will be able to give you more information on residential areas. As far as things to do, well you are near a large lake - lots of boating. New Orleans is just across the Causeway, and the historical French Quarter is back in business. The cruise ships are back at the port of New Orleans. A bit farther east you'll come to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, which took a MAJOR hit from Katrina, but the beach is back and some of the casinos are open for business. To the west you'll find Pontchatoula with lots of antique shops. Interstate 12 farther to the west will bring you to Baton Rouge - the state capitol. Interesting museums along the riverfront, USS Kidd on the Mississippi River and a wonderful new planetarium. And of course, last but not least, is the FOOD. Best food in the whole world down here!

[NCB]

Hey Kaligirl, I currently live in Covington, and can answer anything you need to know about Covington or the surrounding area.

Growth was occuring here before Katrina, but post-Katrina, Covington and the west Saint Tammany area is the fastest growing area in the state. There are some growing pains, such as bad traffic in some spots, but there is alot of money in this area, and things such as solving road and traffic problems get done quickly. Housing costs have grealy increased since Katrina, and there has been a short amount of it as well. However, there are townhouses going up all around the downtown area and neighborhoods being developed and expanded all over the area. If schools concern you, Saint Tammany Parish has the best public school system in the state in terms of funding, academics, and average test scoring year in and year out.

Crime is very low, with only 2 murders occuring here since 2000, both of which happened in the crazy time directly after Katrina. There are plenty of restaurants and shopping centers all over the area, and the "Colonial Nor Du Lac Lifestyle Center" will begin construction shortly, and it will be the largest shopping center in SE Louisiana. That center alone will offer nearly all stores and restaurants you would think of. There are lots of restaurants and bars in the downtown area, with big block parties occuring the first friday of every month, which offer lots of live music, free food, car shows, and other things to do as well. Also, you're only 35 miles from New Orleans and its world class food, nightlife, history, etc. And as mentioned above, the cruise industry is back and running in New Orleans. If you like boating, you're only a few miles from Lake Ponchartrain, there are two rivers(the Tchefuncte and the Bogue Falaya) running through the city, and the fishing around the entire area is world class. I-12 runs right through Covington, and it will bring you west to Baton Rouge, or east to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and connects with both I-55 and I-59, and runs into I-10 on both ends.

Major business is also coming into the area, with the largest being Chevron, which is moving its regional office here and bringing over 500 jobs along with it. Also, unlike many suburban cities experiencing alot of growth, the city isn't simply sprawling with no growth in the central core. Downtown Covington has seen a revitalization of sorts over the last few years, and it offers lots of restaurants, stores and boutiques, art galleries, coffee shops, art galleries, parks, and even a museum exhibiting the history of the city and the area. Around the downtown area you will find lots of old and quiet neighborhoods, complete with lots of live oaks over the streets, spanish moss, and the quiet rivers running right through. The people are very friendly and hospitable, and the area is very diverse in family backgrounds, ages, incomes, etc.

If you have any other questions, please let me know! Also, I posted a photo thread focusing on the downtown area and some of the neighborhoods around it, at UrbanPlanet.org. http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/in...howtopic=26164

[Kaligirl]

Hello Nan C and NCB

Thank you both so much for taking the time to post and fill me in. I will be checking out the links you submitted as well. It is all appreciated greatly.
Kindest Regards,
Kali

[SaintsFan]

You may also want to take a look at the Hammond/Ponchatoula area. It's not quite as expensive as St. Tammany parish. At least not yet

[Fergie]

Nate,
Although I posted you privately, I just wanted to say publically, that clicking on every single picture is well worth the time. [also I couldn't get the last 3 to come up].
I appreciate the time and effort you put into walking around. It cracked me up that you said you had 100,000 or so photos. I was thinking that maybe you were being funny. But, it was really helpful to me and I appreciate it.

My husband and I are hoping to visit the day after Christmas and look around for retirement property. Ca is lovely but way, way too expensive to retire in for long.
Thanks, tons.
Best!
Karen from California!

[hurricom]

Covington's not a bad place, mostly because it's 30 minutes from New Orleans

[smittyjd]

Check out my subdivision online. I love living there! It is in the Mandeville school district - one of the best in the state. Also, it is at the end of the street where the new Chevron office bldg. is being built.
http://www.estatesofnorthpark.com/