Looking for a small town feel (New Orleans, Shreveport: construction, school district, living in)

[cat4kids]

Hi. Due to the reconstruction of Katrina, my husband, who does stucco and plastering work, has been quite busy in New Orleans. We have lived in Georgia all of our life and love it there. Tell me, where is a great place to live with a small town feel that is on the outskirts of New Orleans. He's been working around Lakeview, Metairie, and Kenner areas. Would like to be somewhat close, but not really in the heart of the city. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I also have four kids that need a great school. Three in middle and high school and one in elementary. Thanks!!!

[cassarina]

I would move to Belle Chase. I am from Gretna,LA and I am living in Newnan Georgia. I would move to Belle Chase for the small town feel and the Schools.
Perhaps Chalmette, but I think it was pretty torn up by Katrina.

[Micktooth]

You should probably look at the north shore of the Lake. Areas like Covington,Mandeville,Madisonville,etc. These areas are not as cosmopolitan as the south shore, but they are growing fast. As far as "great" schools. The St Tammany schools are pretty good, but for a "great" education in the NOLA area, you might need to look at private schools.

[nola]

I agree with Mtooth, the Northshore would be the best place to live with children.

[IloveNOLA]

Originally Posted by nola

I agree with Mtooth, the Northshore would be the best place to live with children.

The Northshore would be good. So would the Luling area. Both St. Charles and St. Tammany have top-rated public school systems.

[cat4kids]

Thanks so much for the information. It's great to be able to talk with people that know about the area. That way it helps me to know more about the area without actually being down there.

[L C Lopez]

I am so glad that I stumbled across this site. My son and future son-in-law really want to move to Louisiana. I'm a Georgia girl (old lady, I guess I should say, LOL) I need my space, 5-10 acres, no gators, not too expensive. Please give me suggestions for the area. They have friends in Denham Springs, but that seems a little too close to the coast for me.

[beau99]

Try Natchitoches! It's a very quaint, small, historic old Creole town founded in 1714, and about an hour's drive south of Shreveport. It has a very "Louisiana" feel to it but it's far enough from the coast that hurricanes don't affect it. And if you ever need something from a larger city, Shreveport is just an hour away. The movie "Steel Magnolias" will give you a good idea of what it's like...the movie was filmed in Natchitoches.

[mezzogirl]

Originally Posted by Micktooth

You should probably look at the north shore of the Lake. Areas like Covington,Mandeville,Madisonville,etc. These areas are not as cosmopolitan as the south shore, but they are growing fast. As far as "great" schools. The St Tammany schools are pretty good, but for a "great" education in the NOLA area, you might need to look at private schools.

Definitely the Northshore. Look into Madisonville or Mandeville. I live in the Atlanta metro now, but spent the first 20 years in Mandeville.

[LSU Tiger Z71]

Try Metairie.. Old Metairie in particular is very nice.

Also, try areas in the Destrehan, Hahnville school district.. I've notice that the areas that go into these two schools are decent.