Moving from Michigan to NOLA, HELP! (New Orleans, Metairie: home, neighborhood, good schools)

[scoopmittens]

Need some information regarding a possible relocation to NOLA from Detroit, MI. I have 2 young girls and wife. We are a bi-racial couple, she's white and I'm black. Need information on where to live a diverse neighborhood/community, I've heard of this Northshore area, was that area hit by Katrina? Some folks that live up here in the North said that Covington, LA or Mandeville, LA have a great community and good schools and it's across the Lake, what are your thoughts?

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by scoopmittens

Need some information regarding a possible relocation to NOLA from Detroit, MI. I have 2 young girls and wife. We are a bi-racial couple, she's white and I'm black. Need information on where to live a diverse neighborhood/community, I've heard of this Northshore area, was that area hit by Katrina? Some folks that live up here in the North said that Covington, LA or Mandeville, LA have a great community and good schools and it's across the Lake, what are your thoughts?

Couple of thoughts:

(1) Slidell got hit with storm surge
(2) The cities further west, like Mandeville/Covington/Abita Springs/Madisonville, got wind damage, but has recovered. And on balance has more affluent subdivisions than Slidell, which is more like "St Bernard Parish North"
(3) While I like the Mandeville/Covington area, you will have more congestion and higher home prices. But a more congenial atmosphere.

Are you working directly in NO, though ? The drive across the Causeway (about 25 miles of open water) is pretty tough, from what I've heard.

[Chinolala]

I used to live in Metairie close to the entrance to the Causeway bridge. I couldn't imagine driving across that bridge every day to get to work, which many people who live on the Northshore do. The Northshore is nice; it's woodsy and looks very different than Jefferson Parish, New Orleans and the other parishes. Metairie is nice and very close to the city..you may want to check it out. Kenner is another option.

[scoopmittens]

So Jefferson Parish, hit by the storm??? how bad verus Northshore??

I will be working in New Orleans near the Superdome and working for the "Tigers" of NO, if that gives you a hint. Still need recommendations of where to live with BI-RACIAL FAMILY...is that taboo down there because up here in Michigan, it's not. Please help with a search for family oriented city in New Orleans area. Driving the bridge is not an issue, just need a safe place to live with good neighbors, and good schools.

Any help would be most benefical.

[mrs.seal]

My advise is for your whole family to take a weekend or a week vacation down to NO. While your there you can look around and see which part would suit your family's needs better. I have only been to the French Quarters, I live in Mississippi. But My sister in law grew up in NO. She actually still owns a few places down there. I think she told me that the North part is very good for a family. But anyways good luck!!!!!!!

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by scoopmittens

So Jefferson Parish, hit by the storm??? how bad verus Northshore??

I will be working in New Orleans near the Superdome and working for the "Tigers" of NO, if that gives you a hint. Still need recommendations of where to live with BI-RACIAL FAMILY...is that taboo down there because up here in Michigan, it's not. Please help with a search for family oriented city in New Orleans area. Driving the bridge is not an issue, just need a safe place to live with good neighbors, and good schools.

Any help would be most benefical.

Jeff Parish was hit with wind and flooding (no levee breaks, though). But is rapidly recovering.

[Teamfour]

Originally Posted by BRMan

Slidell, which is more like "St Bernard Parish North"

More like the new New Orleans East. We moved from Slidell a year ago and went back recently to check out what was once a nice neighborhood. YUCK!

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by Teamfour

More like the new New Orleans East. We moved from Slidell a year ago and went back recently to check out what was once a nice neighborhood. YUCK!

I wonder if everything up to I-12 (where the storm surge hit) is being sold on the cheap, which would explain why Slidell is changing.

[Doogie]

Originally Posted by BRMan

I wonder if everything up to I-12 (where the storm surge hit) is being sold on the cheap, which would explain why Slidell is changing.

No, not really. It's more that some of the undesireables were chased out of NO into Slidell.

[MAMOOO]

Take 2 Wk Vac, First