Questions before relocating...finally!!! (New Orleans, Metairie: school, living in, buses)

[GoWest77]

My partner and I plan to move to New Orleans in about 3 years. The time-frame is because I am going to need to finish schooling and work at my new profession to gain experience and save money to bring with us. We both want to live in the French Quarter so that we will be able to walk a lot and drive almost nowhere. My question is this: during Mardi Gras and other festivals can I still rely on public transportation to get me where I'm going on time. I am going to be working as a radiology technician so I'm assuming that I'll be working around the uptown area. Also, does anyone have any kind of info on this line of work? Thanks!

[GoWest77]

I'm not assuming that I will find work. The only assumption I'm making is regarding the area. But three years out I'm still just planning. I'm not going to just come to town and hope I get lucky.

[nmc006]

I work in Education at a hospital in Metairie but live in Uptown New Orleans. During festivals and especially Mardi Gras, you cannot depend on being on time anywhere. Many places are understanding of this - for example, my dept is closed Monday and Tuesday of Mardi Gras week. You won't necessarily be working uptown - there are hospitals downtown and outside of the city as well, but if you're working outside of the city, you'd need a car most likely.

I think living in the FQ or Marigny, closer to the action, can be kind of a pain during those times bc it's so congested and hard to get out/around and to places on time. That's not to say it's without its advantages, however. Places in the FQ tend to not lose electricity during storms, and it's very walkable in that area.

[moiraesfate]

Originally Posted by GoWest77

My partner and I plan to move to New Orleans in about 3 years. The time-frame is because I am going to need to finish schooling and work at my new profession to gain experience and save money to bring with us. We both want to live in the French Quarter so that we will be able to walk a lot and drive almost nowhere. My question is this: during Mardi Gras and other festivals can I still rely on public transportation to get me where I'm going on time. I am going to be working as a radiology technician so I'm assuming that I'll be working around the uptown area. Also, does anyone have any kind of info on this line of work? Thanks!

No, you can't. It's a nightmare in the Quarter during Mardi Gras. Buses won't go into the CBD and the Quarter for most of the time for the two weeks of Mardi Gras. And this year is even worse because we will have the Superbowl in between those two weeks.

You really should NOT move in to the FQ if there is any way to avoid it. I suggest moving to Metairie.