Need quick answers on Chalmette, Meraux, etc. (Violet, Arabi: houses, neighborhoods)

[lulu9837]

I may be moving back to the GNO area for a job later in the summer -- trying to figure out if there is anywhere I can afford to live that is safe for my family and within a reasonable commute.

How are Chalmette, Meraux, Violet and elsewhere in the Parish? Has there been much rebuilding & how safe is it? I would be working in Jeff. Parish but not sure I can afford to live there.

BTW, curious about the St. Rose/Norco etc. area too, if anybody knows anything.

Thanks!

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Norco/St. Rose would be much safer from flooding. The Chalmette area was hit very hard by Hurricane Katrina. Not sure if you can live there, I would be cautious about all the pollution that was in the water (oil refineries, etc) leaving a residue in the dirt. Just note that housing all over is so scarce since so little has been re-built, that rent/price are sky-high.

[Drouzin]

Lulu St. Bernard is the safest parish in the metro area. The schools are up and running and they are begining work on a $50,000,000 high school facility that is going to be the most progressive educational site in the state. I will say that the area is not pretty, our "hospital," (really a clinic), is in an out of commission Wal-mart parking lot, and the shopping is extremely limited. The neighborhoods that are coming back the strongest are located between Judge Perez Dr. and the River. There is not much for kids to do; some of the little league parks are back up and running, a church in Arabi has opened a skateboard rink, a dance school is open and there is the Swim and Tennis Club if you're willing to pay the dues.

My honest opinion is that if you are willing to put up with living in a decimated zone for a few more years things will pick up. I would avoid purchasing anything in the oil spill zone and stick with Arabi or Meraux on down. Believe it or not the houses here have gone up in price since the storm. Unbelieveably, my home has doubled in value since K! If you have any more questions or would like photos of a specific area PM me and I'll do my best to help you out.