Advice for Moving to New Orleans (Metairie, Kenner: hardwood floors, apartment, rental)

[Patrick Murtha]

As mentioned in another thread, I have been accepted into the Teacher Candidate Pool for the New Orleans Recovery School District. There is a very high likelihood that I will be moving to New Orleans later this summer, even if I haven't had a final offer for a position yet; the Candidate Pool is a selective group and I feel confident of getting work in the RSD by the fall.

Although I have traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and lived on both coasts and in the Midwest, I have never been to New Orleans. So I could certainly use advice on the relocation. I am a single male, 50 years old, unmarried and childless (quite happily). My only dependent is a really nice Birman cat; I am never without a pet or two (and have had every kind of pet). I rent rather than own; I have a nice but not fancy paid-off car. I live simply except for a couple of extravagances (clothing and books). My credit history is somewhat checkered, but I have been eliminating debt, and within a year I will carry no debt at all except the student loan from my master's degree program.

What I would be looking for is a two-bedroom pet-friendly apartment; the second bedroom functions as a library (although believe me, there are books in every room). My other requirements are pretty modest: dishwasher, built-in microwave, garage, plenty of closet space. I prefer carpeting to hardwood floors. My current apartment matches this description exactly, and is 750 square feet; I pay $545.00/month altogether, including water, garage fee, and pet fee, but not including other utilities. I know that's a good rate; Wisconsin is pretty cheap.

What neighborhoods in (or near) New Orleans would be best for me to concentrate my apartment search on? I would like a relatively stimulating, relatively safe, relatively high-ground and hurricane-ready neighborhood, of course, but I also understand that "you can't always get what you want." I'm a very multiculturally friendly guy and always get along with my neighbors, so that's not a factor. I'm looking forward to my new surroundings -- even the weather, as I'm a heat-and-humidity person rather than a cold-weather person.

[Prytania]

I live Uptown between Jefferson and Napoleon (high ground), no violent crime to speak of (altho I am sure petty thefts and whatnot occur) and lots of stores nearby.

[Kellhashc]

I doubt you'll be able to get an apartment like the one you had in Wisconsin in a "safe" area of New Orleans for much under $900. South of St. Charles Ave, is the high ground. Ideally the best place to be uptown is between Magazine and St. Charles and Jackson Ave. and Audubon Park. Anything in there should be fairly safe. You could probably find a larger place that is cheaper and safer in a surrounding suburb such as Metairie or Kenner.

[hugsnpugs]

If you go to the New Orleans section of Craigslist, that's where most of the apt. for rent here are at. Unless you have $900-1500 a month, you probably won't get what you are looking for though.

[Patrick Murtha]

Originally Posted by hugsnpugs

If you go to the New Orleans section of Craigslist, that's where most of the apt. for rent here are at. Unless you have $900-1500 a month, you probably won't get what you are looking for though.

That is discouraging, since I would be taking a considerable pay cut from the job I had here in Wisconsin to teach in New Orleans. I'd rather not double or trouble my cost of living if I'm making less money! Granted, I am unemployed right now, but I could probably find a non-teaching job, stay here, and keep my expenses as low as they've been.

These calculations are no fun!

[Prytania]

It depends I live in a $700 apartment (mother in law) in a pretty good area Uptown, but anything under $700 if you want to live alone is likely to be very sketchy.

[MetroBTR]

I believe you can search through a variety of rental properties on the prudentialgardner website. Your best bet to stay on budget would probably be a basement apartment or a garage apartment.

[phantomtom]

Obviously, these are post Katrina housing cost (in the greater New Orleans area); You would think they would have gone down because we need the help to have a place to live but it must be based on how much can be gotten (by some people) from assistance (like FEMA). Of course, the reason could really be higher insurance. Certain neighborhoods in Metairie/Kenner may not be the same anymore either, because the projects were torn down (they needed to be) and that population from bad neighborhoods has spread out. Lastly, every time a bad hurricane is in the Gulf, you will probably be asked to evacuate. I've been wanting to move, but there seems to be something bad almost everywhere or you can't afford it.

[Kellhashc]

Now you see why statistically 1 out of 5 New Orleanians want to move out of the city, and why 50% of the population between the ages of 22-30 want to move out of the city. Hopefully my day comes sooner than later. It's a good thing New Orleans has a rich history, that's all the city is going to be able to hold onto.

[Prytania]

And why New Orleans has a pretty big influx of young professionals coming into the city...

See ya Kellhashc...job market is better here than in most other places.