20somethings w/ dog moving to N.O. Please Advise :) (New Orleans: wood floors, apartments)

[jupitersleeps]

Hello,

My boyfriend and I are both in our late 20s and interested in moving to New Orleans. We came for a visit last year and had a wonderful time, but wanted to know more about what it's like to actually live there. I'm looking for a healthy (but not crushing) dose of reality and answers to a few questions. Here goes:

1. We don't have children (nor do we intend on having any), but we do have a big, friendly Rottweiler. We try to be good dog parents and his happiness is important to us. Are there dog parks in the city? If so, where are they and are they fenced in? Also, what are the chances of finding an apartment that will allow him?

2. We've heard that crime is a REALLY big problem in New Orleans. Are there any neighborhoods that could be considered to be pretty safe? If so, are these neighborhoods ridiculously expensive?...Do many people move away because of the crime?

3. How's the public transportation?...To own a car or not to own a car...that is the question.

[Prytania]

1. Don't look for apartments. They are typically pretty ghetto or outrageously expensive. You just rent half a shotgun Uptown somewhere for example.

2. There are areas considered relatively safe but its too specific to go into here, you'd have to ask about a specific address. And yes people do move away because of the crime, especially those with kids. The crime doesn't scare many of us off but everyone has differing tolerances. It is what it is, I consider it unacceptable...but I won't leave a city I love because of it either. You fight for it.

3. Own a car. You can get by without one but its hot in the summer, if you needed to go to Metairie you'd need one, and if you want to evacuate for a hurricane you need one.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

No dog parks when I lived there, haven't heard of any from friends still there with dogs, but maybe some new ones?

Crime not a real big problem for a Rottie owner. One bark and the crooks run away from your house!

[jupitersleeps]

Thanks for the input. Just one question...what's a shotgun?

[MetroBTR]

Originally Posted by jupitersleeps

Thanks for the input. Just one question...what's a shotgun?

A style of architecture that is practically an institution in New Orleans.

This style of house is generally one room wide, and several rooms deep. In cases where the building is two rooms wide, it is generally divided into a duplex, or a "double" as they are often called.

These houses got their name because you could fire a shotgun through the front door and it would go all the way through the depth the house uninterrupted and go out the back door.

I absolutely love these houses.

[LindseyLou]

New Orleans is a very dog friendly city. Try to find a place around the park or Tulane. Lots of people have dogs in those neighborhoods.

[juana_the_piranha]

If you don't like the idea of a basic shotgun, you could look for a camelback, which is a variation of a shotgun. There is still the nice walk-through feature, but you'd have a private bedroom(s) up stairs.

Camelback House

[jupitersleeps]

Ooooohhh...I like those too

[juana_the_piranha]

Yeah, that's what I ended up renting. I wanted something with some charm--tall ceilings, fireplaces, wood floors.

You should check Craigslist. That's how I found my spot. People were great about calling/emailing me back, and in fact I am still receiving calls about inquiries I made last week. There are lots of cute places in Uptown. Good luck!

[sandra2124]

i would not recomend any one moving to new orleans. im from there and watch the news every morning, and they have 3 murders a night. and thats a slow night.try moving to st bernard parish. its 10 minutes from the french quarter. its a very nice town .