Moving to NOLA :) (New Orleans, Slidell, Jefferson: apartment complexes, rentals, houses) - Louisiana -New Orleans - Metairie - Kenner metro area - City-Data Forum

Doofoo · 03-21-2010, 12:29 PM

Hi all, I'm moving to NOLA soon and I'm really excited. Now I just need to find a place to live. My job will have me going to Metarie, CBD, and across the lake at different points so a central location would be nice.

I'm looking for the things most people are: a balance of something safe (from crime, hurricanes, floods - possibly 2nd floor of apt complex?), somewhere fun, and an area that has some walkable food/entertainment/MUSIC!!!. Most of all I want a real NO experience for the next few years...

Any recommendations?

Prytania · 03-21-2010, 12:36 PM

*Most* people dont live in apartments. Most people live in houses or live in rented apartments in shotguns, etc.

The real New Orleans experience includes spring streetflooding, roaches and mold....as well as festivals, music and good food. I wouldn't worry too much about flooding from hurricanes if you live up near the river.

Doofoo · 03-21-2010, 02:52 PM

Thanks, I'm definitely not set on an apt, just thought it might offer more security and be a little less work than a house (plus it might have a gym or pool

but i would definitely prefer to get a good new orleans experience. I'm just trying to find the right part of town.

Doofoo · 03-24-2010, 03:27 PM

Thanks again for the advice, wondering if anyone else has thoughts on a cool, central neighborhood?

mnr3 · 03-24-2010, 10:49 PM

uptown (in the older broader sense, not the new narrow definition), marigny, by-water, mid-city. the list goes on. you need to set a budget and spend some time checking things out. it's not a really spread out area, so difference in travel will be minimal. forget apartment complexes. it's not the "new orleans experience," which is our neighborhoods and no one can say which one will feel like home to you and we don't want to diss one over the other. if you don't need to go into the CBD (downtown, the Central Business District) that often, probably something uptown (up river from downtown) or mid-city, or Bayou St. John would be best. Marigny and by-water, on the other side of Canal Street and the French Quarter (i.e. down river), can be good for getting to music and stuff, but it's more distant to metairie and the causeway (all of about 10-15 minutes, if there's no traffic). I recommended to someone else that if they aren't coming until summer, to wait and find a summer sub-let from one of the college rentals uptown. and not to knock Jefferson, but you probably want to be in Orleans parish, which is New Orleans proper.

NOLAJim · 03-25-2010, 12:55 PM

As far as the apartment complexes go, they are around, but they're going to be pricey. I'm (somewhat regretably) up on the northshore in Slidell, working in New Orleans East, and there are plenty of apartment complexes up there.

But if you're going for a New Orleans feel with a central location, Mid-city area, possibly renting in Lakeview would work for you. There's a streetcar that runs from the area that can get you downtown for all the happenin's should you not want to drive, and it can keep you away from the bulk of the deep-city traffic if you can get to 610 from wherever you choose.

If you want the most authentic of experiences, you'll probably want to try and find a place in the Marigny or Bywater (though here safety/burglary may become more of a concern, though I know no one living in the areas, so you'd probably want to ask around). These are right in the heart of the city, and within easy walking distance from the Quarter and from Frenchmen St (arguably the local's strip).

Uptown is usually my first recomendation for anyone to find somewhere to live (presuming it's just a vague open-ended question "where should I live"). It's definately a hip place, with a good mix of people (races, incomes, interests). There are poorer/cheaper areas, and richer/fancier areas swapping block after block, but it's all relatively safe and accommodating.

Metaire is where you start to get away from the authentic New Orleans feel, but is the quintessential residential/commercial suburb. It's a decent place, with plenty of housing and malls and such to offer.

Of course, as stated previously, it'll depend on your budget too, you should narrow that down, as well as what times you'll be commuting (with the single major expressway, there's a noticable difference between traveling at 7am and at 9am).

Doofoo · 03-25-2010, 02:26 PM

wow, great thanks for the advice. i haven't set a budget yet but was thinking in the range of 600-1200.

i was also wondering if anyone had heard any news about a possible ferry across the lake. i read an article about the idea, but it didn't seem like anything was gonna come of it. i think it would be really cool if it worked out.

mnr3 · 03-25-2010, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doofoo

wow, great thanks for the advice. i haven't set a budget yet but was thinking in the range of 600-1200.

i was also wondering if anyone had heard any news about a possible ferry across the lake. i read an article about the idea, but it didn't seem like anything was gonna come of it. i think it would be really cool if it worked out.

except that the ferry would take a few hours to make the trip (depending on where it crossed, of course)--it's almost 24 miles to the north shore area of mandeville. I guess in theory Slidell is north shore too, but I've never really considered it that way; it's just Slidell. anyway, public transportation here--other than the lovely street cars--is not really happening. people like their cars (and sitting in traffic) and I don't see it changing anytime soon. not in the mind set yet.