Opinions of Slidell (New Orleans, Mandeville, Covington: middle-class, rental, low crime)

[lakelady]

Hi Folks - We are considering relocating to the Slidell area soon. We are looking for a neighborhood with good public schools, low crime, and lots of young families (we have 3 kids under the age of 7).

So my questions is . . .
Is Slidell a good area? Does it match what we're looking for (stated above)? Are there particular areas of Slidell that we should consider / not consider?

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thank you!

[Daisy8]

I lived in Slidell for awhile and did NOT like it at all. That being said, I will still answer your question since I am a teacher and know a little about the schools there.

Here is a copy of my previous reply to another poster:

Schools in Slidell are hit and miss. There are some good ones and some not-so-good ones. I would suggest trying to get in the Northshore High School district and feeder schools. That would be your best bet. Those also tend to be the lower crime areas as well. Slidell High used to be a good school, but some of the areas in that district have declined significantly since Katrina. I would be careful buying in that area. I also do not think that the school is very good anymore. I used to teach, and I have seen lots of kids come out of that school woefully unprepared. I don't know quite as much about Salmen. I have heard good and bad. From the 3 high schools, though, Northshore seems to be the best.

Good family-friendly areas in Slidell are the areas mostly off East Gause Blvd. I do not suggest anything off West Gause Blvd. at all. Other good areas are SOME off Robert Rd., off Brownswitch Rd. etc. Cross Gates is a nice neighborhood. I'm not sure your price range, so it may not be the right fit, but do stay on the EAST side of Slidell for sure. There are some nice areas on the west side, but the schools just are not good.

As I have stated several times on here, we left Slidell to move to the Mandeville / Covington area. If it is not too far away from where you are working, it is a much better choice. The area we lived in Slidell was NOT an area I wanted to raise children. Post-Katrina, it is much worse. The crime is not as bad as New Orleans, but I just don't think it feels like a nicer suburb. I'm not trying to be snooty or rude, it just wasn't a good fit for my family.

I hope this helps!

[lakelady]

Thanks for the honest feedback - it is really helpful (especially from a teacher's perspective).

[blueridgemama]

I don't know a lot about Slidell, but we were looking to move there also. Based on my one trip to the town last weekend to check things out, I don't want to make sweeping generalizations. So, keeping in mind my limited experience in Slidell, I felt that homes and neighborhoods east of I-10 seem nicer and I was told are in a much better school district (North Shore). Many neighborhoods in the center of town and in Lacombe seemed spotty--meaning that the types of homes varied greatly on the same street...maybe a two story brick home next door to a couple of single-wide trailers...that sort of thing. Traffic is a headache in the city, but this area east of I 10 was better. There is a very lovely park off of Front Street in the Olde Towne area. Mandeville is great. Near the lake it reminded me of the Florida Keys style homes and yards. Closer to I-12 were some neighborhoods with larger yards and kids playing outside. There is a rails-to-trails bike path that runs through Mandeville and several other towns. I hope this helps. You really have to see it for yourself to find a good area. Just so you know, we decided to look more toward the more rural Mississippi coast, rather than the city of Slidell. We aren't really the kind of people who enjoy living in town and dealing with traffic.

And just in case you are taking a trip to explore Slidell, we enjoyed the Holiday Inn. They have an indoor pool and hot tub, and you can get hot breakfast delivered to your room for $7.95 per person.

[vern50]

Hi,

Hope I am not too late to help. I live in French Branch in Slidell. Am in the Northshore school district. My grandkids attend Cypress Cove and Honey Isand Elem. schools (which would be where your kids would go). We have not had problems with crime, or kids fighting. I believe you will be happy in this area.

Good luck

[ericard]

Try looking off Robert road, Brownswitch road and military road. those are all nice family-oriented neighborhoods. Depending on your price point, Military Road would be the best, then Robert road then Brownswitch road. All down Robert road are tons of subdivisions. As far as the first post about crime, I live around the 3 streets listed above and we have not had any crime and they are building a new St. Tammany Police Dept building on Brownswitch Road. GOOD LUCK!

[rbay70]

Best middle-class neighborhoods in Slidell are East of I-10 and in great school district. This includes French Branch, Crossgates, Breckenridge, Turtle Creek, Quale Ridge, Magnolia Forrest (Pearl River). Also in the 70458 Zip you have some older middle-class neighborhoods: Bon Village, Country Club, Lakewood, Brugier, and others. Northshore district ranks best, next Slidell High. Traffic is getting better and a 1 Billion developement going in on Fremaux/I-10 will be nice. South of town and other places will flood alot more. Go for Flood Zone "C".

[nurse2231]

I am relocating to Slidell. I am looking for rental houses. I have 2 kids ages 9 and 2. Looking for good schools. What about headstart for my 2 year old? I am a LPN. Are there a lot of hospitals/nursing Homes in the area? Does anyone know of any good landlords?

[finalmove]

I saw that a month has passed and no one has responded to your post. You write that you are moving to Slidell but aren't familiar with the area. Hope you have a chance to visit before making the commitment to relocate.
I have little to offer you as far as advice on schools, as my wife and I are in the final stage of moving back to Slidell after living in the Washington, DC region for 30-years. We are retiring here, so we view Slidell through a different lens that you may have.
My wife will be working in health care in Slidell for a few years until she retires. There is Slidell Memorial, the expanding Ochsner Hospital system, and plenty of other medical/nursing facilities in the area.
We can't wait to cut our ties to Washington and move here for good.
I hope someone can offer you the information you need, and welcome to Slidell.

[cutiekey]

I just brought a house near the airport rd exit by the meadows sub division.. is that a nice area?