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Old 12-27-2010, 12:07 AM
 
Location: New Orleans
98 posts, read 284,807 times
Reputation: 45

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Here is my situation, I am single, retired and have been living in Thailand for the past 8 years. I am now ready for a change and have picked New Orleans, Miami, Miami Beach, San Francisco and San Diego, in that order as my hopefuls. All have some combination of what I am hoping to find. I have spent some time in each, but a while back.


I want to be able to walk to the basics, neighborhood bar, local restaurants, and markets. A good sports bar would be a plus I don't want to be afraid to walk my neighborhood at night. I don't want to own a car.


I like to travel, so an international airport is important. I like to walk and work out for my exercise. I like happy hours, wine tastings and eating out once in a while.


My plan is to find a furnished place near the French Quarter and spend about 3 months trying to get a feel for New Orleans. This will be in the fall of 2011.


My question is, is this a feasible approach and have I over looked anything important and are there any suggestions? I do have a what to do if, hurricane plan.
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Old 12-27-2010, 05:04 AM
 
1,180 posts, read 3,119,790 times
Reputation: 1790
I'm not going to remark on NOLA but I can tell you to pretty much forget San Diego if you don't want to have a car. Yes, there are areas, such as Hillcrestfor example, where you could walk to most things you like. But, things are generally spread out in San Diego (typical of So. CA) and public transportation while better than it used to be is still very inconvenient if you should need to go outside the central core for work or something.

Good luck in your search.
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Old 12-27-2010, 10:52 AM
 
Location: Mostly in my head
19,855 posts, read 65,685,748 times
Reputation: 19377
I guess you are used to humidity? In N.O., it can be 90 degrees and 90% humidity for days at a time in the summer. Walking isn't so pleasant then. and actually, the algorithm for humidity makes it possible for the news to report that it is 110%. Now those were days when I stayed inside in a/c.
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Old 12-27-2010, 11:09 AM
 
Location: New Orleans
1,554 posts, read 3,014,147 times
Reputation: 1957
Well for example I live in Puerto Rico right now but my parents are in the Uptown area of New Orleans (i'm here for the holidays), and even in the cold I don't mind getting around without a car, which is sitting in Puerto Rico currently. I strongly recommend the Uptown area..if you live within walking distance to St. Charles Avenue you can take the streetcar to the French Quarter as well as the other way (Carrolton area) 24/7...Magazine Street is another good option with a frequent bus. The Faubourg Maringy is another old area with a lot of charm (very "hipster") but safety can be a little iffier.

Our airport isn't the best..but it will have connecting flights to all of the cities that are crucial to international travel (Miami, New York, Houston, Atlanta, DC, etc). You will be swimming in bars and restaurants here, it's insane. Be prepared to ramp up your workouts to counter the culinary scene here! There are farmer's markets Uptown as well as a Whole Foods market on Magazine St.

If I were to live here and need to be on time with work, etc. daily I would get a bus pass and buy a bike to fill in the gaps. If you like walking and allot enough time to do so, Uptown is a pedestrian's paradise. Everyone walks places and runs up the sidewalks to Audubon Park and other places. Come down for a while and see how you like it,but I don't think you'll be disappointed.
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Old 12-27-2010, 05:52 PM
 
Location: New Orleans
98 posts, read 284,807 times
Reputation: 45
Funny mention about the warm, I was more worried about the cold, under 80 degrees is a cold spell here.

Thanks for the San Diego info, as you can see it is last on my list because of the limited no car areas. I went to high school there but have not been any closer to downtown than Sea World in many years.

Being retired I have the time to walk. I had not thought about Faubourg Maringy, but will add it to my list.
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Old 12-28-2010, 11:56 AM
 
Location: The South
6 posts, read 5,530 times
Reputation: 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by allcladrad View Post
Here is my situation, I am single, retired and have been living in Thailand for the past 8 years. I am now ready for a change and have picked New Orleans, Miami, Miami Beach, San Francisco and San Diego, in that order as my hopefuls. All have some combination of what I am hoping to find. I have spent some time in each, but a while back.


I want to be able to walk to the basics, neighborhood bar, local restaurants, and markets. A good sports bar would be a plus I don't want to be afraid to walk my neighborhood at night. I don't want to own a car.


I like to travel, so an international airport is important. I like to walk and work out for my exercise. I like happy hours, wine tastings and eating out once in a while.


My plan is to find a furnished place near the French Quarter and spend about 3 months trying to get a feel for New Orleans. This will be in the fall of 2011.


My question is, is this a feasible approach and have I over looked anything important and are there any suggestions? I do have a what to do if, hurricane plan.
You'll fit in just fine. NO is a wonderful place. I love it
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Old 12-29-2010, 06:16 PM
 
Location: New Orleans
98 posts, read 284,807 times
Reputation: 45
I was thinking of renting a corporate furnished condo for my first 3 month look around time, has anyone had any experience with one of these?
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Old 01-03-2011, 08:39 AM
 
194 posts, read 544,026 times
Reputation: 181
Living near the streetcar line is awesome! We just got bikes, too, which is really fun. We've been here for nine months now and love it more every day. There are so many awesome little neighborhood areas, I'm sure you can find one that's perfect for you.

I definitely agree with the short-term rental at first. Then you can explore the whole city and decide where you really want to be ;-) Good luck!
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Old 01-03-2011, 09:46 PM
 
Location: New Orleans
98 posts, read 284,807 times
Reputation: 45
Thanks thepointykitty,
The streetcar lines make a lot more choices available. Reading this forum, Google and Walkscore have already been a big help. The little walk around guy in Google Maps has also been a great help in looking for the short term place.
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Old 01-05-2011, 07:03 AM
 
Location: Da Parish
1,127 posts, read 4,999,876 times
Reputation: 1022
Just wanted to throw in a couple of points. The Maringny has gotten pricey in the past five years, and if that is an issue, Bywater would be a less expensive alternative. Be careful choosing a place Uptown, you will find that one block will be fine and then just one block over you will feel like you are in downtown Beirut; I suggest you check the area out with a local before renting. It's easy to make a mistake when you don't know the Uptown area.
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