Moving to NOLA from DC (New Orleans, Metairie: section 8, real estate, apartment)

[mrpants1979]

Hi everyone, I am moving to NOLA in early January for a job promotion. I have only been there for the interview and was in the French Quarter. This is where I will be working. I found a place in Metaire, but somebody beat me to it, so now I am contemplating Westbank. Found a very cute, inexpensive place, but have heard so many varying opinions on both areas. Can anyone advise what may be good areas to live in? Best areas for commute, crime, parking, rent cost, etc?
I'd really appreciate any help as I am basically totally clueless.

[Prytania]

You will be working in the Quarter? You should live in the city then.

Parking is always on the street.
I'd say look Uptown...I live in a dump but its in a good neighborhood for $700 mo.

[aab7855]

Can't say enough about Uptown. Metairie is okay, I will keep my silence on the majority of the Westbank. But if you move somewhere suburban like that you will feel robbed of the true New Orleans experience. You can live in a brick slab house near a strip mall anywhere, go to the city! Uptown and some parts of Mid-City would be ideal.

[thepointykitty]

Originally Posted by aab7855

But if you move somewhere suburban like that you will feel robbed of the true New Orleans experience. You can live in a brick slab house near a strip mall anywhere, go to the city! Uptown and some parts of Mid-City would be ideal.

A thousand times "yes"! If I worked in the FQ I would probably live in Mid-City. Parking sucks in the Quarter, so hopefully your employer has a plan for that. Also, if you lived in Mid-City near Canal street you could take the streetcar to the Quarter. Marigny is nice and right next to the FQ (parking still sucks), but I think Mid-City is safer. I'm still kind of new, though, and I live closer to Uptown. As far as the Westbank, Algiers Point is gorgeous, but commuting across the river would suck.

[dal2aus]

I ditto the other posters. If you don't need a yard, then you should be in the city. Check out Craigslist. I found my 1st New Orleans apartment there. It was a furnished 1 BR (not a studio) in the Garden District for $850/month, no lease, plenty of street parking. My husband & I have a big dog, a cat, and plans for children, so we needed more space. If not for the canine, we'd probably still be off St. Charles somewhere.

For me, the best way to find a rental was post my own ad in the "Housing Wanted" section. I had lots of legitimate responses from landlords who hadn't posted their rentals. I guess they didn't want to get hit w/ the spammers themselves.

[mnr3]

you don't mention:
where on the westbank
what your family situation is

I would vote, as others, for in the city of NO first, maybe Algiers Point second, and Metairie a distant third

[Abraham Walker]

I hate when people post a question but never answer or update the forum with their decision.

Oh well....

Me, myself, personally would move to Mid City before I ever looked at a place on the Westbank. It's to quiet for my taste. If we read between the lines, you were looking for a place in Metairie so the Westbank is probably the next best thing.

Good luck with your search.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by mrpants1979

Hi everyone, I am moving to NOLA in early January for a job promotion. I have only been there for the interview and was in the French Quarter. This is where I will be working. I found a place in Metaire, but somebody beat me to it, so now I am contemplating Westbank. Found a very cute, inexpensive place, but have heard so many varying opinions on both areas. Can anyone advise what may be good areas to live in? Best areas for commute, crime, parking, rent cost, etc?
I'd really appreciate any help as I am basically totally clueless.

The Westbank is really crappy. Live in the city, Uptown should be good.

[thealfa]

no lease?

I don't understand why i can't find any nice looking ones on craigslist. craigslist rentals for NOLA either looks like section 8 housing. Are landlords scared to advertise because they have to "see" the person renting first? Isn't this against the law?

Did you advertise on craigslist? I am trying to get out of Maryland before summer. Help me find a place there!!!

Originally Posted by dal2aus

I ditto the other posters. If you don't need a yard, then you should be in the city. Check out Craigslist. I found my 1st New Orleans apartment there. It was a furnished 1 BR (not a studio) in the Garden District for $850/month, no lease, plenty of street parking. My husband & I have a big dog, a cat, and plans for children, so we needed more space. If not for the canine, we'd probably still be off St. Charles somewhere.

For me, the best way to find a rental was post my own ad in the "Housing Wanted" section. I had lots of legitimate responses from landlords who hadn't posted their rentals. I guess they didn't want to get hit w/ the spammers themselves.

[thepointykitty]

You have to just keep looking every day, several times a day. Also, post your own ad in the "housing wanted" section, with details (not personal info, of course) of what you're looking for. Also look on nola.com in the real estate section.