High end apartment search (New Orleans, Metairie: countertops, safe area, living)

[tdrew]

Hello everyone!

We are considering a move to New Orleans, and are beginning to look for an apartment. Looking for something nice, in a safe area. Maybe in the Lakeview area, but not sure as we are still learning the neighborhoods. 2 bedroom, 2 bath, and pet friendly is a must - we have a 70 pound black lab. We'd love to have shopping and restaurants within walking distance. We want something nice - wood/tile floors, marble countertops, etc. If the apartment is right, we don't mind paying top dollar for it.

Any suggestions or recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

Tom in Austin

[rburnett]

What is your budget? Where will you be working?

Lakeview may work for you. It has a suburban feel with huge front lawns, big back yards, etc., but it is only 3 miles from downtown and the commute is a breeze compared to being out in Metairie. This neighborhood is one of the safer ones. It is somewhat walkable, but nowhere near Uptown or Mid-City. It's much more "car-centric".

Lakeview has a 4 block strip on Harrison Ave. with some stores and restaurants, but unless you are pretty close to that, you probably won't be walking to it (I find that most Lakeview residents don't walk to Harrison Ave, even though they live within a few blocks. Most of the people you see walking around are walking to and from their cars). Also, most of the places on that strip close pretty early and public transit is pretty much non-existent.

If you're looking for something more urban, walkable and with transit, you need to look at the other neighborhoods I mentioned.

[tdrew]

Sorry, I should have been more specific. My budget is $2000 a month. I need secure (off-street) parking, and I mentioned the dog - need at least a little grass area nearby or onsite for him to "do his duty."

The area is not critical, other than being a "safe" area for my wife. Work location (hopefully) will be in the area of Causeway Blvd and Jefferson Highway. Not opposed to a reasonable commute if the apartment meets our needs.

Thanks!

[Neworleansisprettygood]

Other than Uptown, walkable doesn't usually mean high-end and or safe. Probably your best bet, though I do of course also have to mention Mid-City as I reside here and love it.

[WestbankNOLA]

930 Poydras or one of the Wiznia developments in the CBD come to mind.

[rburnett]

A reasonable commute is subjective, but to me, it means 10min or < 3 miles away .

A budget like that gives you access to some of the nicest neighborhoods. The area around Audubon park is the safest most picturesque area in the city. Since you'll be working around Ocshner, then I would recommend the Black Pearl or Carrollton neighborhood upriver from the park. This area is ~2 miles from Ocshner and the commute is a breeze, and you will never have to deal with I-10 or the Ponchatrain Expressway.

Carrollton is very dense with stores and restaurants along Maple St., Oak St. as well as the intersection of Carrollton Ave. and St. Charles Ave.

The downriver side of the park is excellent as well, but crossing the Tulane campus can be a pain at certain times of the day. Here's a picture of the neighborhood so you can see it better. I would look in this area first as you should be able to swing off street parking and some kind of backyard.

Also, in this area, the closer you are to the park, the safer it is.

[annie_himself]

Look into 1201 Canal.

[rburnett]

Forgot the attatchment

[order88]

I am a young professional relocating out to New Orleans in a few weeks as well. I will be working near the Tulane Medical Center in the CBD. I am 25 and single. I can afford between 1000-1500 a month. After reading through this forum, it seems like the two best bets are uptown between st charles and magazine, or the warehouse district area. I think being able to walk to work and go out to all the bars nearby at night would be nice. Paying for additional parking, not having a balcony/yard(doesn't seem like any of the CBD/WD places have these) are the tradeoff. Seems like uptown/downtown is a big debate on here, but does anyone have any feedback on how living uptown compared to CBD/WD? It seems like if I lived near magazine/st charles, there would be plenty of bars/restaurants to walk to. There would be parks, etc to take the dog for a walk at during the evening. The commute would probably be under 20 minutes or possibly bikeable if I was up to it.

[annie_himself]

The CBD/Downtown is much more active with tourists. The only reason I wouldn't want to live there. Neither are bad, I would take a trip before deciding.