Live/work space for artist woodworker in NOLA (New Orleans: apartment complexes, rental)

[ericinraleigh]

I'm looking to relocate and NOLA is way at the top of a short list of cities I am considering. I'm a self employed woodworker, have a stable business and sell all my work online...essentially I can work anywhere (assuming you guys have a decent exotic lumber store in the metro area).

I'd very much like to find a live-work space I can stay in. It would have to be zoned/approved for woodworking...artist style application...I'm not churning out kitchen cabinets; I make small sculptures. My yearly output fits in the cab of my pickup. Right now I have 3800 square foot including a built in 600 sf apartment, but I could get by with a lot less space.

I like city living, love having my neighborhood pub to hang out in, etc. Are there any parts of the city where I could find something like this without ending up in the sticks? I know this is an unusual request...any ideas or hints as to the right neighborhood appreciated.

[Pook77]

I don't know much about downtown neighborhoods, but I have some artist friends living in the Marigny. Granted, they do photography or other non-noisy art forms in their residences, but maybe you could find something there? Faubourg Marigny is very artist-friendly. Maybe look at Bywater also. Find a realtor or rental agent and have them steer you in the right direction. It's not difficult to end up in the "sticks" unintentionally down here!

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

I don't know how you would check for the exotic wood store. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

[ericinraleigh]

Oh heh, that was mostly me being a smartass...I"m sure you have such a store somewhere around there.

[bustaduke]

Originally Posted by ericinraleigh

Oh heh, that was mostly me being a smartass...I"m sure you have such a store somewhere around there.

Riverside Lumber in New Orleans has a large wood selection.

Riverside Lumber - Fine Woods; Hardwood, Cypress, Mouldings

busta

[Neworleansisprettygood]

Originally Posted by bustaduke

Riverside Lumber in New Orleans has a large wood selection.

Riverside Lumber - Fine Woods; Hardwood, Cypress, Mouldings

busta

Busta to the rescue... that's why we keep him around, folks.

There are quite a few artist's apartment complexes. One new one is Blue Plate, between Mid-City and Uptown. I pass by there almost every day, they're in the process of renovating it and it should be really nice.

[bustaduke]

Originally Posted by Neworleansisprettygood

Busta to the rescue... that's why we keep him around, folks.

Awe thanks, lol.

The owner of Riverside has a plank of cypress in his warehouse that's about 80' long, 8' wide, and 2' thick that I've been trying to get for years but he wont sell it.

Would make an awesome table but I would have to expand my dinning room a good 60' for it to fit. But with hundreds that come over for the holidays we would still need more chairs.


busta

[caryberry]

Originally Posted by bustaduke

Awe thanks, lol.

The owner of Riverside has a plank of cypress in his warehouse that's about 80' long, 8' wide, and 2' thick that I've been trying to get for years but he wont sell it.

Would make an awesome table but I would have to expand my dinning room a good 60' for it to fit. But with hundreds that come over for the holidays we would still need more chairs.


busta

Smart with a sense of humor (and a big family) - what's not to love about that!?!

[whodeynotwhodat]

I currently live in the northern part of Oakland, but I'm heading back to New Orleans soon.

In short, think Mission when you think of the Marigny, Bywater, Lower Garden District, and some parts of Mid-City.
Castro for the French Quarter (which has some large loft type spaces in some apartments).

Beyond that spaces are small. I would definitely look at the Bywater and Lower Garden District. Also, even though it is yuppie as [mod] not allowed [/mod] you might want to check out the Warehouse District (due to the size of lofts over there. If you're selling online and expecting the same income flow then you can honestly find a place anywhere in New Orleans (compare to San Francisco). Average rent for a room in the Marigny and Bywater will run you $350 to $500. $900 to $1,200 will get you a LOT of spaces in "desirable" neighborhoods.

[ericinraleigh]

Thanks for all the feedback...I'd love to find a place somewhere in bywater. I've been checking craigslist...any other sites I should keep an eye on?