advice for a single 20 something moving to NO (New Orleans, Jefferson: apartments, leasing agent)

[jend22]

I'm seriously contemplating a move to NO from Chicago. I'm 29 and a single female. I work in restaurants. I currently work in a Michelin star restaurant but have also worked at neighborhood sports bars, etc. I will have my own car. I will be looking for both an apartment and job. I have been told to look in Uptown for an apartment. I just need a 1 bedroom or studio around $600 a month. Is this too little $?
Are restaurant/bar jobs hard to come by? I will miss Mardi gras and will probably be moving end of february early march.
I need to know what areas to look at for an apartment in a location that is safe for a single girl to live in. In Chicago i live on the border of Humboldt Park which is considered pretty sketchy but I am at a main intersection 2 blocks from the police station. I still don't go outside at night by myself. I would rather live by myself than with a roommate. However my credit is not amazing or even good (who am i kidding) but i will be bringing a couple thousand with me. Is it hard to get a place with bad credit? i am also wanting to live in the city not outside of it. I would prefer an updated bathroom and kitchen. I also like the apartments that are in the older homes for their character.
Also i hear there isn't a target in NO? is this true? Any tips or information would be greatly appreciated.
Also any recommendations on restaurants/bars to look into would be helpful. I'm a jack of all trades I can bartend/serve/run/ and host.

[Neworleansisprettygood]

Originally Posted by jend22

I'm seriously contemplating a move to NO from Chicago. I'm 29 and a single female. I work in restaurants. I currently work in a Michelin star restaurant but have also worked at neighborhood sports bars, etc. I will have my own car. I will be looking for both an apartment and job. I have been told to look in Uptown for an apartment. I just need a 1 bedroom or studio around $600 a month. Is this too little $?
Are restaurant/bar jobs hard to come by? I will miss Mardi gras and will probably be moving end of february early march.
I need to know what areas to look at for an apartment in a location that is safe for a single girl to live in. In Chicago i live on the border of Humboldt Park which is considered pretty sketchy but I am at a main intersection 2 blocks from the police station. I still don't go outside at night by myself. I would rather live by myself than with a roommate. However my credit is not amazing or even good (who am i kidding) but i will be bringing a couple thousand with me. Is it hard to get a place with bad credit? i am also wanting to live in the city not outside of it. I would prefer an updated bathroom and kitchen. I also like the apartments that are in the older homes for their character.
Also i hear there isn't a target in NO? is this true? Any tips or information would be greatly appreciated.
Also any recommendations on restaurants/bars to look into would be helpful. I'm a jack of all trades I can bartend/serve/run/ and host.

$600 should be adequate for a studio Uptown. I would check in the area around Tulane U.

There are a couple of Targets in the area, one maybe a 20 minute drive from Uptown.

The only time I have had my credit checked was when I lived in a complex, as far as renting in old houses they just wanted a deposit.

New Orleans is a big restaurant town. I wouldn't give up hope on getting a job in one of the higher-end restaurants, considering your experience.

Good luck.

[ttaleg]

hey I was looking in N.O. and chi.......as of now its N.O. just because chi is so dang big....and I know the area by humbolt (ya a little sketch) as far as my research goes in N.O. uptown is good between st charles and magazine.....F.Q. is good bt expensive........from what iv researched you dont want to be north or central above the quarter

[rburnett]

It depends on what you're looking for.

Uptown is a large area that varies a lot. In general, the area between St. Charles Ave and Magazine is where you want to be. You'll be in easy walking distance to the Streetcar on St. Charles or the Magazine St. Bus.

This area starts out with a very bohemian vibe near the expressway, then it slowly turns more yuppie/posh, especially once you get past Jefferson Ave. The closer you get to Audubon Park, the safer it is(and more $$$), but the harder it is to get downtown. The Garden district is located between Jackson and Louisiana Aves and has a lot of large houses and old money. There are tons of local shops and restaurants on Magazine all the way up to the park. The Magazine St. bus is pretty frequent and can get you downtown faster than the streetcar.

The Carrollton neighborhood is sometimes considered part of Uptown. It is centered around the intersection of St. Charles and Carrollton Aves. There's a large student population since it's close to Tulane. It is very dense with bars and restaurants, but the downside is that it's far from downtown and feels somewhat isolated.

Mid-City is also an option as you may find cheaper rent. You'll have lots of bars and restaurants and the Canal Streetcar can get you downtown. It's a little more middle class and blue collar than Uptown. I would recommend the area between Banks St and Orleans Ave. from Jeff Davis up to City Park Ave. The closer you are to City Park Ave, the safer it is.

The Marigny and Bywater is probably the "hip-est" area. It has a very liberal/bohemian feel and is right next to the French Quarter and the Frenchmen St. music scene. Rents get cheaper as you move downriver from the quarter. You should stay on the river side of St. Claude. The closer to the river, the safer it is.

[DatMiranda]

I moved to New Orleans from Nevada at 29, single female. I worked hospitality for a couple years for some really great establishments. I'm now a leasing agent here and if you have any questions or need assistance for apartments/neighborhoods- let me know.

[missnawlins]

You can get a tiny 100 sq. ft place on Royal st. A 1 bedroom in mid city
Watch uptown area - many spots FLOOD with a heavy rain and cars get flooded.