Wife works in BR, I work in NOLA, want a backyard ~300k (New Orleans: 2013, insurance) - Louisiana -New Orleans - Metairie - Kenner metro area - City-Data Forum

hunterc4 · 12-02-2012, 06:46 PM

My wife works in Baton Rouge, and I work in the CBD, NOLA. She does not mind commuting (work pays for gas and car). We are a young couple looking for a home around $300k with a garage and a backyard. We currently live uptown and like it, but we know we can't afford anything that would suit us here. Any advice? We get distraught looking at our friends' nice and new 3br/2ba $275k homes in Lafayette. Anything we see in Old Metairie is too expensive, and the affordable stuff we find in Metairie is usually ranch style, which we hate (I know a bit picky, but it's a big purchase).

Neworleansisprettygood · 12-02-2012, 10:01 PM

I'd search for zip code 70124- that's Lakeview. Cheaper than Old Metairie but still very nice. Convenient to the interstate too. Would post a link but realtor.com isn't working for me right now.

Jimbo_1 · 12-02-2012, 11:52 PM

Well, the majority of the housing stock in the suburbs is ranch style, so that will make it tuff. In the city you could try the Broadmoor/Fountainbleau area or Lakeview. You could also try Jefferson (the city) which has some non-ranch houses. There are probably some newer developments further up the river and into Laplace, if you are into that.

rburnett · 12-03-2012, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunterc4

We currently live uptown and like it, but we know we can't afford anything that would suit us here. Any advice? We get distraught looking at our friends' nice and new 3br/2ba $275k homes in Lafayette.

It sounds like you're trying to keep up with the "Joneses", whoever they are. Please don't be in a rush to be house poor. Why the 3br if it's just the two of you? Suburban Lafayette is NOTHING like Uptown New Orleans, so I don't know how you could compare the two, especially since you said you like where you are.

You can most definately find something in a decent part of New Orleans for $275k or less. Maybe not by Audubon Park, but probably over in Broadmoor, Mid-City, Lakeview or Gentilly.

annie_himself · 12-03-2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rburnett

It sounds like you're trying to keep up with the "Joneses", whoever they are. Please don't be in a rush to be house poor. Why the 3br if it's just the two of you? Suburban Lafayette is NOTHING like Uptown New Orleans, so I don't know how you could compare the two, especially since you said you like where you are.

You can most definately find something in a decent part of New Orleans for $275k or less. Maybe not by Audubon Park, but probably over in Broadmoor, Mid-City, Lakeview or Gentilly.

I was thinking this.

Have you thought about building a home?

hunterc4 · 12-04-2012, 11:06 AM

Neworleansisprettygood: we have looked in Lakeview, but we aren't sure why we would buy a home there when you can get the same atmosphere in Metairie with lower property taxes and insurance. I understand if you just want to be in the city, but we aren't worried about that.

rburnett: we certainly wouldn't be house-poor at 300k. And we are not trying to keep up, we just like to see our money go far. While uptown is definitely not comparable to Lafayette, I was comparing how far your money goes at getting a house. I understand Uptown's premium, because of the walking distances. But the areas we can afford are generally sketchy. Also, we don't see the appeal of Broadmoor, Lakeview, Gentilly, or Mid-City, which don't have the walking and the houses are still overpriced. Further, I'm sick of hearing hipsters say how Mid-City is "up-and-coming." We don't see it.

Jimbo_1: we aren't against newer developments upriver, just not sure what is good. I looked into Chateau in Kenner, but heard negative things about the surrounding area and safety.

annie_himself: Lately I've been wondering if we should just settle for ranch style and update the facia of the home to our liking. We have also looked into building, which we more recently see as a viable option.

We certainly wouldn'

hunterc4 · 12-04-2012, 11:09 AM

Also, does anyone know the commute time from Kenner to CBD? I've heard outlandish stories about it being 1 hr. But I have a hard time believing that.

rburnett · 12-04-2012, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunterc4

rburnett: we certainly wouldn't be house-poor at 300k. And we are not trying to keep up, we just like to see our money go far. While uptown is definitely not comparable to Lafayette, I was comparing how far your money goes at getting a house. I understand Uptown's premium, because of the walking distances. But the areas we can afford are generally sketchy. Also, we don't see the appeal of Broadmoor, Lakeview, Gentilly, or Mid-City, which don't have the walking and the houses are still overpriced. Further, I'm sick of hearing hipsters say how Mid-City is "up-and-coming." We don't see it.

It's all relative. I can get a ranch in Wyoming for $50k, but I won't be moving out there anytime soon. And sketchy can mean different things to different people. If you're used to planned subdivisions less than 10 years old with smooth white concrete, big houses, manicured lawns, and lots of new suburban ammenities then you might feel that the whole city is sketchy (as well as a lot of Metaire and Kenner for that matter).

What's the appeal of Broadmoor, Lakeview, Gentilly or Mid-City? Historic houses (yes, even in Lakeview and Gentilly), access to reliable transit, local buisnisess, varying walkability and ridiculously easy commutes to the CBD. Also, home prices have been stable or increasing within the city as opposed to the suburbs where they have gone down. http://media.nola.com/business_impac...dc41acbaa2.jpg

I'm not sure what you're expecting to see in Mid-City, but the progress is there and very real. The Mid-City Market development will eliminate the last swath of Katrina blight when it is completed later this year. The Lafitte Corridor bicycle/walking path will begin construction this year and will connect Lakeview to the French Quarter. Population has rebounded strongly and we are nearing pre-Katrina levels. Ridership on the Canal Streetcar is exceeding all expectations and will get more freqent service in 2013. There is a Rouses Grocery and a Home Depot in the heart of the area and numerous new buisinesses have opened their doors(Blue Dot Donuts, Juicy Lucy's, Rue 127, Yangs Po-Boys, Theo's Pizza, Twelve Mile Limit, etc.)

Neworleansisprettygood · 12-04-2012, 12:39 PM

I bought my Mid-City condo in 2011 for $74 a square foot. Property on my block is now selling for a minimum of $110. If you don't care about living in the city, move to Kenner. The housing is cheap and you won't have to worry about us "urban" types.

hunterc4 · 12-04-2012, 05:09 PM

I didn't describe people as "urban." But I have been living uptown for over a year and I love it. I just can't afford the space I need in uptown. And by sketchy I mean people aren't maintaining their homes and yards, and broken down cars line the streets.

I understand the closeness to the CBD and the access to transit, and I guess that's why the price is high. But I drive regardless. Also, when I look at the housing in mid-city, it still seems to be priced high for what you get. And you still have the outrageous insurance and tax issue that you don't get outside the city. Since we are looking for a compromise between CBD and BR, maybe we should look to River Ridge or LaPlace.