Considering move from Lafayette to NOLA... new job (New Orleans, Columbia: apartments, rental)

[lowb35]

I work in higher education and have been offered a position at one of the state universities in NOLA. We have lived in Lafayette for nearly 12 years and I used to work full-time here, but stepped down in order to (mostly) finish my PhD. I'm an "alt ac" person meaning that my goal is to continue my career in administration instead of going on faculty. There are unfortunately no options or openings for me here in Lafayette any more... and the position in NOLA was offered on the spot, which is rare in higher ed. But I know that a move to NOLA isn't without its problems. For example, enrolling my 8th grader in a non-RSD school mid-year is almost impossible. We have a bunch of cats which we wouldn't be able to move until we purchased a home or found an extremely laid back or cat-friendly landlord (we'd have to sell our home in Lafayette first as well). My husband's company occasionally has openings in NOLA but doesn't currently. So I'd be looking at living only part-time in NOLA for the spring semester and then moving the whole family possibly over the summer.

So, my questions are...
--what are some good options for renting a room or finding a short-term lease?
--anything in the UNO/SUNO area?
--how the heck can I enroll my niece in school (she's with us under a provisional custody agreement, which Orleans Parish accepts but not most of the surrounding parishes)?
--is this worth it? I'm 50 and I'm afraid that if I let this go I won't have many more opportunities to restart my higher ed career... but I also don't want to burn up my entire salary trying to make this work.

Any suggestions or comments welcome. I have 'till the first to tell them my decision. Thanks!!!

[Chilly Gentilly]

So, my questions are...
--what are some good options for renting a room or finding a short-term lease?

[Do a search on Craiglist for rental properties.]

--anything in the UNO/SUNO area?

[UNO is in Gentilly, which is a decent area, but is vastly building. I'd recommend Columbia Parc Apartments]

--how the heck can I enroll my niece in school (she's with us under a provisional custody agreement, which Orleans Parish accepts but not most of the surrounding parishes)?

[My wife works for Orleans Parish School Board. How old is your neice?]

--is this worth it? I'm 50 and I'm afraid that if I let this go I won't have many more opportunities to restart my higher ed career... but I also don't want to burn up my entire salary trying to make this work.

[I don't know much about the COL in Lafayette, but New Orleans is a pretty affordable city. I wouldn't worry about "burning up your entire salary" unless you do the long-term tourist thing and party on Bourbon every night for the time you're here. But something tells me that at 50, you're well past that phase in life. Yes, I think its well worth it.]