New Orleans as a Time Off Spot (Many: fit in, apartments)

[Blazin65]

Hi, first time posting on this City-Data Website.

I'm someone who is quiet possibly getting ready to take some time off from working and just chilling out for a while. By a while, I mean 1-2 years. Thankfully I have the ability to do this.

I am a big city person and I have thought of several places, for example Chicago, Baltimore, Boston. I am very interested in a city where I can walk most places or take public transportation if need be.

I've never given any thought to New Orleans until just recently. I guess one of the reasons why is that I would be planning to work again eventually, and I know I probably wouldn't have a hard time finding a job in the major Northeast cities.

So I guess I would phrase my question this way:

1) Is New Orleans easy to live in from a mainly "walking or riding my bike" standpoint. I guess I'm talking about renting a place in the French Qtr or 1-2 miles away. I know New Orleans is fun, I've been there a few times. But I've never thought about living there.

2) On the job front, should I just forget that in New Orleans? Without going into detail about my experience, I do have a advanced college degree and several years of professional experience. But I've always assumed a job would be easier to come by in the northeastern cities I've mentioned. You're welcome to disagree with me.

I would appreciate any comments or feedback.

[rburnett]

1.) Absolutely, if you're in the right neighborhoods. I don't know your budget, but $1200/month can get you a decent 1br in the better parts of the city.

See://www.city-data.com/forum/new-o...males-20s.html

The French Quarter isn't the only place that you can go car free, nor would it be my first choice. The Quarter and the Upper Marigny is always a target for opportunistic robberies. It's not the kind of area you would want to stroll around by yourself on a quiet street at night. It also has A LOT of tourist traffic. But, if you can deal with both of those, and want to be in the middle of it all, then look for a place in the Lower Quarter between St. Ann and Esplanade. You'll be close to everything downtown has to offer including Frenchmen St.

Uptown along Magazine St. from Napolean to Audubon park is walkable, bikeable and safe. You'll have access to 4 grocery stores (including Whole Foods), numerous local restaurants/businesses along Magazine/Prytania and Thchoup, the park and 3 transit lines to help get you downtown. You'll find a mix of old money, college kids, bobos, etc.

The warehouse district is a good option as well. You're walking distance to the Quarter and have access to most of the transit lines in the city. There's 1 major grocery store here and another one in the upper Quarter. Much more of a NYC, young professional vibe here.

The lower Marigny and Bywater is a cool part of town, but it lacks a full grocery. It's a short bike ride to the Quarter and you'll pay less. There's some bars/restaurants sprinkled throughout and along St. Claude. Much more of a hipster/bohemian vibe. There's 2 bus lines that can get you back up to Canal St.

If you're okay riding a bike up to 2 miles to do most things, you will do very well without a car. Some transit lines are better than others and I would not want to be completely dependant on them.

2.) That really depends on what kind of work you do.

[BayouBungalowChick]

If I was going to be living here for only a year I would probably live in the French Quarter because you could get a cool little apartment. That, or I would live somewhere midcity near the canal street car so you can get around easier. You could have more space there. I'm not sure how old you are but that might factor into your decisions as well. Do you want to be near outdoor activities? Bayou st. John/mid city would be a good fit in that situation...

[Blazin65]

Thanks for this imformation. I may visit over the next month or two (after Mardi Gras) to check out some of these places. I was pretty much expecting $1000-$1300 based on some other information I've looked at. It seems like the price range of decent apartments in the Northeastern cities I've mentioned are $1500-$2000/month. That's why I was starting to think South. Not to mention the weather. Also, I'm 48, for the person who wondered. Two miles on a bike or walking is nothing. That's actually one of the reasons I'm looking for that type of city. Sick of driving.

I might have more questions later on, before I go down. But I just wanted to see if I should even think about it first.

I was able to Google everything said. Many thank you's again.

[va_bank]

You may not want to "come back". This place makes you forget about your other life.

[Blazin65]

Va Bank, I've got to ask, are you talking about from an alcoholic state or quality of life perspective?

[Neworleansisprettygood]

Originally Posted by Blazin65

Va Bank, I've got to ask, are you talking about from an alcoholic state or quality of life perspective?

Pretty sure he's just talking about living here. I've traveled a lot but at this point I barely leave my neighborhood. I've left the state maybe 5 times in the last three years.

[va_bank]

All states. It's just so different and so easy to get lost in all of it, especially if money is not a concern. It's like this place exists in the parallel universe, the music, the food, the people, ghettos 100 ft away from million dollar homes, much more personal freedom than in North East. I work in NYC now and have been/lived in all the places you mentioned. New Orleans is MUCH more slow-paced than all of it. I dream of slowing down one day, but others have had a hard time adjusting.

Bike is a great mode of transportation there, but your riding style will need to adjust. New Orleans has some of the worst roads I have seen anywhere in US. Your job - well it's hard to say how you'll do without details. Medical professionals seem to be worth their weight in gold, but some other markets are non-existent.

[Blazin65]

Thanks again guys.

I will have to work again eventually. But I'm set to live on no income for a while, or just doing whatever I can. I've worked in the professional world for 25 years. Nothing else to prove, so to speak. I digress. No kids and no responsilities certainly make it easier.

[Blazin65]

I hate to ask this but would some of you kind folks give some recommendations about some apartment/rental properties in the areas mentioned? I have seen some things just by Googling. For example, Saratoga Apartments, the Georgian Apartments, River Garden on Felicity. This is just what comes up on Apartments.com. I don't expect you to do my search for me. But I would just like to have some recommendations if you have time? I will probably try to call them before going down to check on availability.