schools/moving this Summer (New Orleans, Metairie: transplants, high crime, second mortgage)

[scootieb]

Hi, All! Just found out I may move back to NOLA this Summer after 12 yrs away. This time, I have 1 elementary age & 1 pre-school age child. As it is mid-May, am I out of luck regarding the charter school process (not to mention, I have no idea how that system works)? I am fine with private schools, but fear I am too late to get them into good ones (which are...?). Also, how have neighborhoods changed, especially where are the safest/most desirable areas to live? I do a lot of reading online (including this forum), but the info is so contradictory... NOLA resurging v. NOLA is a high crime hovel... what's the take of the locals, especially transplants and/or parents of young kids? I would love to come back, but it has to be right for the whole family. Thanks for your help!

[rburnett]

See:
//www.city-data.com/forum/new-o...relo-nola.html

Just about any of the private/parochial schools are pretty solid.

[ptt]

IMO ,The only private school in New Orleans I would put my kid in is Newman.

Isidore Newman School ~ Homepage

[deanieblu]

I just moved back to NOLA after living away for 13 years. Now, I'm back with my two kids ages 6 and 4. Only positive I have about living here again is my family. It just depends on what you are looking for and what you like. I don't like living here. I wanted my kids to be closer to family so that's why I'm back. New Orleans offers culture, food, festivals, and liquor. I like having plenty of options for excellent schools both public and private, activities for my kids that don't always cost money, clean playgrounds and recreational centers, shopping, entertainment besides food and liquor and festivals. I want to feel relatively comfortable and safe in my environment. Something is always popping off here. Yes, it's usually restricted to certain areas but come on enough is enough with the killing. New Orleans and the surrounding metro area has not changed much since I was a kid growing up here. While second lines, great food, and friendly folks are good things, it's not all that you need in a city. You need a better infrastructure, schools, economy, and entertainment that is not mainly geared to adults and tourists. Also, the cost of living is closer to the higher end.
So, just think about what you want and what is important to you.

[Jimbo_1]

It really depends on who you are and what you like. Some people will have a negative view of the city (like above) and some will have a positive view. I mean I love New Orleans and think New Orleans offers a lot (even for children) and is improving in many categories. I wouldn't take one person's opinion and act like it applies to me and is totally correct. I guess you will only really know once you do live here for a bit (and if you actually liked it when you lived here previously would help). The OP is definitely right about there being contradicting views.

[Metairie]

Originally Posted by deanieblu

I just moved back to NOLA after living away for 13 years. Now, I'm back with my two kids ages 6 and 4. Only positive I have about living here again is my family. It just depends on what you are looking for and what you like. I don't like living here. I wanted my kids to be closer to family so that's why I'm back. New Orleans offers culture, food, festivals, and liquor. I like having plenty of options for excellent schools both public and private, activities for my kids that don't always cost money, clean playgrounds and recreational centers, shopping, entertainment besides food and liquor and festivals. I want to feel relatively comfortable and safe in my environment. Something is always popping off here. Yes, it's usually restricted to certain areas but come on enough is enough with the killing. New Orleans and the surrounding metro area has not changed much since I was a kid growing up here. While second lines, great food, and friendly folks are good things, it's not all that you need in a city. You need a better infrastructure, schools, economy, and entertainment that is not mainly geared to adults and tourists. Also, the cost of living is closer to the higher end.
So, just think about what you want and what is important to you.

I agree with you on most of what you said. We are in the process of moving out of state to get our child a better education than he can get here. I also am not a fan of the weather or drunk culture here at this time in my life. However New Orleans does have nice festivals (to get drunk at), Mardi Gras (to get drunk at), crawfish boils (to get drunk at), and is warmer than most places if you like that sort of thing. The old architecture is unique and the city can be fun in small doses. I'm sure OP has researched and will make the right choice for his/her family. I guess I'd say my favorite private school is Metairie Country Day our here.

[yr5]

Originally Posted by deanieblu

I just moved back to NOLA after living away for 13 years. Now, I'm back with my two kids ages 6 and 4. Only positive I have about living here again is my family. It just depends on what you are looking for and what you like. I don't like living here. I wanted my kids to be closer to family so that's why I'm back. New Orleans offers culture, food, festivals, and liquor. I like having plenty of options for excellent schools both public and private, activities for my kids that don't always cost money, clean playgrounds and recreational centers, shopping, entertainment besides food and liquor and festivals. I want to feel relatively comfortable and safe in my environment. Something is always popping off here. Yes, it's usually restricted to certain areas but come on enough is enough with the killing. New Orleans and the surrounding metro area has not changed much since I was a kid growing up here. While second lines, great food, and friendly folks are good things, it's not all that you need in a city. You need a better infrastructure, schools, economy, and entertainment that is not mainly geared to adults and tourists. Also, the cost of living is closer to the higher end.
So, just think about what you want and what is important to you.

I CONCUR! I tend to believe that people who never leave New Orleans have a very subjective view, and probably would confuse your point Deanieblu, by thinking you were being Negative. When in fact you are only speaking truth.

I am not from New Orleans, but I did have children while I resided there. Recently, because of my children being preschool age, I decided it was within their best interest, educationally, for us to relocate out of New Orleans. I should not have to choose between placing them in a nationally ranked D+ educational system or pay a "second mortgage" for decent education.

Jindal is under the microscope with Duncan (Secre. of Ed.), lets see how he appropriates his new preschool educational funds.

[yr5]

Originally Posted by deanieblu

I just moved back to NOLA after living away for 13 years. Now, I'm back with my two kids ages 6 and 4. Only positive I have about living here again is my family. It just depends on what you are looking for and what you like. I don't like living here. I wanted my kids to be closer to family so that's why I'm back. New Orleans offers culture, food, festivals, and liquor. I like having plenty of options for excellent schools both public and private, activities for my kids that don't always cost money, clean playgrounds and recreational centers, shopping, entertainment besides food and liquor and festivals. I want to feel relatively comfortable and safe in my environment. Something is always popping off here. Yes, it's usually restricted to certain areas but come on enough is enough with the killing. New Orleans and the surrounding metro area has not changed much since I was a kid growing up here. While second lines, great food, and friendly folks are good things, it's not all that you need in a city. You need a better infrastructure, schools, economy, and entertainment that is not mainly geared to adults and tourists. Also, the cost of living is closer to the higher end.
So, just think about what you want and what is important to you.

Originally Posted by Metairie

I agree with you on most of what you said. We are in the process of moving out of state to get our child a better education than he can get here. I also am not a fan of the weather or drunk culture here at this time in my life. However New Orleans does have nice festivals (to get drunk at), Mardi Gras (to get drunk at), crawfish boils (to get drunk at), and is warmer than most places if you like that sort of thing. The old architecture is unique and the city can be fun in small doses. I'm sure OP has researched and will make the right choice for his/her family. I guess I'd say my favorite private school is Metairie Country Day our here.

I think Metairie Park Country Day is okay if you like the Multiage Curriculum and can afford to make that kind of monetary investment for young pupils.

New Orleans is very limited...your pickings are slim when it comes to activity locations, its going to be the same thing over and over. Life can get pretty boring after a while.

[norb123]

Originally Posted by yr5

I think Metairie Park Country Day is okay if you like the Multiage Curriculum and can afford to make that kind of monetary investment for young pupils.

New Orleans is very limited...your pickings are slim when it comes to activity locations, its going to be the same thing over and over. Life can get pretty boring after a while.

I'm not understanding how NOLA is limited on activities compared to other cities. My daughter is 8 and we always have lots of options. Compared to the other cities I've lived in, New Orleans has just as much if not more to do. They all have parks, playgrounds, museums, zoo's, etc, but with New Orleans you can add festivals every other weekend, and they are not just for drunk people. My daughter loves them.

My family moved here from just North of Atlanta in an area known for good schools. My oldest daughter started at Lusher in the 10th grade and she was shocked at how much harder it was. She says college is a breeze compared to high school. When she was a freshman she was tutoring sophomores who graduated from other high schools. I know Lusher is one of the good schools, but I think many of the schools are getting better here.

Just thought I'd add a little positive to all the negative.

[NativeSon504]

Originally Posted by norb123

I'm not understanding how NOLA is limited on activities compared to other cities. My daughter is 8 and we always have lots of options. Compared to the other cities I've lived in, New Orleans has just as much if not more to do. They all have parks, playgrounds, museums, zoo's, etc, but with New Orleans you can add festivals every other weekend, and they are not just for drunk people. My daughter loves them.

My family moved here from just North of Atlanta in an area known for good schools. My oldest daughter started at Lusher in the 10th grade and she was shocked at how much harder it was. She says college is a breeze compared to high school. When she was a freshman she was tutoring sophomores who graduated from other high schools. I know Lusher is one of the good schools, but I think many of the schools are getting better here.

Just thought I'd add a little positive to all the negative.

Your positivity is well appreciated my friend.