Where to live in (or near) NOLA for 2 years? (New Orleans: safe area, schools)

[chen8406]

Hello All,

I have accepted a two year position in New Orleans (C.B.D) and will be moving next year with my wife and 2-year-old son. Having no clue about NOLA neighborhoods (prices, safety, family friendliness, transportation, and other things I don't know about), I was hoping to get some advice here about where to live.

We will be looking for a 2-3 BR, preferably at no more than $1400/month. Though I could do a bit longer, I would really prefer a commute to the CBD of no longer than 20-30 minutes. But, of course, much more important is living in an area that is safe and family friendly. For instance, being able to walk to a playground is a must.

I Would truly appreciate any suggestions or other insight. Thank you for any responses.

[darky]

Garden District, Uptown would be your best bet!

[Polarvortex1415]

Harahan/river ridge. Old Metairie. Lakeview/lake vista. Harrison Avenue. Start there.

[sconley9922]

Check out Broadmoor, Gentilly , parts of the East,etc.

[norb123]

If I had 2 years in new orleans I would definitely stay in the city. You won't get as much for your money as Jefferson parish, but if your doing New Orleans, do it right. With a 2 year old I would say anywhere around Audubon park. It's a pretty safe area and your pretty close to the central business district. $1400 for a 2 bedroom is possible, but you will have to search to find a nice place for that price. Whether you like it or not, when you leave in 2 years there will be things about this city that you will miss and that you can't find anywhere else. If you are like me and many other people who have moved down here you might want to go ahead and start looking at the schools, because you might not want to leave.

[Mwahfromtheheart]

Architecture, road conditions, crime, vibe, everything varies widely from neighborhood to neighborhood. It really depends on what you're looking for. Lakeview is quiet, GD is pretty, fairly quiet, but expensive, NO East is a pain to get in and out of but it's relatively cheap and can find a good place, Metairie is pretty cheap but you'll drive everywhere you go, West bank is cheaper but ... that damn bridge .... what are important to you?

[sconley9922]

Originally Posted by Mwahfromtheheart

Architecture, road conditions, crime, vibe, everything varies widely from neighborhood to neighborhood. It really depends on what you're looking for. Lakeview is quiet, GD is pretty, fairly quiet, but expensive, NO East is a pain to get in and out of but it's relatively cheap and can find a good place, Metairie is pretty cheap but you'll drive everywhere you go, West bank is cheaper but ... that damn bridge .... what are important to you?

In what way is the "east a pain" to get in and out of?

[Mwahfromtheheart]

Originally Posted by sconley9922

In what way is the "east a pain" to get in and out of?

The 610 merge. I used to be grateful I didn't have to go to and from that way every day to get in and out of Metairie when I was working there. My exit was Franklin but it was almost always backed up past Elysian Fields. Plus there's always a wreck on the high rise it seems.

[sconley9922]

Originally Posted by Mwahfromtheheart

The 610 merge. I used to be grateful I didn't have to go to and from that way every day to get in and out of Metairie when I was working there. My exit was Franklin but it was almost always backed up past Elysian Fields. Plus there's always a wreck on the high rise it seems.

Yeah, a bad accident going that way can be hell

[Chilly Gentilly]

The high-rise is hell....ALWAYS an accident going to and from the East. The connector is just as slow, but nowhere near as many accidents