Metairie - can you tell me about it - New Orleans - Louisiana (LA) -New Orleans - Metairie - Kenner metro area - Page 8 - City-Data Forum

JWarePT · 12-20-2010, 08:15 AM

Thanks, Pook77.

Would you or anyone else happen to know what it's generally like traveling the Huey Long Bridge say between 6-6:30AM and 4:00-4:30PM during the week?

There's a website dedicated to that project, but it's hard to get succinct information like that.

mnr3 · 12-20-2010, 01:59 PM

I was in your position and ended up in st tammany; you will really have to visit the houses and neighborhoods to get a feel for them. fwiw, there has only been one bridge closing this year when some idiot drove into the lake. much of western st tammany (mandeville, covington) is much higher ground than the "river" parishes you've mentioned. don't discount how much you will have to pay to insure the house (sounds like you're buying), as it can be huge, as in $5000 or more
the drive across the causeway does kind of suck, but it's probably no more than 10 minutes more than the places you mentioned when there is no traffic and I would bet less than that with traffic (the good thing about the causeway is once you're on the bridge, there are no more people merging on). although they are getting ready to do a 2 year construction project at the south end of the causeway that will add time. I get the feeling that quality of life is better in mandeville (shopping, etc), and in general, it's a more wealthy area than the river parishes--these are totally "impressions" though, you'll have to do your own fact-finding. I wouldn't completely rule out slidell or even metairie/kenner either. I just went through this, and it's just a bear. find a good agent (but even the best will have their bias for a given area, usually the one they live in or most often represent)

dal2aus · 12-21-2010, 12:07 PM

JWare,

You sound a lot like me just 6 months ago. We were involuntarily moved due to a job transfer, and I had all the same concerns about housing, safety, and education. We'll, we've been here now for almost 2 months. Let me put your mind at ease, it's not as bad as it seems from the outside. So, we probably won't be buying a house in the city, but Eastbank Jefferson Parish seems like a good fit for us. I live in far west Metairie & work in the CBD, and the commute on I-10 really isn't that bad. I've lived in Austin, Houston, & Dallas, so I've seen bad traffic. On I-10, getting to work in the AM (20-25 minutes) is easier than getting home in the PM (30-45 minutes). However, compared to the Northshore, there are plenty of alternate routes to get around in case the interstate is too bad (Earhart Expressway, Huey P., W. Napoleon, Veterans, Jefferson Hwy, Airline). The shopping, dining, and nightlife offer way more than what you find on the Northshore.

I don't have kids, so I don't know about the schools, but I haven't heard much complaining about Jeff Parish schools. The houses are more affordable than the city, but I don't think you get as much land as on the Northshore. Plus, I think there is more new construction on the NS. If my husband worked on the Westbank, that's where I would really want to be, as you get way more for your money over there.

I would suggest renting before buying. This gives you a feel for the region and how things flow. You'll find that traffic isn't so bad and the crime not so scary (if a place looks sketchy, it probably is, so get out). Insurance is sky-high, nothing you can do about that.

Despite it all, I'm glad that we came here, albeit kicking & screaming. There's plenty to do, lots to eat & drink, and the people are pretty interesting. We've especially enjoyed being here during the holidays. People pay good money to visit here, and I get to see it for free. One of my resolutions for 2011 is to take the time to really experience New Orleans.