....on relocating to new orleans

[electric_lady]

I am about to be offered a job with a non-profit organization in New Orleans. Though I have visited a few times, I have a lot of questions about the city in general and life there currently. This would be the first major move I've ever made. I would be making very little money (which is really not a problem, except in paying rent). I am unsure of where is the best place in the city right now for a 20-something female to live - that I could afford. I am getting a lot of mixed messages from the media right now about safety and life in the city. I was hoping that a local or ex-local or adopted local could help give me a few answers about what it's like to live in the city right now, including cost of living info and whatnot. I know this is very vague, but I really have no where else to ask these questions.
Please help if you can!

[mboard]

Whew, these are hard questions. Do you know anyone in town? I live in the Bywater area, which is downriver from the French Quarter, along the river. It is a mixed race area, as is much of New Orleans. We are mostly middle to lower middle class workers artists and musicians. You can bike to the quarter (daytime) or take the bus. Rents have gone up all over town since the storm. You might find a place for 600 a month, but that's about the lowest, unless you have a roommate. Craigslist is a good place to start looking.
All areas of town have had some serious problems with crime. I feel relatively safe here, but I don't take chances after dark, and I have a dog. Living close to where you work will cut expenses by a lot, because of gas prices, and pot holes. New Orleans is a difficult place to live right now, because there is serious depression rampant among those of us here pre-Flood.
On the other hand, we haven't left because we love it so, and can't imagine where else to live! The music and the food, and the warmth of the people are what keeps us here. Along with flowers blooming all year long, and rampant silliness among all the natives.

[piscesgirl]

Where would you be working? If you want to live somewhere near there, we might be able to give you a better idea of neighborhoods and such.

[NOLA]

MB is right, those are tough questions right now, but you are smart to be asking them. My impression is that rents have started to stabilize somewhat as more properties are re-habbed and are coming back on the market perhaps faster than people are moving back (right now). I live in Mid-City which is also a mixed race, mixed socio-economic neighborhood. Based on what I've heard from a couple of friends, you might be able to find a 1 br shotgun for $700-800 in Mid-City. But there are some areas of town that are a lot more subject to crime problems than others, so please be sure to get some advice when you are looking for housing. Like MB said, I love the city and cannot imagine living anywhere else, but my friends in the "outside world" sometimes question my sanity when I say that. Good luck with your decision.

[electric_lady]

One potential job is based out of Tulane. Another is working for ACORN housing, and I'm not sure where it's based out of. But I can see how it makes sense that I would probably want to live somewhere near where I am working. How is the mass transit system? I, being from the motor city, know NOTHING about mass transit. it's foreign to us.

I do have two friends that live in the Garden District (Michigan natives, but pre-"thing"), and another in MidCity (native).

I really, really love New Orleans. I've always had a thing for her. And I really like the people I've met there. It's just that a lot of us outside of the city have very little idea of what's going on there. As you know, your plight has been forgotten by national media. I have been reading the Times-Picayune online (one of my Garden District friends works there) and have been trying to get an idea from that, but lately it's all been news about violence, tragedy and more tragedy. i have a tremendous amount of respect for you all having lived through what you did (and the current situation), and having the ability and want to stay around.

your information has been helpful and i appreciate you all taking the time to be honest and open. any more info., tips or whatnot would be appreciated!

[Amy Winette]

e lady, the only thing I can add is when you figure out where you want to be, definitely check craigslist for apartments and roommates, you may save yourself a lot of $$.

[Blumie]

I was just in NOLA this past weekend, and so much feels normal about the place (normal for New Orleans, of course; nothing about it is normal compared to anywhere else). But of course beneath that thin veneer are an astounding number of problems. That said, it seems to me that one could relocate to New Orleans and be less affected by the problems than those who have been there all this time: you won't be battling with insurance companies; you won't be trying to rebuild a life and a home; you won't have to worry about where to send your kids to school. And while crime is a serious issue, it's not a war zone (at least the places you'll consider living) like the media makes it out to be.

When I was in NOLA this past weekend, I felt relaxed; I felt at home; I felt like I was in New Orleans. It's got a lot of problems (it always has) and it has tremendous challenges ahead of it. But it's still a mangificant place, and were my situation different, I'd consider living there in a heartbeat.

[Festvet]

I guess the first question I'd ask you is "do you own a car"? If so, then your options are many although not necessarily easy. Mid-city/central city is resonable but some parts are very dangerous. I have a friend on 2nd & so liberty which is the most dangerous section of town but 10 blocks west it's not so bad, but not great. Uptown & the GD are fairly expensive. Broadmoor or Bayou St John are other possibilities as I think they are coming back faster than most affected areas. Remember, outside of some random bar holdups (although all too frequent) most of the violence is turf/drug related. I am not a native so I only get to vist maybe 4 or 5 weeks (2-3 times/yr) so things are changing all the time. The Marigny has a nice vibe most of the time but can be pricey too. Bywater is an option on that side of town. Jefferson may be another option but crime is up big time in some parts. Gretna or Algiers are WestBank options if you don't mind a little longer commute.

[electric_lady]

I do have a car. I'd rather walk or take public transporation if I could though, at least during the day. Could someone tell me a little more about Algiers and Bywater?
I don't mind a relatively short commute (like 30 minutes?)

[mboard]

I commute from the Bywater to Uptown. It really must be done by car, unless you are willing to add hours to your work day. The buses are slow, and it's quite a ways from Bywater to Tulane for example.
(Unless you are talking Tulane Hospital, which is close to Canal St.) That would be easy.
Algiers requires crossing the river on the Crescent City Connection. The traffic backups getting across the bridge would drive me nuts.
The Bywater still has no reall supermarket, but otherwise we have little neighborhood stores, coffee shops, restaurants and bars (the famous Vaughan's, where Kermit Ruffins plays a weekly gig is there)
The Marigny is closer to the Quarter, but has much higher crime for some reason. It's also more expensive.
6 or so years ago I lived in MidCity off Canal, and it was really easy getting around from there, but it really suffered from the Flood, and is not as populated as it once was.
Look at a map of the city. The strip of land along the river from the riverbend on the West to the Industrial Canal on the East is the area least affected by the rising tide.
That's where most people were able to return quickest, and where the businesses have come back the soonest.
I really don't know the West bank, like many natives, I just haven't had a reason to go there more than a few times.

[piscesgirl]

I would stay away from central city. Uptown is actually one of the cheaper places to live right now, I'd say. I was looking for something for my boyfriend to rent and there was a ton of stuff uptown on craigslist for reasonable prices. Keep in mind, rent has definitely gone up but, from the things I saw online, it seemed like it was definitely more normal in the uptown area.

[Festvet]

If that's the case I'd definitely rather live uptown than anywhere else (exc. maybe a condo in the whse distr.) My experience (thru friends in the city) is that uptown rents nearly doubled/tripled in some cases. In two separate instances I know of they had to seek other rental opportunities.

[NOLA]

The footprint of the city is so small that (within the City Limits and except for Algiers on the West Bank) you should be able to get to anywhere from anywhere in 30 minutes. Note this is not true if you are looking in Jefferson Parish (Metairie and Kenner). Mass transit is pretty dismal, but once the St. Charles streetcar is up and running again, getting to Tulane via streetcar would at least be an option (although a slow one). Mid-City and Central City are two distinct areas. A lot of the violence and murders seem to be concentrated in Central City, although the recent spate of violence was spread out all over the city (and that fact as much as anything probably led to the citizen uprising a couple of weeks ago to protest all the killings and the lack of action on the part of public officials). I would steer clear of Central City. The Bayou St. John area is close to Jazz Fest and although some parts flooded, it seems to be coming back faster than some other areas. Lakeview (where I lived before K.) is still pretty much devastated, but lots of construction activity is underway and as people move back to the area, businesses and services are bound to follow. Pre-K there were lots of rentals in Lakeview as a lot of homes were owner-occupied doubles. As homes are restored some of these rentals may come back on the market, but I have no feel for pricing yet.

I would also suggest asking those you might work with at Tulane or ACORN about the living situation, accomodations, transportation, etc. in the specific areas you are considering. And feel free to ask us more specific questions as you continue your research! This group is almost never without an opinion!

[NOLA]

If that's the case I'd definitely rather live uptown than anywhere else (exc. maybe a condo in the whse distr.) My experience (thru friends in the city) is that uptown rents nearly doubled/tripled in some cases. In two separate instances I know of they had to seek other rental opportunities.

FestVet, that was certainly the case early on, but I have heard that rents Uptown have started to come back to earth as the repopulation of the city is taking longer than expected. Prices falling seems inconsistent with the claims of the people who say they want to move back but can't afford housing, but I think a lot of those people are looking for rental prices in the $200 - $300 per month range like they were used to paying in the projects.

[nolanole]

Before we get started...nice Lebowski quote.

I manage a 326 unit community Midcity right at Carrollton & I10, across from Xavier. (Be prepared for others on this chat board to tell you its a bad area but I've never found that to be true either before or after the storm. There are close by perceived "bad" areas...but just about anything I've seen here since I moved 5 years ago fits that same description.) We have one bedrooms ($675-$725) and two bedrooms ($850-$1000). We have large floor plans, pool, laundry, and we have contracted NOPD officers to monitor the property on a daily/nightly basis. Great location: right off I10, 5 minutes to the Quarter, anything Uptown/Garden District about the same. I invite you to give me a call or come by to visit the property. Cypress Trace Apartments 3601 Dante St NOLA 70118 (504) 324 4761. My name is Mike. In addition our parent company has rentals uptown (typically more expensive than us) that I could provide info on. Good luck and feel free to contact me for any assistance that I can provide.

[Blumie]

Before we get started...nice Lebowski quote.

I manage a 326 unit community Midcity right at Carrollton & I10, across from Xavier. (Be prepared for others on this chat board to tell you its a bad area but I've never found that to be true either before or after the storm. There are close by perceived "bad" areas...but just about anything I've seen here since I moved 5 years ago fits that same description.) We have one bedrooms ($675-$725) and two bedrooms ($850-$1000). We have large floor plans, pool, laundry, and we have contracted NOPD officers to monitor the property on a daily/nightly basis. Great location: right off I10, 5 minutes to the Quarter, anything Uptown/Garden District about the same. I invite you to give me a call or come by to visit the property. Cypress Trace Apartments 3601 Dante St NOLA 70118 (504) 324 4761. My name is Mike. In addition our parent company has rentals uptown (typically more expensive than us) that I could provide info on. Good luck and feel free to contact me for any assistance that I can provide.Sorry, Mike, but while I can't comment on the crime stats in that area, it always has struck me as a somewhat "iffy" area. Plus, except for its proximity to the Rock-n-Bowl, it doesn't seem like one of the more interesting areas in which to live.

BTW, where's the Labowski quote? I missed it.

[rosetree]

O.K. I've got to put in "props" for Algiers Point. Yes, we are across da river, but we are historically one of the safest areas of the city! It's hard to tell you without you actually seeing it, but we are a neighborhood that is considered "New Orleans' best kept secret". You can reach any part of the city in 1/2 hour, and even walk to downtown or the Quarter by taking the ferry. We are a community who was not hit as hard as some of the other areas of the city---we were the first ones back up and we are fully functional now.
Do you have time to visit before you commit? That would be the best thing. If I can help at all, contact me off-line @ info <at> rosetreeglass <dot> com

[Festvet]

O.K. I've got to put in "props" for Algiers Point. Yes, we are across da river, but we are historically one of the safest areas of the city! It's hard to tell you without you actually seeing it, but we are a neighborhood that is considered "New Orleans' best kept secret". You can reach any part of the city in 1/2 hour, and even walk to downtown or the Quarter by taking the ferry. We are a community who was not hit as hard as some of the other areas of the city---we were the first ones back up and we are fully functional now.
Do you have time to visit before you commit? That would be the best thing. If I can help at all, contact me off-line @ info <at> rosetreeglass <dot> com
yeah, but Algiers Point is fairly expensive, no?

[Festvet]

Sorry, Mike, but while I can't comment on the crime stats in that area, it always has struck me as a somewhat "iffy" area. Plus, except for its proximity to the Rock-n-Bowl, it doesn't seem like one of the more interesting areas in which to live.

BTW, where's the Labowski quote? I missed it.
Carrollton has its iffy blocks but I would hardly call it a dangerous area, but for the most part it's uninteresting.

[Festvet]

The footprint of the city is so small that (within the City Limits and except for Algiers on the West Bank) you should be able to get to anywhere from anywhere in 30 minutes. Note this is not true if you are looking in Jefferson Parish (Metairie and Kenner). Mass transit is pretty dismal, but once the St. Charles streetcar is up and running again, getting to Tulane via streetcar would at least be an option (although a slow one). Mid-City and Central City are two distinct areas. A lot of the violence and murders seem to be concentrated in Central City, although the recent spate of violence was spread out all over the city (and that fact as much as anything probably led to the citizen uprising a couple of weeks ago to protest all the killings and the lack of action on the part of public officials). I would steer clear of Central City. The Bayou St. John area is close to Jazz Fest and although some parts flooded, it seems to be coming back faster than some other areas. Lakeview (where I lived before K.) is still pretty much devastated, but lots of construction activity is underway and as people move back to the area, businesses and services are bound to follow. Pre-K there were lots of rentals in Lakeview as a lot of homes were owner-occupied doubles. As homes are restored some of these rentals may come back on the market, but I have no feel for pricing yet.

I would also suggest asking those you might work with at Tulane or ACORN about the living situation, accomodations, transportation, etc. in the specific areas you are considering. And feel free to ask us more specific questions as you continue your research! This group is almost never without an opinion!
Depending where in Jefferson or Metry you have Airline and Earhardt Xway to get you around OK

[rosetree]

It all relative...:D ...you can get a single shotgun for 7-800. Is that more than other safe areas??

[nolanole]

Blumie: "Obviously, you're not a golfer."

As far as the area: I've battled with that same perception since I arrived here. I invite you to research crime stats in this area. Wasn't bad pre-K (in 4 years here one person was shot on New Years Eve a few years back on one of our street corners-not a resident and known in the area to be on the bad side financially re a drug deal; other than that NO violent crimes!). Post-K we have fared far better crime wise than some of the other areas mentioned here, including Bywater & Uptown. Strong NOPD pressence and little to none of the surrounding "bad element" has moved back or shown any signs of doing so. I like Carrollton Ave and its look but I'll admit we unfortunately sit in the approx. 1 mile section that is less than appealing to the eye. A lot of those store fronts are in the process of being torn down and I guess time will tell as to what takes their place. Bottom line I've never felt unsafe working or living here at our community.

[swampwoman]

If you can get down here and scope out the scene, I would try and rent a small apartment, 1/2 a shotgun in a home, and avoid the apartment complexes. You can get in a homogenized apartment complex anywhere, renting in a home might be a more authentic New Orleans experience. Besides there aren't alot of complexes available in the city, your choice of areas to live are greater if you rent a single dwelling.

Stick to the river sliver, and around City Park. French Quarter would be fun, but the prices might be higher. Marigny is nice, but its kinda remote if you'll be working uptown. There are alot of For Rent signs around, I'm sure you can find something to fit your price range. Also check out Craig's List

If you'll be working at Tulane University, try and rent near there - upper garden district.

[Amyloves...]

E-lady!!! AWESOME!! New Orleans is a hard place to be sometimes now, but I think that's because so many of us get depressed and feel drained and sometimes discouraged. I'm thinking that folks coming here now don't feel that but may feel driven and more enthusiastic and a part of something amazing. Does that make sense? Also...like someone else up there posted....we're still here cause we love it. And it sounds like you "get it".

IMO, a 20 something single girl wouldn't want to live in Algiers or Metairie, good places to raise a family (we're in Metairie) and buy a house, but not as cool as Uptown, Marigny or City Park area. I absolutely love the area near City Park and Bayou St John but I'm thinking it would be tough to afford. Absolutely do NOT rent anything without checking with us first though. There are good and bad areas just like where you are now I'm sure, but the safer ones would be a blast for you. New Orleans is also such a condensed area that with a car, you could get from just about anywhere to anywhere else in 30 minutes.

Definitely take a look at Craigslist and see what's there. You can email me at nola_wrenATyahoo.com if you get some more info.

[rosetree]

After reading her post, Amyloves is right...
If you need any help, let us know!

[nyc gal]

electric gal--I bought a house in New Orleans last year in March. I'm there all the time. My neighborhood (somewhere in uptown) was and is considered an area "in transition"-yes, there are drug dealers on the next block (and a murder on my corner last year--two drug dealers)...but oddly enough, its the most friendly, neighborhood-y neighborhood Ive ever lived in. I split my time between NYC and NOLA, and each time I get to N.O., I feel like I am home.
When people say "how are you?' in New Orleans--they expect an answer, not just "fine". When someone says "we have to get together for dinner soon", the really mean it, and plan for it to happen. People interact here, life is rich.
Come down--the rest will work itself out.
And Fer sure, don't rent anything till you clear it with your fellow threadheads--there is about a zillion years' worth of collected experience and knowlege to tap in to.

[stlbarb]

hope we're still friends after last october ;-)

i think a roommate, if the right roommate, would help save money, make you safer, and broaden your social options faster.
but when pricing any move, you should consider what car and renters insurance will run. you can probably get some base figures online.
can you afford a visit to check out areas you would consider?

[electric_lady]

this advice has been priceless. i am really glad i came here to ask these questions. i will definitely clear anything i come across with you all before i make a move. i think it's best if i come to the city again and check out the area before fest and definitely before deciding where to rent.
thank you all, i will be contacting again soon!

[electric_lady]

oh yes, i'm glad that someone recognized my "DUDE" reference.

[Amyloves...]

Good idea e-lady....and if you need help, I'm sure a few of us locals could rally together and try to give you some guidance. Let us know, k?

[electric_lady]

definitely. thanks!