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Friday, January 13, 2023

8 Best Neighborhoods to Live in New Orleans

New Orleans, USA

8 Best Neighborhoods to Live in New Orleans

New Orleans stands in a class of its own when it comes to southern coastal living. Most people in the US have at least heard of the Big Easy, if for nothing else than for its Mardi Gras celebration, Creole culture, or Hurricane Katrina.

But there’s so much more to living in New Orleans than the French Quarter and po’boys. People who live in NOLA–as locals call it–have an affordable cost of living compared to similarly sized cities. The lower expenses are paired with a rich culture and history, giving life here a unique flavor not found in other cities.

Moving to New Orleans can have benefits, but where do you live if you’re not familiar with the area? Luckily NOLA has plenty of great neighborhoods to choose from! Our list has handpicked a few to help you start your home search and familiarize yourself with New Orleans.

Why Live in New Orleans?

The elephant in the room is undoubtedly the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans has definitely been through its share of disasters. However, the city has invested in protecting its citizens, promoting growth, and revitalizing the impacted areas. People moving back to New Orleans have become part of its ongoing recovery and are helping shape the city’s future.

The economy is bouncing back and only picking up steam. Yes, tourism remains a significant part of the economy, but there are also major industries, like the Fortune 500 company Entergy. Energy, manufacturing, and healthcare are the top employers.

Of course, New Orleans has a distinct and unique culture that people come from around the world to experience. It’s displayed in the Gothic, Spanish, Victorian, and shotgun-style architecture of the 26 historic districts. You can taste it in the Café Du Monde beignets, jambalaya, and andouille sausage. You can hear and see it in the colorful Mardi Gras parades or the traditional lively funeral parades.

Music is an integral part of the lifeblood of the city. You can’t walk or drive without encountering some kind of street music or live music venues. There were 31 live music options in the French Quarter alone! The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is a major NOLA event.

Locals enjoy the warm, coastal climate all year round. Outdoor attractions include biking along the Mississippi River, visiting the Audubon Zoo, and or gondola rides at the lagoons of New Orleans City Park. As a coastal city, recreation often involves fishing or boating in some capacity.

So much makes living in the Big Easy a joyful and enriching experience. But where should you live to maximize your NOLA lifestyle? Here are a few options:

Where to Live in New Orleans

Central Business District New Orleans

Central Business District

What’s a downtown doing on a place-to-live list? Well, New Orleans’ downtown is not your traditional skyscraper 9-to-5 business district.

The CBD, as locals call it, is renowned for its liveliness. A trendy district with some sub-sections, residents can take advantage of its walkability. Head to the South Market District for award-winning restaurants, bars, and shops. Its Warehouse District has transformed into an innovative arts district with Gallery Row and museums. Two theaters and the Superdome are at-your-door music venues, theater, and sporting options. The other famous NOLA districts are nearby, making it extra convenient when you want to experience Mardi Gras but not fight to park.

The CBD is where college students and young professionals live and work close to each other. Housing options vary from skyscraper condos to 18th-century homes. In January 2023, the CBD had 100 homes for sale with a median list price of $599,000.

French Quarter

How can you talk about New Orleans and not mention the French Quarter? The historic French Quarter is home to many of the city’s oldest buildings and has unmistakable charm.

Even though this is perhaps the most tourist-driven part of the town, if you like a lively, entertainment-filled lifestyle, this could be a great place for you to live. All you have to do is get out and walk to it. The award-winning restaurants, street performances, and music of Bourbon Street await outside your doorstep.

But there are also quietly charming areas in the French Quarter, like a stretch of antique shops and art galleries from Canal to Esplanade.

If you buy here, chances are high you’re purchasing a historic home. These homes may not look opulent from the outside, but inside, many have elegant features like manicured courtyards and spacious layouts. The French Quarter had 123 homes for sale in January 2023, with a median list price of $496,000.

The Garden District

For those looking for a more residential area, the Garden District boasts oak-lined cobblestone streets and historic mansions with beautiful gardens. These are NOLA’s original suburbs. Part of the greater area called Uptown, because it’s up the river from the French Quarter, this location attracts many who want classic NOLA living with a more family-friendly vibe.

You won’t miss out on any New Orleans culture as the Mardi Gras parade route runs down Saint Charles Street. For dining, pick from the numerous po’boy shops and long-running family restaurants. Retailers and dining line Oak, Maple, Ferret, and Magazine Streets. Nearby are Tulane and Loyola universities and, for families, Audubon Park and Zoo.

The Garden District got its name because of the opulent residential homes with well-maintained yards and luscious tree canopies. The Garden District has distinctive pockets, like Carrollton and Oretha Castle Haley. January 2023 had 27 homes for sale with a median list price of $645,000.

Irish Channel

Speaking of the Irish Channel, this Uptown neighborhood between Jackson Avenue, Magazine Street, and the Mississippi River oozes character. The name came from the Irish immigrants who first set up shop in the 1830s and began building its shotgun-style homes. This architectural style is noted for its long, narrow construction with a central hallway.

Today the locals love living near all the dining and shopping options of Tchoupitoulas Street and Magazine Street. The NOLA Brewery & Taproom is a bustling hot spot, but there are plenty more taprooms and bars to hit up happy hour. Best of all, it’s a highly walkable neighborhood, so there is no need to call that rideshare.

Housing here is predominantly colorful shotgun homes tucked close together. The community had 38 homes for sale at a median $485,000 list price in January 2023.

Marigny/Bywater

Turning downriver, Faubourg Marigny and Bywater are becoming trendy neighborhoods known for having a hipster crowd. This is the kind of place where you walk on the street by a record store or a vegan-friendly restaurant. Locals respect it for its diverse music scene, where you’ll hear everything from reggae to rock.

Frenchman Street is the cultural center and has a reputation in NOLA for its many fantastic live music venues, with around 25 as of 2022. Residents like how the clubs have fewer crowds than the French Quarter, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be packed on the weekend.

Locals are also near the famous JAMOLA, St. Claude Arts District, Washington Square Park, and the riverfront Crescent Park.

Architecturally, you’ll find many Creole-style cottages and shotgun homes in lively colors. Marigny and Bywater were first settled in 1806, so there’s some historic real estate here. January 2023 found 62 homes for sale at a median $521,500. The Bywater section was more affordable than Marigny and is further from the neighborhood’s attraction.

Mid-City

Located halfway between Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi awaits Mid-City, which offers easy access to outdoor activities while still being close to downtown. That said, you won’t be walking to the French Quarter from here.

One of Mid-City’s claims to fame is the annual Jazz and Heritage festival. The community nourishes the artsy crowd, thanks to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) and Mid-City Art Studios.

Like many New Orleans neighborhoods, there is a strip with many breweries, bars, and restaurants. For Mid-City, this is Carrollton Avenue. But when you don’t wanna party, find peace at the 1300-acre city park, beautifully landscaped with walking paths. The NOMA, Botanical Gardens, and golfing are inside the park. Kids will love the Carousel Gardens amusement park and Storyland.

Mid-City had 62 homes for sale at a median list price of $415,000 in January 2023. As the area developed over time, you’ll find a range of styles from the shotgun to Craftsmen cottages.

Gentilly Terrace

Gentilly Terrace rocks the suburban vibe filled with oak-lined streets and craftsman bungalows. Students like it because it is close to Dillard University and the University at New Orleans.

The community developed in the 1900s with a Spanish-influenced and Tudor home aesthetic, making it different from the shotgun and Creole styles closer to downtown. It’s very much a residential area, with a busy neighborhood improvement association, garage sales, potlucks, and house decorating contests. Locals do have some great restaurants, bars, and live music venues nearby.

The name comes from the man-made terraces many of the homes are built on, helping them sit above street level. The neighborhood had 37 homes for sale in January 2023, listed at a median of $285,000.

Old Aurora

Finally, Old Aurora offers spacious homes that have been around for more than 100 years. Tucked inside the Algiers neighborhood, another NOLA historic district, it’s an excellent choice for those looking for a quiet area with charm.

Residents live across the Mississippi from the French Quarter. Lakewood Golf Club runs tournaments and has an acclaimed junior golf program. Across General De Gaulle Drive is Brechtel Park, where locals can enjoy walking, biking, and fishing. Nearby shopping and dining are available at the corner of Da Gaulle and Holiday.

The homes on the tree-lined streets have a dominant Victorian or bungalow style. Some are beautifully restored or have skyline views. Many started as small two-bedroom ranches but have been expanded thanks to the average quarter-acre lots.

Old Aurora posted a median list price of $239,000, with 54 homes for sale in January 2023.

New Orleans’ Top Neighborhoods

New Orleans top neighborhoods

New Orleans oozes charm and culture at every turn. If you love live music, southern-style cuisine, the arts, and coastal living, New Orleans mixes it all up and gives it a special flavor. With its unique culture, unbeatable weather, and lower rent costs, it’s not hard to see why so many people choose to live in this vibrant city!

No matter your preferences, there is sure to be a neighborhood in New Orleans that has everything you’re looking for. A local real estate agent can help you find it.

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Preston Guyton

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