Your Moving Guide: Get to Know New Orleans, LA

Are you considering moving to New Orleans? Congratulations! You’re about to embark on a thrilling adventure that will reward you with an exciting new lifestyle built on a centuries-long rich culture.

But it’s not all king cakes and beignets in New Orleans. You’ll hear locals warn out-of-towners against visiting once for Mardi Gras and then deciding to move here full-time. This small slice of the year doesn’t represent the full 365 days, which can surprise you with its ups and downs if you’re not prepared.

Here’s what you need to know to make your move to New Orleans as smooth as possible.

The heat is no joke

The weather in New Orleans starts with hot and humid summers, perfect for hitting the beach or pool with temps over 90F and humidity to match. August air can feel downright stagnant if you’re not accustomed to the combination. The tradeoff is the mild winters are usually free of snow.

Be prepared for the hot summers with lightweight clothing and opt for layers in the cooler months when temperatures can swing throughout the day. And with 108 days of rain each year, keep an umbrella handy.

And don’t dismiss the hurricane threat. Low-lying New Orleans is vulnerable, as the nation saw and residents experienced firsthand during Hurricane Katrina. The city does have a robust emergency management system, but nothing is fool-proof. Make sure you know the city’s safety and evacuation plans. Have a backup plan at the ready long before a storm is forecasted.

Lively people

One thing New Orleanians are known for is embracing people from all walks of life with open arms. This is a multicultural city that has embraced influences from around the world and locally.

Some outsiders call New Orleans “loud,” and that’s because music plays a big part in the city’s culture. Experience all over town, whether it’s in a funeral parade, street performers, or a Mardi Gras parade.

You may think life here is all about the party, as New Orleans has a major festival nearly every month throughout the year. But it’s these events, like the Jazz Festival, French Quarter Fest, and Bayou Boogaloo that make living here so much fun. It’s no wonder why New Orleans ranks as the 7th least stressed city in the US on a WalletHub report.

And be aware the Saints are not just a football team; these are die-hard loyal fans. Remember, after the Superdome was decimated, the Saints decision to remain in the torn-apart city and rebuild the dome became a symbol of resilience New Orleanians rallied around. Support isn’t just a love of football, but something deeply personal. Insults will not be tolerated.

Finally, get ready for life to move slower here. You are in the South, after all. Get ready for longer chats, leisurely meals, and casual outdoor hangouts on the front porch being common occurrences.

Low cost of living

The cost of living in New Orleans is lower compared to other big cities. Coming in nearly 4% lower than the national average, living affordably in the Big Easy is possible!

Housing is part of the reason the cost of living is lower here. The cost-of-living index for the city is 96.3. The typical rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city is $1,003.

Energy-dependent economy

Tourism and hospitality are among the largest employing sectors in New Orleans, but professionals can also find work in the energy, manufacturing, and healthcare fields.

Outside of government work, Entergy is the most prominent employer, as it is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans. Following them is Ochsner Health System, the city’s top healthcare employer and one of the largest in the state with 40 medical facilities. LSU Health New Orleans is another major healthcare employer.

New Orleans also has some other well-respected and national-reaching companies like Folgers Coffee, DXC Technology, Deloitte, and Morgan & Co, all leaders in their respective industries.

For education work, in addition to the public school systems, you have Tulane University and Loyola University.

A walk-friendly town

Walk-friendly New Orleans is an excellent community for exploring on foot, especially closer to its downtown and French Quarter areas. Take advantage of the city’s continually improving Pedestrian and Bicycle Program to move around a little quicker.

If you prefer not to walk or bike, The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA) operates multiple buses and streetcars that can take you to desired destinations around the New Orleans metro.

The streetcar lines are probably one of the more unique features, and they are popular with tourists for getting around downtown. Four different streetcar lines can move you around town. And the Canal Street Ferry will take you to Algiers Point across the Mississippi River.

Beautiful and historic neighborhoods

The dozens of distinct neighborhoods are part of New Orleans’ character. Who hasn’t heard of the French Quarter? But New Orleans is more than these ornate building lining Bourbon Street. This is a large city, after all, so you’re sure to find a neighborhood that fits your style.

New Orleans divides into three overarching regions: the East Bank, Eastern New Orleans, and West Bank. Each of these areas subdivides into districts and neighborhoods. From laid-back enclaves like Bywater and Algiers Point to lively areas like Uptown, find a New Orleans neighborhood with the right character for you. Some of the most well-known or locally beloved are:

French Quarter: The famous neighborhood known for its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and packed bars.

Marigny-Bywater: Home to a vibrant music scene on Frenchman Street, some consider these Mississippi riverfront neighborhoods the trendiest in town with upscale bistros and jazz clubs.

Garden District: Located on the Uptown side of St. Charles Avenue, this posh neighborhood is well-known for its historical Southern mansions and quiet streets.

Lakeview: This family-friendly neighborhood beside the beloved City Park and Lake Pontchartrain has many shops, restaurants, and entertainment amenities.

Metairie: A next-door highly residential suburban area with a slower-paced lifestyle. It has easy access to the Interstates and Lake Pontchartrain.

Gentilly: Waterfront Gentilly is classic New Orleans living. Enjoy parks, a golf course, and locally owned restaurants.

Things To Do

Life is busy in New Orleans, but always an adventure. A sampling of what attractions and activities await your New Orleans lifestyle:

Arts and Culture

View art from around the world at a visit to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA). Its remarkable sculpture garden may be its best-known feature.

In a city oozing with jazz, make the New Orleans Jazz Museum a bucket-list stop to get to know your new hometown. Learn about renowned jazz musicians like Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, and George Lewis.

Stop and hear the roses at live street performances by musicians. New Orleans ranked 6th in the United States for live music. Not only is New Orleans packed with dozens of nightclubs and bars, but it’s alive with buskers. You’ll see them all the time along Frenchmen Street, Royal Street, and Jackson Square.

Mardi Gras

We can’t forget about Mardi Gras! As one local described it, Mardi Gras is a marathon, not a sprint. The parades and parties last for weeks and make it one of the city’s largest events.

If you’re not familiar with Mardi Gras, the celebration is part of the Carnival season that has been celebrated worldwide since the European Middle Ages. The words mean “Fat Tuesday” and the Carnival season lasts from January to March.

As a New Orleans residents, you’ll experience the full might of Mardi Gras with frequent street closures, days off school, and the parties. You choose if you want to experience the Mardi Gras celebrations along Bourbon Street or indulge in one of the other family-friendly parades and festivities hosted across the city.

As you prepare for Carnival, add to your bucket list Mardi Gras World, where you can observe the creation of the elaborate festival floats in the Kern Studios warehouse.

Festivals

Attend the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival or Jazz Fest at least once. Running for ten days, artists perform from diverse music genres, including but not limited to Afro-Caribbean, Cajun, bluegrass, and rap.

Or, experience the Running of the Bulls, also known as San Fermin in Nueva Orleans, where the participating runners attempt to outrun bull-dressed roller derby players. This festival is in honor of the original San Fermin Festival held in Pamplona, Spain.

Outdoor New Orleans

With so much waterfront, naturally New Orleans’ activities include swimming, kayaking, boating, or dinner jazz cruises on the Mississippi River. Get to know your new outdoors  with a kayaking tour or go crabbing at the Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge.

Perhaps on land is more your jam, and that’s great! New Orleans has over 100 miles of bicycle paths and lanes, including many along the Mississippi River or Lake Pontchartrain.

You can’t miss New Orleans’ City Park, which USA Today considers City Park one of the country’s ten best parks. The park is 1,300 acres and features stunning lagoons and old-growth trees, some of which date back 900 years. Take a gondola ride through the lagoons or ride the historic carousel.

Besides that, New Orleans had plenty of courses for playing golf–around 12, as a matter of fact. And for your family, take a visit to the Audubon Zoo or the Louisiana Children’s Museum.

History

In a city as old as New Orleans, you can bet there’s a lot of historical attractions. Besides the fascinating architecture in the French Quarter, visit Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and tour the location of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans at Chalmette Battlefield.

Add a stop at St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in the US, or The Presbytère in the French Quarter, both beautiful destinations. If you like historic homes, arrange a tour of Longue Vue House & Gardens in Lakewood or Pitot House in Bayou St. John. Take a walk through classic neighborhoods like Tremé, Garden District, Marigny, and Bywater to see some of the area’s most diverse and beautiful historic homes.

Cities of the dead

NOLA cemeteries cannot bury caskets underground due to the high water table. Hence people constructed mausoleums and other above-ground burial chambers for their loved ones.

These famous cemeteries are known as the New Orleans Cities of the Dead. Even if it gives you the heebie-jeebies, a cemetery tour is of iconic St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and St. Roch Cemetery will help you understand your hometown culture a little more.

Where to take your dogs

New Orleans is pet friendly! The City Park has some great hiking trails and off-leash areas for your four-legged friend to explore. Other parks like Audubon Park have full fenced dog parks where they can run off-leash and enjoy themselves. Just be careful letting them swim in canals and bayous, as alligators can be present.

Get used to the bugs

Let’s be honest about one downside to New Orleans: the wildlife. If you’re not coming from some other city in the South, adapting to bugs may be one of your biggest challenges. Expect to see cockroaches and spiders even if you keep a tidy home or pay for pest control. Locals have to deal with termites, brown recluses, ant invasions, and let’s not forget mosquitos! Have repellent at hand, especially in the rainiest months.

You’ll never go hungry

Your taste buds will thank you, as New Orleans has some of the best food in the country! Sure, the city is known for its Creole and Cajun dishes. And why not try those famous oyster po’boys at Acme Oyster House or the beignets at Cafe du Monde? You may just fall in love.

As a local, you get to have dinner at one of the city’s many fine dining establishments at your leisure, versus packing it in on a vacation. Make a reservation at Antoine’s Restaurant, the oldest restaurant in NOLA, where you can select options such as chicken rochambeau, classic fish amandine, and creole shrimp.

And while Cajun cooking is what the city is famous for, remember this is a melting pot city. You’ll find a full roster of global cuisine and fast food favorites for indulge your cravings when you want.

Education is a mixed bag

Several school districts serve New Orleans for public education, with the most well-known being Jefferson Parish Public Schools and the Recovery School District. Both offer excellent academic opportunities for students. And, there is a charter school lottery and school choice system.

However, given the overall poor state of Louisiana’s schools, opting for private school is rather common, especially if the family can afford it. Nearly 1 out of every 4 students attends a private school in New Orleans, which is one of the highest rates of private K-12 education in the nation.

In addition to K-12 schools, notable universities like Tulane University and Loyola University New Orleans draw talent from across the nation. Law and medicine are renowned at Tulane University, a private institution in Uptown that has been around since the 19th century.

Getting settled

Setting up utilities and registering your car are among the essential tasks to handle when moving to New Orleans. You can find the information online or through the local government offices.

Entergy is the local electric provider for New Orleans. The Sewer and Water Board, or SWBNO, oversees sewer and water infrastructure. Just  be warned, sewer infrastructure is notoriously poor in New Orleans and something else that unites its residents.

Moving to New Orleans

New Orleans is an exciting and unique city. If you’re thinking about making a move, chances are you won’t regret it as long as you are prepared for its ups and downs. Do have fun exploring all that this city has to offer in and outside Mardi Gras season. Use a local real estate agent to guide you toward the right New Orleans neighborhood for you.