Life in the City of New Orleans
Orleans Parish is the heart of the region and home of the City of New Orleans and its 300+ year history. World-renowned for iconic cuisine, music, architecture and cultural attractions; New Orleans is truly a city of vibrant, diverse neighborhoods. From the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain, home styles range from modern luxury high-rises to historic and affordable family homes in walkable neighborhoods and everything in between. Almost every New Orleans neighborhoods are within a 20-minute drive of employment centers downtown, and easily accessible to highway and public transportation linking the region. This combination of historic neighborhoods and modern downtown development create the perfect home for professionals and families.
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Culture at Every Corner
New Orleans charms visitors and locals alike with its music, diverse cuisine and a stubborn refusal to abandon its cultural traditions. The residents of New Orleans are infused with a resilient and welcoming spirit that celebrates eccentricity, draws out the timid and steadfastly marches to its own beat.
New Orleans is a city of unique neighborhoods rooted with generations of history and the cultural amenities of a World Class city. Walkable and bikeable with a network of new green infrastructure, the city also boasts New Orleans Saints of the NFL and the Pelicans of the NBA. Along with global marquee events, living in New Orleans can include events and gatherings as intimate as a front porch and as high-profile as the Superbowl.
New Orleans is home to the kind of unique culture that people worldwide seek out and is also is home to the kind of forward thinking, inclusive environment corporations recognize and seek more and more.
Neighborhoods for Every Taste
Boasting some of the oldest residences in the United States and state-of-the-art new construction, New Orleans truly has a neighborhood for every taste.
Neighborhoods like the French Quarter, Faubourg Marigny, Bywater, Esplanade Ridge, Treme, St. Claude and Carrollton are the backdrop for treasured memories for generations of visitors. Historic ironwork, centuries-old sprawling oaks and brick courtyards are part of daily life for many New Orleans residents. The city also boasts a wide diversity of housing styles with modern amenities in neighborhoods like Algiers, Lakeview, Gentilly, Eastover and English Turn near lakes, parks, shopping, schools and other conveniences that today’s lifestyle demands. New or old, all New Orleans neighborhoods come in with one amenity that cannot be reproduced – original unmistakable culture.
Raising a Family in New Orleans
Some New Orleans families go back generations, some comprise of friends who met at a concert last week. No matter the type, New Orleans is built on celebrating families of all types and helping them thrive.
New Orleans has a historic tradition of life-long learning, with options for every child and family. More than 100 charter, private, and parochial schools in Orleans Parish offers K-12 education specializing in a number of different focus areas, including STEAM, performing arts, language immersion, technical skills, and college preparatory. New Orleans is home to seven institutes of higher education including public, private, Catholic, and multiple HBCUs.
All families need to stay healthy and New Orleans is the hub of the Gulf Coast’s health care network. Boasting three medical schools and the region’s most advanced network of healthcare providers, New Orleans has an unmatched healthcare infrastructure in Louisiana.
Where to Live in Orleans Parish
Algiers
Algiers is the only Orleans Parish community located on the West Bank of the Mississippi River.
Located just six miles from downtown New Orleans, Algiers is perfect for first time buyers and big home lovers. It’s a close-knit community where you know your neighbors and a largely suburban neighborhood with easy access to shopping and dining options. While residents rely heavily on vehicle transportation, there are two ferries – one from Algiers Point to the CBD and one from lower Algiers to Chalmette. Additionally, there are numerous bike paths along the major roads throughout Algiers and along the levee.
Algiers Point
Nestled in the bend of the Mighty Mississippi, which gives the Crescent City its name, Algiers Point offers a quiet, small-town feel just across the river from the big city.
Designated a National Historic District, Algiers Point was the first community founded on the West Bank of New Orleans, and features historic homes, quaint businesses, and tree-lined streets. Noted throughout the city for its laid-back atmosphere, Algiers Point is conveniently accessed by the Crescent City Connection Bridge and a ferry which runs seven days a week.
Broadmoor
Part of the Carrollton neighborhood in Uptown New Orleans, Broadmoor came to life in the early 20th century to accommodate the city’s rapidly expanding population.
Long a beloved community, popular with families, young professionals, and graduate students at the nearby universities, Broadmoor offers better housing prices than other areas, and is conveniently accessible to Uptown and Downtown New Orleans as well as Mid City and Old Metairie.
Carrollton
At the end of the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar line, the Riverbend community is fast-growing, and popular with young professionals and families.
Centered around Oak Street, there are many vibrant shops, bars, and restaurants which provide the neighborhood with character and charm. Neighborhood assets like the annual Po-Boy Festival enhance the community feel as well.
CBD/Warehouse District
Combining skyscrapers, low-rise condominiums, and chic, repurposed lofts, the Central Business District (CBD) and adjacent Warehouse District provide a myriad of opportunities for both cosmopolitan and family living.
The economic heartbeat of Louisiana, you’ll find headquarters and regional offices for multiple, large corporations in the CBD. Many of the nation’s top restaurants, world-class sporting facilities, theaters and music venues, noted art galleries, and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center are all located within this trendy community.
English Turn
Home to football players, doctors, and executives, English Turn Golf and Country Club is one of New Orleans’ most affluent communities.
With a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, the fairway is considered among the most challenging in the state. A swimming pool, tennis courts, restaurant, and a full-service clubhouse make it perfect for families who enjoy spending time outside in a serene and gated setting.
French Quarter
As New Orleans’ oldest and most historic district, the French Quarter is a National Historic Landmark.
While it is the city’s primary tourist destination, beyond Bourbon Street lies a very distinctive neighborhood environment. From its slate tile sidewalks to beautiful wrought iron balconies, this neighborhood calls to those looking for a truly unique way of life. You’ll find world-class shopping, dining, and nightlife alongside street performers, fortune tellers, and horse-drawn carriages. Compact and conveniently located, the beautifully restored homes and businesses help paint a picture of life in the early days of the Crescent City.
Garden District
Large Victorian and Greek Revival homes are the landmarks of the famously historic Garden District neighborhood, located near downtown New Orleans.
Beautiful, old homes with large lawns and sprawling oak trees make picturesque streets for strolling. The romance of the Garden District is supported by several of the city’s top restaurants, specialty shops, and historic cemeteries.
Gentilly
Home to Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO), the University of New Orleans, and the New Orleans FBI field office, Gentilly is a large suburb that was developed in the early 20th century in the Lakefront area and along the eastern side of City Park.
Historically a strong, middle-class, family-friendly neighborhood, Gentilly has become a hot spot amongst young professionals looking to buy more affordable homes that are a short commute from downtown.
Irish Channel
Named for the immigrants who settled this neighborhood in the 1800s, the Irish Channel is a rapidly gentrifying area known for its funky vibe and tightly packed-in wooden shotgun and Victorian houses.
Situated between Magazine Street and the river, opposite the more opulent Garden District, it is home to the city’s wildly popular St. Patrick’s Day parade, and has become a haven for young professionals and young families who prefer city living with high walkability.
Lakeview
Bordered on the north by Lake Pontchartrain, Lakeview features many newer homes in a variety of architectural styles.
Experiencing a real estate boom over the last five years, the neighborhood has developed substantially, now offering specialty shops, neighborhood bars, and locally celebrated restaurants centered around its main thoroughfare, Harrison Avenue.
Marigny
Considered the artistic and bohemian hub of New Orleans, the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods are popular with artists, musicians, and other offbeat residents.
Home to Frenchmen Street, arguably the region’s most popular corridor for live musical performances, you’ll find colorful Creole cottages, and a variety of independently owned shops, restaurants, cafés, and galleries.
Mid-City
Located in the center of metropolitan New Orleans, Mid-City is a popular neighborhood featuring multiple historic architectural styles and a diverse mix of residents.
Bayou St. John runs through Mid-City, and provides a backdrop of kayaking, canoeing, and picnics along the grassy shore. Along with its proximity to City Park, these unique recreational assets make Mid-City one of the best communities for active residents.
New Orleans East
Conveniently located between Downtown New Orleans and Slidell across the lake, New Orleans East is home to NASA’s Michoud Assembly facility, the Lakefront Airport, the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, and Joe Brown Memorial Park.
Developed in the 1960s and 1970s, the many subdivisions and gated communities of “The East” provide easy access to both I-10 and the old, scenic Highway 90. The area also comprises Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, the nation’s third largest federal park located within a city’s limits.
Uptown
Home to Tulane and Loyola universities, Uptown is a community that combines the energy of a college town with the refined culture of old New Orleans.
Showcasing all different architectural styles both old and new, and modern shops and amenities, it is one of the region’s most in-demand real estate locations. Uptown also features a high concentration of K-12 schools, from public, to Catholic, to private.