Moving to NOLA area

[CHS]

Husband's job is relocating us to New Orleans. All I find on lving in NO and surrounding cities is negative. From crime to mayor problems. Any suggestions on great upscale neighborhoods/town that 27-35 year olds with young children might live? We are interested in joining upscale organizing as well as a country club.

[Derrick]

Try Slidell, La. Its a 25 minute drive to downtown New Orleans (traffic and weather permitting of course). Slidell is in St. Tammany parish and is regarded as the best parish for public schools in La. There will be many selections for you to make regarding housing,(tons and tons of housing). As far as crime...I believe their has only been one murder in Slidell in a couple of years. The other types of crimes vary but are probably typical for an area this size (small city - town like atmosphere).
Slidell has Mardi Gras parades that your family will enjoy. They are very much more family oriented than New Orleans or the other areas surrounding N.O. We have a great movie theater and tons of restaraunts! Slidell is considered a bedroom community! WE were hard hit by Katrina but you could hardly tell these days!
I hope this helps! Good Luck!

[CHS]

Derrick, thanks for the information on Sidwell. Sorry to say none of the information on NOLA and surrounding communities has been positive. The only positive that I heard the Sanctuary in Mandeville is the best subdivision on the north side. Thanks for being positive about the NOLA area. Any other information would be appreciated.

[Derrick]

I don't know your budget...but the Sanctuary is very expensive! Other than that I hear its a nice place to live with beautiful (large) homes!

There are many communities on the Northshore that are nice places to live. Lots of shopping and restaurants if thats your thing.(My wife's head nods). Also, the beaches in Gulfshores, Al., and Destin, Fl. are nice. A little closer is Ship Island off of Gulfport, Ms.(30 minute drive to the ferry).(google it). Its very nice and a state park/barrier island.

[chetkast]

Mandeville is beatiful with the best schools in the State. The Sanctuary is very nice, but so are the homes along the goregous lakefront as well as several other subdivisions.
http://www.southernliving.com/travel/south-ce...
I included a small article that was in Southern Living Magazine. Whether you like eating out, going to our beautiful national park, family activities that include canoeing down the river, all add up to a high quality of life in Mandeville.

[CHS]

Chet, thanks so much for the article in Southern Living Magazine. I went on zillow.com and looked for homes on LakeShore Drive and not many there. Any other information about Mandeville/Covington vs. Old Metearie would be appreciated.

Being from the north and in my late 20's we want to make neighborhood friends as well be in a desirable area. Tough when you don't know the area very well.

[chetkast]

I transferred here from NYC in 1987, and loved the area immediately mainly because of the people. Of course, they apply to Old Metairie as well as Mandeville/Covington, I'm sure. The two areas are pretty different with Old Metairie being a beautiful city surburb with much closer access to the city; and, Mandeville/Covington being country surburbs with just a bit more of that "green" feel, and don't need to lock your front door thing. I would imagine your next step is to come on down and take a look at the two communities, what they offer as to what's good for you. Good luck.

[CHS]

Relocating to Mandeville/Covington area soon. Please help with subdivisions that include young families, schools and have good resale value. Any help would be appreciated.