My sister is 27 and single. She's lived in NOLA for about 5 years now. She absolutely loves it. She only knew a couple of people when she first moved there but she now has a great crown of friends and they have a ball down there. They go on an annual skiing trip diring mardi gras--they hate the crowds. Otherwise, she really enjoys living there. Good luck!

I have a cousin who moved to NO several years ago and he absolutely loves it too.

I appreciate the words of encouragement.....makes the depression go away each time I read how someone enjoys the city. I think I will definitely find plans elsewhere during times of massive "celebration."

I have decided to rent for the first year and since I work for a transportation company travel time to work is pretty opposite of most people. I'm usually going to work when they're leaving.

Confirmed this afternoon, I will be spending the weekend of the 19th to have a look around....looking forward to experiencing the NO I've never seen.

Hi Coleen. My best friend and I moved to Kenner a little over 1 1/2 years ago. It was not for us, so after we got our jobs in the city (Computers and social services.) we moved to the edge of the Garden District off of Prytania. We are both very happy with our place and location. It can be a scary thing (we moved from Lexington Ky), but it can also be really exciting. And you have a job already. We moved without jobs, which was very scary, at least for me. The best thing you can do is investigate where you might want to live. We like partying, so Kenner didn't do it for us. You may love it, though. I would also suggest you go to www.nola.com/forums and click on the moving to N.O. forum. There is lots of help there and some very friendly people.

Good Luck,

Chazz

Good info Chazz. Can someone offer info on the River Ridge, Old Metairie, or Lakewood South areas. Chazz, I would ideally prefer to live in the garden district area but believe it is too exensive.

Instead of purchasing a home immediately I intend to rent either house/condo/town home for my first year in NO. I do have 50 lb dog that loves the park.

Thank you all for the info, I am actually flying in this Wednesday so I'll be throwing more q's your way!!

I may know someone with a guest house in the garden district for rent. What is your rent budget? Are you going this Wed?

yes, i will be there wednesday, but only for about 5 hrs. I work for UPS and will probably just tour the gateway I'm assigned to (will be working at MSY)and meet my new boss.

I'm looking to rent for 12 months in the range of $700-900....is that a feasible rent for the city, or even better, your friend's guest house.

I do have a home full of furniture but am looking for 2 bedroom preferably...will be donating several years worth of accumulated "stuff"

Thank you so much for info. How far is garden district from airport? I will not be working typical hours...more late afternoon into night.

Also, I have been continuously reading info on the city and the crime sounds pretty bad. Should I be worried? I am assuming it's being at the wrong place at wrong time and not knowing the city.

I'm thankful for all of you that I can count on for needed info.

Acutually went to NO yesterday afternoon and did see a little part. We drove from the airport over to our general office (hanaran).

I believe the River Ridge area is not somewhere I want to live. I am hoping to spend a couple of days during Thanksgiving weekend driving around the various areas around NO.

Most people from my company live across Lake Ponchatrain, mainly because of the school district. I am looking for a place to rent for the year 2005 for me and my dog.

Dan, mcclaurie...any other words of advice? Thanks again. colleen

Colleen, I'll follow up this weekend. I wrote to my friend (and sent a copy of this thread). The rental is her neighbor's. I think it's considered more uptown than garden district but it's really nice. I think the issue may be the dog. Will let you know.

Whatever you can found out would be great. Birdie, she stays crated while I am at work and then we go to the park so she can run around. She doesn't leave my yard and minds very well. But I do understand if the renters prefer not to have pets at all. Please let me know.

I will be staying in one of the 1st lake properties the three weeks in December while commuting back and forth. Then in January will look for some place to rent for the year.

Thanks again....colleen

After two months of corporate indecision, my promotion has been approved and my new position begins tomorrow morning at MSY.

Hopefully those who offered such great advice last October/November will continue pounding me with information.

Nothing has changed as far as requirements wished...still have the dog.

I have 90 days to find residence so company pays for the relocation.....I will definitely rent, not purchase, for first 6-12 mon., and still desire nice, small home in safe neighborhood.

Is the crime/corruption really as bad as I have read?

Many thanks to all for continued advice.

Don't be faint of heart. Things are looking up. Gee, you start right at Mardi Gras.. lucky you!

Review the advice we've posted before. Not much has changed. If you want to rent then you might try looking at apartments in Harahan off Jefferson Hwy. A friend's daughter rented in that area on Dickory, I believe. There were also homes to rent in the area as well.

Traffic seems to be a bit better now that most of the I-10 work is done. You are coming here at the start of the nice time of the year- crawfish & strawberry season. Sit back & enjoy it!

Crime is an issue in certain neighborhoods, and as in any large city, you should be watchful anywhere. I lived in NO for the first 30 yrs of my life and loved it so much...it is still home to me after being gone 5 yrs. I would highly recommend you re-examining the Harahan-River Ridge area. It is close to where you work, and a much safer residential area crime wise than the Uptown or Garden district areas. The Northshore would be quite a commute, also. With no children to educate, schools are not an issue- so I would also try the lakefront area. I lived there before I moved and loved it. You may be able to find a condo/townhouse/ house that will allow a dog that size. Lake Ponchatrain is close and there is lots of dogwalking space. Good luck! I hope you love the city as much as I did!

For what it's worth, I stayed in NO twice in the past few years - both times in the Fauberg area. The first time was quiet and uneventful at the Dauphine "residence d'artes" but the second time about 3 streets over (can't recall the name, unfortunately at the moment) about an hour after I arrived, 2 men were shot directly outside my room! They were a gay couple who fell in love with NO and were going back to North Dakota to pack up their things and move down there. Alas, they never made it. One died instantly - no one even stopped to help, a cab drove right around him in the street - and I don't know what happened to the other, he may have died also. It was a cold blooded senseless hate crime. Please use extreme caution when staying in this heavily promoted "charming little artistic neighborhood" as it was extremely traumatic for me to experience something like this (and I'm from Boston, not unfamiliar with violent crime). Now I plan to stay IN the quarter this time since I do believe the crime is down significantly in this tourist area and it's very sad to feel it necessary to stay somewhere out of fear of my life! (Five minutes don't go by in the F.Q. without seeing and hearing police cars racing around the narrow little streets, day and night.....) [email protected]

Goodness, that truly gets me pumped about moving there!! I do know that any major city you go to there is going to be crime; however, rumor is that NO is one of the highest crime areas in the country.

I thought long and hard about accepting this promotion...actually thought my company had a death wish for me (j/k).

And not to knock the city that will be my home, I have heard many positives about living there.

Hopefully, my experience will be a pleasant one and within 2 -3 yrs can move to my desired location....somewhere in the New England area.

Keep the info coming.....will need lots of advice on staying away from touristy/crime laden areas.

Hiladoc's hysterical post notwithstanding, there are many of us who have lived for years in NO and have never had a single crime problem. All crimes are stupid and senseless. Someone was killed last year on St. Charles during a parade with thousands of people around but it's not an indictment of the neighborhood.

I am not as familiar with Faubourg Marigny as I am with Uptown but I will tell you the Marigny has neat little bars/cafes and high property values.

Love7220,

Please don't rule out the North Shore. I lived in Mandeville (up at the lakefront) in a rental house for about 6 months and loved it. My husband drove the Causeway every day during Rush hour and actually used the time to "wind" down. The hours that you are working would be great for the little "extra" drive. Go over this week and drive along the lake front, move on back into the neighborhoods and then shoot up toward Covington. Coffee Rani has the best menu for lunch and the selection of restaurants is great. Dogs galore too! good luck. Let me know if you get interested in that area as I still have my best friends there. I am in Atlanta now.

Well, I have arrived in NO!! I'm still commuting weekly until I find a home. I have several homes in LaPlace and Desterhan to view this weekend...and looking forward to it.

I will take another look at the Harahan/River Ridge area...I've looked at over 100 pics of homes in Metairie and Kenner and for the money I can purchase a larger, nicer home if willing to drive 10 - 15 miles.

I have a friend coming in Saturday to househunt with me......any recommendations on where to dine Saturday and Sunday. I have been in NO for two weeks and haven't driven 5 miles from the airport....I hope my 16 hour work days soon pass.

As far as preference for dining....we like anything....cajun is a must for one meal, other than that, pretty open for a place with good food and great atmosphere.

I am truly excited about the move and can't wait to experience the culture and history of the city.

Depending on the area, I will need a good kennel.....any comments?

Continued thanks to all!