Thinking of living in New Orleans? The Big Easy is one of the best places to live in the South, offering low crime rates, affordable housing, and plenty of family-friendly activities. If you’re looking to settle down with your family in New Orleans, here are five NOLA neighborhoods to check out!
Algiers Point
Photo via @risingcrescent
- Home Price: $285,800 median purchase price; $937 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 89% of New Orleans neighborhoods
If you want a family-friendly neighborhood in New Orleans, consider living in Algiers Point! Located on the Mississippi River’s West Bank, this quiet residential area is known for its charming Creole cottages and Raised Center Hall homes. Families can send their kids to charter schools like International School of Louisiana, and there’s an abundance of outdoor recreation spots throughout the area. Need to commute to the Central Business District or French Quarter? Algiers Point is a short 15-minute drive away, or you can take the Algiers Point-Canal Street Ferry across the river to anywhere in the NOLA area!
Things to Do in Algiers Point
Let the kids loose on the playground or have a picnic at Confetti Park. Go for a jog or a bike ride along the Algiers Bike Path. Check out a new book or attend monthly Author Night at Cita Dennis Hubbell Library. Learn the basics of Creole and Cajun cuisine at Casa Pelican Cooking School. Gather with friends at Algiers Ferry Landing for food, live music, and the lighting of the bonfire at the annual Algiers Bonfire & Concert. Hop over to the French Quarter to visit Jackson Square, where your family can attend events like Caroling in Jackson Square or see artwork from Jackson Square Artists. Grab a cup of coffee while enjoying breakfast favorites like Huevos Rancheros, Chocolate Chip Pancakes, or the 3-Egg Omelette at Tout de Suite Cafe. Get takeout items like Stavros’s Spicy Lamb Gyro or Avocado Toast from The Appetite Repair Shop. Or get a babysitter for the kids and grab some drinks at The Crown & Anchor English Pub, the only British pub in NOLA!
Bayou St. John
Photo via @new_to_nola
- Home Price: $254,380 median purchase price; $944 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 61% of New Orleans neighborhoods
Whether you’re looking for a Creole cottage, shotgun house, or a Double Gallery home, Bayou St. John can accommodate your family’s needs! Just ten minutes northwest of the downtown area, this New Orleans neighborhood has lots of kid-friendly activities, parks, and museums, as well as highly-rated schools like Cabrini High School and New Harmony High School. Not to mention, the neighborhood’s namesake bayou runs adjacent to the area, giving residents instant access to the water!
Things to Do in Bayou St John
Sign your family up for paddleboard lessons or sign up for Paddleboard Yoga at Bayou Paddlesports. See more than 40,000 objects on display ranging from contemporary photography to historical Nigerian artifacts at New Orleans Museum of Art—and be sure to visit the Sculpture Garden! Listen to live music, buy artwork from local artists, and watch the bayou come to life during the annual Bayou Boogaloo. Play a game of basketball or let the kids burn some energy at Easton Playground. Explore the locally-owned shops and restaurants along Bayou Road, NOLA’s oldest street. Stop by Parkway Bakery & Tavern for hearty dishes like a Louisiana Catfish Poor Boy or Reuben with French Bread Pudding for dessert. Visit Lola’s for authentic Spanish meals like Ceviche, Rack of Lamb, and Spinach Linguini. Enjoy Mediterranean dishes like Tzatziki Dip, Falafel Platter, or Lentil Salad at 1000 Figs. Or check out the rotating weekly menu featuring vegan-friendly favorites like Eggplant Lasagna, Okra Gumbo, and Creole Curry at Sweet Soulfood.
East Carrollton
Photo via @mdlab
- Home Price: $386,800 median purchase price; $1,080 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 83% of New Orleans neighborhoods
Just 15 minutes east of Downtown NOLA lies East Carrollton, one of the best neighborhoods in New Orleans for families! This area is home to several top-rated schools like Lusher Charter School and St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. In addition, Tulane University and Loyola University New Orleans are nearby, so it’s an ideal locale for anyone working in higher education or looking to earn a degree. East Carrollton has the added perk of being a part of the Uptown/Carrollton Area, home to the seven-block Oak Street, which is filled with unique shops, authentic eats, cool coffeehouses, and the famous St. Charles Streetcar.
Things to Do in East Carrollton
Play on the playground, mini rock wall, or participate in community events and festivals at Palmer Park. Go to Maple Street to find great dining options, shop the latest fashion trends at Angelique Boutique, or take a pilates class at Maple Street Pilates Studio. Play a game of tennis, go for a jog, or take the family swimming at Whitney M. Young Memorial Pool in Audubon Park. Explore Carrollton Cemetery, one of NOLA’s famous cemeteries, to learn about the history of East Carrollton and see the beautiful tombs of the pioneering families. Grab a seat at Camellia Grill for diner classics like a Ham Omelette, cheeseburger, and slice of Banana Cream Pie. Enjoy French favorites like Croque Madame, Quiche Lorraine, or a Chocolate Croissant at La Madeleine. Try Middle Eastern dishes like Halloumi Cheese, Beef Shish Kabob, and Gyro Plate at Lebanon’s Cafe. Or order Home Made Onion Rings, Garlic Parmesan Wings, or a Quesadilla at Bruno’s Tavern.
Fillmore
Photo via @m.dallemolle
- Home Price: $230,300 median purchase price; $957 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 70% of New Orleans neighborhoods
Families should check out Fillmore, a small neighborhood in Gentilly with several restaurants, parks, shops, and things to do with kids! Residents living in this Big Easy neighborhood can send their children to great schools like Arthur Ashe Charter School, John F. Kennedy High School, and Holy Cross School. Plus, Fillmore’s location is ideal, as it’s about 15 minutes from the Central Business District and provides quick access to nearby I-610 and US-90. On top of all that, this affordable NOLA neighborhood also offers cozy bungalows and newly-constructed homes with large yards that are perfect for families!
Things to Do in Fillmore
Listen to live music and feast on Greek delicacies like Moussaka, Gyros, or Pork Souvlaki at New Orleans Greek Festival. Play a game of football or take the kids to the playground at Pratt Playground. Visit City Park, where you can rent a swan boat to explore Big Lake, sign the kids up for horseback riding lessons from Equest Farm, or play a game of disc golf at New Orleans’ only disc golf course. Stop by local attractions like New Orleans Botanical Garden, Louisiana Children’s Museum, or Carousel Gardens Amusement Park—all located in City Park! See wild gators, turtles, snakes, and more while touring the city’s best swamps with Air Boat Swamp Tours. Enjoy a bowl of Corn & Crawfish Bisque, Soft Shell Crab Plate, and Oyster Po-Boys at Zimmer’s Seafood. Or chow down on Veal Parmesan, Fried Catfish, or Meatballs & Spaghetti at Fiorella’s Cafe, two-time winner of National Fried Chicken Fest.
West End
Photo via @burkbrokerage
- Home Price: $181,000 median purchase price; $1,191 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 94% of New Orleans neighborhoods
Just ten minutes from Downtown New Orleans, West End is a great neighborhood for families looking for a safe place to live away from the hustle and bustle of the city—without going too far, of course! Families here will find a wide range of housing options from boathouse marina homes to large Double Gallery houses near schools like Marie Riviere Elementary, Edward Hynes Charter School, and St. Dominic School. There are also tons of parks, playgrounds, and family-friendly activities throughout this NOLA neighborhood!
Things to Do in West End
Become a member of the Southern Yacht Club, where you can stay active at the fitness center, have a pool day, or enroll the kids in SYC Sailing Camp. Take the family on a guided tour of Louisiana’s only working lighthouse, and stop by the museum at New Canal Lighthouse. Learn how to dance the Argentine Tango or West Coast Swing at Fleur De Dance. Gather for some quality family time with a picnic at West End Park and watch boats sail out on Lake Pontchartrain. Try the Hot Sausage Poboy Pizza or JB’s Classic Burger while dining at JB’s Fuel Dock. Head to Russell’s Marina Grill for the Giant Seafood Platter or Southern Fried Chicken Tenders. Get traditional Chinese dishes like Won Ton Noodle Soup, Beef & Broccoli, and Chicken Lo Mein at Ming’s Restaurant. Dig into BBQ favorites like Muffuletta Deviled Eggs, Sloppy Joe, or The Brisket On A Bun at The Backyard.
***
Moving to NOLA? Extra Space Storage has self storage facilities throughout the New Orleans area, so we can help with your transition. Find storage units near you!
Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
