Are you dreaming of living in New Orleans? If so, you’re not alone. From iconic Bourbon Street Mardi Gras parades through the French Quarter to the polarizing Hurricane Katrina Museum, New Orleans honors its roots. Located along the curved shoreline of the Mississippi River, New Orleans resembles the shape of a crescent. In turn, the city is often called the “Crescent City.”
Other popular nicknames are “The Big Easy” and NOLA. This dynamic city bursts at the seams with culture, soul, and Cajun influence; the City of New Orleans is truly like no other place on earth. Dating back to the early days when settlers from French, Caribbean, and Spanish cultures set the stage for life in the Big Easy, living in New Orleans is, indeed, the melting pot of America.
With unparalleled architecture and 300-year-old Mardi Gras traditions, New Orleans is a place where anything can happen first, and most things never happen the same way twice. Homebuying in the Big Easy created a lifestyle where quirk and charm harmoniously blend with Southern tradition and pride. Let’s venture to the heart of the South and uncover the benefits of living in New Orleans.
1. Living in New Orleans is Lively
New Orleanians never require a reason to celebrate the colorful nuances of life. After all, this is the birthplace of Jazz, which sets the pace for a lively city. There is always a celebration, from elaborate float-filled parades to spontaneous mid-day dance parties alongside local jazz musicians. The fun doesn’t end at the French Quarter; games days in the Ceasars Superdome spark city-wide Saints pride like none other. Southern sports are next-level, and New Orleans’s central location is ideal for events in nearby cities like Baton Rouge’s LSU Tigers or Houston’s Rockets. Any way you spin it, the lively enthusiasm in Louisiana for sports is more than fandom, it’s a culture.
Speaking of celebrations, the art scene in New Orleans is one of a kind. Art is everywhere. This colorful city infamously dazzles spectators, from shops showcasing voodoo culture and mystery to showcasing talented artists and street performances. With endless festivals celebrating talent, music, art, and everything under the sun, NOLA breathes in rhythm and exhales a party.
2. Living in New Orleans is Rhythmic
As the saying goes, melodies bring back memories, and New Orleans is memorable. The essence of soul music in The Big Easy begins with the instrumentation and soars when vocalists and lyricists are set free. From brass and guitar to piano, accordion, and washboard, rhythmic storytelling in Zydeco, blues, Cajun, Creole, and R&B creates a mood. The unique aspect of music appreciation in NOLA is that all genres are welcome and celebrated. Check out the lineup for the New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival.
From Frenchman Street’s live rhythm and blues, funk, and contemporary jazz scene to trending Bounce Music in the 7th Ward on the outskirts of the French Quarter, the rhythm of New Orleans is alive. Cultural tradition resonates throughout the city, especially when drumming begins in Congo Square.
3. Living in New Orleans is Delicious
French, Spanish, and African flavors comprise the lip-smacking obsession with Creole and Cajun cuisine. Ageless flavors passed down through history, such as crawfish, alligator, etouffee, and the legendary NOLA Gumbo, ignite culinary passion and beckon food lovers worldwide. From bold flavors and Gulf seafood simmering in slow-simmer roux recipes descended through generations, the Southern food scene is unimaginable.
These chefs aren’t serving California-style wheat grass shots and bland avocado toast. In the Crescent City, spice and tang fuse with brine and citrus, transforming fish and shrimp into a lifelong culinary experience. In New Orleans, sandwiches aren’t sandwiches; they’re Muflettass. Where else can you get a drive-up liquor-filled frozen daiquiri to go? The food scene in Louisiana is like nothing else on earth. Dining in New Orleans is a must-do.
4. Living in New Orleans is Historic
Among the Breathtaking lagoons and picturesque green spaces of the city, trees date back 900 years. Located in Mid-City, City Park spans 1,300 acres, often known as the crown jewel of New Orleans. Audubon Park in UpTown also holds ancient live oaks, a tranquil 1.8-mile jogging path, a lagoon, picnic shelters, and playgrounds. Audubon Park is open to the public and features tennis courts, riding stables, soccer fields, the Whitney Young Pool, the Audubon Zoo, the Audubon Aquarium, and the Audubon Golf Club.
Speaking of historic places and cultural attractions within the Big Easy, from Nicolas Cage’s Pyramid and Marie Laveau’s Tomb to the Lafayette Cemetary, the Big Easy’s haunting fascination with death and their above-ground cemeteries are like none other.
From battleground landmarks to historic cathedrals and hotels, history is revered and respected in Crescent City. Tourists flock to art installations in the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the National WWII Museum brings the history of USA wartime to life.
5. Living in New Orleans is Soulful
To understand New Orleans’s heart and soul, one must first explore its earliest population of unbreakable visionaries. The spirit of these free-thinking, non-conformist, music-loving creative minds lives on today. In the modern era of potholes, honking horns, and endless public transportation grids, it’s hard to imagine its history. Now connected to the US via roads, bridges, and the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, NOLA began as an island.
For nearly 250 years, New Orleans was isolated between Louisiana and Lake Ponchartrain. Once ruled by France and Spain, Creole and Cajun descendants originally occupied the city. Influences from Africa and West Indie contribute to the vibrancy of NOLA to this day, originally brought to the island in slavery. This unique colonization comprises the essence of New Orleans, and the endearing spirit of the past echoes within the songs, recipes, and soul of the Big Easy.
From Creole and gospel to jazz funeral processions, complete with marching brass bands walking the city streets, NOLA is in a class of its own. A New Orleans accent is identifiable within seconds. Louisianan’s Southern spirit and energy are contagious. Like a moth to a flame, tourists flock to the French Quarter to celebrate the arts and dance to the rhythm of Louisiana’s heartland.
Big City living in New Orleans
One consideration for neighborhood selection is safety and walkability. As with any major city like San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York, great neighborhoods and not-so-great areas exist. Like any large city, property tax, sales tax, and the cost of living are higher than the national average, but that’s the toll for a front-row seat to the kaleidoscope of culture, music, and art.
Additionally, as with all metropolis cities, some areas are safer during the day than at night, and vice versa. NOLA isn’t an exception. For instance, the violent crime rate in the 7th Ward ranks an F, yet it is a popular area for Bounce Music and historical architecture tours. Given these points, talk to a realtor about crime rates and walkability before choosing a neighborhood in the Big Easy.
Hottest Neighborhoods in NOLA
New Orleanians and the French Quarter are synonymous, making the Quarter the best neighborhood in the area. From here, residents can walk or hop on a streetcar, effortlessly accessing the hottest spots in the city. Imagine walking to Cafe du Monde for a beignet, grabbing the best po’boy in town, and taking in live music seven days a week.
The iconic Garden District boasts Italianate Architecture and Greek Revival Victorian homes, and the city’s dedication to historical preservation ensures top-tier property values. Celebrities love buying houses in the Garden District and surrounding neighborhoods. Homebuying in the Garden District offers the chance to become neighbors with celebrities like Sandra Bullock, John Goodman, Archie Manning, and Jennifer Coolidge.
Conveniently located near the French Quarter, the Marigny & Bywater neighborhood is known for upscale homes priced more affordably. Buyers seeking a home with friendly neighbors and artful community events enjoy the Marigny and Bywater area.
Uptown is perfect for homebuyers seeking a blend of old and new, classic and modern properties. The shops and storefronts in this neighborhood offer easy access to amenities. As a result, Uptown real estate is hot, and homes move fast.
Centrally located and known for its affordability, Mid-City offers a bit of everything. From contemporary homes to historic charm, the homes in this area range in price. With easy access to public transportation and proximity to City Park, it’s easy to see why Mid-City is a popular neighborhood.
Ready to Move to New Orleans?
Imagine experiencing life in the “Big Easy,” where the eternal spirit of the past forges flavors, rhythm, and the soul of the modern era. New Orleans offers homebuyers a little bit of everything. From ground-rumbling tuba musicians filling the streets with music to tranquil historic garden homes off the beaten path, NOLA is a dynamic place to call home. While life in the action is ideal for some homebuyers, areas like Metairie offer a laid-back suburban vibe for anyone looking for tranquility yet easy access to the vibrant energy of New Orleans.
Why not get the ball rolling and buy into the American dream by connecting with a lender who can finance your next real estate adventure? Now is the best time to improve your quality of life and finance a new home in Louisiana. Taking the plunge and purchasing a new property in New Orleans is only a click or a phone call away.
The steps are simple:
1. Schedule a Call: An experienced loan officer can discuss your lending needs and guide you through the possibilities.
2. Get Approved: We’ll help you through the mortgage application process and facilitate the steps for approval.
3. Exhale: Put your feet up and feel secure knowing you made the best decisions about your home loan.
With proper guidance, you can get your first home, accommodate your growing family, and start that renovation project—whatever goal is on the horizon. An alliance with Mortgage Insiders will give you the confidence to know that your mortgage loan is setting you up for financial success. Mortgage Insiders offers today’s latest financial news and mortgage trends. Check out this channel for current events.
