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The Cheapest areas to live in New Orleans

Moving to New Orleans? You probably already are looking for a convenient neighborhood that will get you to the center of activities. Some of the attractions in this city are Mardi Gras, jazz, and Cajun cuisine.

This southern city is divided into 13 districts. In this article, we will be looking at the safest and most affordable areas in New Orleans.

Some of the popular areas are the French Quarter and Bourbon Street the world’s most famous beignets and jambalaya.

In addition to telling you where the cheapest areas are, you will also get to know about the communities there.

Here are the cheapest areas to live in New Orleans.

1. Central Business District – Perfect for Young professionals, singles, small families

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We start with the Central Business District located next to the French Quarter. This location is perfect for you if you want to be at the center of all the hustle and bustle.

The area is surrounded by new bars, fine dining, and excellent shopping. You will be pleasantly surprised to learn that this area has affordable rent.

It offers you a high-rise lifestyle and a short commute to work or anywhere in the city but on a budget.

This area will put you next door to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome where you can catch the Saints game.

Amenities: boutique retail stores, various restaurants, and clubs.

2. Freret – Students, Young professionals, Families

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This is a residential area with classic shotgun houses. The neighborhood is a hot pot of up-and-coming arts and culture districts.

There are several trendy cocktail bars, sidewalk cafes, and eateries. Additionally, there is also a monthly weekend art market and regular live performances at the Gasa Gasa concert venue.

You may want to consider this area if you want to be close to trendy shops and unique restaurants. This area is perfect if you want to be a short walking distance of fun activities as well as the commute.

You can still buy an affordable home here and real estate agents have seen the houses appreciate rapidly.

For those looking to buy, you can purchase a restored shotgun-style home, and renters can find apartments cheaper than those in neighboring Carrollton.

There is a lot to do here and the residents are friendly.

3. Gentilly Terrace

This next area is perfect if you are looking to raise your family in a friendly environment. The neighbors here live in a tightly-knit community where you will know each other’s names.

The Gentilly district offers swanky courtyards, a diverse population, and friendly folks. Furthermore, Gentilly Terrace has walkable streets full of bungalows and Craftsman-style homes.

If you are thinking about the security of this area, you will be relieved to know that there is less crime here than in the heart of the city.

The area was rebuilt after the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Today, you will find several newly constructed and renovated homes for affordable prices.

These homes are ideal for young families or new home buyers looking for great properties in an evolving area. It is also close to Dillard University.

You will find the community here to be tight-knit. They also have associations, the Gentilly Terrace and Gardens Improvement Association oversee the neighborhood. Gentilly Terrace is within 15 minutes of the French Quarter and Central Business District.

4. Reserve

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This neighborhood is just outside of New Orleans and is affordable plus it has a rich history.

The cost of living here is lower than in Louisiana and New Orleans. This makes the homes affordable whether it is renting or buying. A home price is on average $115,500.

5. Marigny/Bywater

These two neighborhoods are some of the trendiest in New Orleans. The nearby area is French Quarter, across Esplanade Avenue.  

It area attracts the young and hip who are an ever-increasing in-the-know crowd. This area also has several hotel chains as well as bed and breakfasts.

You can reach the furthest end by cab or walk if you prefer to get a little workout outgoing. You’ll find colorful Creole cottages and historic homes with small cafes and shops, art galleries, and hip record stores.

On weekends you will get to enjoy a string of live music venues from jazz or blues to reggae and rock.

6. Uptown/Garden District

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This neighborhood is made of several smaller, residential neighborhoods.

Some of the landmarks here include St. Charles Avenue streetcar, grand historic mansions, Tulane and Loyola Universities, the beautiful Audubon Park and Zoo, and several local institutions.

You will love it here if you are looking to have a culturally-rich neighborhood but a little bit chilled.

It’s away from the commotion of the French Quarter, offering the culture without the craziness. The area is easily accessible by various modes of transportation.

During Mardi Gras, you will find yourself at the center of it all. Additionally, it is a family-friendly environment.

You will also find neighborhood cafes, PO-boy shops, long-running family restaurants, and several popular spots for sno-balls, New Orleans’ favorite summertime treat.

Furthermore, you can enjoy pleasant walks, grand oak trees, and unique shopping. There is a mix of high-end restaurants and colorful neighborhood dives.

7. Violet

Violet is just about eight miles southeast of New Orleans and is a very affordable neighborhood. Just like Reserve, its cost of living is about 10 points lower than that of its neighbors.

So, buying a home in Violet should be affordable. Several of the residents here are renters. This neighborhood is diverse culturally and has blue-collar jobs.

The majority of the residents here are service providers, healthcare, sales and office workers, and transportation and shipping workers.

Violet is also a port city, which means that parts of it are somewhat historic and touch the ocean or tidal bodies of water, such as inlets and bays.

Such areas are often places where visitors and locals go for waterfront activities or to take in the scenery.

8. French Quarter – Perfect for Young professionals and singles

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The French Quarter is the city’s oldest and best-known neighborhood.

Most visitors here love visiting Bourbon Street, and many first-timers think the Quarter is nothing but a party.

But, there is so much more here than the gorgeous architecture, a ton of history, fabulous antiques, local boutiques, great food, music, and views of the Mississippi.

The French Quarter is family-friendly and has nearby attractions that young children would love like; the Aquarium of the Americas, the Cabildo Museum, carriage rides, street performers, and more fun for kids.

You will also enjoy some urban amenities of the French Quarter that are a walking distance. There are cool restaurants and bars, and a thriving gay scene among several others.

This neighborhood is perfect for those that do not mind a crowded, noisy, neighborhood full of drunk parties. Parking is difficult too.