New Orleans Saints' fans rejoice for the Saints practice in Metairie at their training facility on Airline Drive. Fans can watch the training camp throughout the summer, and occasionally in the spring.
Not only is Metairie a major New Orleans suburb, it was also NOLA's first! Since New Orleans is one of the nation's first cities, that makes Metairie pretty old, too
New Orleans Saints' fans rejoice for the Saints practice in Metairie at their training facility on Airline Drive. Fans can watch the training camp throughout the summer, and occasionally in the spring.
Not only is Metairie a major New Orleans suburb, it was also NOLA's first! Since New Orleans is one of the nation's first cities, that makes Metairie pretty old, too. It was established in the mid-1700s. Today, Metairie is one of the largest suburbs in the United States with more than 450,000 residents. Sitting on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain, Metairie is a bustling community all of its own. Residents can work, live and play in Metairie without ever needing to drive into New Orleans, but most residents do take the 10-mile trek in at least occasionally. Wouldn't you?
While Metairie's rental prices do fluctuate, you'll still be getting more for your dollar than if you were living in New Orleans or in other major cities. Who doesn't want more bang for their buck? Give yourself plenty of time -- about three weeks at least -- to search for apartments and make sure you view the apartment complex both during the day and at night. Also, even if you think you'll remain in Metairie 24/7, still make the commute into the city from each of your apartment final choices.
Old Metairie: The area surrounding Metairie Road known as "Old Metairie" is an establishe area with shopping centers, businesses and older homes. Plenty of landscaping makes it one of the prettiest spots in the town.
Causeway Blvd.: A major shopping district in the heart of Metairie. Any chain store you might need can be found here, along with one of the state's largest and oldest malls -- Lakeside Shopping Center. Established apartment complexes can be found here.
Bonnabel Place: Another major shopping area (highlights include the two-story Target and one of the area's best wine stores, Martin Wine Cellar). But, Veterans Memorial Boulevard will get you into New Orleans proper, or over to City Park and the Bayou St. John neighborhood without too much trouble.
Fat City: You shouldn't have any problem finding an apartment here. Extremely affordable apartments here.
Harahan Junction: Plenty of shopping is here, along with the airport, the Saints training facility and the New Orleans Zephyrs AAA baseball team's stadium. Options for renters including both apartments and single-family homes.
Metairie takes up a huge swath of land from New Orleans on the east, Lake Pontchartrain to the north, Harahan and the Mississippi River to the south, and Kenner and the bayous to the west. It's busy enough to make you feel like you're living in a big city, but most of the area is suburban and residential. Head to Bourbon Street and have your fun, then (safely) drive home to your suburban oasis. And on the weekends, heading to one of the town's many parks such as Lafreniere Park and dog park. This picturesque 155-acre park on the southwest side of town has lagoons, rental boats, a carousel, sports fields and a Frisbee golf course. Or, head over to the park's swamp and see if you can spot a nutria.
If you're feeling brave (and you aren't afraid of bridges), take a drive over Lake Pontchartrain to the North Shore. It's one of the longest bridges (over water) in the world and one of the U.S.'s longest bridges at 23.9 miles. Once on the more bucolic North Shore, stop at pretty much any restaurant for fresh Louisiana seafood. But don't think that you have to drive out of Metairie to find quality restaurants. Far from it. In fact, the original Copeland's of New Orleans is located in Metaire, as is local institution Drago's. The Creole seafood restaurant across from Lakeside Mall has been a local favorite since opening in 1969.
One of the first things you'll have to learn when you move to Metairie is how to order a po-boy, the New Orleans-born sub-like sandwich. If you like lettuce, tomato and mayo on your sandwich, order it "dressed" to seem like a native and avoid sneering. Rouse's is a local grocery chain that focuses on locally produced brands, meats and produce. Dorignac's Food Center on Veterans Boulevard is a locally-owned grocery store that is known as having one of the area's best wine and liquor selections.
