Been meaning to ask this. Rent is about $1,159/month for a decent place. It's a a mid-size city city with about 139K people. Household incomes average around $73,256 in Metairie. Homes are going for about $308,900 on average. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Would love some local perspective. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
48 upvotes
13 Replies
Genesis
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Portland about 8 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
desert_nathan72
Moved here from LA about 9 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to cost of living but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Quinn P.
Bought a house here in 2018 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
33 upvotes
Genesis Lopez
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much growing but now it's surprisingly good.
28 upvotes
Gabriel Diaz
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 2 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Jack P.
Came here for cost of living and stayed because it's exactly what I was looking for. The housing market is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Ann W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 2 years. Moved from Tampa for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Chain restaurants dominate. Far from beaches/mountains. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Theodore Morales
Can confirm, been here 11 years.
15 upvotes
Joan N.
Moved here from Minneapolis about 6 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to housing market but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Josiah
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 50, moved here 6 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Highland and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The cultural scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Portland, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
11 upvotes
kayden_walker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely solid and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Highland) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
6 upvotes
Camila Peterson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 11 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
Quinn C.
Came here for family and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The pet-friendliness is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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