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Thanks so much everyone! I was actually in NOLA a few months ago, and walked along Magazine Street (starting at Whole Foods). It felt perfectly safe and fine to me, however I didn't walk around there at night. I know that any major city has crime. Being from Los Angeles and Brazil, I get the whole concept of using common sense to avoid being the victim of a crime, I guess I just got a little scared (and shocked) when I read those crime reports in the Audubon Park area (there were even several incidents of students at Tulane that were held up at gunpoint while waiting for the campus safety to escort them somewhere - although I guess really that could happen at almost any university campus - but still a little scary.)
To be honest, I would much rather live in the Audubon Park area than English Turn. One of the attractions to New Orleans is the walkability factor, as well as the diversity in age and culture of the area (being close to a university), and all the small businesses and good restaurants being nearby. After coming from California where you practically live in your car, it would be refreshing to be able to walk to the grocery store or to a cafe. While English Turn does seem nice (and safe), somehow it seems a little cookie cutter compared to the rest of the city.
Anybody recommend any good schools in the Audubon Park area?
Lusher and Audubon Montessori (both public) have pretty good reputations.
You might consider the Lakeview/West End area. While its not all that walkable, or diverse, I would say it is safe. And has a somewhat Florida/tropical feel to me, being near the lake. There's a couple of cafes and a small commercial area near the intersection of Robert E. Lee and Lakeshore Drive; I think it has all the basics but I haven't been to that part of town in a few years. I just think it would be a nice place to raise kids if one had a family and was concerned about safety, so the OP should take a look.
I don't want to bring race into this, but much of the crime that occurs is related to drugs or neighborhood beef, usually among young black males. There have been 45 murders this year, and 44 of the victims were black (one was an American Indian who was killed by his roommate). While crime here is high, the "random crime" seems on par with most other American cities. If you're not involved in selling drugs and you don't try to talk negatively about or argue with your neighbors, then chances are you'll be just fine. I feel much safer here than I do in a city like Memphis, just to throw out an example.
The truth is, there is no safe place [anywhere], people can get rapped, murdered, abducted, held hostage in their own homes, even in smaller cities. Look at all the murders of those young women that have been happening in Jennings. I live in Lake Charles and the crime has increased significantly here as well. Also, what year were those statistics that you looked at when you were researching the neighborhood? Do they have any for this currently year?
Thanks for the response, Redbean... I thought about Lakeview, but somehow because of the massive flooding that happened there as a result of the failed levees I feel a little uneasy being there. When I looked at a map of all the damage that happened during Katrina it seems like the Audubon Park area was spared, which is another reason why I was drawn to the area.
@Pandorafan, to answer your question. The statistics were from 2010. I do realize that there is crime everywhere. I'm not from a small, secluded town. I'm from Los Angeles and Brazil, so I am well aware of poverty, crime, etc. It's just I wondered how New Orleans compared to other cities, because when you google information about the city it seems to get extra negative attention compared to other places. I have been to NOLA many times (before and after Katrina) and quite honestly I never felt any more scared or fearful there than I have anywhere else. But I think everyone has reassured me that the crime is not out of control for the average citizen. Thanks again everyone.
Thanks for the response, Redbean... I thought about Lakeview, but somehow because of the massive flooding that happened there as a result of the failed levees I feel a little uneasy being there. When I looked at a map of all the damage that happened during Katrina it seems like the Audubon Park area was spared, which is another reason why I was drawn to the area.
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This is the exact feeling that MANY people have-- Uptown didn't flood as much as Mid City, Gentilly, Lakeview, etc., therefore it must be the place to go. In my recent research, rentals and property prices are often 50-75% higher in these areas, due to this perception. Just because an area flooded does not mean that its been left in devastation, that its unsafe, or that you shouldn't live there. There are some fantastic neighborhoods that have been rebuilding (or are rebuilt-- its been 7 years after all) that you are about to overlook if you just try to live around Audubon Park.
I know you say that you are used to dealing with crime, but honest to goodness, if that (Audubon Park) is the ONLY area you are even kinda sorta willing to consider inside the city boundaries, you may not be quite as savvy as you think you are. Its really NOT as bad as you are worrying about. If you furtively scurry from car to porch looking over your shoulder at anyone who may be walking their dog, you are probably going to attract more trouble than you should and fulfill your own prophecy. So relax, reassess, visit (more than once), and open your mind.
There is a possibility that my family will be relocating to New Orleans sometime later this year. I've been looking at homes near Audubon Park, which I've been told is one of the nicest parts of the city, however, when I looked at a crime map, I was so discouraged to see that (although the crime in that part of the city is MUCH less the the rest of the city) there were still several violent crimes that occurred - a woman was raped and assaulted while sitting on her front porch, several robberies at gunpoint, home invasions, etc.
I was really looking forward to living in this part of the city, especially considering how walkable it is to places like Whole Foods, cheese shop, book store, etc. But after seeing this I'm starting to wonder if I'll be living more in fear of my everyday life rather than enjoying it. What are some local people's opinions? Are you afraid to do simple things like take out the trash on your curb in the middle of the night, come home late from a party, etc.?
I'm not afraid of crime - as I am a native of Los Angeles and have family from Brazil, however, it seems like NOLA is prone to very random, violent crimes no matter what part of the city you are in, whereas in my experience in California and Brazil, as long as you stay away from the "bad" neighborhoods and use common sense, then you are you are alright.
Also, what are my options if I still want to live in the New Orleans area but in a gated community. I've heard English Turn is an option, but I can't seem to find a lot of good schools close by. What schools do people send their kids to there? Belle Chasse?
Thank you ahead of time for any advice or insight!
I prefer the North Shore. Yes it's a 30 mile drive but you are in family-friendly suburbs and away from the chaos, drunkenness, and violence. I love New Orleans during the day, but at night... keep me out. I do love New Orleans, but I do want some sense of normalcy as well, and being close but not within New Orleans proper is my preference.
Last edited by WhoDat2011; 07-16-2012 at 11:48 AM..
2015 -I see this thread was some time ago, however I am writing this for anyone new that comes across it. New Orleans is dangerous. I was born and raised here. I lived uptown, downtown, mid city. I have lived in the Treme', the Marigny and most recently near Tulane University which is near Audubon Park. I have seen horrible things in this city first hand. Although none of my personal friends have been murdered, just about everyone I know has been the target of a random crime from ranging from being robbed at gunpoint, having their house broken into, or having their car stolen and much much more. All of the bad neighborhoods are only blocks from the good neighborhoods. Tulane University students are targeted because they are arriving from all over the country and are clueless as to just how bad the city is and how to behave as a result. Regardless of it's beautiful architecture and rich culture you need to think twice before moving to Nola especially with kids. There are only 3 free decent charter schools that have very long waiting lists. If you don't get your child in for kindergarten than your chances are slim. Kids usually have to test in, (with the exception of living in district for 1 only of the schools) so if your child isn't an above average child intellectually then the school rating for the other public or charter schools in the community are like 2 or 3. I recently moved to Mandeville, which is safe, and has great school systems for my elementary age child. I moved out of uptown last year after there were 4 home invasions within 5 blocks of my house within a 1 week time period. I thought it was a bit much when walking my kindergartner to the best charter school that everyone dies to get their kid in----had to be guarded by 2 NOPD as a result of the crimes that month. This neighborhood is riddled with crime and although it doesn't always make the news, it makes Tulane student's emails regularly for warnings.
And that really nice safe neighborhood right near Audubon park people spoke about previously in this thread has experienced several robberies recently. There was a couple robbed at gunpoint taking in their groceries in the middle of the afternoon a couple of months ago here.
There has been a huge influx of out of towners to New Orleans since the hurricane. Ignorance is bliss. The city is very dangerous and always has been. The difference between Nola and other cities is there are no good neighborhoods and bad neighborhoods. There are "good blocks" only a short distance from "really bad blocks". One reason for this is in History when they had plantation owners who built slave quarters nearby. If you are taking your trash out at 2AM in New Orleans....you better do it quick.
2015 -I see this thread was some time ago, however I am writing this for anyone new that comes across it. New Orleans is dangerous. I was born and raised here. I lived uptown, downtown, mid city. I have lived in the Treme', the Marigny and most recently near Tulane University which is near Audubon Park. I have seen horrible things in this city first hand. Although none of my personal friends have been murdered, just about everyone I know has been the target of a random crime from ranging from being robbed at gunpoint, having their house broken into, or having their car stolen and much much more. All of the bad neighborhoods are only blocks from the good neighborhoods. Tulane University students are targeted because they are arriving from all over the country and are clueless as to just how bad the city is and how to behave as a result. Regardless of it's beautiful architecture and rich culture you need to think twice before moving to Nola especially with kids. There are only 3 free decent charter schools that have very long waiting lists. If you don't get your child in for kindergarten than your chances are slim. Kids usually have to test in, (with the exception of living in district for 1 only of the schools) so if your child isn't an above average child intellectually then the school rating for the other public or charter schools in the community are like 2 or 3. I recently moved to Mandeville, which is safe, and has great school systems for my elementary age child. I moved out of uptown last year after there were 4 home invasions within 5 blocks of my house within a 1 week time period. I thought it was a bit much when walking my kindergartner to the best charter school that everyone dies to get their kid in----had to be guarded by 2 NOPD as a result of the crimes that month. This neighborhood is riddled with crime and although it doesn't always make the news, it makes Tulane student's emails regularly for warnings.
And that really nice safe neighborhood right near Audubon park people spoke about previously in this thread has experienced several robberies recently. There was a couple robbed at gunpoint taking in their groceries in the middle of the afternoon a couple of months ago here.
There has been a huge influx of out of towners to New Orleans since the hurricane. Ignorance is bliss. The city is very dangerous and always has been. The difference between Nola and other cities is there are no good neighborhoods and bad neighborhoods. There are "good blocks" only a short distance from "really bad blocks". One reason for this is in History when they had plantation owners who built slave quarters nearby. If you are taking your trash out at 2AM in New Orleans....you better do it quick.
There is crime in every city. I live 2 blocks from the charter school you are talking about. I walk around my neighborhood night and day. I have been here for over 5 years with my family and nothing has happened to any of us. I'm not saying there is no crime here. I'm just saying it's not any worse than most large cities. You have to be careful anywhere these days, but I refuse to run and live in the woods out of fear.
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