Possible Relocation Covington (New Orleans, Slidell, Mandeville: apartments, home owners insurance, low crime)

[kdeleon]

Hi,

I know you guys probably get this all the time, but I am an internet kind of person, so I like to take advantage of local forums.

I am originally from Washington Parish, and have lived in Coastal North Carolina for the last 5 years. Because we would like to be closer to family, I may be relocating to Covington for a job.

It's been a long time since I have spent any time in Covington, and I hear all sorts of horror stories about traffic, nowhere to live, since Katrina...

Traffic I am used to...I have a 4 mile drive to work that takes anywhere from 20 - 30 mins, because of poor infrastructure planning. The median home price here, because we live near the beach is about 215k, and is one of the most expensive places to live in NC. Apartments are about $900 a month. I currently make in the 38k range, and was wondering what you guys think would be a comparable salary there? Also, Where are some good places to look for homes/apartments? Is Covington still worth calling home? I used to love it there.

We love art, I do wedding photography, and am a webmaster, and my wife is a seamstress/fashion designer. Just as a little info.

Moderator cut: url removed

[Out of Alaska]

Might like this string... hope this works!
Covington, LA?

[kdeleon]

good find..thanks...If anyone else has something to add...I would appreciate it!

K

[kdeleon]

No one? I figured someone would at least have some number comparisons for me Pre and Post K.

[IloveNOLA]

Originally Posted by kdeleon

No one? I figured someone would at least have some number comparisons for me Pre and Post K.

St. Tammany Parish, where Covington is located, was booming before Katrina and is booming even more now. It is a bedroom suburb for both the New Orleans area and parts of Mississippi (many people work in the casinos or at the Stennis Space Center). But it is now attracting more white collar jobs, such as the 600 Chevron positions being moved there, and Textron is consolidating its administrative jobs in Slidell. It has the highest income levels in the state, very good public schools, a strong economy, low crime, and trends toward the conservative in its politics. It is more than close enough to New Orleans so you can easily take advantage of what the South Shore offers.

[balletomaina]

Hello, I currently live in Lacombe, LA, which is 10 minutes away from Covington. Ever since the storm, it is a traffic nightmare. Too many people here, and the housing is extremely expensive. We are planning on leaving this area very soon. You will be running for your life from hurricanes every year! We lost everything. We lived in Slidell, LA, which is more west of Covington. This area was totally destroyed, and parts of Covington near the water was pretty bad as well. All I have to say is good luck to you if you move here, but I personally would not recommend it. ~Donna

[kookiecookie]

St. Tammany News (http://www.thesttammanynews.com/articles/2007/05/26/news/news03.txt - broken link)

try this for info...news paper.. the st. tammany news

[larice]

my parents live in covington in a beautiful new subdivision that they love. covington and mandeville are great areas to live. pretty houses and good schools (at least better than those on the south shore). a lot of homes were damaged around them due to trees falling on them. i noticed this past weekend that things are looking much better (really can't tell....new orleans...whole other story!) after katrina, the market was crazy but now has softened. one issue is home owners insurance. i had a friend who moved recently though to ocean springs, Mississippi and got her mortage and insurance through wells fargo. it seems a lot of mortgage companies can't close loans due to the difficulty of obtaining insurance and so they are underwriting loans and at better rates.

[scubastog]

Covington is a charming town on the North Shore- I love it, my in-laws live a little North of town on an acre, yet they have all the conveniences of Mandeville 10 minutes away... traffic is not that bad! We've been spoiled for years with no traffic- but I've lived in Southern California and Florida- and if your current commute is what you say, you'll be laughing at the "traffic" here. There were some "evacuees" but mostly working families who had commitments in New Orleans and have decided to live on the North Shore and commute to downtown for work. Your current income and cost of living sounds very similar to what you'd expect in Covington/Mandeville... but there are tons of new neighborhoods, they're building like crazy! I say come back for a weekend, visit, and see what you think.

[nshorenative]

Traffic is herendous here since the storm - I've lived here all of my life. Don't move here if you hate traffic. We sure could use some good seamstresses down here though - Good luck!