New Orleans Real Estate: Homes In The French Quarter

By Author: Julian Bryce
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You only have to visit the French Quarter in New Orleans to get a sense of the community spirit among the residents of this part of the city. The residents appear to known each other, and there is a true spirit of neighborliness about the place.

This is a thriving community, and commercially strong, with active neighborhood associations putting pressure on their city leaders to provide an increasing number of amenities. Where in other large cities there is a disconnect between generations, not so in the French Quarter, and anybody deciding to move in here will rapidly become part of a ready-made community of people and will not have to spend too much time making new friends.

The condos here are large and spacious, although outside of these living space is a bit tight, and New Orleans is not a cheap city in which to live, particularly the French Quarter. However, the community more than makes up for any negatives, and many move here simply because of what it is. So what is it about this part of New Orleans that attracts people?

Visually, the French Quarter can be described as unique, provoking a great ...
... deal of interest on behalf of the tourists: and that is something that this area is never short of. It was spared most of the damage suffered by other parts of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina, and completely escaped the flooding. One thing you have to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to the French Quarter than just Bourbon Street, although even that rather tacky area is still somebody's home. In fact you can't walk anywhere in the Quarter without passing somebody's doorstep, which is one reason for the neighborliness around here.

The residential areas are more towards Rampart Street and Esplanade Street. In the business areas the apartments are on upper stories above the commercial premises, but in the residential areas it is all homes. The Vieux Carré Commission is doing its best to retain the character and history of this part of New Orleans, and restoration of the old buildings and courtyards is encouraged. Traffic lights are restricted to side-streets, and the street lighting is in the style of the old gaslights. You won't find a large bus here, and the modern department stores have been strictly regulated, helping to maintain the traditional style of shopping in the French Quarter.

That is what you get when you decide to buy real estate here. The tradition, the preservation and the friendship of the residents. But what of the housing? You have a wide choice of condos, but there are also more traditional homes available, set in courtyards with fountains and potted flowers. If you have renovation in mind, keep in mind that restoration is the name of the game here rather than renovation, and any alterations have to be approved by the Vieux Carré Commission. Make sure, therefore, that what you have in mind is allowed before you part with your money.

Prices are relatively high, but you are buying into a neighborhood here, and also in to an area in the city that is famous the world over. Having said that, the apartments and condos are affordable. Much of the architecture is in the old French Creole style, characterized by long porches with the roofs extending over the porches. They also tend to be built up to withstand seasonal floodwater, and such buildings survived the Katrina floods better than the more modern style of homes.

Although New Orleans in general has been a buyer's market since 2005, prices are now rapidly rising as people return, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie recently purchased a 3.5 million dollar 6 bedroom townhouse close to the French Market and the Café du Monde. Other celebrities are purchasing properties, but it is the ordinary person that the French Quarter needs and good family homes are available from around $350,000 upwards. You can also get one bedroom condos for just over $300,000, so the cheaper prices are there, especially for single people or couples without families.

If you are determined to find a home in the French Quarter of New Orleans, they are available, but prices are rising rapidly. This is a double edged sword since although you have to buy quickly to get a reasonable price, your equity will rise rapidly and this is also a very good time to buy for investment.

The French Quarter has a character all of its own and those that have decided to live there never want to move. The friendship and neighborliness is something that cannot be purchased, and you can be sure that your district will remain traditional and not be turned by some national store into a gigantic shopping mall.