Making Metairie Home: Neighborhood Finds by:Genevieve Oxford

As one of New Orleans' closest neighbors, Metairie boasts the comforts of suburban

living while maintaining easy access to the bustling excitement of the big city. During Carnival time, however, Metairie's annual Family Gras celebration gives the New Orleans parties a run for their money!

Metairie is a shopping hub for big and small ticket items alike. Lakeside Mall, one of the biggest shopping centers in the area, is home to more than 120 stores. And that's just one shopping center! Just down Veterans Boulevard you can find anything from furniture to cars to drive-through daiquiris, not to mention the fantastic restaurants all around town. Andrea's, Houston's, Drago's, and Impastato's are just a few the fabulous eateries Metairie has to offer.

Those who enjoy boating, fishing, picnicking, or just good old fashioned fresh air can find themselves at home on the banks of Lake Pontchartrain or in nearby Breakwater or West End parks in Metairie.

In addition to boasting some of the best shopping in southeastern Louisiana, Metairie is also home to the beloved Zephyrs baseball team as well as Zephyr Field, where the team has played since 1997.

According to U.S. Census figures, at the turn of the 21st century the population of Metairie, Louisiana, was just about 150,000. Population data indicates that most Metairie residents, roughly 50 percent, range in age from 20 to 50, which bolsters the town's reputation as a welcoming community for singles and married couples alike.

Metairie's Yahoo! Real Estate Neighborhood Profile indicates a median community income of roughly $44,000 and reports a cost of living four points below the national average. The same source reports Metairie's current population at just more than 136,000, indicating a drop, but median home value is high at nearly 230,000 on average. In terms of renters versus owners, owners outnumber renters 56 percent to 35 percent.

Metairie is located within Jefferson Parish along with Elmwood, Gretna, and Harahan, just to name a few towns. Metairie's residents are largely Republican and are represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by Republican Steve Scalise. For more information on Metairie, contact the Jefferson Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau at 504-731-7083 or visit the CVB web site at www.experiencejefferson.com.

About the author

Genevieve Oxford is a marketing coordinator for 1st Lake Properties, which owns and manages numerous apartments in New Orleans area. She is also a frequent blogger on the New Orleans Apartments blog, where she offers renters moving tips, advice, and general information on saving money.

POST COMMENT

Newcastle Pub Crawl - Binge Drinking Nightmare or Stag Do Heaven? by:Jon Hart The Different Kinds of PR by:Tomas Barlow The idiot's guide to planning a surprise romantic mini break by:Peter Daniel Indian Restaurant in Dubai, UAE by:Trade Port India Explore Incredible India with Wonderful Packages by:Eimhear Tarrant The dark side of hotel accommodation in Ireland by:Anita Lyon Ladakh Travel -Stroll the Magnificent Landscape Beauty by:Mayank Sharma Cairns Holiday Lodge Survives Yasi by:SueWebd Fun Travel Blogs with Inspirational Content How to play baccarat and win Budget Travel: When to Splurge Benefits of A Guided Tour Travel to Places Without Paying a Mint for Airline Tickets