Top Neighborhoods
Metairie CDP isn't one neighborhood—it's a patchwork of distinct zones where your daily life can change dramatically within a two-mile radius. Choosing wrong means either overpaying for a "premium" address with no walkability or landing in a noisy corridor where your car becomes your living room.
Quick Compare: Top Neighborhoods in Metairie CDP
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Rent Range | Best For | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Metairie | Upscale, established | $1,800-$2,400 | Families, established professionals | ~68 |
| Metairie Ridge | Quiet, suburban | $1,500-$2,000 | Budget-conscious families | ~45 |
| Lakewood | Waterfront, recreational | $1,600-$2,200 | Boaters, outdoor enthusiasts | ~55 |
| Fat City | Transitional, energetic | $1,200-$1,600 | Young professionals, renters | ~62 |
| Airline Park | Mid-century, practical | $1,300-$1,700 | First-time buyers, commuters | ~58 |
Old Metairie
Overview: This is Metairie's gold standard—think 1950s brick ranches on oversized lots along Metairie Road and near Transcontinental Drive. It's the area where professionals who want Jefferson Parish schools but New Orleans lifestyle plant their flag.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,800 - $2,400/mo (1BR) | $2,400 - $3,200/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $450k - $550k
- 🚗 Commute: 18 min to CBD | 12 min to Ochsner Main Campus
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~68 (Neighborhood walkable, car needed for errands)
Local Intel: Traffic on Metairie Road between I-10 and Severn is a nightmare during school drop-off (7:30-8:15am) and rush hour. The hidden gem is the walking path along the Metairie Ridge Canal—use it for morning runs to avoid the gym. Avoid buying on the flood-prone streets near the canal's eastern bend.
Who Thrives Here: Established professionals with school-age kids who want space without leaving Metairie. Think doctors at Ochsner, lawyers with Jefferson Parish offices.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Top-tier Jefferson Parish public schools (Metairie Academy, Haynes Academy)
- ✅ Mature oak canopy, large lots (0.25+ acres common)
- ❌ Flood zone risk—check FEMA maps carefully
- ❌ Aging infrastructure; sewer backups occur during heavy rains
Schools: Jefferson Parish Public Schools. Metairie Academy (charter, K-8) is a top performer; Haynes Academy (9-12) draws from across the parish.
The Verdict: Move here if you need elite schools and suburban space with a 15-minute commute to New Orleans. Avoid if you want walkable amenities or are on a sub-$400k budget.
Metairie Ridge
Overview: The western edge of Metairie CDP, bordering River Ridge. Dominated by 1960s-70s brick homes on quiet, tree-lined streets like North Metairie Ridge Road and West Metairie Highway. This is where you get more house for your money while staying in the Metairie mailing address.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,500 - $2,000/mo (1BR) | $1,900 - $2,500/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $320k - $380k
- 🚗 Commute: 22 min to CBD | 15 min to Ochsner Main Campus
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~45 (Car-dependent; sidewalks spotty)
Local Intel: The secret is the quick access to I-310 via Airline Drive, which beats I-10 during westbank commutes. The Metairie Ridge Country Club is semi-private and affordable compared to New Orleans clubs. Flood risk is lower than Old Metairie but check the western sections near the levee.
Who Thrives Here: Practical families and first-time buyers who want Metairie schools without Old Metairie prices. Also popular with Westbank commuters.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Lower flood risk than central Metairie
- ✅ More affordable entry point to Metairie schools
- ❌ Fewer walkable amenities—expect to drive everywhere
- ❌ Older housing stock means higher maintenance costs
Schools: Jefferson Parish Public Schools. John Q. Adams Middle and Alfred Bonnabel High serve the area. Schools are average for the parish.
The Verdict: Best for budget-conscious families prioritizing space and schools over walkability. Skip if you want nightlife or urban conveniences.
Lakewood
Overview: The waterfront enclave along Lake Pontchartrain, centered on Lakewood Country Club and the levee. Streets like Lake Vista Drive and Magnolia Drive offer mid-century homes with lake views and direct levee access. This is Metairie's recreational crown jewel.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,600 - $2,200/mo (1BR) | $2,200 - $2,800/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $380k - $480k
- 🚗 Commute: 20 min to CBD | 10 min to Ochsner Main Campus
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~55 (Levee walkable, driving needed for shopping)
Local Intel: The levee trail runs from the Country Club to the parish line—perfect for cyclists and runners. The Lakewood Yacht Club and Marina offers slip rentals if you own a boat. Avoid the westernmost streets near the I-10/Lakewood interchange; truck noise is constant.
Who Thrives Here: Boaters, water sports enthusiasts, and retirees who want lake access without Metairie Ridge's suburban feel. Also attracts Ochsner medical staff.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Direct Lake Pontchartrain access for fishing/boating
- ✅ Unique recreational lifestyle within city limits
- ❌ Hurricane evacuation route congestion
- ❌ Limited dining/retail—drive to Fat City or Old Metairie
Schools: Jefferson Parish Public Schools. Average district ratings; proximity to top schools requires crossing into Old Metairie zone.
The Verdict: Perfect for outdoor-focused residents who prioritize lake life. Not ideal for families requiring top-tier schools or walkable amenities.
Fat City
Overview: The commercial and entertainment heart of Metairie, centered on the Fat City entertainment district along Veterans Memorial Boulevard between I-10 and Severn. Mix of older apartment complexes, renovated 1960s condos, and new mixed-use developments. This is where Metairie's nightlife lives.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,200 - $1,600/mo (1BR) | $1,600 - $2,000/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $280k - $350k
- 🚗 Commute: 15 min to CBD | 8 min to Ochsner Main Campus
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~62 (Walkable to bars/restaurants; car needed for groceries)
Local Intel: The Fat City Grub Hub food truck park on Veterans is a local institution. Tuesday nights at Treo's (on Veterans) draw the young professional crowd. The new Fat City apartments on N. I-10 Service Road are overpriced—look at the renovated complexes on David Drive for better value. Parking during Saints games is impossible.
Who Thrives Here: Young professionals, service industry workers, and anyone who wants a 10-minute commute and walkable bars. Renters dominate.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Best walkability in Metairie for dining/entertainment
- ✅ Shortest commute to Ochsner and New Orleans CBD
- ❌ Noise from bars and I-10; balcony living required
- ❌ Higher crime rates—car break-ins near entertainment venues
Schools: Jefferson Parish Public Schools. Not a family-focused area; schools are average to below average.
The Verdict: Ideal for young professionals who want urban energy without New Orleans rent prices. Avoid if you need quiet, top schools, or have kids.
Airline Park
Overview: The practical, family-friendly corridor along Airline Highway between I-10 and the parish line. Dominated by 1970s-80s brick homes and townhomes. This is where middle-class families anchor themselves with solid schools and manageable mortgages.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,300 - $1,700/mo (1BR) | $1,700 - $2,100/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $290k - $340k
- 🚗 Commute: 18 min to CBD | 12 min to Ochsner Main Campus
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~58 (Sidewalks present, but strip mall dependent)
Local Intel: The Airline Highway corridor has the best concentration of everyday services—multiple grocery stores, urgent care clinics, and the Airline Park swimming pool (public, membership required). The secret is the backroads access to I-10 via Cleary Avenue, bypassing Airline traffic. Flood risk is moderate but manageable.
Who Thrives Here: First-time homebuyers and young families who want Metairie's practical benefits without premium prices. Also popular with teachers and municipal workers.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Affordable homeownership in Metairie proper
- ✅ Strong concentration of everyday services
- ❌ Airline Highway traffic is brutal during rush hour
- ❌ Housing stock is aging; many homes need updates
Schools: Jefferson Parish Public Schools. Airline Park Elementary is solid; John Q. Adams Middle is average.
The Verdict: Best for budget-conscious families seeking practical living. Skip if you want walkable amenities or luxury finishes.
Final Advice
For young professionals, Fat City offers the best rent-to-lifestyle ratio, but be prepared for noise and higher crime. Families should target Old Metairie for schools or Metairie Ridge for affordability—both require car dependency but deliver suburban stability. Retirees and outdoor enthusiasts will find Lakewood's lake access worth the premium, while Airline Park serves as Metairie's reliable middle ground for first-time buyers.
Traffic patterns are predictable: I-10 westbound is gridlocked 4:30-6:30pm weekdays; Veterans Memorial Blvd is a parking lot during Saints games and major events. The counterintuitive move is Metairie Ridge for Westbank commuters—it's closer to I-310 than any other Metairie neighborhood, cutting 10-15 minutes off that commute. Always check FEMA flood maps before buying; elevation varies dramatically even within the same neighborhood.