Lakeview New Orleans, Louisiana Real Estate and Community Info.

Bordered by some of the most attractive open spaces in New Orleans including City Park and Lake Pontchartrain, Lakeview is a magnet for many young professionals and their families and is booming despite being one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. The neighborhood boasts cozy frame cottages and brick, ranch-style homes.

It began as a swampland owned by the Capuchins, an order of priests, but soon began to attract attention from groups including those of Spanish nobility and then Irish immigrants after the New Basin Canal was cut in the early 1900s. Development really took off in the 1950s, and then newer, larger homes began replacing smaller, more modest homes.

After Katrina, many existing homeowners returned to salvage and rebuild what was left of their Lakeview real estate, but younger homebuyers also saw opportunities to obtain Lakeview property, and many retailers followed. Now, the area’s main avenue is packed with local shops and diners as well as the Lakeview Grocery Store, a public library and a charter school, and all the businesses are bustling.

Shopping and Dining

As the main artery that runs through Lakeview, Harrison Avenue has become a shopping and dining destination. Residents will also soon enjoy a local gas station in the area instead of having to drive out of the neighborhood to fill up. And from Lakeview's The Creole Creamery, the local ice cream shop, to Mondo, a neighborhood restaurant that serves "flavors of the world with a New Orleans accent," there is certainly something for everyone. Foodies and artisans alike enjoy the Sweet Life Bakery, which offers delectable works of art, while Nola Beans, the local coffee shop, serves as a meeting place for friends and neighbors. Shoppers looking for gifts from local artists should check out Little Miss Muffin, a boutique that offers complimentary gift wrap, or shop for “man’s best friend” at the Coral Reef Pet Shop just down the street.

Parks and Recreation

With Lake Pontchartrain bordering it to the north, Lakeview is known for being a popular sailing and boating community. The neighborhood has two yacht clubs, the New Orleans Yacht Club and the Southern Yacht Club, and the lake offers beautiful open spaces for hikers, swimmers and fishing enthusiasts. The New Basin Canal, built by Irish immigrants, some of whom gave their lives, has since been filled in and turned into a park complete with a Celtic Cross Memorial to honor them.

The 1300-acre City Park is adjacent to Lakeview and offers playgrounds, beautifully landscaped gardens and a large forest that attracts bird-watchers from across the nation. In fact, it isn't uncommon for a bird watcher to see more than 60 species in one visit. Hikers and bikers can enjoy the miles of trails as well as the park's "mountain," or 45-foot point, the highest in all of New Orleans. The park is working to double the size of the forest and to eliminate the invasive Chinese Tallow tree species that threatened the mature oaks after Katrina; neighborhood volunteer groups are a big key to the latter effort.

Living

More than half of Lakeview's population is employed in executive, management and professional occupations, making it a moderately wealthy, upscale community. Lakeview is known as a very family-oriented neighborhood because of its open spaces, low crime rates and small community feel, and because of the numerous business that cater to families, like The Velvet Cactus restaurant. Many young professionals chose to relocate their families to the area because of lower land prices after Katrina, although now those prices have stabilized and are on the rise. In fact, Lakeview real estate is quickly becoming among the most coveted in the city, and median prices in the area are 93 percent higher than in other neighborhoods in Louisiana.

Residents have their choice when it comes to Lakeview real estate, from upscale mansions to eclectic New Orleans cottages. Also, many recent remodels favor the brightly tiled roofs that are a popular feature in New Orleans, giving the neighborhood a cheery, colorful flavor.

Schools, Health, Transportation

Families have the choice between St. Paul's Episcopal School, St. Dominic School and Edward Hynes Elementary School, all three located along the main Harrison Avenue. Otherwise, there are several charter and public schools within easy access, all of which fall under either the Orleans Parish School Board or the Recovery School District of Louisiana.

Major interstate ramps are easily accessible from almost anywhere within Lakeview, making it easy to commute to other areas of the city for work. Commuters can also take advantage of the Regional Transit Authority's bus and van system. The closest hospital is the LSU Medical Center, and there is also an Ochsner Health Center located on Robert E. Lee Boulevard.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (985) 307-1058 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.