Learn More About New Orleans, Louisiana
Background on New Orleans
There is so much to say about the “Big Easy” so lets start with the basics. New Orleans is located along the Mississippi River in the Southeastern region of Louisiana. The estimated population here is just under 400,000 which makes New Orleans the most populated portion of Louisiana. New Orleans is a total of approximately 350 square miles. 170 miles of that is land and the remaining 180 miles is water. New Orleans is known globally for many things; in particular its cuisine, music and festivals. The most famous festival here is Mardi Gras. The city of New Orleans has been described by many as one of the “most unique” cities in the entire United States. Back in 2005 devastation struck this area when Hurricane Katrina flooded more than 80 percent of the city which caused a temporary decline of more than 50 percent of the total population here. Since then New Orleans has rebuilt and redeveloped, which in turn has made the population shoot back up. New Orleans as well as the people here are resilient and didn’t let the devastation from Hurricane Katrina get them down. This section of Louisiana remains one of the biggest destination cities in all of the United States. The French Quarter which is also known as “the Quarter” is the oldest section of New Orleans and was the least damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Here you will find a mixture of both French and Creole architecture and the world famous Bourbon Street.
Climate Here in New Orleans
The climate in New Orleans is humid subtropical. You can expect very short, mild winters and very hot and humid summers. During the winter you can expect to see the average temperatures somewhere in the mid 50’s and during the summer months the daily average temperature is around 83 degrees. During the winter months don’t expect to see a lot of snow. Snow has only fallen in New Orleans a few times in its history; but it does tend to get a bit rainy here. The average rainfall is just under 63 inches a year. The summer months are usually the wettest months where as October tends to be the driest.
Education in New Orleans
Here in New Orleans there are more than 50,000 students enrolled in the areas eleven colleges and universities. Tulane University is the main university here and can be found in the Uptown portion of New Orleans. Right next door to Tulane is Loyola University.
Tourism and things to do in New Orleans
It is not a surprise that tourism is one of the biggest boosts to the economy here in New Orleans. The tourism industry is a more than $5.5 billion entity that makes up 40 percent of the city tax revenues. Back in 2004 right before Hurricane Katina more than 10 million people visited the city. As previously mentioned this place is one the of the most visited cites and continues to see large numbers of tourists throughout the year. In recent years a poll was taken and New Orleans ranked as one of the best destinations for a weekend getaway as well as one of the best places to go during spring break. The poll also found that people loved the live concerts, hotels, nightlife, bars, restaurants, cafes, antique shops and music here as well. If you live here in New Orleans you can make frequent stops to Bourbon Street which is another very famous portion of the city, especially for the younger crowds. There are tons of bars and clubs along the 13 blocks that make up Bourbon Street. Here you will find Spirits on Bourbon, Pat O’Brian’s, Johnny White’s and Channing Tatum’s Saints and Sinners. These bars are always the place to be.
Real Estate in New Orleans
The homes found here tend to be older but there are newer homes popping up in certain areas. The main style of house found here is the Victorian, Cottage, Traditional and even some Contemporary. Most homes here are single family. The homes in New Orleans tend to have more charm than homes found in other parts of the country. Even when people renovate their homes here in New Orleans they try to keep as much of the original charm intact as possible. The real estate market here is amazing and the prices vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood.
Summary
New Orleans is an historic city full of charm, culture and plenty to do. There is always a bar to go to on Bourbon Street if you’re looking to get out and have a drink with friends. This city is also well known for its education and Victorian style homes. New Orleans is a must see!
