Torn between the charm of Uptown and the space of Old Metairie? You are not alone. Choosing where to live shapes your daily rhythm, from how you run errands to how you commute and what kind of home feels right. In this guide, you will compare lifestyle, housing, schools, commutes, and practical ownership details so you can make a confident choice. Let’s dive in.
The core tradeoff
Uptown: walkable, historic, close to universities and Magazine Street energy. You often trade lot size for character and proximity. Streetcar access and a dense, tree‑lined fabric define the experience.
Old Metairie: suburban, larger lots and garages, and a quieter, car‑oriented pace. You typically get more interior square footage and yard space at similar price points, depending on the block.
Both areas are part of the New Orleans metro, but they sit in different parishes. Uptown is in Orleans Parish, and Old Metairie is in Jefferson Parish. That difference affects schools, taxes, permitting, and some services.
Housing and architecture
Uptown Triangle and nearby
In Uptown, you see Creole cottages, shotgun homes, double‑gallery houses, Victorian and Greek Revival townhomes, plus small apartment buildings and infill condos. Lots tend to be smaller, and many homes are multi‑story. Historic districts are common, especially near St. Charles Avenue and Magazine Street, which often drives demand and pricing.
Older homes can come with renovations and maintenance needs. Roofs, foundations, and plumbing or electrical systems may have been updated, but condition varies from home to home. In return, you get porch culture, oak‑shaded streets, and walkable pockets near cafes and parks.
Old Metairie homes
In Old Metairie, housing leans suburban. You will find mid‑century ranches and raised ranches, bungalows, brick homes, split‑levels, newer rebuilds, and select gated enclaves. Many streets feature driveways and garages, and lots are often larger than in Uptown.
If your priority is a single‑story layout, a garage, or a private yard, Old Metairie often fits. If your priority is character architecture and a lively streetscape within a short walk, Uptown often fits. Price drivers in both areas include lot size and parking, proximity to major corridors, historic features, renovation level, and flood elevation.
Daily life and amenities
Walkability and daily errands
Uptown has many highly walkable pockets. The Magazine Street corridor and parts of the St. Charles Avenue and Carrollton areas let you walk to coffee, groceries, and dining. To check a specific block, use the address tools on WalkScore. The St. Charles Streetcar and RTA buses serve Uptown corridors and connect you to the CBD and Tulane or Loyola, which you can preview on the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority.
Old Metairie is more car‑dependent. Daily errands typically involve short drives to Veterans Boulevard, Clearview, or the Lakeside area. There are walkable nodes and neighborhood‑serving retail, but the overall pattern favors driving and easy parking.
Dining, shopping, and greenspace
Uptown offers a dense mix of restaurants, independent shops, coffee spots, and music venues. You are close to Audubon Park and the levee path for jogging or biking, and weekend routines can center on Magazine Street.
Old Metairie’s dining is oriented to neighborhood favorites and family restaurants. Retail runs larger, with access to shopping centers and national chains. Parks are plentiful, and Lafreniere Park in Metairie offers broad lawns and family activities. Jefferson Parish maintains extensive services and park information on the Jefferson Parish site.
Schools and family logistics
School systems differ by parish. Uptown falls under Orleans Parish, where public schools are primarily charter‑based with centralized enrollment processes. Old Metairie is in Jefferson Parish, which uses a more traditional neighborhood school zoning model. Private and independent schools operate in both areas with their own admission policies.
To compare options, use state data such as school performance scores and report cards available through the Louisiana Department of Education. For public schools, review enrollment dates, application steps, and attendance zones. For private schools, check current admissions criteria and capacity directly with each institution.
Commute and transit
Getting to the CBD and universities
From Uptown, many commuters take the streetcar or RTA bus to reach the CBD and university areas. Driving routes include St. Charles, Magazine, and Claiborne. Travel times can vary with parade seasons and peak traffic, so test your route at the hours you plan to commute.
From Old Metairie, most people drive. Common routes include I‑10, Veterans Boulevard, and Causeway Boulevard. Morning bottlenecks can occur near interchanges, so try your specific route during rush hour.
Airport access
Old Metairie is generally closer by distance to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Depending on time of day, that can shave minutes off your trips. Uptown access can be straightforward in off‑peak times, but traffic patterns near the interstate connections can add variability.
Practical ownership details
Flood risk and insurance
Flood risk varies block by block throughout the metro. Elevation and FEMA flood designations drive insurance requirements and premiums. Before you make an offer, pull the parcel’s flood zone at the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. For older homes, consider obtaining elevation certificates and insurance quotes early in your due diligence.
Property taxes and utilities
Parish differences affect assessments, millage, exemptions, and utility providers. Uptown owners work with the Orleans Parish Assessor and the Sewage & Water Board of New Orleans for utilities. Old Metairie owners work with the Jefferson Parish Assessor and Jefferson Parish utilities. Comparing real parcels is the best way to understand annual carrying costs.
Renovation and permitting
Many Uptown blocks fall within historic districts. Exterior changes, including window replacements or additions, may require review by municipal preservation bodies. You can preview guidance on the City of New Orleans historic preservation pages. Old Metairie typically has fewer historic restrictions, though some subdivisions have private covenants or HOA rules, so always check before planning exterior work.
Crime and community information
Crime patterns are hyper‑local. Review incident data and recent trends using official sources like NOPD crime statistics for Orleans Parish. For Jefferson Parish, consult parish and law enforcement resources and neighborhood association updates. Walking the block at different times of day can help you understand street activity and lighting.
Who each area tends to fit
- Uptown fits walkers and transit‑oriented buyers who value historic character, front porches, and easy access to Magazine Street, the streetcar, and Audubon Park.
- Old Metairie fits buyers who prioritize a larger yard, garages, and a quieter, car‑friendly lifestyle with quick access to shopping centers and suburban parks.
- Both areas work for a range of buyers. There are Uptown pockets with generous lots and modernized interiors, and Old Metairie streets with smaller homes near retail nodes. Evaluate by block rather than broad labels.
How to choose: a quick checklist
- Walk your routine. Morning coffee, grocery run, evening stroll. Use WalkScore for a quick address snapshot, then test it in person.
- Test your commute. If Uptown is on your list, ride the St. Charles Streetcar or check routes on the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority. If Old Metairie is in play, drive I‑10 or Veterans at rush hour.
- Verify school options. Review state report cards on the Louisiana Department of Education, then confirm enrollment steps and timelines.
- Check flood risk early. Pull FEMA maps at the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, then discuss elevation certificates and quotes with your insurance contacts.
- Compare taxes and utilities. Review likely carrying costs with the Orleans Parish Assessor and Jefferson Parish Assessor.
- Confirm renovation rules. For Uptown properties in historic districts, read guidance on the City of New Orleans site. For Old Metairie, ask for any HOA covenants.
The bottom line
If you want porch culture, streetcar access, and the Magazine Street lifestyle, Uptown often checks those boxes. If you want more space, a garage, and a slower suburban pace with convenient shopping, Old Metairie often fits. The best answer is personal, and it usually becomes clear once you test day‑to‑day rhythms on the exact blocks you are considering.
When you are ready to compare properties, walk routes, and weigh ownership details, reach out to a local advisor who works both sides of the Uptown and Old Metairie corridor. Ashley Nesser can help you tour, evaluate tradeoffs, and move forward with confidence.
FAQs
What are the main lifestyle differences between Uptown and Old Metairie?
- Uptown is denser and more walkable with historic architecture and streetcar access, while Old Metairie is more suburban with larger lots, garages, and car‑oriented convenience.
How do public schools differ between Orleans and Jefferson Parishes?
- Orleans Parish uses a charter‑heavy model with centralized enrollment, while Jefferson Parish follows a more traditional neighborhood zoning model; use the Louisiana Department of Education for performance data and enrollment details.
How should I check commute times to the CBD or Tulane?
- Test routes at rush hour; Uptown supports the streetcar and RTA buses listed on the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, while Old Metairie commuters typically use I‑10, Veterans, or Causeway by car.
What is the best way to evaluate flood risk for a specific home?
- Look up the property’s flood zone on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, then discuss elevation certificates and insurance quotes during due diligence.
Do renovation rules differ between Uptown and Old Metairie?
- Many Uptown blocks in historic districts require exterior review, which you can preview on the City of New Orleans site; Old Metairie usually has fewer historic restrictions, but some subdivisions have HOA covenants.
Where can I compare property taxes between the two areas?
- Check parcel data with the Orleans Parish Assessor for Uptown and the Jefferson Parish Assessor for Old Metairie, then compare millage and exemptions for each property.
