Metairie, Louisiana

Every neighborhood in Metairie has a personality of its own. Residents born and raised in one part of town express extreme allegiance to that geographic spot. Homebuyers, renters and real estate investors who have pledged their allegiance to the suburban benefits of Metairie share hundreds of reasons why this sprawling city is one of the best in the state.

Metairie's real estate market is diverse and dynamic, featuring a wide range of housing options. From charming mid-century homes and modern condos to luxurious waterfront properties, there is something to suit every taste and budget. The median home price is approximately $275,000, making it an accessible option for many homebuyers. Neighborhoods like Pontchartrain Gardens, Bonnabel Place, and Bissonet Plaza are particularly sought after for their attractive homes and community-oriented atmosphere. Additionally, Metairie has a robust rental market, with numerous apartment complexes and rental homes catering to individuals and families seeking flexibility. Browse the latest real estate listings in Metairie, LA.

This History of Metairie

'Metairie' is the French term for a small tenant farmer that paid the landlord with a share of the produce, also known as sharecropping. Many of the area’s earliest settlers were sharecroppers. The history of Metairie is interesting and colorful.

It was first settled by the French in the late 18^th century along an area known as Metairie Ridge—a natural levee formed by a bayou. This became Metairie Road where an electric streetcar was installed running along Metairie Road in the late 1910s, opening the area to greater development. In the 1920s houses were built off the road and this area is now known as "Old Metairie," which is actually the most prestigious area of Metairie today. Most of the rest of Metairie was not developed until after World War II.

Metairie was established as a suburb of New Orleans as early as 1927. Once gas service and other utilities were extended beyond the Orleans Parish line into unincorporated Jefferson, development was immediate. Large tracts of land were purchased by savvy developers, followed by the eventual sale of individual plots of land that were sold to adventurous new homeowners. Following World War II, the country’s interest in suburban areas was mirrored in the fast development of the Metairie area.

Today, homebuyers will find a large range of properties—from the mansions surrounding Northline Boulevard and Metairie Country Club in Old Metairie to the traditional, ranch-style homes that stretch out in subdivisions along busy Veterans Boulevard, West Esplanade Avenue and the south-north thoroughfares of Bonnabel and Causeway Boulevards, Clearview Parkway and Transcontinental Boulevard. Price ranges also run the gamut, from the shady roads of Old Metairie to the balmy shores of Lake Pontchartrain to the north. Metairie is the most populated, unincorporated area in Louisiana, and in addition to being one of the most popular of residential neighborhoods, it is also one of the most prolific commercial corridors in the state.

Schools & Education

Metairie is served by the Jefferson Parish Public School System, which includes several highly rated schools. Notable public schools in the area include Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies, Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies, and Grace King High School. The area also boasts a variety of private schools, such as Archbishop Rummel High School, St. Catherine of Siena School, and Ecole Classique. These institutions offer excellent educational opportunities, with a focus on academic excellence, extracurricular activities, and community involvement. For higher education, Metairie is conveniently located near several universities, including Tulane University and Loyola University in nearby New Orleans. Find homes in Metairie near the school of your choice.

Location & Accessibility

Metairie is located from the 17^th Street Canal at the Jefferson Parish/Orleans Parish line, west to the city of Kenner (along Roosevelt Boulevard), and from Airline Drive at the south, north to the shores of Lake Pontchartrain.

Residents are able to enjoy easy access by car or by public transportation to the many aspects of suburban living that have helped make the area so popular. Metairie is also within minutes of Downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter via the I-10. A trip west to the thriving River Parishes community is also a short drive. The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is accessible from the north end of the parish, providing a quick gateway to north shore communities and a choice of popular state parks.

Employment Opportunities

Metairie has a diverse employment landscape, with strong sectors in healthcare, retail, hospitality, and professional services. Major employers in the area include Ochsner Health System, East Jefferson General Hospital, and various retail centers like Lakeside Shopping Center. The hospitality industry also plays a significant role, with numerous hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues providing jobs for residents. Additionally, Metairie's proximity to New Orleans allows for easy commuting to the city's vast array of employment opportunities in fields such as finance, education, and technology.

Things to Do in Metairie

Homebuyers looking for properties in Metairie are also looking for the kinds of amenities that have welcomed residents for nearly 90 years—top-notch private, parochial and public schools, a thriving public library system with convenient branches, hundreds of restaurants of every description, and Lafreniere Park, with its walking paths and entertainment event pavilions.

Lakeside Shopping Center—originally developed in the 1950s—has evolved into one of the most successful and sought-after shopping meccas in the Gulf South, anchored by Dillard’s, Macy’s and JCPenney and dotted with some of the region’s most popular stores, including the only Apple store in the metro area, Adler’s and Lee Michaels jewelers, a branch of the historic Café du Monde New Orleans coffee and beignet shop, Restoration Hardware, Banana Republic, Gap, Eddie Bauer and many others.

The Veterans Memorial Park on Veterans and Causeway Boulevards is also the site of the annual three-day Metairie Carnival Celebration of concerts and Mardi Gras, known as Family Gras for its welcoming event for all ages. Homeowners and renters in search of Metairie properties will also find themselves close to Whole Foods Market and a number of locally owned supermarkets and thriving clothing boutiques. Loyal Metairie residents say they enjoy the advantages of living in an urban oasis that is also close to the hubbub and excitement of New Orleans proper. Get more community information about Metairie.

Metairie, LA Real Estate Services

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