Algiers is the only part of the city of New Orleans located on the West Bank of the Mississippi River and feels more like a small town than part of a metropolitan area. A large number of people (like me!) who grew up in Algiers have stayed to raise their own families here, making it a very friendly community to live in. We actually live next door to family, which is not so uncommon here.
Algiers Point is the historic portion of upper Algiers, settled in the early 1700's and placed on the National Register of Historic places in 1978. Insider tip: The Old Algiers Courthouse is located steps from the ferry and allows residents the opportunity to take care of city business such as filing homestead exemptions and paying traffic tickets without going to City Hall.
Travel to Algiers, LA
Due to the curve of the Mississippi River, the West Bank is actually located south of the city proper. For years, the River stood as a great barrier between the East and West Banks...folks from the East Bank always thought it was "too far". The truth is that downtown New Orleans is only 3 miles from the West Bank side of the Crescent City Connection bridge and many of the old traffic problems were solved with the completed construction of a second bridge in 1988. The westbound side of the CCC (which actually leads to the East Bank) requires a toll of $1 per car or 40 cents with an electronic toll tag. Insider tip: Besides saving you money, the toll tag lanes move much faster than the regular traffic lanes.
Ferry transportation from Algiers Point to world famous Canal Street and the French Quarter is available 7 days a week from 6 am - 12:15 am. Ferry service between lower Algiers and Chalmette, LA is also available. Insider tip: During the ferry working hours of 6 am - 8:45 pm, it is much faster to travel to Chalmette by ferry than to drive the more than 30 miles around the city to get from Algiers to St. Bernard Parish.
Algiers, LA Schools
Post Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Public School system gave control of most area schools to a charter system. Algiers Charter schools do not have geographic neighborhood boundaries, so any student residing in Orleans Parish is eligible to attend these public schools based on available space in the individual school.
Private or parochial school options in Algiers include St. Andrew the Apostle School (K-8) and All Saints School (K-8).
Algiers is also home to the West Bank campus of Delgado Community College and to Our Lady of Holy Cross College, a Catholic instituion for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Recreation in Algiers, LA
There are a large number of public parks and playgrounds throughout Algiers and Algiers Point. New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) run facilities such as Norman Playground, Bodenger Playground and Cutoff Playground offer organized sports at a minimum cost for boys and girls in both the spring and the fall. Additionally, Plantation Athletic Club (PAC) offers baseball, Tball, softball and soccer leagues for boys and girls, with enrollments fees discounted for military personnel. Insider tip: NORD is always on the look out for volunteer coaches...what a great way to meet new people in your new neighborhood!
Algiers is also home to Brechtel Park, Brechtel Park Golf Course (public) and English Turn, a Jack Nicklaus designed private course located in the English Turn subdivision.
Algiers, LA Shopping
Algiers is not a shopping mecca, but it is home to a number of boutiques, locally owned businesses and national retail stores such as WalMart, Walgreens, RiteAid, Payless Shoe Source and Blockbuster. The Village Aurora shopping center features a PJ's Coffee Shop, men's clothing, gift shop, hair and nail salons and more. A short 10 minute drive into Gretna will bring you to the Oakwood Center, a newly remodeled shopping mall serving the West Bank. Insider tip: Rouse's Supermarket in Algiers is Louisiana owned and operated.
Dining Out in Algiers, LA
Throughout southeastern Louisiana, we take our food seriously. Algiers is no different. In addition to the multitude of fast food outlets on General de Gaulle Drive, there are several locally owned restaurants in the area serving everything from seafood to BBQ.
Algiers, LA Real Estate
Algiers Point features some beautiful turn of the century homes along with the historic housing that survived a massive fire in 1895. A walkable neighborhood, the Point has both single family homes and doubles that can provide both a home and rental income. Many of the doubles have been converted over the years to stunning singles with plenty of living space. Because the Point is in a historic district, there are strict guidelines for exterior renovations, designed to preserve the integrity of the unique architectural features of the area. Insider tip: The highest demand area of Algiers Point is between the river and Opelousas Avenue.
Lower Algiers experienced a building boom in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with the construction of several subdivisions such as Tall Timbers, Park Timbers, Walnut Bend and more. These resale homes range from the completely updated to those providing opportunities to put your own original stamp on them. Insider tip: Lot sizes in Old Aurora are larger than average and some neglected properties are being bulldozed and replaced with new homes on these spacious lots.
New construction in Algiers is limited by the amount of available land, but there are new and recently built homes available for sale in Algiers Point, Real Timbers, Aurora Riverside (gated), Algiers Riverpoint (gated), The Villas of Aurora (gated) and English Turn (gated and security controlled). Additionally, lots are still available for custom home construction in the gated subdivisions and along the lower coast of Algiers.
Real estate on the West Bank of New Orleans has historically been a better value than on the East Bank, and Algiers offers a wide variety of homes for sale. In today's market, there are wonderful choices for buyers in every price range.
If you are considering relocating to Algiers, LA, please contact Lisa Heindel, REALTOR®. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have in deciding if Algiers is the right place for your next home.
Copyright 2007. Lisa Heindel. All rights reserved.
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