W2R
Moderator Emeritus
Here are my comments about New Orleans, which is on your list:
Summers here are BEASTLY hot and humid, although you do get used to them after a few years. Crime is a problem. Hurricanes, well, there is no guarantee. In general, based on my understanding of what you are saying I would cross New Orleans off your list. But use your own judgment.
Requirements:
1. Within a 10-40 minute drive to a city with sports teams, restaurants, performing arts, and concerts YES
2. Weather not extreme in the winter YES (very light snow occasionally every few years)
3. Trees and forests near Well, bayous and forests. This shot was taken in eastern New Orleans, in Bayou Sauvage and what it shows is typical:
Ideal:
1. Fairly conservative New Orleans is sometimes described as a liberal city in a conservative state. Some parts of New Orleans are very conservative, but no, I wouldn't call it a conservative city in general.
2. Within 40 minute drive to an ocean or large body of water YES
3. Cute, quaint towns are nice YES, very much the case!
4. House has .5 acres or bigger lot Such a lot could be found, but most lots here on the South Shore of Lake Ponchartrain are tiny by your standards. You'd have to get a good realtor and look for a lot this big; maybe you would have better luck in the far out suburbs such as those on the North Shore. But then, you are farther from the city advantages such as sports, entertainment, and so on. Maybe within the 40 minute window if you were in Mandeville or Covington, and if you aren't timing the drive during rush hour. But also, weather on the North Shore is worse than in New Orleans during the winter, and colder the further north you go. St. Bernard Parish is to the South and meets your requirements better, but it was badly flooded by Hurricane Katrina and I would not personally buy the whole parish for $1 if I had to keep it. YMMV and it does have many happy residents even though many left.
5. Near wineries or where wine grapes can be grown I have NO idea.
Summers here are BEASTLY hot and humid, although you do get used to them after a few years. Crime is a problem. Hurricanes, well, there is no guarantee. In general, based on my understanding of what you are saying I would cross New Orleans off your list. But use your own judgment.
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