2. PICK A NEIGHBORHOOD

Getting around

We would be remiss to not mention the transportation situation of New Orleans. The public transportation system is pretty good; there's a streetcar that runs the 10-mile stretch from uptown to downtown (you may have seen it on this season's Real World). Many residents also rely on bikes as their prime source of transportation; nobody's going to look at you funny if you pull up to work on your 10-year-old three-speed. In fact, they may like you more for it.

If you do have a car, be prepared to pay. Insurance rates are higher in New Orleans than in most American metropolises. Example: insurance that may cost $100 a month in freeway-filled Los Angeles will cost $200 in New Orleans. And on top of the insurance rates, the roads of New Orleans - to put it bluntly - suck. Given the proximity to the Mississippi River and the fact that all of New Orleans is about 12 feet below sea level, most of the streets are crumbled and bumpy, which makes for rough driving.

New Orleans' neighborhoods

New Orleans has an uncanny talent for having variety. In other words, the "good" and "bad" parts of the city are, for the most part, intermingled. Newcomers should be aware that their chosen abode may be the backyard of the worst housing project in the city.

That being said, some places are better bets than others. The best way to find your dream neighborhood is to simply explore. When you see a place you like, check out what lies within its 10-block radius. Also be aware that most of the city's crime occurs in the projects. As your parents might have told you when you mentioned moving to New Orleans, the city has one of the highest murder rates in the country, but 99% of it occurs in the projects.

Below, we discuss the 6 major areas that define most of the New Orleans area, and we also give them safety ratings.

  • The French Quarter: The French Quarter is one of the safest places to live in the city (well, besides the suburbs), and it offers a true New Orleans' experience. Living in the Vieux Carre is like living on a real-live movie set, filled with balconies, street musicians and a constant whirl of people and music. Words of wisdom: if you're looking for any kind of quiet, don't live here. Expect to pay about $600 a month. Safety factor: 8 out of 10.

  • The Warehouse District: If you're used to New York-styled loft apartments and sushi bars, go to the warehouse district: the area is just about as un-New Orleans as it gets. Made up of a series of empty warehouses-turned-expensive apartment complexes, it is also home to New Orleans' budding art scene. The perks: most Warehouse District apartments come with individual washing machines and dryers, security, and rooftop pools. Expect to pay about $650 a month. Safety factor: 9 out of 10.

  • Uptown: Uptown began as a series of wedge-shaped plantations during the late 19th century. The area embraces several neighborhoods, all connected by St. Charles Avenue, which runs its course to the French Quarter. Uptown also houses many colleges and universities (including Tulane and Loyola). So as you probably already guessed, the area is full of young people - about 95% of Tulane students live uptown - and finding cheap places to live is easy. Expect to pay about $350 a month. Safety factor: 7 out of 10.

  • The Marigny: Many residents live in the Marigny as a way to be close enough to the French Quarter to make it their social destination without having to suffer the Quarter's traffic and parking hassles. Lying on the edges of the French Quarter, expect to pay about $400 a month. Safety factor: 6 out of 10.

  • The Bywater: Less expensive than the Marigny and the French Quarter, the Bywater is a charming and close-knit community that is reminiscent of its historic roots. The area remains a quiet example of New Orleans' past and is filled with late Victorian homes and Creole cottages. Expect to pay about $300 a month. Yes it's cheap, but it's also the least safe. Safety factor: 5 out of 10.

  • The suburbs: We're guessing that if you're moving to New Orleans, you probably won't want to live in the suburbs. But since we like to cover our bases, we recommend that you look at Metairie, Kenner, Gentilly and Mandeville, all of which offer a safe, strip mall-ish way to experience the South. Expect to pay about $350 a month. Safety factor: 9 out of 10.