Photo by Hanna Smith.
Wednesday under a bright sky I biked along the levee. I was home.
New Orleans is my favorite city in this country. The plan is to live here for six months. If you didn’t expect me to stay in one place so long, I understand. But the point of my adventure is not to log as many miles as quickly as I can. I prefer lengthy pauses and fascinating sidequests. This is how I travel.
Finding an apartment here is tiring. Cost of living has skyrocketed in the last couple years. Initially I searched in the French Quarter and its sexy neighbor, the Marigny. I figured I may as well start off my search looking in my very favorite spots before broadening it more. Predictably, this neighborhood snobbery resulted in two types of choice: too pricey or too shitey.
Priorities
I had to review my priorities. An absolute top priority for me is to have a place I can host guests. I’ve invited just about everyone I know to visit me in New Orleans—you’re all invited too—and I want that to be fun for them and easy for me.
Initially that was all the more incentive to find a place in the Quarter. Put guests right in the heart of the action. But a comfortable, spacious place a short ride away is better than a crowded attic with live opossums.
(We’re going to say they’re opossums.)
Plus, it’s more fun to have spare cash for hitting the hot spots than it is to live next to them completely broke.
So I’m opening my search to the lower Garden District, which is to say the pretty but inexplicably cheaper part of town that is only a 10 minute bike ride from anything.
There I hope to find a larger, more attractive apartment for a good price, making both my dreams and those of my house guests come true.
Of course, what I’d really love is none of the above. I’d adore some kind of funky, unusual space that would likely be illegal—a warehouse or old church, or the gutted upstairs of an apartment building that I have to finish myself. Something bohemian and disconcerting, that says Rogue Chapel the second you walk in the door.
I’m actively pursuing that by talking to landlords of such places; they’re reluctant to discuss with a stranger, but we’ll see. It’s potentially lucrative for them, and potentially titillating for me.
Now—and this is important—if you know anyone in New Orleans, please speak up and tell me. It could be someone 50 years old or someone only 20. I love making friends, and I want to meet your friends. I want to learn their vices and their hopes and tell them stories and hear their own. Can you introduce us? There’s the comments down below and here’s my email; who do you know in New Orleans?
Well, while the Garden District sounds lovely, I’m sure there are more stories to be found in the “bohemian and disconcerting” places.
I suspect you are right…. any tips on how to secure such a place?
You can stop in at “Hex” a witch shop in New Orleans owned by Christian Day who also owns the Hex shop in Salem, Ma. He’s up North now till after Samhain. But the staff may have some ideas of places to rent or people to ask. It’s just a shot in the dark but it’s an idea. It’s the only place I know of in New Orleans because the owner is a Facebook friend of the Pagan Bookclub.
Thanks Niniann! I may know someone who works there – I’ll have to ask and see if she still does.
Would you be willing to introduce me to Christian via email?
I think you’re making the right decision– NOLA is magnificent. :D Six months to search out its secrets will be great fun, I’m sure. I know a couple of people who used to live there; the info may be outdated, but I’ll ask. Best of luck!
Thank you Arden! Can you introduce us by email?
Tony’s uncle and his husband live down there. Catch me on chat and I’ll find his phone number for you!
Will do Kira!
Lou and Mish run a Voudou temple there but I have never been so I cannot supply an address. However, I could send your name and email address to them via Facebook if you care to give me your email address.
Have enjoyed your posts! Beckie
I’m a regular at La Source Ancienne / Archade Meadow peristyle, but I’d love to see their temple as well! My email is drew@roguepriest.net. I’d love for you to introduce us.
Have sent him your email. His name: Louis Martinie. Edits Black Moon Publishing. Runs a Pagan Bed and Breakfast and Voudoo Spirit Temple. Good luck. I think the two of you will like one another. Blessings traveler. Beckie
Thank you so much Beckie! Sounds like my kind of guy. I’ll hope to hear from him.
I sold my house in Uptown New orleans to Cindy—a friend at 2231 Gen Pershing st—She rents rooms I think.
You might try contacting another friend: Krekel Eckland who owns three houses just off the French Quarter. Sorry I don’t have their current number.
Use my name.
Hi Randy, could you introduce us via email? I’m mostly looking to make friends locally.
Drew, I live in NOLA. Welcome back! I can’t help with a specific apartment, but can clue you in on some neighborhoods that may suit you. The Garden District can be pricey, but Mid-City (centered around the intersection of Carrollton and Canal St.) is convenient to everywhere (and on the streetcar line), has lots of cool places nearby, and pretty reasonable rents. It’s a very mixed and eclectic area, encompassing all races, ages, and economic levels. If you want funky, the Marigny Rectangle (on the other side of Elysian Fields from the FQ, below St. Claude) is the place to be. It’s very bike-friendly, close to the FQ, has tons of cool bars and restaurants, etc. And the price is better than the Marigny Triangle. Good luck!
I’ve actually had a very hard time finding anything in the Marigny rectangle. Even the Bywater seems to be getting pricy. I’ll check out Mid-city though, especially the Bayou.
Thanks for the suggestions Jenni. We should get together for coffee sometime once I’m settled in!
That would be nice! You can write me at nola_chick@hotmail.com.
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