A rural twist on The Big Easy
Stretching over 60 miles alongside the Mississippi River, Jefferson Parish is the second-largest parish in Louisiana and is located west of New Orleans. At the literal center is Estelle, a Census Designated Place of around 16,000 people that's less than 7 miles from the parish's most significant parks and nature preserves. Besides its low cost of living and wide selection of educational options, Estelle is a rural community that's proud of its diversity and Cajun roots. "People are very open to new people coming in and embracing their culture and heritage," says Charlene Hale, director of partnerships and travel media for the convention and visitors bureau. "We truly are a melting pot here."
Diverse housing with a variety of architectural styles
Most neighborhoods clustered around the western end feature traditional-style housing with a mix of Spanish and Acadian-style architecture. The median sale price is $237,000, which is lower than the state median but higher than its northern neighbor Marrero's price of $217,500. "When people settle here, they don't leave," Charlene says. "My whole family literally lives on the same street, and that's very common here."
Birding and boating around Barataria Preserve
Surrounded by over 26,000 acres of wetlands, Estelle is conveniently located next to some of the most popular outdoor attractions in the area. Barataria Preserve has a fishing bank with local wildlife such as tree frogs, water snakes and alligators, while Jean Lafitte National Historical Park has over 200 different species for bird-watching. An 18-hole golf course and dog park are at the 610-acre Parc des Families, and boat launches are centrally located around Crown Point. "There's swamp tours all across the west bank," Charlene says. "You could hop on an airboat and go out into the swamps, and it's just beautiful."
Creole cafes and king cakes
While not as big as New Orleans' foodie scene, Estelle has plenty of local dining options centered around Louisiana's culinary heritage. Restaurant Des Families is a fine seafood restaurant with a gorgeous view of the historic bayou, while Creole Bleu Café is well known for its crispy stuffed Cajun rolls. Fraizer's Connection is a local gem with some of the best po'boys on the west bank, and Joe's Café was recently crowned the NOLA Now King of Cake.
Public and private school options around the parish
As part of the Jefferson Parish Public Schools system, Estelle is zoned for four elementary schools and two high schools within the area. The closest ones are Estelle Elementary, which has a C-plus on Niche and a larger student-teacher ratio of 21-to-1, as well as John Ehret High School, which earned a B and was named among the top 30 most diverse high schools in the state. Estelle also has a private Catholic school in Visitation of Our Lady, and some houses are zoned for the Ray St. Pierre Academy for Advanced Studies in Westwego.
Transportation connections through the Westbank Expressway
The Jefferson Parish Transit provides public transportation from Estelle to the Central Business District 12 miles north through the Westbank Expressway. The last stop is less than a mile away from the University Medical Center, which provides 24-hour urgent care for the area. The Airline Drive route provides connecting rides to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, which is a straight shot 13 miles west down U.S. Highway 61.
Mardi Gras at Metairie
Besides community events centered around local neighborhoods, Estelle residents travel 15 miles north to Metairie to participate in larger parish-wide events. Mardi Gras and the St. Patrick's Day Parade come through the community every March, while July always brings a fireworks show with the Uncle Sam Jam. The Bucktown Family Festival brings a weekend-long festival every fall where attendees enjoy all the seafood they can eat, and Christmas in Lafreniere Park never fails to brighten everyone's holiday.
Weather & Crime
While the parks and preserves surrounding the area are at a high risk for flooding, Estelle itself is at a high enough elevation to avoid extreme water damage. The community also experiences a high heat factor, with summer temperatures sometimes reaching as high as 100 degrees. According to FBI data, violent crime for Jefferson Parish is below state and national levels, although property crimes lean higher toward the state average.
