Directly across the Mississippi River from New Orleans proper, Gretna is a small West Bank city with a historic heart. Founded in 1836, the city grew after a dedicated ferry landing was built on its shores. Since then, Gretna has come to encompass almost 5 square miles, and its 130-acre historic downtown, Old Gretna, is on the National Register of Historic Places. “Gretna’s very historic with a lot of New Orleans architecture, and the city’s done a great job of keeping up commercial standards and historic properties. It’s almost like Mayberry over here,” says Realtor Courtney Kattengell with TCK Property Marketplace.
Gretna is a small West Bank city with a historic heart.
Gretna is a quiet community along the West Bank of the Mississippi River.
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Commutes across the Mississippi to New Orleans
While Gretna initially grew due to its New Orleans ferry connection, the city does not currently offer consistent ferry services. The nearest ferry terminal today is north of Gretna at Algiers Point. Most commuters in this car-dependent city get to New Orleans via the Crescent City Connection, which crosses the Mississippi to the heart of the Big Easy. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is 18 miles away for longer trips.
The Gretna Ferry stop is directly opposite City Hall in Gretna.
Many Gretna residents traverse the Crescent City Connection to the East Bank.
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Gretna's peaceful atmosphere and historic architecture
Gretna's roughly 17,000 residents often prefer its calmer atmosphere to the bustle of New Orleans. “It’s good for people who want to live away from the city,” says Edward Prange, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty New Orleans. “It’s a quiet area.” Gretna also offers lower housing prices. Its median price of $235,000 is lower than the New Orleans median of $330,000 and the national median of $406,100. Shotgun homes, bungalows and cottages with gingerbread-style ornamentation are concentrated downtown, while ranch-style houses and custom builds sit further from the river.
Shotgun homes are found throughout the Gretna area.
Bungalow home styles can be found throughout Gretna.
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Residents and visitors attend the annual Gretna Fest
Gretna Fest draws over 75,000 attendees to the city's historic district each fall. Visitors find food and drink, local crafts and well-known musicians, such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, the B-52s or Earth, Wind and Fire. Downtown has many attractions besides the festival, including the Gretna Cultural Center for the Arts and the German-American Cultural Center and Museum.
Downtown Gretna has many attractions including the Gretna Cultural Center for the Arts.
The German-American Cultural Center tells the stories of the village that became Gretna.
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Restaurants and shops in historic downtown Gretna
Gretna's historic district is not only the cultural epicenter of the city but also its commercial core. Restaurants and shops line Huey P Long Avenue, with popular spots including River Shack, which features a rooftop patio with views overlooking the Mississippi. In the median of Huey P Long Avenue, the Gretna Farmers Market sells fresh produce every Saturday. The Westside South Shopping Center sits off the Westbank Expressway, with a supermarket alongside other department stores.
Local Ponchatoula strawberries are a crowd favorite at the Gretna Farmer’s Market.
The Westside South Shopping Center has many retail options in Gretna.
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Jefferson Parish Schools and private options
The Jefferson Parish Schools system serves Gretna and has a B grade on Niche. Students can apply to the system’s Advanced Study Academies, including the Thomas Jefferson Academy for Advanced Studies, which receives an A-minus. The area offers many private school options, predominantly Catholic parochial schools. St. Cletus Catholic School receives an A-plus and serves kindergarten through seventh grade, while Catholic high schools include Archbishop Shaw and Academy of Our Lady, both rated B-plus. Colleges and universities in New Orleans include Tulane University, the University of New Orleans and Loyola University.
The Thomas Jefferson Academy for Advanced Studies serves the Gretna Community.
St. Cletus Catholic School provides an education rooted in Catholic faith and teachings.
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Mel Ott Park, named after a baseball legend
Baseball hall-of-famer Mel Ott hailed from Gretna, so the city named one of its main parks in honor the iconic player. Fittingly, the park features three baseball fields as well as a playground and an indoor recreation center. Meanwhile, Gretna City Park is larger and includes trails around a pair of ponds and a kayak launch point.
Gretna City Park is the largest park in Gretna.
Mel Ott Park celebrates its namesake patron.
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Crime rates and flood risk
According to FBI data, violent crime rates tend to be below the national figure, while property crime hovers around the national and state rates. While violent crime rates have stayed steady, property crime rates have slightly risen over the past five years.
Gretna’s climate includes hot, humid summers and mild winters. The city’s low elevation and location along the Gulf Coast makes it vulnerable to hurricanes, which can bring damaging winds and floods. While much of the city is protected by levees along the river, significant portions are within FEMA-designated flood zones. Flood insurance may be required.
Written By
Brendan Doyle
Photography Contributed By
Andrew Williams
Video By
Scott Wiggins
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Gretna, LA sell after 68 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Gretna, LA over the last 12 months is $239,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath home is tucked away on a quiet street with no backyard neighbors. Just a peaceful backyard that backs to a canal and a majestic oak tree that provides both shade and a great spot for fishing. Fresh exterior paint and a brand-new water heater (2024) offer added peace of mind.Step into a carpet-free interior that offers easy maintenance and a
Welcome to a home that is serving sweet, sweet southern charm! Tucked back on a quiet street you will find all the curb appeal you could ask for complete with a shady oak tree and the perfect pop of color on the front door. Inside you will marvel in the open dining and living spaces which offer true flexibility for personalizing this home to your needs. Fresh paint and tile floors keeps things
A must see! Beautiful, well maintained & move in ready 4 bedroom, 2 bath home, with an office and attached 2 car garage. The open floor plan is great for entertaining. The large yard with patio adds more space for outdoor entertaining. Relax in the jetted tub in the primary bathroom. All appliances to remain, including the washer & dryer. Easy to maintain tile floors in the common areas and
Move in ready 1bed/1bath efficiency with monthly rate of $925 ($850 rent + $75 trash and water). Three units #A, D, E within a 6-unit-building are available for immediate occupancy. Ceiling fans in all rooms with wall mounted air and heat system in some and window unit in others with remote control. Tenant is responsible for power and gas. Application fee is $28.85 for each applicant. Section 8
LET'S TURN SOME KEYS, BABY..... Your fully furnished townhouse if available for lease on 11/1/2024. Fully furnished, stainless steel appliances, wifi, and furniture.
Here, at Oak Alley Apartments, we offer high quality, affordable living. We are the only community on the West Bank where **ALL UTILITIES ARE INCLUDED** in the rental rate. NO UTILITY DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED. Our community is designed to make every convenience accessible to you. We offer spacious one, two, and three bedroom flats. Our gated community features an onsite courtesy officer, on-site
Developed in 1959, Timberlane became part of the New Orleans neighbor Gretna in 2009. The inviting West Bank community is surrounded by 100-year-old oak trees and has more than 500 homes on 150 acres. Timberlane is a planned community built with its golf course in mind, and new homes are still being built around the links.<br><br>In addition to having a golf course built in the late 1950s, Timberlane offers a city lifestyle in a tranquil setting. The area surrounding the course is a gated community with a homeowner’s association called the Timberlane Estates Improvement Association. It is also part of the Timberlane Neighborhood Improvement and Beautification District. Outside the gated community, larger, renovated homes are becoming more popular, and plenty of lots are available for construction. You’ll mostly find ranchers here, but you may stumble upon Federal-styled houses with side-gabled roofs or a Greek Revival with a full-façade porch.<br><br>Schools aren't too far from the neighborhood with Paul J. Solis Elementary and George Cox Elementary being part of the Jefferson Parish Schools system.<br><br>Given Louisiana’s unpredictable weather, residents head to Oakdale Playground when it’s sunny outdoors. The park has a half-mile walking trail, a tot lot, tennis courts and picnic tables. There are also baseball and football fields, batting cages, fitness classes and rentable meeting rooms. Not too far away is the Bellemeade Walking Trail, a short accessible trail for everyone except pets. If you’re looking for a longer course, head to the Harvard Walking Trail. You can hit a mile if you go around the trail five times. The view is fantastic as it sits next to community-operated gardens.<br><br>If you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Reginelli’s Pizzeria. This local chain was established in 1996 and has grown to half a dozen locations. Then there’s Rizzuto’s Ristorante and Chop House. This upscale spot, established in 2017, began life as a pizza parlor but evolved into a 60-seat white-tablecloth eatery. The restaurant specializes in southern Italian food. Everything from the red sauce to the bread is made in-house.<br><br>For a more casual night out, Vinnie’s Sports Bar and Grill began in the early 1990s and has since become a West Bank landmark. With a wide selection of beer and food, it’s easy to kick back and enjoy the live music here. There are also pool tables, video poker, darts and trivia nights.<br><br>Café Hope is a nonprofit culinary arts and life-skills program for ages 17 to 24. The Red, White and Blue Thrift Store has an evolving inventory of clothing, furniture, décor, kitchenware, small appliances, electronics and more.<br><br>Timberlane Golf and Recreation, established in 1959, became the first private country club on the West Bank. The course was designed by famed architect Robert Trent Jones and was originally only nine holes. It was expanded to the customary 18 and now includes four tee areas — and 17 water hazards. The club also features sand volleyball, tennis and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.<br><br>The club hosts many events. The not-so-haunted hayride is a favorite fall pastime. There’s also the Gretna Green Knickers Golf Tournament and Clubhouse Affair, where everyone is encouraged to dress in decade-appropriate attire for that year’s theme.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Gretna Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
17,844
Median Age
41
Population under 18
22.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$44,280
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$62,557
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
77.8%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
23.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9.4%
% Population in Labor Force
61.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
67''
Average Winter Low Temperature
46°F
Average Summer High Temperature
93°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®®
55/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®®
81/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
