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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jeff Puckett,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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