Historic Old Metairie offers quiet living just outside New Orleans
The historic Old Metairie neighborhood is filled with vibrant parks and excellent schools, as well as magnificent homes and condos. It hasn’t always been so glamorous here, however. When European settlers began using Metairie Ridge, a natural levee that provided high ground for homes in the 1700s, the area was largely marsh all the way to Lake Pontchartrain. In fact, the neighborhood had less than 100 buildings at the turn of the 20th century. It was from the 1920s to the '50s that most development took place, and it was marketed as an exclusive residential area in the '50s and '60s. More accessible now, the community is a tight-knit one where neighbors still know each other and might just bring you a bowl of gumbo on a chilly day. “I’ve lived in old Metairie most of my life, and it just feels like home. It’s a great community for getting to know people, and there’s a lot of walkability in the neighborhood. Actually, it’s very convenient to get anywhere in the city,” says Peggy Bruce, a Realtor with McCarthy Group Realtors. “There's a lot of development in the area that’s offering more retail and restaurant choices, too. The Old Metairie Civic Club puts on farmers markets once a month, and there’s a movie night for kids. It’s a great way for the community to come together.” The oak-lined streets, stately homes and colorful crepe myrtle trees of Old Metairie welcome residents to a historic neighborhood steeped in Southern charm.
Vintage cottages and newer condos surround a retail corridor
Living in Old Metairie, you’ll inevitably travel down Metairie Road. It’s the oldest road in the New Orleans area and boutiques and bistros line the thoroughfare. Surrounding those businesses are picturesque houses of varying sizes which may date back to the turn-of-the-20th century. The homes of Old Metairie range from small bungalows to wooden cottages to mid-century modern homes and large custom-built houses. They’re made of brick, wood, or a combination of the two. Many homes have a driveway, but street parking is always an option too. In addition to separate houses, Old Metairie also has attached townhomes, condominiums and small apartment buildings. Prices range from $165,000 for a one-bedroom and two-bath condo to $3.25 million for a newly constructed mansion with five bedrooms and seven baths.
A well-established playground now features a dog park section
Adjacent to the city of New Orleans, Old Metairie is in Jefferson Parish and offers easy accessibility to the city and the Northshore. A very walkable area, you can often leave your house and meet friends for dinner just steps from home. There are also plenty of green spaces to visit in the area. Playgrounds are popular here and can be found in the heart of the neighborhood as well as along its borders. One of the most popular parks is Wally Pontiff Jr. Playground, which happens to be the oldest public playground in Jefferson Parish. The complex began construction in 1945 and was dedicated in 1952. It contains six baseball diamonds, two football fields, two tennis courts, a track and a gymnasium. There’s also a meeting center, picnic shelters, a bird sanctuary and, of course, playground equipment. In 2017, a dog park opened here on 25,000 square feet of underused ground. Dogs can play off-leash inside the fenced area where there are benches and water fountains for humans and canines.
Old Metairie includes both century-old and recently established retail
Created in 2009 by a single mother with just $2,000, Fleurty Girl has grown into one of New Orleans’ most popular shops. It sells everything from custom shirts to candles to specialty gifts. Another popular spot is Langensteins Grocery. Founded more than 100 years ago, this is the oldest family-owned grocery store in the region, and customers can’t get enough of the Louisiana delicacies on sale. Should you find yourself hungry in Old Metairie, there are more than a few restaurants worth checking out. Rock n Sake is a sushi restaurant brought to Old Metairie in 2016, and it serves up some of the finest Japanese cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails in the area. If you’re in the mood for something sweeter, Shipley Do-nuts can quickly satisfy your craving. Making doughnuts the same way their founder did since 1936, the business serves breakfast favorites from its home on Metairie Road.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Old Metairie, Metairie sell after 79 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Old Metairie, Metairie over the last 12 months is $685,000, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Exquisite Rare Old Metairie Residence! Seller offering a 3/2 Rate Buydown with accepted offer. Welcome to this exceptional 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom home nestled in the highly sought-after neighborhood of Old Metairie. Spanning approximately 4,650 square feet, this beautifully maintained residence blends timeless charm with modern updates for comfortable, upscale living.Step inside to
Back on market after a whole-home hardwood refresh—every floor was professionally refinished in September 2025, and it shows! Offering roughly 1,600 square feet (among the largest of these townhomes), this 3-bed, 3-bath townhome checks the boxes: a coveted full bath on the main living level, no HOA dues, and an attached garage plus driveway parking.Major systems are up to date: roof in
Newly Remodeled Old Metairie Gem – 2 Bed, 2 Bath + Detached Garage! Just a few minutes from the city.Discover charm and modern comfort in this beautifully remodeled 2-bedroom, 2-bath home nestled in one of Old Metairie’s most desirable neighborhoods. With 1,459 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, this move-in-ready property offers a perfect blend of classic curb appeal and
Charming and well-maintained Pre-Certified Home in a fantastic Metairie location! Enjoy the convenience of nearby restaurants, shopping, and quick access to the CBD while still being in the heart of Metairie. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or ready to downsize, this home is a wonderful opportunity to own instead of rent. Recent updates include newer windows and a roof only 3 years young. Relax
Welcome to 600 Canal Street, a high-potential property located on a generous 6,344 sq. ft. corner lot in the heart of Old Metairie. Nestled in an X flood zone, this home offers a solid structure, a newer roof (2021), and a flexible layout that just needs some TLC to shine. Whether you're looking to renovate and resell, rent out, or make it your own, the possibilities are
Gatehouse Apartments offers modern luxury & convenience in the heart of the Metairie CBD. Nestled under beautiful lush tree canopies - Our controlled access gated community is staffed by courtesy patrol personnel, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our upgraded units offer granite counter tops, full-size washer and dryer, wood plank flooring and a fully furnished kitchen. After work, enjoy one of
Beautiful single-family home in sought after Old Metairie location, steps to the best Metairie Road has to offer. Comfortable layout, beautifully renovated kitchen, and spacious primary suite. Large yard for entertaining, driveway for multiple cars, and garage for added storage. Washer/dryer included. No pets, please.
Location Location first floor unit with private patio updated very safe this old Metairie property with lots of light park your car walk to shops top restaurants ,pharmacy ,groceries everything in walking distance, water included washer and dryer on site only 8 units
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
