$454,768Average Value$291Average Price per Sq Ft25Homes For Sale
An eclectic downriver sliver of growing business
Downriver from the French Quarter, Bywater sits quietly on the crescent's edge. Once known for its artists and musicians, the riverfront neighborhood has developed considerably in recent decades. Housing stock hasn't changed much, but people and amenities have. New restaurants, bars and — this being New Orleans — music spots sit alongside beautiful old bungalows and shotguns. "If I had to describe Bywater in one word, it's 'eclectic,'" says Realtor Brittany Huenecke of Keller Williams Realty New Orleans. "It's very funky and colorful, and there's a huge art community."
Bywater is just down river from the French Quarter and downtown New Orleans.
Historical murals can be found throughout the Bywater.
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Old homes with new splashes of color
With roots in the 1700s, Bywater's long journey earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Built on deep, narrow lots, the neighborhood's countless Creole cottages, shotguns and Craftsman-style bungalows are often bigger than they look from the curb. Some homes date to the 1700s and 1800s, brightly painted and festively decorated all year long. While Bywater is a relatively expensive market for New Orleans, investments in need of light repairs can still be found for less than $200,000. But if looking to move in immediately, a buyer can expect to pay anywhere from $500,000 to over $1 million.
Double shotgun homes can be found throughout the Bywater.
Large homes can be found when moving to the Bywater.
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Culinary meetups on every corner
"Bywater has a lot of really cool businesses within walking distance," Huenecke says. Truly a stronghold of trendy activities, places like Bratz Y’all Bistro and Pizza Delicious showcase the inventive meals and artworks made by New Orleanians. Others, like Bywater Bakery, offer meeting spots for the community. Bacchanal is a local favorite for tapas, wine and cheese boards, plus live music every night. Elizabeth's is the neighborhood gold standard for brunch and down-home Southern country dishes like cornbread waffles. And there are several art galleries to visit, such as JAMNOLA, which houses more than a dozen exhibits for local artists. For groceries, locals head west into the Marigny, where there's a Robért Fresh Market.
Bratz Y'all! Bistro is a traditional German beer garden in the Bywater.
The New Orleans Food Cooperative is a great place to get groceries near the Bywater.
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A scenic promenade plans to expand
Crescent Park is a linear green space along the Mississippi River. Locals visit the repurposed industrial wharves for the scenic promenade, picnic spots and dog park. As of 2024, $15 million dollars has been earmarked by the city to expand Crescent Park into a continuous waterfront promenade extending all the way to the French Quarter. Bywater is also home to a few community gardens, such as Press Street Garden, and a playground at Mickey Markey Park.
The Rusty Rainbow Bridge will take you to the Crescent Park in the Bywater.
Press Street Gardens is an urban farm and outdoor learning lab in the Bywater.
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Folk art legends and Mari Gras traditions
Dr. Bob is a local legend whose folk art property in the Bywater is free and open to the public. Likewise, Music Box Village is a legendary DIY space filled with imaginative instruments and, on weekends, community markets featuring local artists. Needless to say, Carnival season — capped off with Mardi Gras — is big in the Bywater. Numerous parades run through the neighborhood, most with a small, neighborly feel compared to the mega floats upriver.
In the Bywater Dr. Bob’s Folk Art Workshop offers hundreds of pieces art at many price points.
The Mardi Gras Indians are celebrated in the Bywater.
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Louisiana's best arts school
Most Bywater students spend grades K-12 at Morris Jeff Community School, the 6th-best public charter school in New Orleans, which has a B-plus Niche score. Some high schoolers attend the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, considered Louisiana's best high school for the arts. Niche gives the school a grade of A and ranks its teachers as the state's second-best.
Morris Jeff Community Elementary School opened its doors in 2010.
NOCCA opened in 1973 as a professional arts training center for secondary school-age children.
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Trains versus automobiles
Walking through the Bywater, smelling the sweet scent of jasmine, is one of New Orleans' great sensations. Getting to the rest of the city is a bit harder, though, since the neighborhood is more downriver than most. The Number 88 bus passes through Bywater on St. Claude Avenue, but most locals rely on a car to get around. Finding parking can sometimes be a struggle, and the roads are home to plenty of potholes. Bikeshares are a speedy option on New Orleans' flat streets. Tracks for the city's famous streetcars have been mostly paved over. Active freight trains still run through the neighborhood's western edge, blaring their horns at all hours and, notably, creating a traffic jam whenever shipments pass through.
Many Bywater residents commonly ride bikes as everyday transportation.
The Bywater is a very pet friendly neighborhood.
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Things to consider
History is alive in New Orleans, and the city intends to keep it that way. With that in mind, homebuyers should consider the area's restrictions on home improvements. "If you want to do any sort of rehabbing or updates, it will more than likely need to be approved by the Historic District Landmarks Commission, so it helps to have a reliable contact with them," Huenecke says. "There's hurdles for sure, but most people in these neighborhoods appreciate having that historic charm."
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.
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Most of the neighborhood restaurants win rave reviews from people who watch the Food Network. From my 22-year professional perspective, however, most places get a resounding "meh." There are exceptions: the best barbecue in the city is right here (no contest). We also have my favorite concentration of dive bars within three square miles.
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Bywater
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Bywater Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bywater, New Orleans sell after 87 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Bywater, New Orleans over the last 12 months is $555,000, up 28% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Vacant lot in the Upper Ninth Ward awaiting your bid. Build your home or an income producing property; deep and wide enough to configure space for off-street parking.
Nestled in the heart of the Bywater, this inviting 3-bedroom, 2-bath home blends classic New Orleans character with thoughtful updates. High ceilings, hardwood floors, and historic architectural details set the tone, while the open floor plan creates a seamless flow between living, dining, and kitchen spaces. The kitchen and dining area creates the perfect space for gathering and entertaining,
This vacant lot is ideally situated in the Bywater neighborhood mere steps from Crescent Park & the Crescent Park Trail and walkable to many nearby restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Cleared and ready to build your dream home. Your future home can enjoy spectacular views of the Mississippi River, downtown and the Crescent City Connection bridge. No for sale sign on property.
The Rice Mill Lofts was created from a strong idea of great beauty and great meaning. This is a building of breathtaking originality. One with captivating river views, inspired street art, sublime rooftop spaces, architectural artifacts and hospitality services. This radiant building marks the gateway to the Bywater – a new Bohemia – and its beautiful riverfront. And, it does so with a purpose
Live the good life, live at BonVi! This newly built apartment complex offers luxury living in the heart of the Bywater. Each unit features stainless steel appliances, stone counters, private laundry, central air and ceiling fans throughout. The building amenities include a heated rooftop pool and deck, one private/ gated parking spot per unit, off street/ gated bike parking, package room and
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.
