One of the earliest developed neighborhoods in New Orleans East, Pines Village lines the eastern bank of the Industrial Canal. Warehouses and manufacturing facilities tower over the horizon. Pines Village’s recovery has been prolonged since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city nearly 20 years ago. “It’s rebuilding,” says Taneisha Nicholas, Realtor with Gulf South International. “After Katrina, a lot of the homes in the area were left abandoned, so it’s building back up.” In March 2024, the Mayor’s Neighborhood Engagement Office (NEO) hosted the first Neighborhood Cares Day of the year in Pines Village. City departments zeroed in on the neighborhood to patch up potholes, trim back trees in overgrown lots and remove invasive plant species. They also hosted a resource fair at Digby Park, the neighborhood’s central green space, to provide free groceries and clothing for residents in need.
Riding the RTA
It takes about 20 minutes to drive into downtown New Orleans from Pines Village. Residents who don’t have access to a car can utilize the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) bus system, which stops at several spots on Downman and Dwyer Roads. A suburban train line also runs out of Lakefront Airport Station at the junction of Downman and Hayne Boulevard. The train journey downtown usually takes 40 minutes to an hour. While Pines Village is close to Lake Pontchartrain, the New Orleans Lakefront Airport prevents residents from seeing much of it.
Brick bungalows in the Village
Small single-story ranch-style homes and bungalows, many featuring brick construction, line up on compact lots along Pines Village’s residential streets. Wallet-friendly prices are the main draw, from $70,000 for a fixer-upper or townhome to $250,000 for a newly built 3-bedroom home. “I would say that it’s more for investors than it is for homeowners, although homeowners are in the mix,” Nicholas says. Most older homes date to the 1950s, when the neighborhood was established. The narrow streets are bordered by strips of paved sidewalk, with patches of palm trees here and there. Though lot sizes run small, many properties include shaded carports and driveways to minimize on-street parking.
Student life on Virgilian Street
Most kids who live in Pines Village start at KIPP East Community Primary School on Virgilian Street. The primary school teaches students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade and gets a C-minus from Niche. Others might attend KIPP Morial, several blocks east of the neighborhood, from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. KIPP Morial gets a C from Niche. Next comes George Washington Carver High School, which is in nearby Desire and gets a B-minus.
Down on Downman Road
Residents find most of the neighborhood’s retail and dining options on Downman Road, a thoroughfare parallel to the canal. The Bunny Bread Thrift Store allows locals to buy Bunny products and other groceries without dropping a ton of dough, and C-Style Pralines highlights the sweet and nutty confection that’s a New Orleans trademark. Chicken wing enthusiasts can opt for all flats, all drums or a mixture of both at LeRoux’s Chicken Shack. There’s also a Dollar General for essential household items, and the Winn-Dixie on Chef Menteur Highway has an extensive grocery selection.
Days at Digby Park
Digby Park allows local kids to run around and meet up with friends near the primary school on Virgilian Street. The park benefited greatly from the recent Neighborhood Cares Initiative Community Day, with volunteers cleaning up the green space to make it more welcoming and enjoyable for area youth.
Crime
The CAP Index gives Pines Village a crime score much higher than the national average. While high crime rates affect New Orleans in general, these numbers are concerning even within that framework. Lack of opportunity is a driving factor, given that the median household income in Pines Village hovers around $21,000 — significantly below the national average of $70,000. Mayor LaToya Cantrell recently established the Violent Crime Reduction Task Force to detect and deter violent acts in the city, and the NEO’s recent focus on Pines Village emphasizes the city’s awareness of the poverty affecting the neighborhood.
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
Where I live it is very quiet, and safe, the police are very visibility. My only concern is if bad weather comes, will my house be safe. When I say it is safe, when someone is home,coming and going. Now if bad weather comes, will my belonging be safe. This is one of my main concern, even those I have insurance my things are my things, and for someone to steal it, its does hurt.
2.0Niche User
5/15/2015Niche Review
It is hot and humid but is prone to flooding in heavy rain or hurricane.
2.0Niche User
7/28/2016Niche Review
I believe the area could be a little more safer. The police should be around more and the street lights could be much brighter throughout the neighborhood.
Are you familiar with the Pines Village neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Pines Village Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Pines Village, New Orleans sell after 119 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Pines Village, New Orleans over the last 12 months is $85,000, down 43% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Located on Downman Road, this spacious lot is perfect for building your dream home. Conveniently situated on a main thoroughfare, it's an excellent opportunity for serious buyers. The owner is motivated and ready to consider all offers!
LOOKING FOR AN INVESTMENT PROPERTY OR A PROPERTY THAT YOU CAN LIVE ON ONE SIDE AND RENT THE OTHER TO TAKE A LOAD OFF WITH YOUR MORTGAGE. ALL BRICK DOUBLE IN NEW ORLEANS EAST. 1 UNIT HAS 3 BEDS/1 BATH AND THE OTHER HAS 2 BEDS/1 BATH. BOTH UNITS ARE UNDERRENTED. EACH UNIT HAS OFF STREET PARKING AND SEPERATE BACK YARDS. SELLER MOTIVATED. SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT.
EXCELLENT LOCATION FOR FAST FOOD, DAY CARE FACILITY, VETERANARIAN, FUNERAL, CONVENIENCE STORE, HEALTH CLUB, MEDICAL, BREWERY, RECORDING STUDIO, RETAIL, SHORT TERM RENTAL, CHURCH, SOCIAL SLUB, EV CHARGING STATION, WIRELESS TOWER, ALL SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION
15,000 plus sq/ft gravel lot available for lease, short term or long term. Lots dimensions are 100ft wide x 150' long. Common driveway between two commercial structures to access the back lot. 8ft chainlink fence surrounds back lot, owner will install electric gate across the common driveway. Commercial tenant at 4520 Downman has cameras and has access to park two vehicles. Small cinder block
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.
