NOLA-Adjacent Metairie Provides Plenty of Budget Options

Editor’s Note: Recently, MoneyWise revealed its list of the 40 most frugal and friendly places to retire. In a bid to provide an idea of what housing inventory is available in these cities and towns, we’re taking a look at listings in each of the cities on the list.

Not everyone can spend $1 million or more on a second home, even if it’s with the idea that eventually you’ll retire there. So when MoneyWise’s list of 40 places to retire that are more budget-friendly came out, we were curious — what kind of homes could you find in these towns?

Last week, we looked at the 36th city on the list — Augusta, Georgia. This week, we look at Metairie, Louisiana, and found some great options from anywhere around $50,000 all the way to $549,000.

“Despite having less than 150,000 residents, Metairie is a very diverse place,” MoneyWise said. “This town offers a robust nightlife and a very low cost of living. The median household income is around $52,000. Locals consider this town to be a good compromise between big-city and suburban living.”

“Metairie is located just a 15-minute drive from New Orleans, so you can get a taste of the city any time you want,” the entry adds. “There is one healthcare center in Metairie, but access to New Orleans gives you a wide variety of healthcare providers.”

SPACIOUS CONDO WITH SURPRISING PRICE

Price: $50,000

Our first example of what you can find in Metairie if you’re really, really wanting to be frugal. And surprisingly, we found that being on a budget doesn’t have to mean borderline livable.

It’s a spacious three-bedroom, two-bath, 1,726 square foot condo with an open floor plan. A galley style kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a breakfast bar has a pass-through area that looks onto the dining and living room. French doors lead to a large rear deck, creating even more living space.

The master suite includes a walk-in closet and a custom fireplace.

Practicalities have also been addressed, with central air conditioning recently installed, and assigned parking — no searching for a spot!  Condo dues include electricity, water, exterior maintenance and pest control.

The home is listed by Aaron Dare with the Tommy Crane Group.

COZY RAISED COTTAGE IN OLD METAIRIE

Cost: $299,000

This Old Metairie two-bedroom raised cottage is built in the Shotgun style that got its start in stateside in the New Orleans area. Built in 1958, it may be a cozy 1,051 square feet, but it’s a perfect size for someone who wants to travel a bit, but would like a home to come back to at the end of a journey.

Inside and out, it’s seen some updates — new air conditioning, new windows, new gutters and more. The bathroom has been updated, and the kitchen is new. But the hardwood floors are original to the home.

The kitchen is large, and has room for dining. Quartz counters provide ample prep space, and stainless steel appliances provide a sleek, modern touch. A garden window makes the room feel even bigger, too.

Both bedrooms are of similar size, and while you won’t be able to fit a California King in there, you will be able to have plenty of resting space — and really, with New Orleans so close by, and with a large fenced in yard waiting for some inspiration, how much time will you spend dozing?

The bathtub has ceramic tile flooring and a ceramic tub surround, and beadboard accents.

And if your generous backyard isn’t enough, the home is also an easy walk to a new park with a walking and bike trail.

It’s listed by Tangie Stephens with Keller Williams Realty.

MIDCENTURY MARVELOUS WOWS WITH CAREFUL UPDATES

Cost: $549,000

At the top of our self-imposed frugal budget is this Midcentury Modern that has retained some of the best of 1958 construction — the original terrazzo and natural stone floors, the open floor plan, the copious use of windows and glass — but also gotten a $100,000 facelift.

And it’s got plenty of space for entertaining, and hosting family, with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and 3,352 square feet, and an open floor plan.

And if that doesn’t sway you, the double lot it sits on means that all those windows overlook a huge backyard, which includes fire pit seating, making the whole house feel even more spacious.

All four bedrooms are generously sized, too.

And while the home is almost $500,000 more than our most budget option, you really do get a lot of bang for your buck, too.

The home is listed by Brittany Picolo-Ramos with Keller Williams Realty.