Metairie is the largest community in Jefferson Parish and one of the most populous unincorporated areas in the entire country, sitting just west of New Orleans with a character that is distinctly its own. The Ochsner Health system anchors a significant employment corridor here, and the proximity to the New Orleans central business district makes Metairie a practical base for a wide range of workers. Neighborhoods like Old Metairie offer tree-lined streets and a walkable stretch of local shops along Metairie Road, while areas near Veterans Boulevard provide a more commercial, fast-access feel. Bucktown sits along Lake Pontchartrain with a quieter, waterside atmosphere. The name itself traces back to the French word for small tenant farm, a nod to the agricultural roots of this stretch of land long before it became a dense suburban hub. Housing runs the gamut from garden-style apartment communities and mid-rise buildings to townhomes and ranch-style rentals.