West Lake Forest - New Orleans, LA

The West Lake Forest area experienced most of its development in the 1960s and '70s. In 1974, the Lake Forest Plaza was built, a popular 80-acre mall that was the largest shopping mall in the state of Louisiana at the time. The mall eventually led to the development of several small strip malls and big box stores nearby. Like many buildings in the city, Lake Forest Plaza was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The area has been the focus of major renovation post-Katrina, including improvements and restored amenities that are attracting new folks to the neighborhood.

Many of New Orleans' museums are only a short bus or car ride away from West Lake Forest. Stop in the Backstreet Cultural Museum, which explores New Orleans traditions, or take a stroll through the New Orleans Museum of Art, a grand marble building that houses 40,000 pieces by artists from various historical periods.

A Mecca for those craving down-home cooking and rib-sticking meals, West Lake Forest has no shortage of options for Cajun, Creole, and Southern-style cooking.

Residents rave about the authentic soul food doled out in hefty portions at Patio Restaurant. Homemade baked chicken, fried fish, and crawfish etouffee are just a few of the main dishes on the menu, and sides include potato salad, candied yams, and French fries. Be sure to try the red beans and rice, a New Orleans staple that this restaurant gets right every time.

On Crowder Boulevard, Ma Momma's House of Cornbread, Chicken & Waffles advertises the "best fried chicken to the bone," a claim with which diners concur. Each crispy batch is made to order, and customers love to pair it with the light, spongy cornbread that tastes like a Belgian waffle. Regulars also praise the delicate taste of the lightly breaded shrimp and chicken.

Just across the street, traditional Honduran cuisine is given a Creole kick at Casa Hondura. This homey spot for lunch and dinner serves Central American favorites such as conch soup with coconut, as well as dishes influenced by New Orleans cooking. The restaurant closes after lunch on weekends but stays open late Monday through Thursday, making it a good choice for mid-week dinners.

When they aren't headed to one of the numerous bars in downtown New Orleans, residents visit Daiquiri Chef in nearby Viavant-Venetian Isles for some of the best daiquiris in the city. Order the Fruit Loop or Purple Rain, which are both made using premium liquors, and check out the board for drink specials, including discount pricing on a gallon of the beloved daiquiri.

With Highway 47, Interstate 10, and Highway 90 outlining the neighborhood, quick access to New Orleans and greater Louisiana areas is a cinch. Well-paved sidewalks line the residential streets in this neighborhood, making the area quite walkable.

In 2013, the New Orleans East Streetscape Project completed street renovations, including new sidewalks along Lake Forest Boulevard and Joe W. Brown Park, a new walking path to Lake Forest Boulevard, and dedicated bike lanes to Read, Crowder, and Lake Forest Boulevards. Bicycling is popular in New Orleans; a variety of community websites are devoted to riding in the Big Easy, providing workshops, group rides, and information on how to further improve the streets for more bicyclists.

Public parking is available for free in most areas here. Traveling in and around West Lake Forest by bus is a popular option, with the New Orleans Public Transit Authority providing bus rides for $1.25 to anywhere you want to go in New Orleans. Cab companies are plentiful, and a ride to the airport can cost as little as $14 if you are open to carpooling with other passengers.

The 135-acre Joe W. Brown Memorial Park is a haven for outdoor activity. This park has been revitalized in conjunction with the area's Audubon Nature Center. Here you can access a wide range of community and family activities, including walking trails, bicycle trails, tennis courts, an activities center, an indoor heated pool, baseball fields, picnic shelters, and playground equipment. The Audubon Nature Center, housed within this park, has undergone renovation to include educational exhibits, a planetarium, classroom pavilions, and boardwalk trails. Take your canine to the dog levee in Audubon during the summer months for water play or to the NOLA City Bark for off-leash romping. Unlimited access is available to those who buy an annual permit.

New Orleans is famous for its annual events, including late winter's Mardi Gras and spring's New Orleans Heritage & Jazz Festival, a celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans. The best time to partake in Mardi Gras is the weekend before it, when the entire city celebrates with colorful parades.

The cost of living in West Lake Forest is lower than in the more urban areas of downtown New Orleans. You can buy bottled beer for as little as $1.50 in neighborhood bars such Henry's House, located in neighboring Little Woods. Gas prices come in around eight percent lower than the national average. The median price for a one-bedroom apartment in West Lake Forest is approximately $585, less than what you'd pay for an apartment in downtown New Orleans. A trip on the bus to the center of downtown New Orleans will run you $1.25.

For groceries, head to Winn-Dixie, a southern chain grocery store selling practically everything you need to find on your shopping list. Purchase fresh meat at Sam's Meat Market or Wagner's Meat Market.

Affordable used clothing can be found in the neighborhood at Best Price Thrift Shop, open every day of the week. Head to nearby Metairie for mall shopping at the Lakeside Shopping Center. It's one of the busiest malls in the New Orleans metro area, housing practically every major department store you can think of, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Buckle, the Disney Store, and Dick's Sporting Goods.

The French Quarter and the Warehouse District nearby are your best bet for colorful clothing boutiques. Peruse some of the finest clothing in New Orleans, with matching shoes and bags, at boutique B Windows Inc. in Little Woods, or try Blink, a boutique located in Audubon, for a constantly rotating supply of juniors' clothing and high-heeled shoes.

If you're looking for a farmers market, head to the French Quarter to hit up the French Market or the Warehouse District to visit the Crescent City Farmers Market. Both are filled with a variety of vendors selling the freshest local produce and handcrafted goods.