Audubon is Uptown NOLA’s  largest neighborhood by far covering more or less the area between Lowerline St to the west and Jefferson Ave to the east with the subtraction of West Riverside along the Mississippi. The name Audubon comes from Audubon Park, one of the largest parks in the city. The area is also known as the “University District,” as it is home of Tulane and Loyola Universities, as well as the former St. Mary’s Dominican College and Newcomb College.

Audubon is one of New Orleans wealthiest neighborhoods never really experiencing disinvestment except perhaps along its north edge by Claibourne Avenue. The portion of the district between St. Charles and the Mississippi River contains the most attractive historic homes from the late 19th century. This is also where the attractive Magazine Street business district runs through the neighborhood and Audubon Park is located. The Northern half of Audubon (btwn St. Charles Blvd and Claibourne) is more modest early 20th century development where the universities are located but with limited retail options.

Audubon excels with many quality schools, great park amenities at Audubon park, good retail & cultural amenities, good walkability, and is one of NOLA’s safest districts. Areas for improvement in Audubon include more affordable housing, better bike infrastructure, and more retail amenities especially in the northern half of the neighborhood.

Click here to view my Audubon Neighborhood on Flickr

URBAN STRENGTHS:

* Solid urban density.
* ADA curb cuts exist on about 50% of all intersections. Generally good sidewalks but some bad spots in parts.
* Just under 70% White but good diversity with about 10% of the population being Hispanic, Black, and Asian respectively.
* Generally higher incomes here but still a good amount of income diversity across the board.
* Age skews with colleges kids with Tulane and Loyola Universities here but large number of families w/ kids throughout the district.
* Solid public transit and good access to downtown via driving, biking, or public transit.
* Very connected and gridded street grid but with some intrusions with the universities.
* Audubon is one of the safest neighborhoods in NOLA, which helps it hold such a high image.
* Solid Historic architecture esp. south of St. Charles Blvd.
* Excellent tree canopy in Audubon.
* Good # of schools, especially Catholic private schools here. Several public and character schools as well that are generally rated well too.
* Great park amenities thanks to Audubon Park along with includes several lagoons, the NOLA Zoo, a golf course, several playgrounds & ballfields, walking/biking trails, and park shelters. Several quads at Tulane and Loyola as well not  much else.
* Good cultural amenities including a decent # of food & bev businesses, theaters & performing arts centers at Tulane & Loyola, a couple live music venues, and a couple museums and historic homes.
* Good retail amenities too including a Wholefoods and a local supermarket, a couple pharmacies, several boutiques and gift shops, a local bookstore and a couple university bookstores, a couple banks, a toy store, plenty of salons & barber shops, a couple wine stores, several bakeries/dessert shops & gyms, post office and library in the universities, several churches, and convenient access to a children’s hospital. 

URBAN WEAKNESSES:

* Dedicated bike lanes along St. Charles but nowhere else. Audubon is unfortunately outside of the dedicated bike share zone.
* Good # of rentals but on the pricy side. 1-beds lease btwn the low 1Ks to low 2Ks. 2-beds lease btwn 1.5K-3K. Plenty of 3 & 4 beds leasing as well where 3-beds generally lease btwn 2K-4K.
* For sale housing on the expensive side too but some smaller more moderately priced options. Some 1-bed options that sell anywhere btwn 150K-500K, 2-beds sell btwn 300K-1 M. 3 & 4 beds sell btwn 450K-2M with some larger mansions selling for even more.
* Dedicated affordable housing in the neighborhoods seems pretty limited.
* Most retail is concentrated along Magazine Street in the extreme Southeast section of the neighborhood.
* Only modern in-fill is concentrated in the universities.