Medical School
New Orleans
Neighborhood Guide
2010-2011
Starting Your Search…
When selecting your living arrangements for the upcoming year, there are several factors you should
consider. Your first year in med school will probably be different from anything that you have
experienced before in your educational careers. And, like any transition period, it can become quite
stressful at times. That being said, you do not want your living quarters to add any undue stress to
the situation. So, take some time weighing the pros and cons of several different locations before
jumping into the first place that looks acceptable. A huge point to stress here, too, is—especially if
you want to have a bigger and better selection to choose from—START LOOKING EARLY!!!
Beginning in May is a good idea; other people’s leases will begin to end around this time, and more
properties will start to appear on the market. Those not familiar with the area should contact a New
Orleans resident for advice if you are not planning to live in the Residence Hall. Here is a list of
what we consider helpful places to start your housing search:
1. The Classified section of the Sunday edition of the Times Picayune (the local newspaper)
2. Nola.com*- The link to the Real Estate section is http://realestate.nola.com/
3. Craig's List*- The website for New Orleans (with links to the surrounding areas) is
http://neworleans.craigslist.org/
4. Real Estate agents- a quick Google search should suffice here!
5. Students! Talk to current students for their ideas and opinions. Since they've all been
through at least one year of medical school, they might be able to give you ideas that you
may not have considered.
*- Remember, not everything you read online is real! Please make sure to actually go look at a place before
signing anything!!!
Factors you should consider when choosing your living arrangements should include: travel time to
school and availability of alternate routes, parking, rent, utility rates, the area of the city, and the
security and safety of the neighborhood. Remember, this will be a place to relax and, inevitably, to
study. Find a spot that you will be able to do both in, and you'll have found your perfect place!
Where Y’at?
New Orleans is a diverse city composed of several distinct sectors. To “outsiders” (and even to
some who have lived here their entire lives), one section of the city sounds just as beautiful as
another. However, each area of the city is truly unique with its own set of pros and cons. In order
for you all to make a little more sense out of what can be a very confusing process, we have included
below some oh-so-helpful blurbs for many of the city’s neighborhoods. For more info, though,
check out: http://www.neworleansonline.com/tools/neighborhoodguide/. It gives a little more
insight into the different neighborhoods that make up New Orleans. Also, in order for you all to be
as informed as possible about your future neighborhoods, here is the link to the Orleans and
Jefferson Parish Police Departments’ Crime Statistics websites.
It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to look at these sites before selecting a place!
Orleans Parish: http://cno-gisweb02.cityofno.com/crimemaps/Default.aspx
Jefferson Parish: http://www1.jpso.com/CrimeTracker.aspx
To aid you in your decision, here are the most recent survey results from current first year LSUHSC
medical students:
Location (% out of 101 individuals):
Uptown
Metairie/Kenner:
Lakeview
Downtown/Warehouse District
Stanislaus
(Dormitory)
City Park/Mid-City
Northshore
West-Bank
Chalmette
New Orleans East/Gentilly
Perdido
(On-Campus Apartments)
Baton Rouge/Norco/Destrehan
41.9%
18.1%
8.6%
6.7%
4.8%
3.8%
2.9%
2.9%
1.9%
1.9%
1.9%
1%
Housing Type (% out of 104 individuals):
House
Apartment
With Parents
Condo
Dorm
43.3%
33.7%
10.6%
7.7%
4.8%
UPTOWN
This is one of the most picturesque areas of New Orleans. Advantages to living in this area include
proximity to school and proximity to Audubon Park. Many apartments in this area are of renovated
portions of old houses although apartment complexes are available as well. The expense of these
apartments is a disadvantage but living with two or three other students can help combat this
problem.
Housing: apartment, house, condo, parents
Rent: $400-1200/month
Avg. Commute: 15 min
Pros: close to school, walking distance to many stores and restaurants, Audubon Park, good
location for Mardi Gras
Cons: parking and street closures for events (parades, etc), can be long drive to other areas of city
Student Thoughts on Neighborhood:
“I live uptown off of Magazine Street. It is very safe and well lit at night. There are several coffee shops
within walking distance that are great for studying. Audubon park is also within walking distance and is a
great place to relax or go jogging or biking. I think that uptown offers a lot to do, with plenty of shops
and bars in the area. Also the streetcar is easily accessible and is a great way to get downtown on the
weekends. I would definitely recommend the area to an incoming student.”
“It’s a really nice neighborhood. It is very quiet and is convenient to grocery stores as well as restaurants
and bars.”
“I would recommend that incoming students make certain to check out many blocks of the neighborhood
around any apartment they are looking at Uptown to get an idea for how consistent the neighborhood is.
Uptown is strange in that one block can be great and safe, and one block over can be a place where
someone new to the city would not want to get lost!”
Student Thoughts on Safety:
“The L2's who live above me literally leave their door unlocked all the time, and the front door of our
apartment is never closed except at night. We've never even been worried about having safety
problems.”
“It is block to block, so anywhere you stay can be great one block and bad the next.”
“My neighborhood might be classified as "the wrong side of the tracks" but I like it -- I feel comfortable
walking around during the day always, and usually at night (especially if I'm with another person). I
never feel unsafe in my house. And my neighbors are wonderful! We have a "sit on your porch and wave
hello" street.”
______________________________________________________________________________
METAIRIE/KENNER (JEFFERSON PARISH)
This is definitely the suburbs of the Greater New Orleans (GNO) area. Lower utility rates are an
advantage here. A disadvantage is the distance from school and traffic in the morning and evening.
Alternate travel routes are easily accessible, though. There are quite a few apartment complexes and
numerous houses for sale or rent, depending on the area.
Housing: house, apartment, parents, condo
Rent: $400-1,000/month
Avg. Commute: 25 min
Pros: cheaper rent, Lakeside and Esplanade Malls, lots of shopping & restaurants
Cons: interstate can have traffic during rush hours
Student Thoughts on Neighborhood:
“I'd recommend my area to any incoming students who are looking for a chill place to live and who don't
mind a bit of a commute. If you plan on going out into the city often, it can be a bit of a hassle because
it's not all that practical to take a cab back if you decide to drink.”
“It is kind of pricey. The commute sucks sometimes. I do feel safe and have multiple libraries in the area
to study in. If you can afford it and don't mind the drive, it is an excellent place to live.”
“I can easily go to places Uptown, Downtown, etc., even though I'm not right in the city. Metairie is a
safe and family-friendly place with generally more bang for your rental buck than, say, Uptown or the
Warehouse District.”
Student Thought on Safety:
“It's about as safe as there is in the greater New Orleans area.”
“Safer than the womb!”
Lakeview
The Lakeview area gets its name due to its proximity to Lake Pontchartrain. Traditionally, Lakeview has
been a more family-oriented part of town, although, since Hurricane Katrina, more young professionals
have been moving into the area. Also, as one of the hardest hit places from the storm, it is still in the
process of recovering, which means that much of the housing is newly renovated! Though not many
apartments exist, there are many houses/doubles for rent and sale.
Housing: house, apartment
Rent: $400-1,200/month
Avg. Commute: 20 min.
Pros: close to City Park and Lake Pontchartrain, easy access to most other parts of city
Cons: streets are known for their potholes, not much nightlife
Student Thoughts on Neighborhood:
“Lakeview is a great place to live. It is convenient to everything - school, uptown, Metairie. There are
plenty of coffee houses, banks, and local conveniences in the area, often in walking distance.”
Student Thoughts on Safety:
“Lakeview has the unique quality of being within the New Orleans city limits while retaining the suburbia
feel of security. My favorite part of where I live is being able to jog around my neighborhood after
sunset without worrying about safety.”
_____________________________________________________________________________________
DOWNTOWN/WAREHOUSE DISTRICT
The Central Business District (CBD), the French Quarter, and the LSU School of Medicine are all
located in this general area. The warehouse district has become a popular place to live due to its
proximity to the quarter, school and uptown. Most students living in this area have condos. While
it is one of the more expensive areas in New Orleans, the downtown/warehouse district areas
provide contemporary housing surrounded with some of New Orleans’s best dining and night life.
Housing: condo, apartment
Rent: $600-1200/month
Avg. Commute: 10 min
Pros: close to school, close to the French Quarter, good night life
Cons: expensive, scarce parking
Student Thoughts on Neighborhood:
“The Warehouse District is very convenient to most of the city, especially school and the French Quarter.
There are lots of great restaurants, bars, and numerous activities going on all the time. For shopping,
everything you need is within 5-10 minutes, and the Interstate is easily accessed if you want to go to
Lakeside Mall/Target in Metairie. There is very little crime (with the Convention Center in the
neighborhood, the NOPD has a significant interest in keeping things safe). While there's plenty of noise at
any hour of the day or night, most buildings are well built and keep the noise out. Parking is the one
thing that can be an issue, especially when there are conventions (which is the majority of the time), but
more buildings are offering parking now, though they do charge for it.”
“Quick commute and close to the bar scene!”
Student Thoughts on Safety:
“I live in the CBD and feel very safe. But you have to be smart. I wouldn't walk around by myself at
night.”
______________________________________________________________________________
CITY PARK/MID-CITY
As the name will tell you, Mid-City is in the middle of everything. A quintessential New Orleans
neighborhood, most of the people who live here are locals. The streetcar makes it easy to get
around in this part. Apartments can be found scattered around this area and tend to be less
expensive if you can find one. Furthermore, the option of renting or buying a house seems readily
available to students. This section was also hit hard and is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
Housing: house, apartment
Rent: $600-1,200/month
Avg. Commute: 15 min
Pros: City Park, no parking problems, centrally located, cheaper rent
Cons: bad streets, not fully recovered from Katrina
Student Thoughts on Neighborhood:
“I like the area due to its quick commute time to school, as well as its location to the rest of New
Orleans. You can get uptown and downtown quickly. Also, there is relatively little traffic.”
“Mid-city has good parts and bad parts. Drive through the neighborhood to get an idea of the condition
it is in. It's nice because it's more or less centrally located and really close to school, and the streetcar
system can get you anywhere in the city if you have the time.”
Student Thoughts on Safety:
“Not every area of Mid-City is particularly safe. I live by Bayou St. John and find that it is really safe. As
with all of New Orleans, you should always be cautious when traveling around at night.”
NORTHSHORE
The Northshore is a growing family-centered residential area located on the other (North) side of
Lake Pontchartrain. Relatively new apartments can be found along the Slidell and Mandeville
lakefront areas that are ideal due to their location near the interstate. The real estate on the
Northshore presents a ready opportunity for individuals seeking to rent or buy a house. The major
downside to life on the Northshore is its distance from the LSU Health Science Center. The
Causeway bridge is a toll bridge which can also become a disadvantage; but, if you get a toll tag, it
only costs $2/trip instead of $3 if you don’t use one.
Housing: house, parents
Rent: $600-800/month
Avg. Commute: 50 min
Pros: family-oriented, quiet
Cons: not convenient to the rest of the GNO area
Student Thoughts on Area:
“This is by far the best place for a student with a family. For students with children, St. Tammany parish
has the best school system in Louisiana.”
Student Thoughts on Safety:
“Very safe and family friendly!”
______________________________________________________________________________
WEST BANK
On the west side of the Mississippi River, the West Bank is home to numerous neighborhoods that
have their own feel such as Algiers and Gretna. The RTA has bus service over much of this area.
In addition, for those students looking to buy a house, the Westbank is one of the better values in
the city for your money. The Crescent City Connection across the river is a toll bridge; if you get a
toll tag, it only costs $0.40/trip instead of $1. Also, there are riverboat ferries that you can use to
cross at different points.
Housing: house, parents
Rent: $400-1,200/month
Avg. Commute: 30 min.
Pros: good golfing (including the Zurich Classic), Oakwood Mall
Cons: commute can be long
Student Thoughts on Area:
“What’s great about the Westbank is that if you’re looking for a place to either rent or own a home, it
would be much cheaper there than in the city or Eastbank. The down side is the commute. You would
have to pay a toll to get to school every day”
Student Thoughts on Safety:
“The Westbank is a great place to live. Since it’s out of the city, it feels a little safer. And Stephen Seagal
is a certified deputy in the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and can sometimes be seen patrolling on the
Westbank. How can you beat that?”
Chalmette (St. Bernard Parish)
Chalmette and the rest of St. Bernard Parish are definitely off the beaten path of med school students.
However, it is a very family-oriented area that is continuing to rebuild from Hurricane Katrina. That said,
there is plenty of housing available for those interested.
Housing: house, parents
Rent: $400-1200/month
Avg. Commute: 35 min.
Pros: family/community oriented
Cons: not convenient/close to school, still rebuilding
Student Thoughts on Area:
“I'm used to the commute because I grew up in the area, but it is not as close to everything as most
would like.”
“In general, Chalmette (and St Bernard Parish as a whole) is a nice place to live. I would say the most
attractive part about it is the relatively cheap housing while still remaining pretty close to the city. In
regards to safety, St Bernard Parish as a whole is very safe. It is the type of place where the kids in the
neighborhood can walk to the park unassisted.”
______________________________________________________________________________
GENTILLY/ N.O. EAST
Although this area is a little farther away from school than other areas, there are a wide variety of
apartments to choose from with a wide range of prices. The New Orleans/Gentilly area was
devastated during hurricane Katrina and as a result it is in the process of rebuilding. Not many
students choose to live in this area.
Avg. Commute: 40 min.
Student Thoughts on Area:
“Unless you live at home with parents, this area is kind of inconvenient.
Baton Rouge/Norco/Destrehan
While some students do make the commute from these areas, most are from there. These are
wholly other areas and are not terribly convenient or close to LSUHSC.
Avg. Commute: 50-90 min.
_______________________________________________________________________________
LSUHSC On-Campus Living
The on-campus apartments, “Perdido Palace”, are located at 1900 Perdido Street directly across the
street from the Medical Education Building. Both unfurnished and furnished one, two, and threebedroom apartments are available. While not the most glamorous apartments, they are inexpensive
and have the best possible location proximity-wise. The building contains laundry facilities and
parking facilities for the majority of students. The second floor includes a weight room,
cardiovascular exercise room, and an aerobics room where several classes are held daily. In addition,
there are pool tables, ping-pong tables, and areas designated for studying or lounging. Gas barbecue
pits and an outside basketball court are available.
Across Claiborne is the newly renovated Stanislaus Hall which contains 154 single occupancy dorm
suites and 2 floors of communal areas for relaxing. On the third and fourth floor of Stanislaus Hall
is the LSUHSC Wellness Center which has two weight rooms, a cardio room, and a variety of group
classes ranging from palates to spin classes. Access to the main campus from Stanislaus Hall is via
the elevated walkway which is covered and monitored 24/7 by the campus police.
Security is very good although it is in a less than safe neighborhood. There is a waiting list for
facilities, and they may not be immediately available for freshmen. It is possible to visit the
dormitory weekdays from 8:00 to 4:30 throughout the year by contacting the student housing office.
For
more
information
on
on-campus
living,
see
the
LSUHSC
website.
http://www.auxent.lsuhsc.edu/reshall/accommodations.aspx
Student Thoughts on Safety:
“All of the dorms are very safe. I have to use my ID 5 times during business hours and 6 times during off
hours to get from the street up to my dorm in Stanislaus. But I flip flash cards while walking around the
city all the time. As long as you don't go roaming the streets after dark, you're very safe.”
Perdido Palace:
Housing: apartment complex
Rent: $600-800/month
Pros: close to class, cheap
Cons: dilapidated area, old, interstate noises
Commute: <5 min
Student Thoughts:
“You constantly hear the interstate traffic and ambulances going by. It could be a rough first week living
in Perdido. After about a week you get used to it and don't hear it anymore. The biggest advantage is
being able to make it to class in 2 minutes.”
“I liked living in Perdido Palace a lot. I made one of the rooms my sleeping room, the other my office,
and the common room my living room. The Residence Hall is a very old building. If you want something
new, sacrifice the kitchen and go with Stanislaus.”
Stanislaus:
Housing: dormitory
Rent: $400-600/month
Pros: gym in dorm, close to school, safe, convenient parking, reasonable pricing
Cons: no kitchen, no places to eat nearby, small room
Commute: <5 min
Student Thoughts:
“For downtown, the price is unbeatable. It’s walking distance from the French Quarter, nightlife, and all
the hotspots. This comes in handy when you do have some time, although that is rare. Also, the lack of
a commute gives you no gas costs and quick access to campus 24/7. During Mardi Gras, you only have to
walk a couple of blocks to catch almost every parade, so you don't have to drive in that traffic. The
school gym is also just an elevator ride away from the rooms. The down side to living here is that there
are no stoves and open cooking surfaces (such as George Foreman grills) are not allowed.”
FOOD
One might wonder why a topic like "food" would be found in a residence guide. Well, honestly,
when people think of New Orleans, food is one of the first things that come to mind. This is a food
town; we take it seriously, and we like to talk about it. Also, mealtimes, for many, will often become
the only time of the day that one can put books aside and relax with friends. So, you want to make
sure you enjoy it!
There are a fairly limited number of feasible choices for lunch in the amount of time allotted before
afternoon classes. One primary option is the school’s cafeteria, Tiger’s Den Café. The cafeteria
offers several choices including deli-style sandwiches, burgers, pizza, salads, hot meals, and an
international choice. Prices are not unreasonable and usually equate to that of fast food. Breakfast
is also available from 7:00am-10ish. Lunch is 10:30ish to 3:00ish. The cafeteria is not open for
dinner!!! Campus also has a few coffee kiosks that serve Starbucks coffee and offer a variety of
muffins and other snacks. Vending machines are also available around campus, primarily in the
atrium and on the elevated walkway, aka Walk to Wellness (energy drinks at this location).
Other places for lunch in the area include Subway on the corner of Gravier and S. Claiborne,
Gravier Oriental Express on Gravier and S. Derbigny, and Lee’s on Tulan and N. Galvez, all of
which are within walking distance. Also, there is a myriad of fast food restaurants in driving distance
on S. Claiborne for lunch, dinner, or late night snacks.
Other options for dinner are virtually limitless in the city. Each area has quite an array of choices of
which a few reasonable selections are given here. Many eateries in New Orleans have quirky hours,
and it is worth calling beforehand to ensure that the restaurant is open before making the trip.
Check out http://www.nomenu.com/open/index.html for a more complete list. This website
allows you to search by neighborhood or cuisine.
Uptown:
St Charles – Superior Grill, Voodoo BBQ, Slice Pizza, and Sushi Brothers
Magazine St – Byblos, Reginelli’s Pizza, Taqueria Corona, Cassamento’s, and Whole Foods
South Carrolton – Five Happiness, Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, Cooter Brown’s, and Camellia Grill
Claiborne – Felipe’s Taqueria, Bud’s Broiler, Naked Pizza
Metairie/Kenner:
Parran’s Poboys, Royal China, Lager’s, New Orleans Food & Spirits, Hillbilly BBQ, Zea’s
Lakeview:
Lakeview Harbor, Reginelli’s Pizza, and Creole Creamery for dessert
Downtown:
Mother’s Restaurant, Johnny’s Poboys, ACME Oyster House, and a truly magnificent array of
other,nicer places to enjoy and experience the culinary culture of New Orleans.
Mid City:
Juan’s Flying burrito, Little Tokyo, Venezia’s, Fellini’s, Mandina’s, and Brocatto’s for dessert
______________________________________________________________________________
COFFEE SHOP REVIEW
As you’ll all-too-soon find out, medical school and caffeine is a true match, like peanut butter and jelly or
boiled crawfish and beer. You will want to know where the closest place is to grab a cup of coffee at all
times. The good news, though, is that there are plenty of coffee houses in the area. Here’s a list to get you
started for your future neighborhood.
UPTOWN AREA:
CC’s
*Free refills on house coffee and iced tea at all CC’s locations.
900 Jefferson Avenue (On Magazine)
Hours: 6am – 10pm (Mon-Sun)
Usually pretty crowded, and sometimes people can get loud and obnoxious. Not a ton of
places to sit unless you get there at a non-busy time. Capital One ATM across the street.
Parking meters! Good coffee and overall decent environment to study; you can usually
always find a classmate over there. Free High Speed Internet.
2917 Magazine St. (In Magazine Commons)
Hours: 6:30am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Usually a quieter location than the Jefferson St. Shop. Whitney ATM nearby. Café Rani next
door.
Fuel
4807 Magazine St.
Somewhat offset from the street & easy to miss, this coffeehouse is unique in that it is has an
in house chef offering gourmet food for under $12.00 for both breakfast and lunch. Check it
out; pretty cool place if you’re in the area.
Starbucks
7700 Maple St.
Not a lot of space to study and no free internet. Has a nice porch, though, for nice days
outside for studying.
2801 Magazine St. (@ Washington)
Hours: 6:00am – 9pm (Mon – Fri) 6:30am – 9pm (Sat-Sun)
PJ’s
*If you buy a tumbler and bring it with you, they will give you a discount off your drink of choice.
All locations are typically open until 10pm and offer free internet.
106 Reilly Center @ Tulane (Corner of Willow & McAlister)
24 McAlister @ Tulane
Availability for a coffee run if you’re studying in the Tulane Area. These locations usually
are open later than the other PJ’s locations since on a campus.
5300 Tchoupitoulas @ Riverside Market Center
Smaller PJ’s in a pretty busy shopping center, so this is better for a java on the run if you’re
in the area.
5432 Magazine St.
Very small space for studying, but if it’s full, CC’s is right across the street.
7624 Maple St.
Pretty good location; however, the workers tend to be very loud at times. Lots of space in
the front, back room, or porch to set up for studying.
Rue de la Course
1140 S. Carrollton Ave.
Hours: 7am – 11pm Everyday
This location is situated in an old bank building. Not a lot of lighting except during daylight
with the windows or if you can snag a table with a lamp, but generally pretty quiet unless the
chess players that frequent this spot get a little rowdy with the crowd they draw. Otherwise,
a pretty good spot to study. Great hot tea selection, good cappuccino, and good cookies.
They also offer a lot of other desserts as well as sandwiches. Free wireless available.
3121 Magazine St.
Hours: 7am – 11pm
This location is in a central area of Magazine next to the Funky Monkey. It offers the same
selection of coffee, tea, desserts, and sandwiches. A little bit busier generally than the
Carrollton location. Free wireless also available. Baristas in both locations tend to be a little
zany.
Café Luna
802 ½ Nashville Ave. (@ Magazine)
Hours: Closed Mondays, 7am – 8pm (Tue – Fri), 8am – 6pm (Sat, Sun)
Uptown residents frequent this location due to its aesthetic appeal of being in an Old New
Orleans House. Generally quiet, great front porch & food is also available.
Mojo
1500 Magazine St.
Hours: 6:30am – 12am
Offers both breakfast and lunch… cute coffee shop on Magazine. Free wifi. Has everything
from desserts, coffee, tea, and bubble tea. Check it out. Locals love it.
Zot’z
8210 Oak St.
Hours: 7am – 2am daily.
A very different locale. It offers a great selection of teas and coffees, but has an interesting
clientele and ambiance. Beware of the interesting mannequin room and offering of free
condoms beside the table where you sugar or cream your caffeine of choice. It’s different
but it’s definitely worth the experience; probably not the best study location, though.
Still Perkin’
2727 Prytania St.
Hours: 7am – 6pm (Mon – Fri) 7am – 3pm (Sat – Sun)
Offers some breakfast and sandwiches for lunch. Other than standard coffees and teas, they
also offer a frozen lemonade granita and bottled juice.
Borders
3338 St. Charles Avenue
Hours: 9am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)
Seattle’s Best Coffee Café available for a caffeine fix. Refills on regular coffee are free. Lots
of tables available for study if you can filter out regular bookstore noise.
METAIRIE:
CC’s
3647 Veterans Blvd.
Hours: 6am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)
Nice layout and good porch. Drive through coffee also available here. Good place to study if
you live in the Metairie area. Free High Speed Internet.
Starbucks
424 Veterans Hwy
Hours: Open till 9pm.
Drive thru available.
PJ’s
Clearview Shopping Center
Not very large or recommended for studying due to size and noise factor.
Puccino’s
Lakeside Shopping Center Annex: 17th Street, Off Severn
5200 Veterans Blvd.
Usually open until midnight daily.
Offers a variety of coffee and some signature beverages. Cool place to study but be able to
filter out the conversation of lots of older Italian men that congregate here to talk sometimes
and music over the speakers. Have to pay for internet.
Morning Call
Across the Street from Lakeside Mall’s Annex: 17th Street, Off Severn
24 Hour Service
Great coffee & beignets! Can get somewhat loud at times and keep in mind you might have
a somewhat sticky table.
Café Du Monde
4700 Veterans
Hours: 6am – 11pm (Sun – Thurs) 6am – 12am (Fri – Sat)
Great coffee & beignets! Can get somewhat loud at times and keep in mind you might have
a somewhat sticky table. Not the brightest lighting.
Borders Bookstore
3131 Veterans
Hours: 9am – 10pm(Mon – Thur) 9am – 11pm(Fri – Sat) 10am – 9pm(Sun)
Seattle’s Best Coffee Café available for a caffeine fix. Refills on regular coffee are free. Lots
of tables available for study if you can filter out regular bookstore noise.
Barnes and Noble
3721 Veterans (Off Causeway Exit)
Hours: 9am – 11am (Mon – Sat) 10am – 10pm (Sun)
Coushy chairs and spacious tables on the second floor. A decent place to study if you can
handle the distraction of people looking for books &music. Starbucks is available
downstairs for caffeine needs.
MID-CITY
Fair Grinds
3133 Ponce de Leon
Hours: 6:30am – 10pm
A cool place near the fair grounds to grab a cup of brew. Organic coffees and teas as well as
vegan pastries. Dog friendly. Also features poetry reading, local artwork and other
entertainment often available. Cool place to study if you can catch it not too busy.
Nola Java
5055 Canal St.
Another place to get your caffeine fix.
PJ’s
3700 Orleans Ave.
Hours: 7am – 10pm
Free wifi. Discount if bring in tumbler to use with purchase. Decent location to study.
CC’s
2800 Esplanade Ave.
Hours: 6am – 8pm everyday
Cool architecture, not so great lighting, good outdoor seating. Free refills on regular coffee
and tea.
We hope you find this informal guide a helpful tool in finding a place to live for your first year of
medical school. Again, if you have any questions not covered here or would like more information,
feel free to contact us or the Orientation Committee. Good luck and happy house hunting!
Justin Farge
jfarge@lsuhsc.edu
Randy Lavender
rlaven@lsuhsc.edu