How much would the average cost of living be per month in New Orleans for one person? (average rent, food ect)?|122216

Hi - I am moving to New Orleans in Jan 09 (from Ireland) and am looking for a little guidance as to how much I will likely spend on basics such as rent, food, travel each month, just an idea would be good. I am a single female. Thank you!

Rent depends on the usual factors - how long you expect to stay (can you sign a long lease?) and how nice/how large an apartment you want to rent. Short-term rentals cost more, as do furnished apartments.

Rents are most expensive (like usual) in the city center: French Quarter, Central Business District, and _Warehouse District_. Outside the city center you typically get what you pay for in therms of neighborhood.

You can get a decent 1-bedroom, unfurnished apartment outside the city center in the $800 to $1000 per month range. That doesn_t include utilities (power, water, phone/internet), which will add hundreds of dollars per mont to the total. You MAY have to pay an extra deposit for a pet, though maybe not for a cat (not all landlords allow pets)..

New Orleans does have public transit, and parts of the city are well-served (parts are not): www.norta.com

Food costs depend on how often you eat in restaurants. I have not been to Ireland so can_t compare, but a normal full breakfast at a restaurant in NOLA costs about $10.00, and lunch _ supper cost about $18.00.