Slidell, Louisiana - Life Just Outside the Big Easy

The city of Slidell, Louisiana, situated on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain is home to about 28,000 residents, and part of a larger community of 200,000 in St. Tammany Parish.  Though New Orleans is just 30 miles to the southwest, with Lake Ponchartrain separating the suburbs of Slidell from the Big Easy, the small town community can enjoy all the big city amenities and avoid many big city problems.

Relocate to the Northshore in Slidell, Louisiana

Recovery of Slidell and St. Tammany Parish

Slidell is still recovering from the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005, when 12-foot storm surges and 18 inches of rainfall engulfed St. Tammany Parish.  Of the nearly $13-billion of flood-insured damages statewide, about 10 percent of the damages impacted St. Tammany.  But 2007 has been a positive year for Slidell; with President Bush lifting the requirement that local governments match 10 percent of the cost for cleanup and some reconstruction projects, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency providing reimbursement funding for Slidell, the city is moving forward with several major rebuilding projects.

Under the current mayor, the coalition “Keep Slidell Beautiful” spearheads city-wide cleanups, beautification efforts and special projects.  A movement is now underway to establish Olde Towne Slidell as a Main Street USA community.  This National Trust for Historic Preservation program aids in the revitalization of older commercial districts across the nation.

In a Slidell real estate boom that goes beyond the town’s rebuilding projects, construction permits for new homes for fiscal year 2006-2007  jumped from $37.8 million to nearly $673 million over the prior year. 

On the economic front, Textron Marine and Land Systems, contracted to build armored security vehicles for the U.S. Army for use in the Iraq war, will move from New Orleans to occupy the former Defense Information Systems Agency building (now city-owned).  The deal adds nearly $1.2 million to the city’s coffier and nearly 300 high-wage jobs to the local economy.  A second production facility Textron is building could add as many as 100 more jobs to the area.

Live in the Family-Friendly Community on the Northshore

Take the southern charm, distinctive character and spirit of New Orleans and make it a bit softer, gentler and more family-friendly, and you’ll get the laid-back Northshore community in St. Tammany Parish.  The Northshore is a great place to live for families, outdoor lovers, gourmands, artists and art lovers.

Slidell is a great place to raise a family and search for new homes for sale.  Money magazine named the school system in its Top 100 School Systems within a major metropolitan area, and seven of its schools have been named National Schools of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education.   Each month is filled with family-friendly festivals, concerts and community events, like the Bayou Jam, Arts Evening, Christmas Under the Stars, Kids Fest, Theatre in the Park, and the renowned Antique District Street Fair held twice a year in April and October.  The city even has its own family-oriented Mardi Gras celebration. 

Enjoy the Natural Beauty of the Bayou  

Parks, greenways, woodlands, wetlands and the waters of Lake Pontchartrain beckon adventure-seekers and nature lovers.  Trek along Louisiana’s first rails-to-trails project, Tammany Trace.  The recreational corridor, spanning over 30 miles, connects parks, greenways, historic landmarks, wetlands and woodlands. 

On a swamp tour, as you travel down bayous and around the cypress trees of Honey Island Swamp, be on the lookout for black bear, beaver, mink, raccoons, muskrats, nutria, deer, herons, egrets, waterfowl, snakes, turtles and fish.  And with over 1.5 million of them inhabiting the swamps, bayous and waterways in Louisiana, you’ll no doubt come across the king of the swamp - the American alligator.  St. Tammany Parish is also renowned in the birding community, with over 300 species to see in its over 77,000 acres of pubic lands.  Its wildlife refuges are said to be home to some of the most rare woodpecker varieties in the world.

With all its rivers and bayous, the area is famous for its outstanding fishing, canoeing, and kayaking.  The tranquil waters of Lake Ponchartrain are perfect for sailing, boating, or sunset cruising.

Arts, Culture and Good Eats in Slidell

Its close proximity to New Orleans has fostered a vibrant arts community in St. Tammany Parish.  Many artists, writers, musicians and songwriters, inspired by the area’s natural, pristine environment, have settled in Slidell homes on the Northshore.

In the heart of Slidell lies Olde Towne, a quaint 10-block area of fine dining establishments, specialty shops, antiques stores, art exhibits, museums, theater and parks.  The Slidel Cultural Center, a history, science and fine arts gallery, houses both regional and national traveling exhibits.  At the Slidell Museum, one can trace the region’s history back to the 1600’s through its artifacts and documents.  The antiques shops lining the tree-shaded streets of Olde Towne have been touted in Southern Living magazine and are said to rival the shops along New Orleans’ Royal Street.  The Antiques District Street Fair held in April and October attracts dealers from a five-state area.

For entertainment of the theater variety, the North Star Theatre, one of only three professionally-accredited theatres in Louisiana, stages several productions throughout the year.  Or support community theater and see a comedy, drama or musical at Slidell Little Theatre.

In St. Tammany Parish, experience the culinary arts of New Orleans in the dining room of an old plantation home.  All the authentic Creole and Cajun specialties can be found in Slidell, as well as the favored boiled shrimp, crawfish, po-boy sandwiches and cafe au lait.

Find five-star shopping at North Shore Square with five department stores and over 80 specialty shops, or hit the 50-plus outlets at Slidell Factory Stores.

If you enjoy the charm, character and spirit of the Big Easy, but you seek a family-friendly, community environment, then start your search for new homes in Slidell.  It’s life in the Big Easy…only softer.

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