The Esplanade at City Park looks very elegant from the outside. When I first walked through the building (at noon on a weekday), the lobby, hallways, and laundry rooms were quiet. I told the salesperson that I wanted a quiet apartment. Apartments are priced based on the view - higher prices for a quiet view of Bayou St. John; lower rents for views of the cemetary and parking lot.

The Esplanade is refurbishing many rooms - so that they can raise prices. The hammering, sawing, drilling goes on from 8:00 am until 5:30 pm ("business" hours). At times I've heard noises from above, right, and left.

Then in the evenings, the Esplanade rents the cabana room near the pool. "Quiet" time does not start until 10:00 pm. Therefore, I've had to listen to a wedding reception with a DJ, a church choir rehearsing (don't they have a church'), pool parties, kids' birthday parties, etc.

So recently when I was ill, I could not rest because the hammering continued from 8:00 am until 5:30 pm and a party started at 7:00 pm.

Management's answer to all the noise - We have a right to upgrade the rooms during "normal business hours," and people rent the cabana room so they can use it anyway they like until 10:00 pm. (I think the French Quarter is quieter.) Therefore, they do nothing to keep the noise down and are very arrogant about their rights.

Also, many Katrina survivors still live here. Som are extremely noisy and impolite. I would think afer 3 1/2 years that they should be paying their own rent - and most of the Katrina survivors could not afford the rent (between $1,200 and $1,800).

I chose this apartment for the location and that it seemed very quiet. (Lots of people think it's a retirement home.) In addition they allow pets (for an non-refundable fee of $500 per pet) and utilities are part of the rent.

However, I would NOT rent these apartments. I've stayed in lots of hotels in the middle of major cities (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Orlando, Washington, DC, Seattle, and Montreal) that were quieter! Look elsewhere if you want a quiet apartment, understanding management, and reasonable rent.

YOU CAN GET A MUCH BETTER APARTMENT AT A LOWER RENT ELSEWHERE!

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 04/17/2009
This person is right. There is a lot more going than writer wants to admit. the apartment manager needs to go. the place is about making money nothing else. FEMA and DHAP people are still living here. They downgrade the place because they have no jobs and are up all night making noise with their stereos. The rent is too high.
From: Anonymous	Date: 04/30/2009
Yep, the apartment manager and her staff suck. I think it is a mother-daughter team that manages this place. They have no control over the quality of residents or life here. There are better places to live in the city. I would not recommend this place to anybody.
From: Anonymous	Date: 05/04/2009
I can't believe we are living in the same building! The constuction noise can be annoying at times, but how can you stop improvements? And what better time to be doing this than during the workday when everyone, save for you, is at work making a living. As for the staff, I have had the opportunity to interact with them numerous times and have always found them to be gracious and accomoadating. But then again, so am I.
From: mmabraha	Date: 05/06/2009
While I do not know the personal experiences of those who have posted here, it appears all of these comments are very biased. I do not understand, nor do I care to understand, what they are based on, but I do wonder if the comments are from current residents or previous residents? I do understand these are public boards where everybody can rant and rave as they please. As such, I will do the same. I have lived at the Esplanade for a year now and I find it to be a one-of-a-kind place to be. I'm originally from Austin, TX and I've been fortunate to live in some heavenly communities there, so I can truly say this place is a jewel. I have lived in other apartment communities in the metro New Orleans area and this is by far the best I??????ve found. The management team has created some very nice amenities such as the yoga room, media room, and Wii room. I work during the day, so I do not know how bad the noise can be, but noise is expected during the day at any apartment community. The rents are a bit high compared to Metairie and Kenner, but city living is and has always been much more expensive. If you really do your research, prices are very competitive when you account for all of the amenities. The three bedrooms are large and spacious and they come with a washer/dryer. Some other amenities include: a fully equipped kitchen (stove, fridge with ice-maker, microwave); nice size pool with a nice patio and cabana area; fitness center; media room; Wii room; yoga room; library; business center; 24 hour on-site concierge; water and electric is included in all rents; secured parking (plenty of it). The building is very well secured and nicely landscaped. They are a pet friendly community, which is a plus in New Orleans. There is a great restaurant there, a beauty salon, and a grocery store. They even have dry-cleaning pick up and delivery. You are only steps away from beautiful City Park where you can go biking, rollerblading, jogging, or walking. You can go canoeing and kayaking on Bayou St. John. You have easy access to Jazz Fest, Voodoo Fest, and many other Mid-City events. Where else can you have everything you need in one place? Some people would do anything to live in this area. Should the management perhaps create a full service department store on one side of the building? Maybe a candy shop or a full service bank? Seriously, people, get a grip here! Where else can you live and get everything this place offers. Mid-City is a beautiful area where you get a taste of the beautiful architecture that is the French Quarter. To me, it??????s like my own little Europe. As far as I??????m concerned, if the sound of a jackhammer going on all day long will make where I live a better place, then so be it! The reality is that other apartments in the area, even in the Warehouse district, are more expensive and they do not offer a quarter of the features I've mentioned. None one of them include utilities. As for the office staff, they are continuously improving and I find them to be very nice individuals. As the last post states, they are very gracious and accommodating. The management team is on top of their game and they are continuously working to improve the community. As I mentioned, while I do understand this is a public post and rants and raves are allowed, if you have a serious concern, please have it properly addressed. We are all entitled to our opinions, and as I see it, when residents are so unhappy it is virtually impossible to do anything right. If you can??????t and won??????t appreciate what this place has to offer, perhaps it would be better to find another place. No single place is perfect, but those who take pride in The Esplanade at City Park will make it a much better place!
From: Anonymous	Date: 05/11/2009
I really don't know how this apartment got 49% rating.I would rate it at 35%. The offer you a pool, grocery store, bookroom, movie room, etc. You can drive off site for that. I came there to see an apartment about a month ago. The rent was out off the rocket. I have visit some other site here in New Orleans that offer you much more like w/d in the apartment and a much larger exercise room, larger pool area but I guest they may consider City Park an amenity. I would not refer this apartment to any one. I also read what MMABRAHA wrote and agree she must be part of the apartment renter office or maybe the manager because she is really trying to sell this apartment. Coming for Texas I sure there were much better apartments there then the Esplanade. I understand the rent has gone up sky high since Katrina but Esplanade don't match some of the other apartment in the area,
From: Anonymous	Date: 05/13/2009
Get over yourselves. How do you assume to know if a person is paying rent and if they can afford it or not? Maybe all these "Katrina" people got off the system you assumed they were on, got jobs, and rented an apartment! Do you actually believe that only people who look like you have jobs. How about this: If you're so much better than this apartment and the people who reside here, why don't you "move on up to the East side" and buy a house. Snobs.
From: Anonymous	Date: 05/14/2009
I am moving - North - above Tennesse. I came here for a job - nothing else. The funding for the job is gone. So I'm going, too. With the cost of taxes and insurance, a corrupt government that may surpass Chicago, the highest murder rate in the country, and the constant threat of national disasters, I would never buy a house in NOLA.
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/27/2009
everyone needs yo pray , seek god first for wisdom and knowledge,and he will direct your path.
From: Anonymous	Date: 10/04/2009
I have lived here 15 years. Before Katrina it was great. Now it is a highrise project. Too many FEMA and DHAP people. Late a night (11:30pm-6am) the building vibrates. Lots of strange people walking the hallways. Not a good place to live.

Your thoughts? Post a response to this review. Display my response: with my username anonymously Responses appear below reviews and one response per user is permitted.

   Free estimates on moving trucks      Find apartment share/roommates