Trying to decide which side of the river fits your life and budget? When you live in Harvey, choosing between the West Bank and the East Bank shapes your daily routine, your housing options, and your long-term costs. You want clear differences, not sales pitch spin. In this guide, you’ll learn how the two sides compare on commute, housing stock, lifestyle, flood and insurance, and what to check before you buy or sell. Let’s dive in.
Quick orientation from Harvey
Harvey sits on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish, on the south side of the Mississippi River. In local terms, the West Bank includes communities such as Harvey, Marrero, Gretna, and Westwego. The East Bank covers Metairie, Kenner, River Ridge, and parts of Jefferson, all on the river’s north side.
Jefferson Parish spans both banks, so some services are parish-wide while others differ by side. Transit routes, zoning, and neighborhood infrastructure can vary, which is why side-of-river matters when you plan your move.
Commute differences that shape daily life
Getting to work, school, or the airport often decides which side feels right. Many residents commute to downtown New Orleans, medical centers, and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
Crossings and peak traffic
Vehicle crossings over the Mississippi River funnel traffic into key arterials that connect to I-10 and other major routes. During peak hours, congestion on these spans and feeder roads is common. If you plan to cross the river daily, factor that time into your decision.
Transit and airport access
Jefferson Parish Transit serves many West Bank routes, and the New Orleans RTA links East Bank neighborhoods and downtown. Some crossings also have ferry options in the wider metro. If you rely on transit or park-and-ride, living near frequent service can save time and stress.
Test your personal route
- Drive your commute at peak hours from a few candidate neighborhoods on each bank.
- Check travel times to your frequent destinations, including the airport and hospitals.
- Note bottlenecks near river crossings and how they affect reliability.
Housing stock: what you will find
Across both banks, you will see homes from the 1940s through the 1970s, with ongoing renovation and new construction. The mix and scale differ by side, which affects price and fit.
- West Bank, anchored by Harvey: a higher share of single-family detached homes, many postwar ranches and bungalows on modest lots. You will also find newer infill and some suburban subdivisions, often with more approachable entry-level options.
- East Bank: a mix of single-family neighborhoods, larger-lot and higher-end subdivisions in pockets, and a greater presence of condos and townhomes in certain corridors.
Lot sizes and yard space
Some East Bank neighborhoods offer larger lots and different lot patterns, especially along higher ground. The West Bank includes many modest-lot homes plus some waterfront or marsh-edge properties in outer communities.
Age, condition, and renovation
Both banks include homes that need full renovation and move-in-ready properties. Your budget and timeline will decide if a renovation makes sense or if newer construction is worth the premium.
Pricing and market dynamics
When you compare prices, use closed sales from the same time window and similar property types. Local MLS data is the primary source for accurate medians, price per square foot, and days on market. In general, the West Bank often offers more budget-friendly entry points for single-family homes, while the East Bank tends to have a broader range that includes higher-priced segments and newer product.
What drives price gaps
- Flood risk and elevation, which influence insurance costs.
- Commute times and proximity to employment centers and the airport.
- Lot size, house size, year built, and renovation level.
- Local amenities such as shopping, dining, parks, and healthcare access.
How to compare fairly
- Match property type, size, year built, and condition before comparing prices.
- Look at months of supply and median days on market to judge seller leverage.
- Use the same 12-month period across submarkets like Harvey, Marrero, Metairie, Kenner, and Gretna.
- Remember that market conditions change, so verify numbers with current MLS reports.
Lifestyle and amenities trade-offs
Daily convenience often comes down to where you run errands, where your kids go to school, and which parks or clinics you prefer.
Schools and programs
Jefferson Parish public schools serve neighborhoods on both banks, with boundaries that cross communities. Families should review school performance data and program offerings, then map the school commute. Private and parochial options exist on both sides as well. Keep language neutral and focus on fit, programs, and logistics.
Shopping and everyday errands
East Bank corridors in parts of Metairie and Kenner include larger shopping and office clusters. West Bank centers, including Harvey-area corridors, serve most daily retail needs and have convenient commercial nodes. The difference is block-by-block, so map your grocery, pharmacy, and childcare routes.
Healthcare and recreation
Major hospitals, urgent-care centers, and specialists are located on both banks. Recreation varies by neighborhood, with riverfront stretches, bayou access, and park investments managed by the parish.
Safety and due diligence
Public safety patterns vary by neighborhood, not by entire bank. Review parish or municipal crime statistics and talk with local authorities for current data.
Flood, insurance, and taxes you should budget
Flood exposure and insurance are important factors in Jefferson Parish decisions. Two neighboring blocks can have different flood designations and carrying costs.
Flood zones and elevation basics
Check FEMA flood maps, the home’s elevation certificate if available, and any recent levee or pump-station improvements. Some East Bank areas sit on higher natural ridges, while parts of the West Bank include lower-lying or marsh-adjacent areas.
Insurance implications
Flood insurance costs vary by flood zone, elevation, and mitigation features, and wind or hurricane coverage can differ by insurer. Ask for quotes early. Structural retrofits, such as elevating a home or adding flood vents, can change insurability and premiums.
Property taxes and assessments
Jefferson Parish property taxes are driven by assessed value and millage rates. Bills vary parcel by parcel. Review the assessor’s parcel history, note exemptions like homestead, and plan your annual budget accordingly.
Permits and future projects
Zoning and permitting are parish or municipal, and timelines can vary. Ongoing infrastructure projects, from road improvements to levee work, can shift flood profiles and commute times over the years. If you plan an addition or a rebuild, confirm current rules before you buy.
Which side may fit you
Every buyer has a different mix of priorities. Use these prompts to zero in on fit.
You may favor the West Bank if
- You want more entry-level single-family options and value-friendly budgets.
- Your regular destinations are on the West Bank, or you can avoid a daily river crossing.
- You like established neighborhoods with postwar homes and select newer infill.
- You are open to comparing waterfront or bayou-adjacent options in outer communities.
You may favor the East Bank if
- You want a broader mix of newer construction, townhomes, and higher-end subdivisions in some pockets.
- Your job, school, or daily errands cluster near Metairie, Kenner, or East Bank corridors.
- You prioritize larger lots in select neighborhoods and different lot patterns along higher ground.
- You prefer a variety of condo or townhome options where available.
A practical checklist for your search
- Commute: Drive your peak-hour routes and compare travel times from a few homes on each bank.
- Homes: Match property type, size, age, and condition when comparing prices.
- Insurance: Pull flood zone info and request quotes for flood and wind coverage before you write an offer.
- Schools: Review public and private options, program offerings, and pickup logistics.
- Amenities: Map grocery, healthcare, parks, and childcare to see which side simplifies your week.
- Permits and plans: Check local permitting, planned road or levee projects, and any HOA or subdivision rules.
How Armstrong Realty helps you decide
You do not need to navigate this alone. Our team combines West Bank roots with parish-wide expertise to help you compare homes apples to apples. We guide first-time buyers through financing and inspections, support local investors with data-driven searches, and advise sellers on pricing and positioning.
Here is how we work with you:
- Clarify your goals, budget, and commute patterns in a short consult.
- Pull matched MLS slices by bank and submarket so you see real trade-offs.
- Verify flood zones, request insurance quotes, and flag mitigation options.
- Plan neighborhood drive-bys at peak hours and map daily errands together.
- Coordinate school and amenity research so your choice fits real life.
Ready to compare West Bank and East Bank options with a local, bilingual team on your side? Connect with Armstrong Realty for personalized guidance.
FAQs
Commute time differences between West Bank and East Bank
- Peak-hour congestion often builds near Mississippi River crossings and feeder roads, so crossing the river daily can add time compared with living on the same side as your job.
Housing types you will find on each bank
- The West Bank skews toward single-family detached homes on modest lots, while the East Bank has a broader mix that includes newer construction, condos, and larger-lot subdivisions in some areas.
Flood and insurance cost differences by bank
- Flood risk varies block by block; check FEMA maps, elevation, and mitigation features, then request insurer quotes to see how premiums change by property.
School considerations across Jefferson Parish
- Public school boundaries and performance data span both banks; compare programs and commute logistics rather than assuming one side is better.
Resale speed on West Bank vs East Bank
- Days on market and months of supply depend on property type and submarket; use matched MLS data for your home style and neighborhood to judge resale expectations.
How to compare prices fairly between banks
- Use closed sales from the same period, match size, age, and condition, then review price per square foot and market velocity for each submarket you are considering.
