re: Moving to the northshore, need advice

As for exercise, there are a number of good options. I live on the 15th Avenue bike path in Covington, but there are a number of neighborhoods near the St. Tammany Trace.

Traffic, Covington when school is taking in or letting out is a beast. However, the four lane to the Interstate has made a huge difference for those that use it. Hey 22 in Mandeville can be tough at rush hour. Ditto Madisonville, which is really growing at a torrid pace.

Lifestyle, Mandeville had the "lakefront" ( also with a walking path) and Madisonville has the "riverfront". As for downtown activities, it's hard to beat downtown Covington and the constant activities that are going on.

Food, All three are quite good but I would go Covington first. I think it has the best restaurants and the quality is top notch. Mandeville would be second and Madisonville and Abita afterwards. The rural areas (Folsom, Bush etc.) don't have nearly as much.

People, Mandeville can be a bit pretentious, but by in large we are still talking about good people. Madisonville is kind of in a flux right now as the "locals" feel overwhelmed by development. As such, there are some issues concerning development that can be contentious. Still, though, we are generally talking about good people that just aren't in agreement with one another concerning development. Covington is the least changed of the three imo but the outlying rural areas have seen quite a bit of development.

Flooding concerns

All three have areas of concern so be very aware of where you are buying. In short, due to our gravity based drainage (few pumps), areas near creeks, bayous, rivers, and lakes need to be looked at closely. Even "retention" ponds or "dry" ponds should be considered;I live on a "ditch pond" with no issues and, it is quite beautiful imho.

At any rate, I hope the book I wrote helps you in so way. They are just my opinions so research some more and form your own. Good luck.

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It has a minority population of 10% of the school

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It isn't something that matters to me at all, but it does to some people. Honestly, I like real world diversity. There are way too many people tied in stuff like this.

Thank you so much! I called two Montessori schools in Cov & they were wonderfully helpful & inviting over the phone... afterwards I called Kinderhaus & it seemed like my call was an imposition. It gave me a horrible feeling about them, nice to have this feedback about kinderhaus to ensure they're off the list.

I don't really 'get' pretension in general. Don't give a shite where you live.

thank you all for the helpful information-really appreciate you taking time to respond.
No pics... really was an engineer before taking time off to raise kids, so I'm no OT 10...

Questions: what is OCS and CCC? I'm guessing neighborhood abbreviations?

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It's over priced mediocre food with a great view.

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Interesting. What do you like on the northshore as far as seafood?

BTW, I didnt mention Lacombe because I live there I dont want others moving here as I like the diverse, small-town, semi-rural, bayou town situation and they are already ruining it with shitty development on 434. If you do some legit research on Lacombe I think youll be pleasantly surprised. The only catch is youll have to homeschool or send kids to private school for middle.

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Honestly. I like New Orleans Food and Spirits for seafood in downtown Covington. Especially fried.

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Yeah, theyre pretty damn good especially the voodoo crawfish rolls but I dont think they are that much better than Rips. Id say they are about equal. Obviously, Rips presents themselves as more of a fine dining establishment and NO F&S is more along the lines of Acme(maybe the most complete and consistent food taste top to bottom in the State) but Id say the food is roughly equivalent for all 3.

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Your fricking little league football team CHEATS!

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Lol. That wouldnt surprise me. I have nothing to do with it but fill me in on the details. Im curious.

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what is OCS

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Never heard of this. What's the context?