Is East Gentilly safe?
New Orleans, Louisiana · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates East Gentilly as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on East Gentilly
“Go with care. East Gentilly is primarily a quiet, residential section of New Orleans with moderate safety, but commercial strips along Chef Menteur Highway experience elevated property crime and occasional violent incidents. Visitors staying here or passing through for local dining will generally be fine by practicing standard situational awareness and avoiding poorly lit side streets at night.”
About the area
East Gentilly is a historic, mid-century residential district characterized by California-style bungalows, quiet suburban-style streets, and neighborhood institutions like Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO). It offers an authentic slice of everyday New Orleans living far removed from the tourist corridor, framed by major thoroughfares like Chef Menteur Highway and Franklin Avenue.
- Residential
- Mid-Century Suburbia
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
Walking and biking in East Gentilly
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 45/100
Dedicated bike infrastructure is limited with few painted lanes; the Blue Bikes shared-mobility network does not consistently service this far east, and there is no direct link to the Lafitte Greenway.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Higher rates of owner-occupied single-family homes compared to Orleans Parish averages
- Close proximity to Pontchartrain Park, golf courses, and SUNO campus
- Quieter residential streets with less foot traffic and night disturbances than inner-city neighborhoods
Cons
- Above-average property crime and auto burglary rates along major corridors
- Pockets of blighted commercial properties and uneven street lighting
- Car-dependent layout with sparse pedestrian infrastructure outside immediate residential blocks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low within the interior residential blocks, though isolated panhandling and temporary encampments occasionally appear near highway underpasses along Chef Menteur Highway and I-610.
What East Gentilly is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm, with residents commuting, walking dogs, and school traffic along main roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally quiet residential atmosphere, though busy traffic picks up along Chef Menteur Highway and Franklin Avenue.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Streets clear out quickly as residents settle in, with activity limited to local takeout spots and drive-thrus.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dimly lit in many blocks; walking after midnight is not advised due to property crime risks and auto break-ins.
Transit, parking and getting around
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) serves the area via bus routes such as the 55 (Elysian Fields), 84 (Galvez), and 94 (Broad-Chef), providing connections downtown; there is no light rail or streetcar service.
Parking is abundant and largely free; single-family homes have private driveways, and street parking is readily available with no meters or paid garages.
Things to do in East Gentilly
- Play a round of golf at the historic Joseph M. Bartholomew Golf Course in adjacent Pontchartrain Park
- Pick up authentic Creole and soul food favorites from longtime neighborhood eateries along Chef Menteur Highway
- Tour the tree-lined mid-century architecture and California craftsman bungalows of the broader Gentilly area
Local favorites
- We Never Close / Wink's Bakery · Bakery & Convenience · 4.4★ (320)A neighborhood fixture famous for buttermilk drops, hot breakfast biscuits, and grab-and-go New Orleans sweets.
- Original Fiorella's Cafe · Southern / Creole Restaurant · 4.5★ (1150)Beloved local establishment renowned for classic fried chicken, seafood platters, and hearty po'boys.
- Munch Factory · Creole Fusion Restaurant · 4.5★ (680)Modern Creole bistro serving upscale comfort food, located at the nearby Joseph M. Bartholomew clubhouse.
Neighborhoods near East Gentilly
Common questions about East Gentilly
Is East Gentilly safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is East Gentilly a good place to live?
On safety, East Gentilly scores 60/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is East Gentilly?
Walk score 48/100 and bike score 45/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near East Gentilly are safer?
East Gentilly scores as high as or higher than its closest neighbors.
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