Covington, Louisiana

Covington, Louisiana, a 200+ year old town on the 'other side' of Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans, suddenly became a popular place to visit when the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway was built in 1956.  Just the trip over to Covington was an adventure in itself because the Causeway was now, and still is, the longest bridge over water in the world.

A growing number of New Orleans citizens found it pleasant enough to visit often and even move to Covington.

But when Hurricane Katrina made a mockery of most flood control efforts in New Orleans, Covington became VERY popular.   So popular that it became The Place to move to.  As always happens, that inspired a lot of growth that continues to this day, and probably well beyond the next two or three decades.

The current population is shown as 8,765.  But that number is quickly changing upward and outward. New homes are being built all around the fast growing city and its suburbs.  Equally impressive is the number of new business, hospitals, and shopping centers.  It is clearly a community alive with excitement.

That was what attracted Judy's sister, Joyce, and hubby, Allen,  to build a beautiful new home and retire here.  And they moved in last week.  We drove over to help them move.   We will be returning to our home in Spring Texas  in a couple of days.  It has been an adventure for us too.

Meanwhile, we've also come to like this place and its people and its beautiful old and new home communities, especially a subdivision just a few miles out of the downtown area.  It's a small, very friendly, close-knit community for those 55 years old and older.  It exhibits a strong French flair in the home designs, and devotes a great deal of the land to 'Green Space' which looks more like a manicured golf course.

Another important element of the location is that its elevation is 60' above sea level.  Most of the surrounding area, including downtown Covington, is 30' or less, making some of them subject to potential flooding.

It didn't take long for the residents to know that we are in town and looking to move.  We've made multiple trips to the area over the past four days.  A number of the residents saw us coming and eagerly came out to greet us.  They freely answered our asked and unasked questions, and offered to show us their homes.  Two are hoping we buy the very generous size lots next to theirs because our side wall will serve to wall off their courtyard thereby making it even more private for them.

Here's one of the existing homes that got our attention.  The lady who owns it wants to move up north to live with her daughter.  She took very good care of it, as we would do ourselves.

Most of the homes in the community are similar, with private courtyards.  All of the area outside our own property is maintained by the homeowner's association.  We need only take care of our courtyard area.  I could cut the grass with a pair of scissors there's so little of it.  Or just plant flowers.

This one is ready and requires nothing but the owner moving out and us moving in.

Or, we can buy a very generous size lot and build a similar model home with any adjustments we would like.  Both have their advantages.

Lots to think about.