Ready to set a move date with your New Orleans moving company? Then you’re probably seriously thinking about calling New Orleans your new home. Whether you’ve decided to just rent for now or you’re thinking about investing in a new home, finding a real estate agent to help you secure housing will be very important. Find someone who can match your wants/needs with available housing options that way you can make more progress during a quick trip before your move. Here are some other online tools that can help you research and find the right area for you and your family.

Trulia.com: Trulia.com offers you a few ways to search for housing. First, you must select if you’re interested in renting or buying, then you will get re-directed to a search page that gives you a number of options for narrowing down your search. Whether you’re only interested in looking at a certain area, price range, property type or amenity – you can create a search, save it and have Trulia send you updates if a new property hits the market.

Zillow.com:  Very similar to Trulia.com, Zillow is another housing search engine that features a variety of whys to find housing options. One thing that’s different about Zillow is that is allows homeowners to post listings – versus only just allowing MLS listings from real estate agents. The upside for you is that you could get a better deal, if you find a house that is for sale by owner (FSBO) because the commission wouldn’t have to be paid out by the seller.

Realtor.com: Though not as user-friendly as Trulia and Zillow, Realtor.com is the main engine that drives MLS search. Usually it has the most up-to-date information besides a direct search into the MLS. Realtor.com is one of the main ways that realtors market their home listings, so you can expect to get a lot of robust listing information from this site.

If you’ve called a New Orleans moving company you’ve probably already started researching what life will be like raising a family in New Orleans. Though known for its parties, it also provides a lot of culture and opportunities for family living. If you’re looking for some budget-friendly things to do with your kids in New Orleans, check out this list.

Catch a Ride on the Ferry: Ride the Canal Street Ferry to Algiers Point and get a perfect view of the city.

Watch a Cooking Demonstration: Check out a cooking demonstration at the Crescent City Farmers’ Market.

Listen to Music: Every Wednesday afternoon during the spring and fall, stop by Lafayette Square and listen to some free music.

Visit a Museum: Travel over to the Museum of Art on Wednesdays, when admission is free.

Go to the Park: Marvel over Audubon Park’s 100-year-old oak trees. Pack a picnic and stay awhile.

Watch beignets get made: Drop by Café Du Mode throughout the day and watch how their world-famous beignets are made through a kitchen window in Dutch Alley.

*Picture credit to Mr. Littlehand under the creative commons license.

As you watch your New Orleans moving company pull away, you might be ready to hit the town of New Orleans. If your thinking about taking that special someone out for a date night rendezvous, considered these top hot spots for our night out.

Barcelona Tapas: Even though you’re in New Orleans, you can enjoy a taste a Spain at this authentic eatery. Tucked away back in the river bend, this cozy restaurant features small plates at a reasonable price. Split 3-4 dishes with your date and enjoy the authentic atmosphere.

Bouche: Located in the warehouse district of New Orleans, this restaurant/wine and cigar bar features exotic drinks like nitrogen martinis and tasty plates like coriander crusted chicken breast. With over 95 labels available in their old world cellar, enjoy a bottle of your favorite vino paired with a menu that changes each month based on seasonality.

Eiffel Society Restaurant and Lounge: True to New Orleans’ French roots, Eiffel Society’s Executive Chef Ian Schnoebelen describes his menu as “nouvelle Orleans cuisine.” The chef uses ingredients picked fresh from his on-site organic garden. The restaurant was built from pieces of a restaurant that originally perched on top of the Eiffel Tour in Paris.

Martinique Bistro: This French restaurant is located in the uptown/garden district and offers a unique atmosphere when the weather is fair. Ask to sit out on the restaurant’s brick courtyard and enjoy the tree-lined tables that offer private seclusion and the beautiful fountains and flowers that will give your date the perfect ambiance.

*Picture credit to TheodoreWLee under the creative commons license.