Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans

Naval Base Guide

NAS JRB New Orleans: Your Warm, Real-Life Guide to PCS’ing Into One of the Navy’s Most Unique Bases

If you’ve just received orders to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, you’re about to experience a duty station unlike any other. New Orleans blends deep military roots with a culture that celebrates food, music, festivals, and a sense of community you simply won’t find anywhere else in the country.

Whether you’re Active Duty, Reserve, Guard, or a family making the move together, this guide is designed to help you understand the area, feel prepared, and make the most of your time here. And as always, PCS Pay It Forward® is with you every step of the way. Discover essential tips and insights for a smooth transition, from preparation for your PCS move to New Orleans PCS Pay-it-Forward®. By completing your personalized PCS Plan©, you’ll get a clear roadmap for housing, schools, and neighborhood options.

Introduction

Welcome to NAS JRB New Orleans: A Mission That Brings Every Service Together

NAS JRB New Orleans is home to Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Louisiana Air National Guard personnel. The base carries a strong sense of teamwork and a shared mission, making it a supportive and tight-knit environment for both service members and families.

You’ll notice right away that life here has a rhythm, part military precision, part New Orleans rhythm and soul. Even the commissary food feels a little more Southern.

The mix of units, aircraft, and training brings a constant hum of activity, but the community stays friendly, welcoming, and ready to help newcomers adjust.

What It’s Really Like Living in New Orleans as a Military Family

Living near NAS JRB New Orleans means embracing a lifestyle full of:

incredible food (gumbo, beignets, po’boys… it’s all as good as they say)
live music everywhere
warm, generous locals
deep military pride
festivals almost every weekend
a cost of living that ranges from affordable to premium, depending on the neighborhood

The first thing families say when they move here?
“We didn’t realize how much we’d love this place.”

And yes, New Orleans is lively. But it also has peaceful suburbs, family-friendly communities, and quiet pockets where military families thrive.

Best Areas to Live Near NAS JRB New Orleans

Your neighborhood will shape your experience, so it’s worth taking the time to explore. The most popular off-base areas include:

Belle Chasse

Very close to base, quiet, family-oriented, and the top pick for many military households.

Gretna & Harvey

Great for convenience, close to shopping, restaurants, and still an easy commute.

Algiers

Gives you the New Orleans charm without the congestion of downtown.

Marrero & Terrytown

Affordable, accessible suburbs with a strong military presence.

Whether renting or buying, many families find that New Orleans’ market offers solid opportunities, especially when using a VA Home Loan. If you’re unsure whether buying makes sense for this PCS, start with our Military Move & PCS Resources to build a plan that fits your timeline and goals.

Commuting: What to Expect

Traffic varies wildly depending on festivals, parades, weather, and bridge bottlenecks, so assume commutes can fluctuate. Most families keep a flexible schedule and use base access gates strategically to save time.

Locals will tell you:
Give yourself grace the first month.
The city layout takes a minute to learn, but once you get it, you’ll move like a pro.

Schools & Family Life Around NAS JRB New Orleans

Many military families choose Belle Chasse for its school options, but your best fit depends on:

where you work
how much you want to spend
what community style you prefer
how far you’re willing to commute

Schools in Jefferson Parish and Plaquemines Parish vary, so this is an area where connecting with local families inside your PCS Pay It Forward® group makes a huge difference.

Families are honest, helpful, and quick to share what life is really like day-to-day.

Financial assistance programs are available to help families manage the costs associated with moving and living in New Orleans. Resources include grants, loans, and budgeting workshops provided by the base’s financial counseling services. Try applying for the most suited one. It may take some time. But the result will surprise you.

A PCS Plan© Makes All the Difference

Moving to New Orleans can feel overwhelming simply because there’s so much to learn about the area. That’s why the most helpful thing you can do is start your PCS Plan© early.

Focus on:

building a housing timeline
mapping potential commutes
learning the neighborhoods
budgeting for move-in expenses (humid climates = more home maintenance!)
understanding the cost of flood insurance
reviewing your VA Home Loan options early

When you pair that with the PCS Pay It Forward® community, you’ll have the clarity and support most families wish they had their first few months here.

Weekends & Off-Duty Life: The Real Magic of New Orleans

Here’s where New Orleans truly shines:
Your off-duty life can be as calm or as vibrant as you want.

Families love:

walking the French Quarter on weekday mornings when the crowds are light
grabbing beignets at Café du Monde
taking the kids to the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium, or City Park
exploring the bayous
joining local festivals (there are hundreds!)
finding new restaurants, there are more than you could visit in a full tour

New Orleans has a reputation for nightlife, but military families quickly discover there is so much more here beyond Bourbon Street.

You’re Not Doing This PCS Alone

NAS JRB New Orleans is a place where families thrive once they settle in, partly because of the base community itself, and partly because of the deep culture of hospitality in Louisiana.

Whether you’re here for a short tour or a long one, you’re going to leave with stories, memories, and probably a favorite local dish or two.

And if you need help along the way, housing questions, neighborhood insight, school recommendations, or just a friendly ear, you’ve got a whole community ready to support you.

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