This was my first trip to new orleans, and it could not have gone better. From the moment I arrived at Susan and David's apartment in the Bywater, they were gracious and incredibly kind. the apartment itself is gorgeous and was more than enough room for my brother and I--the coach folds out easily and is very comfortable.
We walked to the quarter in half an hour or so every day and then up to midcity/treme or out west to the St Charles Area. The walk is easy and nice --you pass a lot of awesome places that you'll end up wanting to go into--(bars, coffee shops, restaurats...try Mimi's...). Best of all though, was the apartment itself (always nice to come home to) and the ridiculous amount of awesome food and music in the bywater-- The Joint (great bbq), Bachanal (awesome place), Elizabeth's (down-home, southern food at its best), Frady's (po-boys) and Jack Dempsey's (great for low-key fried fish)--and the bars--Markey's, J&J's, BJ's, Vaughans.... I want to go back now, thinking about this. Skip paying twice the amount or m ore in the Quarter and stay here. you won't regret it.