This is a sauntering neighborhood, the kind where everyone talks to each other while they walk their dogs or discuss the fate of the Times Picayune over a scone at Laurel Street Bakery or meet a local author at a reading at Octavia Street Books.

The Octavia Cottage is 9 blocks from Audubon Park with it's live Oak and bike path for running or rollerblading. You can see the giraffes' necks above the fence from the park itself, loll under an ancient Oak and remember how it feels to have nothing but time and the promise of an Oyster poboy at Domilese's or the Soul Rebels at Le Bon Temps.

It is close to Tulane and Loyola, two blocks from Magazine Street which stretches miles to the Quarter with shops from uptown to downtown, haute couture to funky vintage. Hop the Magazine bus to the Quarter.

This is also an eating neighborhood with Patois, Clancy's, Upperline, all within walking distance from the Octavia cottage.

The cottage is a half a block from coffee shops, one and a half blocks to Whole Foods, boutiques, and yoga studios. Ten blocks from St. Charles Avenue and the historic streetcar. It's only a short ride to the French Quarter by streetcar.

Slow down and behave like a New Orleanian, which is to say, 'Do what ya wanna.' Bike down the bike path along the levee on the Mississippi, which stretches for miles and miles, or eat a poboy and take a nap at 'The Fly,' the river park only 9 blocks from the cottage, and watch the tug boats show you the river's true size.

Of course if live music is the reason you've come, it will be all around you. Le Bon Temps is close by for the Soul Rebels on Thursday night, or Tipitina's on Napoleon Avenue. The hardest thing about being here is not ever having enough time to do all of the things you'll want to do.

The neighborhood is safe to walk or bike and will make you want to move to New Orleans or hurry back to what you may decide is your home. Hurrying is something you'll have forgotten how to do by the time you leave.