Take the causeway across the lake and check around Covington, Madisonville, and Mandeville. The northshore is a great place to be and you'll have great access to I-10 off of I-12 to go either towards Baton Rouge or Bay St Louis and Gulfport.
My wife's family is all over southern Louisiana and Mississippi, it's just like living in SE Texas except that they've got better duck hunting and fishing, which if your into them check out Houma on HWY90. Her late grandparents were there forever, it's the best of the best for an outdoorsman, but it'll be a longer commute to town.

See ya,
Kelly

Out of the 3 you listed most would probably suggest Metairie. But like anywhere there are good areas and bad ones almost anywhere u go. Some of us locals would be able to guide you in the right direction if you make the move. And if you're interested in living in Slidell, it's only about a 30 minute drive to downtown if that.

My commute now is between 26 to 29 miles depending on what route I go, it use to be and may change back to 29 to 31. I'd like to keep my commute the same if not less. So if I'm around the downtownish area how far to does that put my options?

If your in the downtown area Slidell would be the closest
and if your in the Kenner/Metairie area Mandeville, Madisonville, and Covington would be.
As I suggested in the 1st reply and Brett just did, if you want to be in the city area (this is Kenner, Harahan, Metairie, New Orleans, Chalmette hook up with a local OSO resident for the best areas within them.
25 years ago my same sister in law moved to live on the north side of the Mississippi river near Huey Long bridge before she moved to the lake, it had changed quite a bit in the caliber of the area by the time she moved to Slidell.
I don't remember the town as it all looked like city but I think it was Jefferson or Harahan.

Good luck with getting the new position.

See ya,
Kelly

If you work in downtown new Orleans all of the areas you listed would be within your usual 31 mile commute. It's not a widespread city, everything is relatively close to downtown with the exception of going north of the lake (mandeville, Covington, madisonville and Slidell) however, Slidell is only a 30 or so minute drive from downtown and it's all interstate so it's not too bad of a commute. The other north shore areas are going to be a little bit longer. The reason is there are 2 different ways to access the north shore from the city, Slidell is one way and the other 3 north shore areas you would be taking the causeway which is a bridge that is 24 miles long once u get on it. For reference, you would have to drive through Metairie to get on the causeway so add a minimum of 24+ miles each way to your commute if u decided to move to the north shore (mandeville, Covington or madisonville). As far as neighborhoods go, that all depends on your budget.

I thought that if his perspective employer places him in an office in Kenner or Metaire it would be closer to Mandeville than to Slidell but I may be mistaken.
When we come to Slidell from Texas we come through Covington on 12, it's a quick trip into Slidell. When we go to New Orleans from Slidell for a football game or to the Quarter we come 10 across the twin span. Last time I crossed it last year
it was awesome compared to the reconstruction years.
Of all y'alls towns around the city, Slidell and Houma are my favorites.

If he gets the position I'm certain he'll love a Gulf Coast winter, LOL!!!
And as for hurricanes, he'll deal with it like everyone does.
Poor Kathy is still jacking with their place after Isaac. You know it seems like Katrina was just yesterday and it's been 7 or 8 years since then.

See ya,
Kelly

Thanks for the help guys, first thing first, I have to get offered the postion, then probably look for something temp close to work until I can find my way around the city and figure out the best place to live in relationship to boating and work. My buddy that already made the move might have a place for me to crash for a few weeks unless the whole family comes then I'll have to find something more permanent real fast. My biggest challenge will be selling my house back home or renting it out, that will also determine my budget for a new crib.

As for boating, should I be looking for a new trailer or are there places to launch that are fresh water. I guess if I had to I could have a marina drop my boat in with a sling but that would probably get expensive over time.

it will depend on where you relocate to with your boat...if you make it over to the north shore (madisonville) you won't have to worry about you trailer you'll be launching in fresh water fir the most part...but if you stay in the city Metarie/Kenner you'll be dropping your boat in brackish water.

Is Brackish just a mixture of salt and fresh water. Any good or bad with it.

Brackish is just a mix of salt and fresh, nowhere u launch will be extremely salty as if you were launching on the coast somewhere. And no matter where you move, you should be no further than 15 minutes from water. You won't find many launches that have a boat hoist, some do but most are back down launches.