If July felt like a fever dream, that’s because it was—half the city fled like Derrick Groves while the other half melted like a sno-ball in the summer sun. But August is the turning point. School’s back, the Saints are warming up, and the trash wars have a victor—so the French Quarter may just hold onto that lovely lemony scent a little longer.

Parents, take a deep breath: your moment is finally here. Little ones are trekking back to class — soon they’ll probably come home snotty and sick, but for now, you get your freedom back. Just in time, too, because NOLA’s sweet spot is right around the corner. The events calendar is stacking up, the city’s hum is turning back on, and even the real estate market seems to be waking up from its July nap.

We’re at the height of the heat, but the worst is behind us (we don’t even want to mention the “H word”, but here’s hoping nothing develops). If you’re still here, still upright, and still reading this: welcome back. Pull out your red dress, grab your City-issued ID card, and sniff the lemons, because August is here.

Now let’s get into some listings…