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what's really really funny and revealing to me as a resident of both cities, I NEVER heard a native or transplant to NOLA, even remotely suggest that if a newcomer or transplant says or states something a bit negative about NOLA, they would have the stupidity to suggest you 'love it or leave it'. NEVER have I heard that sentiment in NEW ORLEANS.
Strangely that 'love Memphis or leave Memphis' sentiment, or proclamation is too many times spewed forth in Memphis TN, and I've heard that craziness for years.
That's another reason that NOLA is STILL above Memphis. Folks in NOLA by far, are not fearful of criticism or of outsiders . . But in Memphis ?? that sort of defensiveness and almost 'hate' is everywhere. . . . even aired on websites such as this one.
lots of People make Business Decisions about where they choose to move. . business decisions should never be confused with enjoying an environment. . . people move to NYC everyday and dislike the city. . . people move to the traffic and heat in Houston (I have), and absolutely can't wait to get out (I did). . .there is nothing wrong with refusing to accept what you perceive to be inferior or distasteful just because you make a total 'business decision'. . . sometimes we just grin and bear it, why not ? it's BUSINESS, not some great quality of life decision many times. Just because a city also has a lot of transplants, it would be foolish to actually BELIEVE that they are in love with their present business/physical location. That's naive and seems to be simplistic, if not wishful thinking
what's really really funny and revealing to me as a resident of both cities, I NEVER heard a native or transplant to NOLA, even remotely suggest that if a newcomer or transplant says or states something a bit negative about NOLA, they would have the stupidity to suggest you 'love it or leave it'. NEVER have I heard that sentiment in NEW ORLEANS.
Strangely that 'love Memphis or leave Memphis' sentiment, or proclamation is too many times spewed forth in Memphis TN, and I've heard that craziness for years.
That's another reason that NOLA is STILL above Memphis. Folks in NOLA by far, are not fearful of criticism or of outsiders . . But in Memphis ?? that sort of defensiveness and almost 'hate' is everywhere. . . . even aired on websites such as this one.
lots of People make Business Decisions about where they choose to move. . business decisions should never be confused with enjoying an environment. . . people move to NYC everyday and dislike the city. . . people move to the traffic and heat in Houston (I have), and absolutely can't wait to get out (I did). . .there is nothing wrong with refusing to accept what you perceive to be inferior or distasteful just because you make a total 'business decision'. . . sometimes we just grin and bear it, why not ? it's BUSINESS, not some great quality of life decision many times. Just because a city also has a lot of transplants, it would be foolish to actually BELIEVE that they are in love with their present business/physical location. That's naive and seems to be simplistic, if not wishful thinking
first, the stupidity of which you speak would be the belief that you are completely honest when you make such a broad statement about transplants and natives of new orleans. credibility issues. both cities are big girls, and they stand on their own merits. both have been around a good deal longer than city data and its posters, and i don't really know that seeking approval of kiplinger rankings is something either city needs or expects. i, again, laugh when you make such broad proclaimations about new orleaneans, "...not fearful of criticism or outsiders..." i don't exactly remember it that way a few weeks ago, after one political party member and some country music singer in nashville made statements about the difference in new orleans waiting for rescue by the government, while people in nashville were rescuing themselves. perhaps you forgot.
if, as you say, you live in both cities, then you know that one of the current themes in memphis centers around "making memphis a city of choice." i have noticed, during the relatively short time i followed this forum, that some transplants, students, etc., have come to this area, and they dislike it. i am able to see why some don't like either city, however, i don't see why they chose employment, schooling, etc., w/out carefully examining what these cities have to offer. it is totally valid to assume one needs a change of venue if it isn't working out. i have never lived in any area where everyone liked everything about a particular place. most people would tell you to do something about it, finish your business, and move on to another area. that is common sense: not inferiority nor hypersensitivity.
Succintly, it's reasonable to believe and accept that in a mobile society, people do decide to accept a position (job or profession) without carefully examining everything a city has to offer, or what the city DOES NOT HAVE. That happens all the time. Sometimes you don't know the deficiencies of any city until you actually LIVE in that area (visiting or occasional business trips/vacations don't matter). For instance, everyone can tell you about the horrific auto traffic in Houston or LA and you can get all of the stats about it before you move, and carefully examine them, but it's quite a different thing to drive for yourself in the city everyday. The impact is quite different. Similarly you can 'read' about all of the alleged 'great food' available in Memphis, TN, but it's quite different if you move to Memphis or say the suburbs (especially Germantown), and not find or experience more than say one upscale/fine dining restaurant, or say not more than one fine grocery store. Similarly , it's one thing to be told that Memphis is a progressive, forward-thinking city, only to find out truly that its citizens are far more mired in racism than the city that you came from.
In short, people move or come to strange cities for a variety of exceptionally easy to understand reasons. Foremost among them may be a corporate promotion for career mobility reasons. Schooling say on the graduate level is quite another thing-people go to school (undergrad and especially GRADUATE school) where they got ACCEPTED into the program of study, whether it's in Memphis, New Orleans, or NYC.
New Orleans and Memphis have tons of shortcomings to be sure. To pretend that they don't defies the record and the facts on the ground
I have spoken with many many transplants to Memphis, TN, and my experience is plain- the overriding theme from most or my contacts is one of utter disappointment, not of jubillation- one of resignation for 'pursuit of an economic/professional goal', not one of 'Eureka' about finding Memphis. Fortunately or unfortunately, that is the general tenor coming from longtime associates at St Jude, UT MEMPHIS MEDICAL, Univ of Memphis, Morgan Keegan, First TN, Federal Express, Wright, NWA, Swift, and Regions Financial. Keep in mind, these are just a few of my associates, only to name a few. Whenever a theme is repeated, there must be a bit of truth in the observation given the diversity of the individuals themselves- everybody can't simply be unfoundedly negative just about Memphis when comparing it to other cities of residence. They have echoed similar observations about New Orleans as well, but when pushed, all but a few give the nod to NOLA for a variety of reasons.
As far as Kiplinger's---well, some people simply refuse to deal with, understand or accept ANY survey, at ANY time, by ANY reputable company, school, polster, university, agency, when it comes to a fair and accurate assessment of Memphis, TN (or NOLA). For some strange reason, any publication that points out the facts about Memphis (when compared to similar cities) seems to be dismissed out of hand, or disparaged as 'without merit'.
I can say that in my own real experience, NOLA is by far, less xenophobic than Memphis, especially when it comes to even the subject of 'transplants' and newcomers. That xenophobism seems to permeate far more atttitudes of Memphians, than the residents of the coast.
Succintly, it's reasonable to believe and accept that in a mobile society, people do decide to accept a position (job or profession) without carefully examining everything a city has to offer, or what the city DOES NOT HAVE. That happens all the time. Sometimes you don't know the deficiencies of any city until you actually LIVE in that area (visiting or occasional business trips/vacations don't matter). For instance, everyone can tell you about the horrific auto traffic in Houston or LA and you can get all of the stats about it before you move, and carefully examine them, but it's quite a different thing to drive for yourself in the city everyday. The impact is quite different. Similarly you can 'read' about all of the alleged 'great food' available in Memphis, TN, but it's quite different if you move to Memphis or say the suburbs (especially Germantown), and not find or experience more than say one upscale/fine dining restaurant, or say not more than one fine grocery store. Similarly , it's one thing to be told that Memphis is a progressive, forward-thinking city, only to find out truly that its citizens are far more mired in racism than the city that you came from.
In short, people move or come to strange cities for a variety of exceptionally easy to understand reasons. Foremost among them may be a corporate promotion for career mobility reasons. Schooling say on the graduate level is quite another thing-people go to school (undergrad and especially GRADUATE school) where they got ACCEPTED into the program of study, whether it's in Memphis, New Orleans, or NYC.
New Orleans and Memphis have tons of shortcomings to be sure. To pretend that they don't defies the record and the facts on the ground
I have spoken with many many transplants to Memphis, TN, and my experience is plain- the overriding theme from most or my contacts is one of utter disappointment, not of jubillation- one of resignation for 'pursuit of an economic/professional goal', not one of 'Eureka' about finding Memphis. Fortunately or unfortunately, that is the general tenor coming from longtime associates at St Jude, UT MEMPHIS MEDICAL, Univ of Memphis, Morgan Keegan, First TN, Federal Express, Wright, NWA, Swift, and Regions Financial. Keep in mind, these are just a few of my associates, only to name a few. Whenever a theme is repeated, there must be a bit of truth in the observation given the diversity of the individuals themselves- everybody can't simply be unfoundedly negative just about Memphis when comparing it to other cities of residence. They have echoed similar observations about New Orleans as well, but when pushed, all but a few give the nod to NOLA for a variety of reasons.
As far as Kiplinger's---well, some people simply refuse to deal with, understand or accept ANY survey, at ANY time, by ANY reputable company, school, polster, university, agency, when it comes to a fair and accurate assessment of Memphis, TN (or NOLA). For some strange reason, any publication that points out the facts about Memphis (when compared to similar cities) seems to be dismissed out of hand, or disparaged as 'without merit'.
I can say that in my own real experience, NOLA is by far, less xenophobic than Memphis, especially when it comes to even the subject of 'transplants' and newcomers. That xenophobism seems to permeate far more atttitudes of Memphians, than the residents of the coast.
your best work seems to be the last two sentences. it is stated as opinion, and the reader is able, hopefully, to read it, assess, and make up his own mind. that is the best way to engage in situations, conversations, and other non-life-threatening trivia. in the long run, people have the freedom to choose where they live, and that is what is wonderful about this country.
what's really really funny and revealing to me as a resident of both cities, I NEVER heard a native or transplant to NOLA, even remotely suggest that if a newcomer or transplant says or states something a bit negative about NOLA, they would have the stupidity to suggest you 'love it or leave it'. NEVER have I heard that sentiment in NEW ORLEANS.
Strangely that 'love Memphis or leave Memphis' sentiment, or proclamation is too many times spewed forth in Memphis TN, and I've heard that craziness for years.
That's another reason that NOLA is STILL above Memphis. Folks in NOLA by far, are not fearful of criticism or of outsiders . . But in Memphis ?? that sort of defensiveness and almost 'hate' is everywhere. . . . even aired on websites such as this one.
Huh. These are all pretty big sweeping generalizations which I guess you'll have sometimes when comparing 2 places. But I have to say I have encountered a "love it or leave it" attitude in Louisiana and NO despite your experience. LA as a state and NO as city have a distinct culture and well, as many would say, you either like it or you don't. I've heard "that's just New Orleans" as many times or more as I've heard "that's just Memphis." In fact, I feel like there's a lot more gray area in culture of Memphis than NO as a whole.
There are plenty of defensive people in NO as well (as with any place!). Maybe more so in Memphis b/c we are kicked around pretty badly in the media and even in the rest of TN for good reason or not. I don't think many people like to hear their hometown or current city flogged too badly and I do know many NO people who were defensive about the portrayal of the city post-Katrina and with good reason! Not really sure how many people you talked to while living in NO
As far as live music goes, NO has Memphis beat hands down. 2 MAJOR festivals every year (Jazzfest and Voodoo Fest) with vastly superior lineups (especially Voodoo Fest) and many more music venues - including a House of Blues.
There were aspects of Memphis that I enjoyed but even after Katrina, NOLA holds a special place in my heart. There is just something special about that place...I would choose NOLA hands down but that doesn't mean I don't care for Memphis either. Another major difference for me is that before Katrina, NOLA felt like it was always moving forward...I've never felt that way about Memphis - I've never felt like Memphis was going to amount to much more during my lifetime. Acckk I hate to be so negative but it just never struck me as a progressive city
Weak thread guys. Don't these cities have enough bad PR with Forbes crap? Despite both cities' challenges and redeeming qualities, both still inspire the imagination. Somebody take this thread out back and shoot it.
Memphis gets in your soul and under your finger nails. Once it's there it's both a blessing and a curse. God loves Memphis and wants it wiped from the face of the earth.
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