Katrina Survivors In Other States! Is life better or worse? (New Orleans: insurance, new home)

[PhenomenalWoman]

Are there any Katrina Survivors that has not returned to the New Orleans area? If yes, is life better or worse than before the storm? Are you planning to return to the area? How has life changed for you?

[zonababe]

That's a good question. I thought the Katrina survivors who were sent to other states, had a chance to start a new life. What a great opportunity. I've yet to hear about anyone having a great transformation. I've seen refugees on the news saying they just want to go home. I've heard people in Houston complain that the Katrina refugees are ruining their city. I'd really like to hear some positive news regarding jobs and housing from those who weathered the storm.

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by zonababe

I'd really like to hear some positive news regarding jobs and housing from those who weathered the storm.

Ask and ye shall receive.

Finding Home On Higher Ground - HUD

[LOUISIANA'SLEGEND]

Im not an evacuee, but its seems like the ones who were originally well-off and made a good living New Orleans are the only ones who seem happy to come back or yearn to come back. The ones who were originally less fortunate, those who were stranded there in New Orleans after Katrina, appear to absolutely love their new environment and do not wish to ever come back to New Orleans. They miss the times, family, of course want to visit for Mardi Gras and all the festivals, but never want to go back to live in what they call horror(before and after the hurricane). This is what I have been hearing from alot my friends who are from New Orleans who are comfortably living across the southern regions in the U.S. Can't wait to hear from an actual evacuee.........

[Drouzin]

I assume the OP means a long term evacuee. I was out of state for about 2 weeks and stayed in Hammond for about 2 weeks, so I can't say much about my experiences because the moment they opened the doors I came back.

My neighbor, however, was gone for about two years. The first time I saw him after the storm, they had come back to sift through what was left and told me how nice it was up in TN and that they were going to stay there. Both of them have health problems and it just wasn't practical for them to stay anyways.

Imagine my surprise when we saw FEMA setting up a trailer in their yard last summer. Apparently TN was really nice, but they missed home. Right now they are slowly rebuilding and fighting with the insurance company over $500, but things should pick up really soon because they finally closed with LRH.

They have nothing but good things to say about TN, and talked about how well things were run, but home is home. Perhaps there is something to that legend about those born here and leave are destined to return?

[PhenomenalWoman]

Those are all very,very POSITIVE stories, i guess if you only look for the negative ones that's all you'll hear.Thanks Again

[SBCmetroguy]

Originally Posted by phoebecressy1

Those are all very,very POSITIVE stories, i guess if you only look for the negative ones that's all you'll hear.Thanks Again

No problem! I had remembered these stories from The Shreveport Times some time ago and did a quick search to find them again. Much to my surprise, HUD had the stories right there on their website. Very nice. They have essentially created a small, close-knit community of brand-new homes just for former New Orleanians right there in the middle of the Allendale neighborhood. That neighborhood needed just that kind of development to help build some neighborhood pride, and I hope it's helped.

[NOtransplant]

Not sure that we qualify as survivors, since we moved to TN about a month prior to the storm. However, we did have 15 relatives, 4 dogs and 2 cats living with us after the storm, so that should count for something, right?

For us, it's a toss up as to whether we are better off now. I do love TN. It's a great place to raise a family. Crim is low, schools are good, and it's clean and pretty. However, we miss our families terribly. I am constantly questioning whether we should be here or head back. Our parents are older and it would be nice for us to be there to help out more and for them to see their grandchildren grow and be a bigger part of their lives.

Now I'm wishing I was home . . . !

[Micktooth]

My family and I left NOLA after Katrina and moved to Louisville, Colorado near Boulder. Life could not be better. The area is great and so are the people. It is so nice to live in a progressive community. Sure we miss our family,friends and food, but I would not move back from here!
Best Places to Live: Top 100 - Louisville, Colo. (3) - Money Magazine

[jkmewright]

We have several families (I don't know how many) in our area and they seem to like it here. Some have opened up new businesses that are thriving and that we all enjoy too Nothing like some authentic creole in the mountains of TN. I am sure that some miss home terribly but we are doing all we can to make them welcome. Here's a write-up with reader's commentary:
Tug of home strong for displaced New Orleanians - Breaking News Updates New Orleans - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com