Should I come back? (New Orleans, Lake Charles: fit in, transplants, insurance)

[NOLA2SGF]

About people in certain places being unfriendly....

When I moved to the New Orleans area from Baton Rouge, my friends there and in Lafayette told me that New Orleanians were friendly on the outside but that it would be IMPOSSIBLE for me to make friends here because people are (supposedly) so insular and have had the same friends for years and years.

But when I moved here, I didn't have any more problems making friends than I have anywhere else (OK, well, maybe Lafayette was a little bit easier but in general). I joined various activity groups and tried to help out rather than just pay dues and attend. Pretty soon I had friends.

Anyway, I thought those who are in unfriendly areas would get a good laugh out of hearing that New Orleans is such an unfriendly place to live, supposedly!

[standardbredgal]

Hi Guys,
I feel ya pain, about being homesick for NO. I lost my farm during Katrina and it was 90 miles inland!!However, I will tell you that people where very nasty to me in Louisiana and in all 18 states that I have lived in since being transferred for work from downunder WHY? because I am thin and blonde and I guess that gave them a reason. Living in Louisiana they were the nastiest, WORSE than Californians infact. They spread rumors that my Latin husband was a drug dealer!!
Tennesseans are lovely in the west but VERY nasty in the east. Alot of them descended from Hillbilly stock, and it shows, insular, suspicious and downright mean.
The nicest, most charming folks I ever met where from Mississippi.
Yes, this country has become bitter, twisted and frightened of outsiders. I call this the '9/11 mentality'. Outsiders are not welcome anymore in America. Even me as an Aussie with a priminister that has stood shoulder to shoulder with Bush on the so called 'War on Terror', has been told to ,'Go back to where I came from".
I think I just may!

[janbeebe]

Why would you ever want to return. The rest of us are still trying to get out. It's not even close to being the same. Not that it was great before.

[Vampgrrl]

The rest of us? Really?

I'm not going anywhere. Love Southeast Louisiana!

[sparklesprinkler]

Of course, anywhere you go in the world, there are idiot jerks. New Orleans is no different. BUT for the MOST part, b/c of the awesome mix of cultures New Orleans and surrounding areas are great. I grew up there and am now 29 years old. I know that there are prejudices there and like I said, that is anywhere you go anywhere in the world. BUT, for the MOST part, I have always found that people were more accepted on the grander scale no matter who they are or where they come from. I, myself, am a loving social butterfly and I know this came from the nurturing of the New Orleans atmosphere. The live and let live.....I am who I am b/c of New Orleans. I have met and loved every type of person one can imagine....and this all comes from the honor and privilege of growing up in New Orleans....I will never be unappreciative of home or discount the greatness of the city. Yes, home has some wounds still and is continuing the slow healing process that it takes to overcome the nastiest beating in history. Like I tell all the negative speaking people about New Orleans, "Yes, It isn't the exact same, and some people can't afford to live there right now and yes, there is crime, etc. There has always been crime and there is everywhere you go. What makes New Orleans- New Orleans, is still alive and being nurtured back to health. AND I appreciate the good people that are living there and working to make it better, one day at a time. Those people in my heart will go down in history as the ones that healed New Orleans. If everyone had the attitude that New Orleans is not the same, why bother, who cares....then New Orleans would be lost. Thank GOD for the people who love, care and help our great city each and everyday simply by living there because they are the ones that will bring New Orleans back. Without them, New Orleans would not be. And would you be saying this crap if something like this happened to your city? I think not." That shuts the negative talkers up real quick.

All of life and everywhere we go has good and bad. I choose to love and nurture the good and look at bad as the contrast we need so that we know "good".

I LOVE NEW ORLEANS!

This comment is not in response to anyone in particular. It's what is in my heart and head at this time and I wanted to share.

[shaley]

Originally Posted by sparklesprinkler

HA! That is what makes me the most mad at Tennessee'ins! THIS IS NOT THE SOUTH. At least not to me....on the map of the USA, the state of Tennessee is in the middle (over to the right some) of the country. When we were in the process of buying a house here, our real estate agent would keep calling this place the south. So, finally, I told him "This is not the south! If this is the south, then what is Louisiana?" He replied, "Oh, yal are beach people." What a doofis! The reason it gets under my skin is b/c of the lack of hospitality, the lack of interest in having relationships with neighbors, etc....That is the total opposite of what N.O. and surrounding areas are about.

I'm like you in terms of "getting use to it". Yeah, I'm use to it alright. As in I know what this place and its people is all about. That is why, like you, I have quit being my usual outgoing social butterfly self. Noone likes it. So, I just wait for the day when we move. I cannot be who I am not forever. Being locked up inside myself is heartbreaking. People that are closed off don't realize just how they influence society in such a negative way.

Oh my gosh sparkles!
It's too bad you and I don't live near eachother! You sound so much like me! You said you can't wait until you move. Are you considering moving back to NO? I'm still struggling with the notion. I'm going back for a visit next month, so I'll see how it goes.
It's so beautiful up here in WA, but unless you become a loner nutcase, you can't talk to, or go out and have a drink and good time with a mountain. And like you, I need human companionship, and really-what's more important than that??

[LTF525]

I'm in the process of relocating back to New Orleans; however I've been gone for 7 years. No matter how long i've been gone New Orleans has always been my home. The way I look at it is that if those of us who love the city don't come back and fight for it, who will? Is it going to be hard/different/more expensive? Yes. But in my eyes, it will be worth it to be home around friends and family and living in a culture I love. I say if your husband can get transferred and you all want to come back, give it a try. What's the worst case senario? In a few years you would move somewhere else if it doesn't work out. Just my thought.

[shaley]

Originally Posted by LTF525

I'm in the process of relocating back to New Orleans; however I've been gone for 7 years. No matter how long i've been gone New Orleans has always been my home. The way I look at it is that if those of us who love the city don't come back and fight for it, who will? Is it going to be hard/different/more expensive? Yes. But in my eyes, it will be worth it to be home around friends and family and living in a culture I love. I say if your husband can get transferred and you all want to come back, give it a try. What's the worst case senario? In a few years you would move somewhere else if it doesn't work out. Just my thought.

Oh, I so agree with you on that.
In my brain, I know I'm probably better off up here, but like you, my heart will always be in NO. Good luck with your return! Let us know how it goes!
Now, we're facing another setback. My husband can't transfer after all. He would have to resign from his company for 6 months, because of the seniority factor. They don't want you to come in and bump somebody off their rung on the ladder. Heck, my husband's only been there 4 months--he has no seniority! But that's company rules...so what can ya do. And then there's no gaurantee he'd be hired back in 6 mo., so it would be a huge gamble. This is the best job he's had, with fantastic benefits and is Teamsters. We just can't take the chance of him losing it. So...now the decision might have be made for me whether I like it or not.

[cassarina]

Peace To All,
I am from Gretna,La and I am living in Newnan,Ga due to the Hurricane. I understand how yall feel concerning the people in other areas. People are not friendly at all here in Newnan. I am very home sick too. Sparkle Sprinkler should check out Nashville in the area near Vanderbilt University. My family evacuated to Lake Charles,LA when Katrina was coming. Within a few weeks Hurricane Rita was on it's way to Lake Charles. Since my Mother had terminal cancer we were airlifted on a C130 by the military and brought to Nashville. I have never met nicer people(except people from Mississippi who I met in Louisiana). We were shocked. We are black and everyone was nice to us, and most did not know that we had fled two hurricanes. If I was not missing living near water so much I would move to Nashville. As it stands I may move to Mobile or back to New Orleans. New Orleans gets in your blood and she is hard to shake. If I move back I would not move to Gretna because all of the New Orleans 9th ward folks causing crime issues. I would move to Metairie where my son lives or to River Ridge where a few of my friends live. River Ridge is very quiet and nice. Good luck to all expats.

[volkerm]

What Are You Waiting For. You Know What Home Is, And You Know Where Home Is. These People Are Closed Off From Katrina Vic's, They Are Not About To Change. Southern Hospitality Is What It Always Was. Life Is Too Short To Be Miserable. Take Care, And Come On Home.