Should I come back? (New Orleans, Metairie: section 8, rental, mortgage)

[shaley]

Originally Posted by 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.

Short, sweet and to the point. Well said, volkerm. Now...if only it were that easy....

[dazui]

I think you will have your own opinion in this matter.Your decisions is the most important!We just can provide some suggestions to you on them!You must do some decisions by yourself!Anyway,I wish you can make a great decision!ha ha

[volkerm]

Life Is As Difficult As You Want It To Be. Go Home For A Visit, See If That's What You Really Want. Jobs Can Be Transfered, Or New Ones Found. Same With Schools, Drs., Etc. Just Maybe Your Life Now Is A Challenge. Let's See What You Are Made Of. When My Dad Was Alive, And Things Didn't Go Well He Would Always Ask Me Where Is Your Backbone. Strong And Decisive. Think It Thru, Plan, And Don't Second Guess Your Self. Take Care. Volkerm

[shaley]

Originally Posted by volkerm

Life Is As Difficult As You Want It To Be. Go Home For A Visit, See If That's What You Really Want. Jobs Can Be Transfered, Or New Ones Found. Same With Schools, Drs., Etc. Just Maybe Your Life Now Is A Challenge. Let's See What You Are Made Of. When My Dad Was Alive, And Things Didn't Go Well He Would Always Ask Me Where Is Your Backbone. Strong And Decisive. Think It Thru, Plan, And Don't Second Guess Your Self. Take Care. Volkerm

You know the irony of it all is, I had almost made up my mind to go back. But...that was when I thought my husband could transfer. Found out he couldn't, that he would have to resign from the company for 6 months,so now it's a very tough decision. And of course they can't gaurantee they'd hire him back after that time frame. It wouldn't be so bad except for the pay, benefits and pension is the best he's ever had.
I am going back next month, so if I still feel the strong urge to return, then heck--we may just have to jump in and take the gamble.
Thanks for the encouraging words everyone!

[NOLA2SGF]

Originally Posted by shaley

I am going back next month, so if I still feel the strong urge to return, then heck--we may just have to jump in and take the gamble.

Good!! I know you'll be glad/sad to see how things are back here. Some companies are having a hard time hiring. It's possible that your husband's company might need him desperately here once the six months are over. Maybe you can "nose around" and find out what his chances are.

Either way, after your visit you can tell us if we gave you a good picture of what things are like here, or not! I am sure we all try, but everyone sees things differently.

[cwine]

I'm From New Orleans Also, And I'm Wanting To Go Home Really Bad! The Housing Isn't Really Better, But I'm Still Ready. I Lived In A Fema Trailer For Five Months And Just Couldn't Bare It Any Longer 5 People In A Little Box Was Too Much. My Job Allowed Me To Relocate, But Now My Sister And Uncle Are Home And I'm Craving Family More Than Ever. I Trans Ferred To Lake Charles, La And Bought A House In Westlake, My Co-workers Are Very Nice But The People Here Aren't Really Friendly Either, There's No Place Like Home! Wish It Was As Simple As Cliking My Heels Together.....

[bluebird39]

Hi there,

I moved from New Orleans to Oregon many years ago. I still have parents in N.O., and have been back to visit every year, once or twice since my move. My brother and SIL moved to Dallas after Katrina, and my folks rebuilt and are months away from being able to retire.

Partly because of Katrina, we decided to move a bit closer to home. DH is from Chicago, so we ended up in Michigan.

One of the worst things about living in Oregon didn't happen until Katrina. Being so far away from my family during such an urgent time of need made me feel completely helpless. No one in Oregon could possible understand what was goign on down there, and watching everyone go on with their lives while the lives of my family and so many others had been turned upside down or worse was awful! It was really a big changing point for me.

As to Southern hospitality, I'd say that the South is the friendliest place I know of. Up here in Michigan I feel really isolated. Most people out West didn't seem to care where you came from, as long as it wasn't California. Here, I can't seem to make friends easily. People are more honest and "face value"-ish. Out West, part of the culture is self-depenence, self-reliability, self-supporting... maybe even a bit "self-ish". Community here in the mid-west is very strong, if you know how to fit in. Out West, people pride themselves in their independence.

I fell in love with the West the day I went there, but I wasn't forced to move there as you were. I'd love to go back West, and while I know what it means to miss New Orleans, I'd never want to live there again. It's nice to visit, but I'm glad my brother is gone, and wish my parents would leave as soon as they are able. The schools there aren't good (I have kids), and there are so many problems. Even before Katrina there were.

The place is so different now. It'll never be the same. I'm not sure I'd like Seattle either. Maybe you could relocate closer to New Orleans. If you DO have family, and there is another hurricane, I can tell you that it'll be very difficult to be so far away from them as you are.

And yes, food is certainly a thing I still miss about N.O. I had to learn how to cook my favorite dishes, and never did find good French po-boy type bread out West, or shrimp, or crawfish, or okra, or..... The food here in Northern Michigan is worse though.... At least the West Coast had incredibly produce.

Good luck with your decision. Those mountians grow on you!

[shaley]

bluebird:
Oh, I so agree with you on your points. People here in Washington are not interested in making new friends, esp. ones from out of state. Like you said, they can't stand Californians, but really seem to resent any transplants. They have their own lives, and don't want any interupptions. I've totally given up on making close friends.
I don't have family down in NO, but I do have very close friends. I talk to one, and hear of all the fun things they are doing, concerts, dining out, etc. I've been to one concert since I've been here, not because they're aren't any, just because my husband works weekends, and I have on one to go with. Seattle is a big place to hang out alone--not that I'd want to. I miss being with friends, and that's the deciding factor really, on my going back.
I do agree, the mountains are beautiful! We went to Mt. Rainier National Park last week--and it's got to be the closest thing to Heaven on Earth. I stood there looking at the beauty of it all, saying to myself "how could I leave all this?" Then, when I get back home to the boring daily routine, I try to weigh the two (nature or friends and good times), and see which one is really more important. I'm a very sociable person, and I feel totally isolated here. The only joy I really get is from the beauty of the place, but that can only go so far. Can anyone see my point??
Like I said before, the true test will be when I return next month for a few days. I know the heat and humidy will be hard to deal with, being used to the mild summer here! But at least it will hopefully bring to reality what is most important to me. Right now, after not having any--friends, food and good times are tipping the scale!

[caseyperkins]

I've been in Birmingham, Al, but I have been very fortunate because I live in a very nice area with warm friendly people. I have felt nothing but love.....but, it's not home. I still want to move back. However, I've decided not to move back to New Orleans because of the cost of living and high insurance rates, etc. So, I'm looking a houses in Gonzales, LA which is about 45minutes from New Orleans. As long as I can go home on weekends and holidays without a long commute, I'm hoping I will be just fine. I'm even considering commuting to work in New Orleans if the job/salary is the right price. You may want to look at areas near New Orleans rather than directly in the City itself. Maybe the Northshore: Slidell, Mandeville. Or perhaps Harahan or the River Parishes. Perhaps that will help in your decision making. If you find New Orleans is still to hard to take, when you come for a visit, think outside the area, yet close enough to be near friends and family at a moments notice. Good luck, because I search my heart and prayed over this before making a final decision to go back to Lousiana.

[bluebird39]

Don't worry... If you're a native Louisanian, those gills behind your ears will start working again, and the heat and humidity won't bother you too much LOL! People who grew up out West, or North can't take the summers there, but I never had any problem and often went back in August, because that's when the plane tickets are cheap!

I know it's hard too being in a new place with no friends (we moved here a year ago). My problem is that I live in a VERY small town... 900 people or so, and we're 30 minutes from the nearest "city" of 2000 or so. Once you do make friends it's great. I think home is where youre friends and/or family are, and it's hard to make new friends, but possible. Have you joined a club, or gone out with husband's work friends? Volunteering is a good way to meet people. My kids are a great "in" to meeting other parents. It's hard though. I lived in Oregon for 16+ years, and my friends there were my "family". Many moved away though as the cost of living skyrocketed.

Good luck.