Should I come back? (New Orleans, Morgan City: foreclosures, credit, house)

[Vampgrrl]

I only use the term running away because if people don't fight for it (and this moving away from things is only a post WW2 thing generally speaking) then it won't recover.

And I know it was a messed up place pre Katrina, I had thought about coming here for years back in the mid 90s, but too many people were able to avoid facing the problems here because their own personal lives were going quite well.

Katrina for all of the terrible things it did has made the citizens face what the city has become, and it has made America look at it's own problems (NOLA's problems are not only here, Philadelphia has similar, Detroit has it worse and even other wealthy cities hide theirs such as D.C., Atlanta, L.A.)
I would no more leave my country in it's time of need.

I shouldn't have said it in that way but I love this city and I'm trying to rally the troops I suppose.

[Jamison]

Hi Vampgrrl, I understand..... and I 100% agree with your excellent quote, "I would no more leave my country in its time of need". Bravo, I can decisively say I would never turn my back on my country.

That same sense of allegiance (for state) has just been beaten out of me.... I'm kind of shocked to realize that I have turned into the polar opposite of my true self: Angry and disgusted every day, lashing out in public (meaning I now DEFEND MYSELF, whereas before I would cringe and avoid), dreading having to get in the car to run a simple errand, dreading having to send my child to school with the "animals" (the ones who call her ugly names, pull her hair, push her, destroy her sense of self, YES, we have been battling this also for two years), I am just stressed out and miserable. I do hope you and those like you can achieve much toward restoration.... it would be great to see the magic return to New Orleans. But I cannot BEAR to live amongst these sorry excuses for human beings any longer. Trash. Absolute TRASH.

:-(

[JORRINO]

I am sorry you feel that way about Seattle, makes me wonder if any place is better than the place you were raised. I am from Seattle & have lived in Washington state my entire life. I think the people here are quite nice & friendly, the food of course is good to us northwestern people. We don't have much fried food nor gumbo/grits etc. so I understand where your coming from since thats what you were raised on. I recently visited New Orleans to bring my son to Morgan city to a diving company....we had the worst expierence ever! The people were so rude & unfriendly, it was almost like they were being mean on purpose so we would leave. Well, that we did! And we will never return. Not quite sure where the "southern Hospitility" was.... So much for the pity party of the people of New Orleans & Katrina. I will not contribute to Katrina anymore. A good deed from many Americans has not been appreciated, nor has the money been used appropriately. My son has recently had a knife pulled on him while walking from his hotel to Wendy's. It just seems weird to have to constantly be on guard when walking down the street. Why would anyone want to live in fear like that? Ok, back to Seattle. You mentioned you are close to retirement age, have you been to Eastern Washington, it's beautiful with all four season. Wenatchee is quite nice & is only a 2 1/2 hour drive from Seattle. Whatever you do, I wish you luck & life is too short to be unhappy, so if it is New Orleans that puts a smile on your face, that's where you need to be

[Vampgrrl]

Well I guess Jamison, I could understand that and I've allowed myself to be caught up into an idealistic mode of thinking...which isn't a bad thing.

And yes, the thugs were act like animals...like packs of wild dogs.

I even for a moment considered joining the NOPD (heaven forbid!). I just look at this city and think about all the work and planning that once made it great, people who endured here during the hot summers without a/c, suffered with yellow fever and malaria and cobbled out a culture and a life for themselves, the once greatest city in the South.
It doesn't have to be Atlanta or Houston, but this can be a good place...unfortunately Nagin has dropped the ball on everyone's foot (and the ball was full of lead). I'm waiting to see if Jim Letten runs for Eddie Hat Jordan's DA seat, how the at large city council election turns out and see if Bobby Jindal can really do something positive.

I'm troubled by the passive attitude in the city however, people want change but they are either too drained or cynical. New and younger people are moving here which I hope has an impact but without overwhelming support of the President, change will come but it's damn slow.

[On The Go]

Originally Posted by shaley

Hi Ya'll,

My husband and I moved away from the New Orleans area (Kenner) the day before Katrina hit. Like everyone else, we thought we'd be back in a few days. After 2 weeks of living with relatives in TN, we (or should I say I) reluctently moved up to Washington state (Seattle area) to be near my huband's folks.
Well let me tell you. In the nearly 2 years we have been here, I am still miserable and homesick. The scenery and summers are great, but the people suck. They are not welcoming of newcomers, in fact, most of them resent you. They are friendly and polite at the surface, but the "don't get too close" sign is securly fastened to their foreheads. And did I say the food sucks also??
I know NO is still a mess, but I miss my friends, the food, the culture like nowhere else, etc.
I know I must be crazy to want to move back, but I know if I stay here, I face a future of no friends, no food, and no fun!
Any imputs would be appreciated!

I learned long ago that it matters not where you live or what you live in, as long as you are happy. If you are unhappy, "Good Lardy", why would anyone want to be where they are not content and happy. I did this for a large period of my life, but one day I got really smart. I haven't done it since nor will I again. NOW: sometimes, circumstances dictate that we are somewhere for a period of time UNTIL........, but once that 'until' deadline has been met, it time for 'BIG WHEELS KEEP ON CHURNING, PROUD MARY KEEP ON BURNING. ROLLIN, ROLLIN, ROLLIN TOWARD THE RIVER', and on to N.O. God bless you and yours. We are all so sorry about what happened there and how it devastated NO area. We are from Louisiana ourselves, and we have experienced 1st hand from family and extended family who lost so much. But you know what? Even all of the 'stuff' lost is not important when we're unhappy and content. Come on back SOUTH, gal!

[Doogie]

Vampgrrl/Sparklesprinkler, I never considered that I would be part of the problem by moving (running) away but I guess I would have to live with that guilt. You see, I have been contributing positively to the community for around 30 years now (probably not fair to count the first 10 years or so since I wasn't contributing initially) and yet the problems continue to worsen. Maybe I'm just not cut out to be the one to help bring this city back from the depths of despair. Obviously what I have been doing up to this point has failed miserably. I can only hope that some of the new blood coming into town, including yourselves, has the right approach to fix the problems.

It's admirable that you would consider becoming a police officer to help solve the problem but if I may make a suggestion, I would think that would just be treating the symptoms, not the root problem. Besides, I think you would become frustrated rather quickly when you see the guy you arrested last week for murder kill someone else next week. I think the real issue is not something that will be resolved by adding more police officers.

It will take at least a complete generation to begin to reverse the damage that's been done. Unfortunately that means that I will probably be dead and gone before the problem is resolved. The children born of the people who are currently causing the problems need to be raised in a caring and loving environment so maybe the next step would be to find 10 or 20 thousand homes where these values are lived every day and the future thugs can be headed off at the pass. I don't think you'll need to get their parents permission because you probably won't be able to find them anyway.

The real reason I want to leave is because I want something better for my kids. You can't blame me for that, can you? (I'd also like a little snow every now and then just for kicks - Nashville and Knoxville are the finalists.)

I'd be glad to help with anything you need while I'm still here. Just let me know. But like I said, don't expect me to lead the charge because I might just run us right off the cliff -- um, bridge.

Oh, Shaley, I agree with On The Go. If it will make you happy, come on back. We'll leave the light on for you.

[sparklesprinkler]

I understand the desire to run from the difficulties and the idiotic trash around you... I have also realized after 29 years of living on Earth that my happiness solely depends on my attitude and how I handle those that offend me. I have lashed back out of anger and defense and it made me feel pathetic and stupid soon after. I have also responded to an offending person with love and saw the wonderful results soon afterwards. Even if it wasn't enough to completely change the idiot I was dealing with. The only way to change the world around us we must ourselves act the way we wish others to act. Continue to carry that positive and loving attitude. Be the change that we wish to see in the world and all around us. I know it all sounds Cliche BUT it is absolutely TRUE. I am happy when I know I have handled the negativity with positivity and not let it knock me down. Only I can defeat myself. We must all be strong.

To any of you that have not felt the warmth of New Orleans, I am truly sorry. New Orleans (like I've said before) has it's share of *sshole people. You have to get out and about and live in New Orleans for at least a year. People in the work place can be quite miserable for one reason or another. The majority of the people there are amazing people for the simple fact they all love life and enjoy being with their loved ones and that is not limited to just blood. It is friends that have quite easily become family in a relatively short period of time. I myself had that back home. I have absolutely no family. NONE. Anyone that I liked enough to be friends with became family. That is why I am miserable here in Chattanooga, TN. The MAJORITY of people here have no care in the world for what's going on around them. They are not interested in being a friend to anyone really much less be like family. The culture here is very different than that of N.O. These people here have not shared the hardships nor the love that N.O. has. It's very difficult to put into words. But any of you that have moved away from N.O. for a good period of time will know just what it is I am aiming to explain. N.O. cannot be beat for it's hospitality. I lived there my whole life. I have seen the bad but I know that the good is the rule and not the exception there. No other place in the world compares.

I would move back in a heartbeat if we could afford it. My hubby works for the postal service. He worked at the main plant downtown N.O. by the superdome for years. Now that more than half the population is still gone, there is not near the mail volume which equals no work for my hubby.

The good the bad and the ugly....that's life....but as long as you have love and a good attitude it's a good life. Even if everyone around you is a moron.

[PhenomenalWoman]

I'm a evacuee still living in the state of Georgia,I don't have not one friend here after two years of living here,but nobody can tell me that New Orleans is not a friendly place to live. I was born in New Orleans,LA thirthy one years ago. I have come into contact with people from everywhere Wisconsin,California,Georgia,etc.. and always treated everyone with respect and courtesy, you don't get that here in Georgia. They want us to go back to Louisiana even now two years later.All you have to do is speak a couple of words and they whole facial expression change.I don't know what part of New Orleans you were in,but I challenge you to go back and go to Washington & LaSalle in the Uptown Area or anywhere in the vicinity and I will put my head on the chopping block, everyone you encounter will treat you like a sister once you get to know them. I garuntee you that won't take long.

[PhenomenalWoman]

Originally Posted by JORRINO

I am sorry you feel that way about Seattle, makes me wonder if any place is better than the place you were raised. I am from Seattle & have lived in Washington state my entire life. I think the people here are quite nice & friendly, the food of course is good to us northwestern people. We don't have much fried food nor gumbo/grits etc. so I understand where your coming from since thats what you were raised on. I recently visited New Orleans to bring my son to Morgan city to a diving company....we had the worst expierence ever! The people were so rude & unfriendly, it was almost like they were being mean on purpose so we would leave. Well, that we did! And we will never return. Not quite sure where the "southern Hospitility" was.... So much for the pity party of the people of New Orleans & Katrina. I will not contribute to Katrina anymore. A good deed from many Americans has not been appreciated, nor has the money been used appropriately. My son has recently had a knife pulled on him while walking from his hotel to Wendy's. It just seems weird to have to constantly be on guard when walking down the street. Why would anyone want to live in fear like that? Ok, back to Seattle. You mentioned you are close to retirement age, have you been to Eastern Washington, it's beautiful with all four season. Wenatchee is quite nice & is only a 2 1/2 hour drive from Seattle. Whatever you do, I wish you luck & life is too short to be unhappy, so if it is New Orleans that puts a smile on your face, that's where you need to be

Now that statement was just down right ignorant, first off what ever few little pennies you did contribute to Hurricane didn't amount to anything anyway.You and no one that look like you could ever replace some of the things that we loss in that strom.You'll see if it ever happens to you. We don't need your sympathy trust me,we already know what it is with these other states. My cousin live in Washington and she even say how there is crime there!!!!!!!! Please,GET REAL

[reinkingsrus]

I posted a thread on here and you were the only one who gave me info...you seem to be a big supporter of NOLA coming back to life and restoring some kind of order. Are you active in any groups that are helping to rebuild, clean or assist with this? My husband is leaving here for NO on Sunday, he is going to just check things out and let me know its good for us to come out. If it is, then we will be on our way in about a month. He already has a job lined up, but if he doesn't think its a good spot for us to call home, then he will stay for a while, then fly home every few weeks to visit.

I may have some other questions for you, but I justed wanted to say, that I appreciate all the support and the fact you have said that NOLA is not perfect, but its not the worst place to live, either.

Originally Posted by Vampgrrl

Well I guess Jamison, I could understand that and I've allowed myself to be caught up into an idealistic mode of thinking...which isn't a bad thing.

And yes, the thugs were act like animals...like packs of wild dogs.

I even for a moment considered joining the NOPD (heaven forbid!). I just look at this city and think about all the work and planning that once made it great, people who endured here during the hot summers without a/c, suffered with yellow fever and malaria and cobbled out a culture and a life for themselves, the once greatest city in the South.
It doesn't have to be Atlanta or Houston, but this can be a good place...unfortunately Nagin has dropped the ball on everyone's foot (and the ball was full of lead). I'm waiting to see if Jim Letten runs for Eddie Hat Jordan's DA seat, how the at large city council election turns out and see if Bobby Jindal can really do something positive.

I'm troubled by the passive attitude in the city however, people want change but they are either too drained or cynical. New and younger people are moving here which I hope has an impact but without overwhelming support of the President, change will come but it's damn slow.