Should I come back? (New Orleans, Metairie: crime rates, home, employment)

[reinkingsrus]

I have been reading this thread, to get a feel for NOLA! I guess its not the best way, but I think more than anything, I am more excited about relocating to NOLA, now! I have always wanted to do something for NOLA, since Katrina and hope moving there, will be a start. I do have some fears, because its new to my husband and I both! His friend who is giving him the job, has only been there for 2 weeks himself, so we are not alone! The funny thing is, all the negative things I have heard are how my husband feels about Phoenix. He is a native and other than living 8 weeks earlier this year in VA, he has lived no where else! We have issues . I guess the one thing I have learned is that it doesn't matter where you live, you will have problems..no place is perfect. It's what you make of it! I have to say, that I think that people have done good in NOLA and continue to try and improve things. I will be proud to be part of a city that has lived through something, so horrible. I hope that I get to meet people in NO and the surrounding areas, who are glad to have someone come from outside the state to help and decided to make a new life in a place, that has suffered and has problems, rather than some town that has less problems and has seen nothing like the residents of NOLA and SELA have! Phoenix, has not been bad, it has been nice living here, but we would like something different. If NOLA doesn't work for us, then we will move north, go visit other towns in LA and see how they fit into our needs for friendly faces. Any advice of any kind, where to get involved with lending a helping hand, where to go and not to go, who is hiring, any nice neighborhoods, schools of choice (we are thinking private, but doen't mind public schools for our 9 year old)...etc!

Thanks,

Look forward to chatting when I get NOLA and need more advice!

[saguarodave]

Originally Posted by reinkingsrus

NOLA or bust! Phoenix, can just kiss my .....! I have been reading this thread, to get a feel for NOLA! I guess its not the best way, but I think more than anything, I am more excited about relocating to NOLA, now! I have always wanted to do something for NOLA, since Katrina and hope moving there, will be a start. I do have some fears, because its new to my husband and I both! His friend who is giving him the job, has only been there for 2 weeks himself, so we are not alone! The funny thing is, all the negative things I have heard are how my husband feels about Phoenix. He is a native and other than living 8 weeks earlier this year in VA, he has lived no where else! We have issues . I guess the one thing I have learned is that it doesn't matter where you live, you will have problems..no place is perfect. It's what you make of it! I have to say, that I think that people have done good in NOLA and continue to try and improve things. I will be proud to be part of a city that has lived through something, so horrible. I hope that I get to meet people in NO and the surrounding areas, who are glad to have someone come from outside the state to help and decided to make a new life in a place, that has suffered and has problems, rather than some town that has less problems and has seen nothing like the residents of NOLA and SELA have! Phoenix, has not been bad, it has been nice living here, but we would like something different. If NOLA doesn't work for us, then we will move north, go visit other towns in LA and see how they fit into our needs for friendly faces. Any advice of any kind, where to get involved with lending a helping hand, where to go and not to go, who is hiring, any nice neighborhoods, schools of choice (we are thinking private, but doen't mind public schools for our 9 year old)...etc!

Thanks,

Look forward to chatting when I get NOLA and need more advice!

I'm sure glad that you think Phoenix "has not been bad". I hate to think what you would have posted about us if it had!

[Vampgrrl]

I am heartened by all the new people coming into Southeast Louisiana and New Orleans. It remains to be seen the impact but while Louisiana has lost population, it has picked up more younger college educated than it has in a long while (people born outside the state).

[Mattie Jo]

I really like NO. I think you should move back. When I left CA many years ago I was so homesick, but it took me a few years to get back. Once I was back the homesickness was gone, but now that my parents are gone, I moved to OK, and I am not homesick for CA. I think if you really love an area and what it has to offer you will remain homesick. I used to miss Berkeley, CA, and in some ways I still do, but I have more in Oklahoma. I used to want to live in NO. But at the time construction was at a hault, and my husband needed new construction for work, so we passed it buy. Now I only go there for a vacation.

[tretana]

Believe it or not but cost of living is still cheaper than California. Even though insurance is more, there are some incentives because it being a Buyer's Market out in the Real Estate right now.

I Love New Orleans and plan on staying for a very long time. Best of luck.

[travelknows]

Considering that the economy looks like it's headed for a recession and with layoffs everywhere, Louisiana doesn't look that bad. It's cheap to live here, the people are basically nice, and let's face it. It's one of the few places where there's actually abundant supplies of water (versus California, Nevada, etc.) A person can actually live here without spending tons of money. Sure, it's hot, but so what! The springs are pleasant, autumn is pleasant, and the winter's are short and not brutal. People love to beat Louisiana up, but keep things in perspective. With this mortgage-crisis and credit crunch going on, foreclosures aren't rampant like they are in so-called "booming" California. If you're miserable where you are, then list all the pros and cons of Louisiana and weigh it out.

[MDMcLaney]

A big AMEN for Shaley. The quote from another person who is on the same page as myself. There is another thing you have to take into heart. There is a certain kind of WILDNESS missing in people in other states. I guess we are all just crazy. But trust me, when you are not around locals, you miss it. You miss it a lot. You need to yell and talk about the Saints, LSU, Tulane,............to someone who gives a damn! Because down here everything goes straight to the heart!
Come home girlfriend!

[sparklesprinkler]

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

OOOOOOOOOKAAAAAAY, Jorrino! Are you serious? How many times do I have to REMIND people that EVERWHERE we go there are @ssholes. It's the exception down south, not the rule! You have a bad experience bringing your son to Morgan City so all of New Orleans is bad and not worthy of your help? You are kidding, right? Surely you aren't that ignorant. You mean to tell me that you believe that all of the people hurt and devastated by Katrina are trash? You are saying that it is a pity party? I hope you experience the worst nightmare in reality that one ever has to experience and need the kind hearts and helping hands of your fellow Americans and that you think back to this horrible statement you made. If you lose everything and are forced from your precious home, don't dare ask for a helping hand or dollar. You wouldn't want to start your own pity party. Shame on you. I for one am a BEAUTIFUL person and New Orleans is my home. I take offense to this statement for the obvious reason. I am sorry that happened to your son. That is a horrible experience. Make no mistake- that can happen ANYWHERE. Do you think crime is only down south??? I hope you reflect on what you said and realize that you were talking out of your @ss.

[sparklesprinkler]

Originally Posted by MDMcLaney

A big AMEN for Shaley. The quote from another person who is on the same page as myself. There is another thing you have to take into heart. There is a certain kind of WILDNESS missing in people in other states. I guess we are all just crazy. But trust me, when you are not around locals, you miss it. You miss it a lot. You need to yell and talk about the Saints, LSU, Tulane,............to someone who gives a damn! Because down here everything goes straight to the heart!
Come home girlfriend!

NOW! DIS IS WHAT I'M TALKIN' 'BOUT, GURL!!! I love it! Someone who knows....

[saguarodave]

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.

Why do you think Tennessee is not part of "the south"? They fought by your side in the Civil War. Louisiana is part of the "Deep South" along with such states as Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida. You really ought to brush up on your geography a bit before flying off the handle and insulting people.