wanting to leave new orleans (Baton Rouge, Lucky: best cities, rent, hotels)

[kwaters10]

i am a a 25 year old single parent, looking to move away from new orleans, i returned back to new orleans, la about 11 months ago after living in atlanta, ga for about 1.5 years by way of katrina. since my return i have thought of nothing more than moving away again, i mean home will always be home, but i feel like there is more out in the world for me than in new orleans, i have skills in dialysis and gaming, and i have basic college skills, i've also worked for one of the best hotels in the hotel industry for about 7 years, can anyone give me some suggestions concerning a great state for me to relocate to, and raise my daughter?

[Chinolala]

Illinois. We have a large population, many needing dialysis services. We also have popular casinos in Aurora and Elgin and a Chicago based one is in the works. You could most likely afford to live in either Aurora, Elgin or South Elgin to be close to the casinos. There are hospitals out that way too, as well as diaysis centers. Another good and more affordable option would be northwest Indiana. NW Indiana has at least 3-4 large casinos that get lots of customers from Chicago and I hear they're busy. Indiana has lower taxes than Illinois and would be a good option for you to look into. Check out towns on the internet such as Munster, Crown Point and neighboring towns to those.

[rgreenkrb]

Asheville, North Carolina. The job market there isn’t generally that great, but there are opportunities there in two industries you mention - health care and hospitality.

[Xcaped NOLA]

I can't offer advise about where you could go, but I understand your dilemma. I too exited NOLA after Katrina and am still in Little Rock after 2 years of being away for NOLA. I've returned to Nola several times and eash time I see no progress. I was actually going to leave Nola anyway before HK due to the economy. Little Rock is slow paced and a bit rural in contrast to NOLA but the crime rate is far less than NOLA. Check out the links below. New Orleans ranked #1 as the worst places for job growth. I don't plan to go back there to live, just visit. I thought about Baton Rouge but I'm skeptical because it seems like LA is sooooo behind in everything. I wished I had moved away years before. I am 35 now. Take it from me start anew somewhere where you can support your family and that has many opportunites to succeed and get ahead in life.NOLA never seemed to live up to this IMO. I'm thinking about Texas if BR is a letdown.

WORST PLACES:

MSN Careers - Worst Cities for Job Growth - Career Advice Article

BEST PLACES:
MSN Careers - Best Cities for Job Growth - Career Advice Article

[Vampgrrl]

The jobs have been easy to get in NOLA, for me anyhow, and the pay has been good as well.

I think good things are coming this way, especially with US DA Jim Letten prosecuting every single one of the crooks in town...but I guess people can't always hold on.

[kwaters10]

I Have Heard That North Carolina Is A Great Place To Raise Kids, I Am Really A City Person, I've Lived In New Orleans All My Life And I Spent 1.5 Years In Atlanta, I Don't Know If I Would Adapt Well To A Slow Enviorment, But For The Sake Of Prosperity It's Worth A Try

[kwaters10]

I Guess The Jobs Are Easy To Come Across Now, I However Was Lucky Enough To Come Back To My Old Job.even Though Some Will Say That We Are Making Money, But When U Look At How The Rent And Expenses Are Now, Ur Only Working Just To Keep Ur Head Above Water, If We Keep At This Rate We Won't Ever Come Up, We Will Be Stuck In This Same Position Forever, So Im Now Looking For My Way Out, While I Still Have Time And While Im Still Young

[kwaters10]

Yes New Orleans Will Always Be Home, And U Can't Help But Love Its Eccentric Ways, And I Wanted To Be One Of Those People To Say That I Came Back And Help The Economy To Get Back Up And Running, But From Where I Am Sitting It Almost Seems As Though We Are At A Stand Still, Right Now Im Gonna Do Whats Best for me and start over while im still young with ambition, but nevertheless home will always be home and i will always love it

[etland]

If you are interested in North Carolina, you might look into the Triangle area which is composed of several cities -- Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and quite a few nice smaller towns like Cary, Apex and Holly Springs. I too am a native of Louisiana and I lived in New Orleans 17 years before moving this June to Raleigh. We like it here. The public schools are good for one thing. They actually finish major road work in a matter of weeks -- imagine that! Also no potholes! And I feel safe when I go outside to get in my car. There is plenty to do here for kids, much more than in New Orleans. Lots of sports leagues. The Raleigh Park System is fantastic and offers all kinds of things, from swimming to karate to art.

Here's a link -- the Triangle area usually makes it onto those "top places to live" lists. I definitely understand how you feel about New Orleans! You are right. It is especially difficult for parents. If we didn't have children, we might have stayed.

Raleigh's Official Tourism Site -- Travel info for your Raleigh excursion

[Vampgrrl]

I think things are changing in NOLA for the better with Fed DA Jim Letten is putting the whole city government in jail...and some so misled so easily to vote for these crooks either aren't voting or aren't here...

Change comes slowly...with Jindal, Letten is going to take Fast Eddie Jordan OUT...