move to new orleans, the future (Franklin, Atlanta: crime, neighborhoods, public schools)

[deepblue9]

Hoping to get some advice....my wife is a pediatrician and I am an architect. We are both in our late 20's and have good job offers in New Orleans. I went to Tulane undergrad but have not been back since graduation. We are living the typical suburban life in the northeast but have grown tired of our jobs. Our job opportunities in New Orleans are more exciting and the pay is just as good as in our current situation....hence the move to Louisiana is particularly attractive to us. I love New Orleans when I lived here for 4 years, but do have concerns about coming back. We would like to live in uptown or the warehouse district. Obviously we have concerns about safety and would appreciate any input regarding that subject. We will likely have kids in 1-2 years. We have heard good things about the Lusher school. Anyone have any thoughts about this? Overall, we think that New Orleans would be a great place to live and that we would like to participate in the rebuilding of the city. Are we being overly idealistic?

[Doogie]

No I don't think you're being overly idealistic. Safety is a concern but it is not a dealbreaker. It's not significantly worse now than when you were here.

The regular public schools are not good but schools like Lusher and Ben Franklin are awesome. There is optimism about improvement with the new charter schools as well.

[deepblue9]

Thanks for the input. We have other friends where we currently live (near Boston) who are also thinking about moving to New Orleans, many of whom are doctors and teachers. It seems as if many physicians left the state after the hurricane and that they are currently in high demand. I think there are a group of people throughout the U.S. who see New Orleans as a wonderful opporunity to start a new life....assuming of course, that the city begins heading in a positive direction. If enough people come back, or relocate, perhaps the city can head into a completely new direction (not what it was pre-Katrina) in which public schools become better, the streets become safer and the economy improves. New Orleans certainly has the tools, the potential to have this happen-great universities and lots of energetic people who will push for change, both at the grassroots and political level. I guess we will see what happens, but in the interim, enough people have to "take a leap of faith" in order to give it a chance to happen.

Originally Posted by Doogie

No I don't think you're being overly idealistic. Safety is a concern but it is not a dealbreaker. It's not significantly worse now than when you were here.

The regular public schools are not good but schools like Lusher and Ben Franklin are awesome. There is optimism about improvement with the new charter schools as well.

[Vampgrrl]

I think the city is headed in a positive direction.
The projects are coming down (the city council actually voted 7-0 in the face of protesters...many from out of state). US DA Jim Letten and the FBI are watching the city like hawks and putting people in jail as fast as they can. Its also more expensive to live here (but not shocking for someone in Boston) which has the unfortunate fact of pushing some out, but it seems to also be getting rid of people who didn't really want to work either.
I am a city cheerleader of sorts but I sure would not be here if I didn't think there was a wealth of opportunity to be found. You have to get used to a lot but I would be the first to encourage white collar professionals to move here. That's the demographic the city is looking for!

-IT Professional and current night student at Tulane

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by Vampgrrl

Its also more expensive to live here (but not shocking for someone in Boston) which has the unfortunate fact of pushing some out, but it seems to also be getting rid of people who didn't really want to work either.

Yes, and we in Atlanta would love to thank you all for that since all those folks are uh... moving HERE.

That being said, I know someone who went to N.O. for a work project for three months recently and now they're considering moving there. This is not someone who would have considered the place pre-Katrina, so they must have seen positive change and growth in order to even consider it. Not much of a help for relocating info, but I guess it says that things .. at least some things there.. might be on a better track than they used to be.

[Vampgrrl]

atlantagreg: I'm from Atlanta and moved here in early 2007. I LOVE it, especially compared with Atlanta.

[Cookie0907]

There is growth and change for some but for many things are still terrible here. Since you and your wife have high paying jobs, you will not have to be exposed to the unsavory parts of town, but i urge you to visit them during day time hours. The neighborhoods, schools, and businesses that are suffering need to be seen so that people realize that everything is not okay. It is so wonderful that you can afford to get your children a quality education but so many kids have no choice but to attend run down schools with teachers that dont care what they do. Now there is a Lusher highschool. A black highschool that was much needed was closed so that Lusher High could occupy the building. And even though the projects are being torn down, that does not stop the poverty or drug problems that the city has. I have lived here my entire life. I wish you and your family all the best on your move and hope that you can recognize the dire need for a change. Remember, there is always some dirt being swept under that Beautiful rug. Good Luck!

[deepblue9]

We have finally moved to New Orleans and we wanted to update everyone on our experiences. We start work in a few weeks and have had lots of time to explore the city. We have been living in the garden district which is truly wonderful. There are families with young children on our block and in general there are lots of kids in the neighborhood which is very uplifting. There is so much to do in the city. We often take long walks in the afternoon. The weather is hot but I am really enjoying it (not so different from the northeast in fact). In many ways the weather seems more tolerable because there are so many trees and there are often brief showers that cools things off. There seems to be this beautiful golden ambient light that permeates the city. It contrasts with the blue sky and is quite unique in my opinion. Has anyone else noticed this? We couldn't be happier. Everyone we have met is so friendly. We are very glad that we have finally left the urban northeast. I am sure we will encounter some negativity, just like anywhere else, but at this point we are enjoying our idealism! I would recommend a visit or relocation to anyone....

[Jessiegee40]

I'm very happy for you and your wife Deepblue9. Welcome to Louisiana.

[TNRyan23]

New Orleans is a beautiful city, I enjoy getting down there as much as I can. My wife was displaced in Katrina and said she would never move back. I wouldn't mind though if the pay was right. Crime is everywhere.