How dangerous is New Orleans post-Katrina? (Ball, Washington: credit card, university, living in)

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Originally Posted by kkat55

I just wanted to put out there that I would move to the North Shore first (rent an apartment) and get used to the area before living anywhere permanently. I grew up in Slidell and think it is wonderful, but there are other places that are nice also -- like Mandeville, Covington, Lacombe. I'm sure you can find something that you like in those areas and you don't have to feel so fearful.

Best wishes on your move!

Only fearful if another storm comes through the area. All those places have the potential to flood badly - well, Slidell already flooded badly in Katrina. My son't co-worker's hosue was under 10 ft. of water.

[BrushFyre]

Alert!

New Orleans Native to Rose-Colored-Glasses/Chamber-of-Commerce types who post about N.O. as if they really know about it:

YOU DON'T.

People come to New Orleans (or want to) and they proceed to try to paste upon it some Fantasy of Their Own Making. Ooooo, it's funKytOwn! The cool jazz! The piping of the piccolos! Oh, I mean trumpets! Oh, it's eDgY! It's "colorful." Are we cool, rockin' edgy types yet, hangin' in the Crescent City, havin' us a Hurricane Pahty, us? Pass me a Jax and gimme a plate o' red beans, doll!

BLAH. I know the REAL NEW ORLEANS and IT BE GONE.

[buildings_and_bridges]

Originally Posted by BrushFyre

BLAH. I know the REAL NEW ORLEANS and IT BE GONE.

I think that's just a tad bit melodramatic. And inaccurate.

[Drouzin]

BLAH. I know the REAL NEW ORLEANS and IT BE GONE.

I understand what you're saying, but it's not fair to razz on the newbies or wanna be's. They love this place because of us, not to spite us. Shoot, I wanna be thin but I don't give thin people a hard time, (ok maybe just a little). But that doesn't make it right.

I know that things are way different. I know there are alot of new people who don't get it. What ding-bat moves into Treme and then complains about a 2nd line? It's like going to the zoo and complaining that it stinks! We know that most people don't have Jazz Funerals, but that everyone has a repast. These people will learn that about us and more as time goes by. Look at Chris Rose, he's no native but I don't know one local that doesn't love him dearly or thinks of him as an outsider.

Don't lose hope; yes the place is definately different since K. But as long as there are 2 old guys playing checkers under the overpass, as long as someone can sit on the steps every afternoon and talk with the only other neighbor on the block, as long as someone can ask about your mom-n-dem, as long as someone can make groceries (even if you have to drive 45 min. to get there), as long as that guy with the horse can still pick up his kid from school every Fri., as long as the Pie Man comes to your job, as long as a church has a dinner for a fundraiser cooked in sombody's kitchen, well... we'll still be here. Oh yeah, and as long as a Mercadel lives in the 7th ward and a yat is complaining...

Hon I miss it too, but it's not wiped out yet we're all hanging in there. Now lets all go and sit out on the front porch this evening, (yes the wanna be's too, unless of course it's cold and rainy where you are) even if you're the only guy left on the block. That's Naturally New Orleans.

[toupsee]

Girl, you said it beautifully. You really make me miss home.

[Vampgrrl]

I don't think anyone can see New Orleans as pie in the sky...but every place changes, even where I was born originally but it's not gone and New Orleans is not gone either. Its been here for almost 300 years and its undergone many serious changes since well before Katrina.
I live here, New Orleans is my home.

[Ronald120]

Originally Posted by Drouzin

as long as the Pie Man comes to your job

Which "Pie Man" are you talking about? Are you simply talking about a pie man or referring to something specific, namely a restaurant?

[Drouzin]

In this case we called him, "The Pie Man," because his wife used to make pies as well. But you know, it's the person who lives in the neighborhood either an old lady or church group who goes around selling dinners at lunch time and unloads them out of the car.

If you've never had food from a "pie man" you don't know what you're missing

[Vampgrrl]

Not familiar with Pie man...Pie lady on the other hand...I see her occasionally.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Originally Posted by Drouzin

In this case we called him, "The Pie Man," because his wife used to make pies as well. But you know, it's the person who lives in the neighborhood either an old lady or church group who goes around selling dinners at lunch time and unloads them out of the car.

If you've never had food from a "pie man" you don't know what you're missing

Oh, you bring back memories! Some old lady comin' round with fish or chicken dinners on Fridays .... ummmm, good!

I was visiting my family this past week but I stayed in Metairie. Last time I was downtown, it was depressing to drive down Canal past what was once a vibrant neighborhood. But the Quarter was going. My birth city will come back but it's gonna be a while - still, don't count her out yet.