Wasn't New Orleans Bad Before Katrina?! (Lafayette, Jefferson: place to live, store, gangs)

[summer grace]

Originally Posted by prince_trey_12

New Orleans had its problems beforew katrina but it wasn't as bad as people think. New Orleans actually had several of upper middle class to rich neighborhoods. During the days following katrina the world saw some of the poorest people of the city all piled together at the dome and convention center and put in there minds that those were the majority of the city. Thats not true because about 80% of the metro left which means that most of those left were citizens who could not afford to leave while the majority of the ones that left could and were middle class to upperclass citizens. New Orleans had some bad neighborhoods as all big cities but it had alot of nice neighborhoods which go un acknowledged including New Orleans East which is a section of Neighborhoods with mostly upperclass to rich homes which was home to over 100,000+ before katrina hit. Also people don't know about the rich homes of lakeview which were all mostly million dollar homes, and working class neighborhoods such as Gentilly, Carolinton, sections of uptown and several of other neighborhoods. Evenin the lower 9th ward which was totally destroyed on the most part had a 98% black population and almost 70% of them owned or were buying there homes. Crime was also bad but the most New Orleans ever had was around 400 New York city has around 7, 000 yearly. Also before katrina New Orleans was bigger than Vegas and though believed that its not, it really is a nice place to live. Its a city full of fun and ease, and the citizens are some of the best in the country. There are several of nice distinct neighborhoods to choose from, and are several of nice schools to send your kids too. There are several of colleges and universities which are some of the best in the world, and theres a daily thrive to rebuild and renew the Big Easy to a progression that was going on in 1960 when it was growing at a very fast rate up until then. So when someone says that New Orleans is a bad place to live do your research and ask how can they say, because if over 300, 000 people can return to a city that was 80% flooded and thrive to rebuild there normal lives then that should tell you that it must have somthing to offer. Even if someone who lived there tell you its bad, then explain to them that diffrent people have diffrent views, oppions, and scenerios. New Orleans even though it has been destroyed is one of the greastest and most dinstinct cities in the world.

I agree with most of this.. never been there I might add. Theres a downside to everything, I know someone from Metairie and of course see that N.O has lots of problems, but there is the other side.

[WestbankNOLA]

Originally Posted by sailordave

I live in Lafayette and I only go to New Orleans if I absolutely have no other choice. My worst fear in New Orleans is the cops who are among the biggest criminals of the city. My wife and I stayed in New Orleans in July before Katrina. She'd never been there and always wanted to visit. Between the drunks, drug addicts, shootings, and mentally insane she also swore to never return. Our opinion of New Orleans was sealed when we were checking out of the hotel and the hotel staff said they'd never want to go to some country city like Lafayette where there's nothing to do. Wonder how many of them ended up in our "country city" after Katrina? Kiss my a$$ New Orleans, you and your team will never get a dime of my money.

You already prejudged 1 million + people, probably based on what you saw in the CBD or Quarter of all places.. Seems like you felt the same way about N.O. as the hotel staff felt about Lafayette, so what is your point?

Yes, New Orleans has its problems. When you look at the circumstances (pre-katrina) you will notice that any city with the same issues have the same or similar problems.

By the way you don't have to bring your $ to NOLA.. She'll get it anyway, C'mon Louisiana's biggest cash cow, where do you think the remainder of tax dollars that aren't being misused by "typical Louisiana politics" are going?

[miserylovesco.]

Anything outside of NOLA is a waste of space.

When I lived in Chicago I felt the same way about lower IL, it might as well be a different universe.
I could care less about ever visiting Lafeyette or however you spell it.

[summer grace]

Very true. N. O is a wonderful city, sure there is a downside but nothing like that negative post.

[jacq63]

I'm just curious as to exactly what people with a totally negative outlook want from N.O, or how they expect her to be? Seems to be doing her best, IMHO. Theres a whole lotta worse places on the planet. Yep, its a party town with problems, but for me, theres something intangible about the place.
The old girl has been through a lot, do not expect her to come out with freshly washed hair, bleached teeth and a boob job, she is what she is..and thats why I love her!

[Drouzin]

Originally Posted by sailordave

I live in Lafayette and I only go to New Orleans if I absolutely have no other choice. My worst fear in New Orleans is the cops who are among the biggest criminals of the city. My wife and I stayed in New Orleans in July before Katrina. She'd never been there and always wanted to visit. Between the drunks, drug addicts, shootings, and mentally insane she also swore to never return. Our opinion of New Orleans was sealed when we were checking out of the hotel and the hotel staff said they'd never want to go to some country city like Lafayette where there's nothing to do. Wonder how many of them ended up in our "country city" after Katrina? Kiss my a$$ New Orleans, you and your team will never get a dime of my money.

I see this post has touched a nerve with a lot of people. I've seen so many of this type that I generally ignore them, but because so many are put off by the comments I thought I'd help put some perspective on the thing.

This guy lives in Lafayette and admits to little time spent in the City; probably as much time as any of us has spent in Lafayette. I could easily say based on my say, four visits, that it is a sleepy little city with nothing to do. I could mention that the neighborhood surrounding the downtown district was definitely unsavory at best. So why don't I? Because thinking I know anything about Lafayette after four visits is silly.

This guy mentions the drunks, druggies, murders, and mentally ill. Perhaps Lafayette has no drunks, druggies, murders or mentally ill residents. Perhaps this guy has never traveled to the numerous other places that have drunks, druggies, murders or mentally ill people wandering throughout their downtown districts. We can only assume he isn't well traveled.

This guy is afraid of the entire NOPD. Well they do have a reputation... They don't bother me, or for the most part, most people, but then I and most people don't give them any reason to arrest us. Then again he doesn't know any NOPD officers and that some of them are actually nice people.

This guy was insulted that Lafayette has the local reputation of being a "Country City, with nothing to do." It's sad that someone in the hotel/tourism business couldn't be a professional or even polite. However he has no qualms applying the same standard here on these boards. Perhaps he's posting this in hopes of reaching those bad employees who hurt his feelings.

We can only assume by the invitation to kiss this person's hiney that he is hoping to insult those few hotel employees who hurt his feelings, for I can't imagine what the rest of us have done to offend this guy.

Now on the money thing it could go two ways. One would be that he intends to never again visit thusly contributing nothing more to the local tax base; the other would be that he will not donate money to New Orleans in a time of disaster. Perhaps it is both. Sadly, we'll miss that $20 donation, but we all apparently needed to be taught a lesson.

Bottom line folks is that there are hundreds of thousands of posts like this on the internet and if I had a penny for every one made, I'd be a rich lady. They are never constructive, always imply that all residents are alcoholic/drug addicted thugs, and usually are from someone who has no idea what life outside the FQ tourist area is like.

These people have never walked through the Marigny to be greeted by a resident on a bike, they have never stood in line for a snowball and had a conversation, they have never gone to City Park on MG day to bounce on the limbs of a 300 yr old oak with the other kids. Yes the city can seem like downtown Beiruit, and yes areas are bad, but when one invites a whole city to plant one on his rear can you really take them seriously?

[summer grace]

Standing in line for a snowball and having a conversation- that is one thing my friend mentioned too, she says people talk to you and are friendly like when you are standing in line for thngs. So that rings really true to me. Thanks for alerting me there so many posts like this.

[jacq63]

Tried to rep ya Drouzin, but i gotta spread the lovin'. But thanks, you said it beautifully!

[sailordave]

My wife and I don't drink so we stayed away from Bourbon st. The crazy people and drug addicts were outside our hotel along Canal St. and outside the Aquarium. Before Katrina there was a case of a female police officer who committed armed robbery and murder of a store she was a frequent customer. She didn't know the children of the people she killed were watching from behind the cooler glass. Imagine how shocked the children were then they called the police and she was one of the responding officers. Some of the NOPD have acted as executioners and enforcers for drug gangs. Then there's the popular William "cold cash" Jefferson. Real nice place.

[WestbankNOLA]

Yea but does these isolated events have to do with New Orleans as a whole?
As far as the crazy people and what not, do you not realize that New Orleans is a true urban environment. People of all backgrounds live on top of one another forcing them to learn how to get along. They may not get along or become the best of the friends but they tend to tolerate each other to an extent. Its also makes for nicer people since people (not all) are less ignorant of different types of people.

Cops are regular people just like everyone esle, therefore all cops aren't good.. it's just easier to cover up for them in smaller towns.

I do have to say that Jefferson could only be reelected in New Orleans, maybe Louisiana.

Compared to New Orleans, Lafayette would seem rural if not suburban.

Yea its really nice place.. you should come and actually experience the real thing.

Drouzan tried to rep you, but I had to sread it.