Need the Quick and Dirty on Race and NOLA (New Orleans: for rent, crime)

[calipoppy]

My boyfriend is considering a move to the city of New Orleans proper. I may or may not tag along. Depends on job situation. However, I wanted to get some "real" answers from real residents(current and former) about whether we would have a problem as a mixed race(Black/White) couple. Are there areas that we should avoid for renting and/or just being out and about?

[buildings_and_bridges]

I'm not a resident, but have spent a lot of time in the city, and I wouldn't think there are any parts of it where you should worry about being a mixed race couple at all.

But hopefully some actual residents will post about it, also, and give you their perspectives as well.

[miserylovesco.]

last I checked they could care less.

Bigger fish to fry.

[LOUISIANA'SLEGEND]

Thats a very funny question, you wont hardly ever have a problem with that down in New Orleans, mixed couples is the last thing you should worry about. Im sure people will chip in on answering this, but as far as the mixed couple thing, forget about it, you're so ok!!!!!

[imaterry78259]

The whole city is made of mixed people >Creoles/Sicilians/Irish, etc

[clairio]

You won't really have a problem being a mixed couple...at least from our (white) end...I don't know how others would respond, but I would imagine the ones that would give you crap are the ones you won't be associating with anyways....

As far as areas to avoid - the bad and good areas aren't divided by neighborhoods, but rather by streets, so it's almost impossible to tell you which areas are bad - they can all be bad!! You can walk one block away from a multi-million dollar home and literally be in the ghetto. No joke. It just takes some experience.

I found this website citizencrimewatch.org (or something like that) that maps out crimes in different areas. Kind of a handy little tool.

That being said, crime can happen to anyone. I've been lucky, I've lived here for 10 years and only had my car broken into once. And I work a lot of late nights. I just try to always be aware and careful. That's the same for everywhere though, I guess.

[brattpowered]

I don't think there's a native New Orleanian out there who doesn't have a mixed-race union somewhere in their family tree.

[NOLAetchgirl]

I'm black and have lived in NOLA my whole life....by choice.

I don't think you'll have any problems living here, depending on which neighborhood you eventually live in. Most of the older (and richer) and the older (and poorer) neighborhoods may not accept you, but try Carrollton above Tulane U. or near the cemetary on the upper end of Canal Street.

I live in NO East, which some may say, because it's primarily black, is not a good place to live. I very much disagree. There are several middle and upper class enclaves in the east (Gentilly, Kennilworth, Academy Park, etc.) that are very stable and have very little crime. And the houses are older (build in 1950-70's) but are by no means bad ("old" in NOLA means "bigger rooms"!!)

As for schools, I'd stick to the private/catholic schools. Public schools are crap down here. Besides, the catholics always see it as an opportunity to convert some "wayward soul" :-)

[buildings_and_bridges]

Originally Posted by NOLAetchgirl

Most of the older (and richer) and the older (and poorer) neighborhoods may not accept you, ...

Really? Those neighborhoods aren't open to mixed-race couples? I didn't think that was a problem anywhere in the city.

As for schools, I'd stick to the private/catholic schools. Public schools are crap down here.

I've heard that Lusher and Newman are pretty good schools.

[mountaingirl75]

i lived there for four years and my co-worker was a white girl who was secretly dating a black guy. they had problems because of it i guess. i'm caucasian, i know while i was there i witnessed more racism then i have ever before or since...esp. with the older folks. seems to be so deep rooted i don't think it's going anywhere.