New Orleans vs. DC (Jefferson, Many: rent, condos, crime)

[Megad00dle]

Hi Everyone! I am currently living in Washington, DC (been here almost a year now) and and although I like it here...I find myself wondering where I will move next. I went to New Orleans for Mardi Gras one time and fell in love with the city- the food, music, architecture, lifestyle, etc...

Now when I was thinking about moving to DC, I came on this website and all I could hear about was crime crime crime. However I live in DC (not suburbs) and have had no problem whatsoever. I mean I use common sense and stay away from the bad areas. Would anyone be able to compare New Orleans to DC crime wise? I am a 23 year old W/F and I guess Id also like to know how the young professional scene in New Orleans is?

Also, I am originally from South Florida (lived there 20+ years) so I have experience with hot, humid weather as well as hurricanes!

[xavierob82]

I'd imagine the crime in New Orleans is far, far worse than DC. At least in DC, the crime is pretty much restricted to a rather small geographic area (Southeast).

[WestbankNOLA]

Use common sense and street smarts and you will be fine. Although Orleans and Jefferson Parish are known for crime, life here is no different than anywhere else. You do have to take in the fact that this is a completely different breed of people down here and you will be in for various culture shocks depending on how familiar you are with the city. Things work at there on pace and in their on way in SELA. You have the U.S. and Louisiana then you have New Orleans. If you have common sense you will be fine and will probably love it.

[Out of Alaska]

Oh I love NOLA, and DC, but to be honest as a young person, I just don't know. Professionally, DC is a growing and thriving city, and NOLA just simply isn't. The career opportunities just aren't going to be there.

BUT Darnit it sure is fun!!

[deepblue9]

I can directly answer this question. My wife and I are from Boston. My wife is a pediatrician and I am an architect. I have experience living in D.C. (recently). I lived right on the border between Dupont circle and Georgetown which is a very good aea. I will tell you that I was always scared walking around in D.C. and heard MULTIPLE stories of armed roberries, assaults etc... almost every week in that area. There have been crime waves in Georgetown including a series of muggings of young women walking home from work (down M street and cutting up into Georgetown) in BROAD DAYLIGHT. There was also a high profile murder in 2006 of a capital hill employee who had his throat slit in the middle of Georgetown while he was walking his girlfriend home from the movies. They attempted to rape the girlfriend but she got away. The cops were called and, for some reason based on the description, had a hunch who it was....they visited a house a few hours later and found the 3 suspects covered with blood eating fast food. I am not going to say that everything is perfect in New Orleans, but at least for now, I feel much better living here than in D.C. I was always looking over my shoulder in D.C. Of course everything is subjective and you must take my opinion with a grain of salt....but I have actually LIVED in both places and speak from experience. I am not basing my opinion of D.C. on the few glorified events I have mentioned but rather on my overall sense that crime was pervasive and constant and that the criminals seemed to be incredibly violent. By the way, I live in the lower Garden district here (not in Metarie). My wife and I are not terrified homebodies...we like to go out all the time and we have a lot of experience living in urban areas.

In terms of this place not comparing to D.C. as far as opportunities for young professionals.....that is an intersting comment. New Orleans is a work in progress and there is a lot of opportunity here if you look in the right places and you don't expect things to be handed to you on a silver platter. You can really make a difference down here, change things and do something unique with your life. Many of the "young professionals" I met in D.C. I found to be bland, completely obsessed with work and coming up with cash to pay their outrageous mortages for their tiny Arlington or Bethesda condos. The bottom line is despite the problems with New Orleans, I love it here and can't imaging living anywhere else right now.

[Megad00dle]

Thank you so much for your responses. I do love DC and it is fun for young professionals- but its hard to really enjoy all it has to offer on an entry level 32K salary, living alone. (I know I could have roomates and live cheaper, but had roomates throughout college and like my own space!) I find myself looking back and dreaming of being able to pay only $700-800 rent and not having to live paycheck to paycheck like I do here in DC...($1150 for studio here in DC)....I guess Im just trying to find a fun, unique place to live without the outrageous prices. I also agree on alot of young professionals here are just obsessed with careers, etc...Im a little more laid back and think that life outside of your career is more important....anyways thanks again for your opinions!!