The slow death of New Orleans. (Baton Rouge, Iowa: high crime, to buy, school)

[MetroBTR]

Okay. I was in the French Quarter a month ago tomorrow. I went to the French Market...all was well. A few spaces were empty, but vendors were everywhere. I even got a bargain on some really neat hand-carved tribal masks. I'm not usually into that kind of stuff, but I figured they would be a nice addition to my home. Back to the subject...everything seemed normal to me. It was actually a little over-crowded for my taste because there were some left-overs there from the Sugarbowl. It was even a rainy day! We got some great seafood at a crowded "locals" restaurant and had a great time.

From what I can tell from this visit to the Quarter and other visits since "the thing", the district is alive and well.

[alon504]

Originally Posted by pnutbujelly

I’m not buying the story your friend told you. I was there for a week and it was slow as I have seen it. I was told that it has been slow all summer, and there were only about 9 vendors in the French market. I have never seen that. I got my room in the holiday in on royal st for 39$ a night. That is the cheapest I have ever gotten a room in the 1/4. We took a ghost walking tour and were told that tourism was down 40%. One vendor complained that they made only 500$ for sugar bowl and usually make 15k. There was also a lack of people street performing. only 1 art vendor in Jackson sq. and 4 palm readers. Cafe Du monde was almost empty when we went 3 different times. It has never been like that. I have had to wait at times to get a seat in times past. Frenchman’s St. was empty also. I was there 3 different times and i do not think I saw 5 people walking up and down the Street. Restaurants were empty for the most part. When I called Alpine off of Jackson Sq. for reservations I was told that because of how slow it was I did not need to worry about it, just come on in. When we got there it was us and no others at 7:30 and before we left only one other couple came in at 8:30. I have been going there since the late 90s and can tell you it has never even been this close to this slow.

Whatever...these are people with the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau!!! LOL.....

[pnutbujelly]

Originally Posted by alon504

Whatever...these are people with the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau!!! LOL.....

So they have no vested interest in spinning how things are going? LOL

[alon504]

They are their to promote the city and sell the 33,000 hotel rooms in New Orleans. And they do take pride in their successes such as 2008 as they very well should. Where do you live pnutbujelly? Do you not want us to know?

[Innotech]

Originally Posted by MetroBTR

Okay. I was in the French Quarter a month ago tomorrow. I went to the French Market...all was well. A few spaces were empty, but vendors were everywhere. I even got a bargain on some really neat hand-carved tribal masks. I'm not usually into that kind of stuff, but I figured they would be a nice addition to my home. Back to the subject...everything seemed normal to me. It was actually a little over-crowded for my taste because there were some left-overs there from the Sugarbowl. It was even a rainy day! We got some great seafood at a crowded "locals" restaurant and had a great time.

From what I can tell from this visit to the Quarter and other visits since "the thing", the district is alive and well.

I have to agree. From what we saw two weeks ago, the quarter is very much alive and well. I went to New orleans about 2 months after KAtrina (once the national guard had cleared the streets and returned the city to normal law) and that was when it was truly deserted. even then, walking down Bourbon was a festival of light and color like always. but so many stores and shops were closed down at the time it was really sad. Since then I have returned several times and it has gotten progressively more crowded and interesting again. And unfrotunately, more dangerous. the French Market is full to the brim with vendors and lots of shoppers. the riverwalk was filled with entertainetrs and their onlookers. One street dancing group drew a rather large crowd. Musicians played beside the cafes and streets. The Art Vendors were everywhere at Jackson Square. There were mimes and various personalities like there used to be. We had a lot of fun. This was not more than a couple weeks ago Ill remind you.

[lionelp]

Originally Posted by Ren1245

we are relocating to New Orleans this summer simply because thats where we feel we should be. The murder in the french quarter this weekend has really shakin us up. We were always told that for the most part as long as we stay out of bad areas that the crime should not effect us to much. We love New Orleans but have 2 sons, 17 and 10 that we want to be safe. I guess we just want some advice maybe from people that has moved from out of state like ourselves.

You want some advice, RUN. Run as far as you can. I was born and raised in New Orleans. I relocated (20 years ago) to a small country town in the state of Maryland. I will never live in New Orleans again. I love it, I miss it, but never, never again. The crime is bad, schools suck, and some New Orleanians just want everything for free. All these problems have been going on for years before Katrina. Now if I could just get my mother to leave.

[MetroBTR]

If you folks are willing to give it a shot...I really hope you go through with it and try to stay safe and out of trouble. Ren...It is people like you that New Orleans needs most right now. Out of towners coming in with an open mind and an open heart. It will take open-minded people filing in one by one to create this city anew and make it bigger and better than every before.

Come one and come all...but keep your wits about you!

[alon504]

Originally Posted by lionelp

You want some advice, RUN. Run as far as you can. I was born and raised in New Orleans. I relocated (20 years ago) to a small country town in the state of Maryland. I will never live in New Orleans again. I love it, I miss it, but never, never again. The crime is bad, schools suck, and some New Orleanians just want everything for free. All these problems have been going on for years before Katrina. Now if I could just get my mother to leave.

20 years---so out of touch. You don't even know that New Orleans is leading the country with innovation through the charter school system. Glad you left....it is people like you that we don't want in New Orleans. You do us no good and frankly, we are glad you aren't here. You would be a hinderance for those of us (1.25 million as last estimate) that care enough to remain. Proud I'm here and loving every minute of my life in one of the world's most unique cities. My quality of life, right now, is as high as it has ever been in New Orleans. Great friends, good job, delightful neighbors (in Mid-City) and completely intriqued watching a major city be re-born from a natural disaster that could have spelled the death of many other places.

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by imaterry78259

NOLA- one of the best cities the world has ever created is ignored by the USA and much worse most of its citizens

*Ignored by the US Government.

The USA stood up and donated billions of dollars and supplies as well as volunteers and manpower to the entire Gulf Coast.

[miserylovesco.]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

*Ignored by the US Government.

The USA stood up and donated billions of dollars and supplies as well as volunteers and manpower to the entire Gulf Coast.

Sure, we got money that we're just seeing now.
Unless you LIVE here, you can't pretend to understand how the government dropped the ball on helping fix this place.