How is the Crime in NO Effecting You? (New Orleans, Metairie: 2009, low crime)

[Micktooth]

My family and I moved from NO last year. I am so disheartended reading the news everyday and seeing what a mess it still is. The crime rate appears to be out of control. I would like to hear from any of you still there on how it is effecting you and what your future plans might be. Good luck NOLA !

[Xcaped NOLA]

While I currently dont live in New Orleans since HK, I would agree that the crime is out of control but even before HK, it was bad. When I'd turn on the news I always expected to hear that someone was shot or killed. It became and still is routine to expect this and makes one numb. For the most part though the killing is limited to people that have 'beef' with one another(but it still is senseless).When I lived in NOLA(33 yrs until HK), I did not live in fear of going out and getting killed. The certain circles or groups that you associated with has alot to do with it.

[rgreenkrb]

Micktooth and xcaped, where are you currently living? I’m in Metairie and feel like my neighborhood is a small sinking island of civilization. I’m looking to get out, but haven’t found the place yet --- some place not too cold in the winter, low crime, mid-sized city with some culture. Any recommendations?

[NOLA2SGF]

I am an older woman living alone in Metairie, and the increase in crime has affected me a little. I don't feel safe grocery shopping after dark any more, for example, because there are thugs "hanging out" in the parking lot and by the store. In fact, I don't go out after dark at all any more and I often would before Katrina.

There are a lot of people in Metairie that aren't from here, and I don't enjoy seeing so many strangers on the streets in my neighborhood. On the other hand, I am fine and I haven't had anyone break in (at least not yet). I'm more cautious.

I am tentatively planning to leave in 2009, when I can retire. Actually the levees, floodwalls, and general flood control problems are my main reason since I do not believe they will ever protect us as well as they did before Katrina. Crime is an important, but secondary reason. If these two problems are conquered I would probably stay. I'm not holding my breath, though.

rgreenkrb, I couldn't find a place like that so I eliminated culture from my requirements. Then I decided cold was not so bad, so I'm looking at Springfield, Missouri. Alternate possibilities for us could be Huntsville, Alabama, or College Station, Texas.

[stormweary]

I've been looking for a similiar place and most of the places I have found to have a culture are expensive, the north east and Washington D.C. as examples. I lived for awhile in Huntsville and its not bad but kinda dull. Lots of focus on the space program and tech sectors. Some "good old boy" overtones but an ok place overall. Nashville and Birmingham are about an hour and 1/2 drive.
Nola2: I hear ya about the levees. God forbid another storm goes by!! When I lived in n.o.before the storm I worried about going out at night .....

[Micktooth]

Thanks for all of the responses. We lived in River Ridge. We currently live in Louisville,Colorado between Boulder and Denver. It is the best move we ever made. The quality of life hear is totally incredible and the people are fantastic. I don't want to gloat here since it's the LA board but if you want more info just send me a private message by clicking on my name. There is life outside of NOLA.

[mrkool]

About 15 yrs ago I was offered a good job in NO with relocation benefits and everything. When I was there for the interview I travelled around the city and suburbs alot, and most of what I saw was not good, much of it ranging from just run down to downright dangerous. I am very streetwise, and know thugs when I see them. Metairie and Kenner seemed decent, but I just didn't think 2 decent suburbs in a metro area that size was enough. I had a bad feeling all around, and turned the job down. Smart move on my part.

[Vampgrrl]

Heh

I am trying to move to New Orleans.

[DeLaSalle]

Originally Posted by rgreenkrb

Micktooth and xcaped, where are you currently living? I’m in Metairie and feel like my neighborhood is a small sinking island of civilization. I’m looking to get out, but haven’t found the place yet --- some place not too cold in the winter, low crime, mid-sized city with some culture. Any recommendations?

Nashville, my fellow expatriots, Nashville...

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Micktooth

My family and I moved from NO last year. I am so disheartended reading the news everyday and seeing what a mess it still is. The crime rate appears to be out of control. I would like to hear from any of you still there on how it is effecting you and what your future plans might be. Good luck NOLA !

There are people who say that Katrina helped lower the crime rate. I read newspapers and watch the news. That is a big lie. The crime rate seems to be getting worse. This is a shame because the New Orleans I came to know about was a city of culture, not crime. Now New Orleans just looks scary. I still want to go to the French Quarter, but New Orleans has just gone under and became worse. This is saddening to me because I have relatives in Louisiana and I have been to New Orleans before. New Orleans has quickly become the Detroit of the South(in terms of crime).