New Orleans migrants (Atlanta: transplants, job market, living)

[CleanCutHippie]

I have been to NOLA 3x and love the city. I am considering moving there as a matter of fact. Just yesterday I had the priveladge of meting a NOLA native and I picked her brain about life here and my plans.

She told me life there has drastically changed. Since Katrina a new "breed" has started moving in and taking away from what the city should be. She said the city is all transplants now and they have ruined it. I personally have been there both pre/post Katrina and noticed no real difference at all. Its not like NOLA is a hot spot for migrants like Texas or the Carolinas or so I thought?

What was she implying? My impression is NOLA is a bit of a transient town but I assumed it was always this way? Any insight?

[Prytania]

There is a certain segment here that never wants anything to change, EVER.
It is the same as it has been...and there are a lot of new people in town, and the city is better for it.

[CleanCutHippie]

Originally Posted by Prytania

There is a certain segment here that never wants anything to change, EVER.
It is the same as it has been...and there are a lot of new people in town, and the city is better for it.

To me thats what cities have always been and are about. A good mix of people from all over. As a native NYer

My impression is that she was insinuating snobs were starting to move in. To me it is the same city before and after Katrina for the most part. that of course was just my observation not living there. I did meet a few ppl from my area living/working down there. They said they liked it but never got the impression they wanted to stay long term.

[Prytania]

I'd say it's mixed. Half I meet want to stay, half are just here to say they did it.
Of course the economy is better here than in most places at this point...so New Orleans has an opportunity to retain even more people. It isnt as if people can move to Dallas, Houston or Atlanta and expect to find jobs....especially if they are employed here now.

[bhamkaren]

hey i'm not a snob! (LOL) i'll stay as long as i have a job here.

[miserylovesco.]

I have friends who are local born and transplants.
There's a good mix, just like any city.

When I lived in Chicago, I had friends from all over the country just as I do here.

[CleanCutHippie]

Originally Posted by Prytania

I'd say it's mixed. Half I meet want to stay, half are just here to say they did it.
Of course the economy is better here than in most places at this point...so New Orleans has an opportunity to retain even more people. It isnt as if people can move to Dallas, Houston or Atlanta and expect to find jobs....especially if they are employed here now.

Houston has a great job market. The prob is Houston is just such an ugly eye sore of a city that lacks any culture. I don't consider a high asian population as culture...lol.

Anyway I appreciate the positive feedback!

[emee34]

I think your friend has an attitude problem; too bad her glass, and her head, seem to be half empty instead of half full. The population has been in flux here since the storm, and I think its been great. Like Prytania said, there are people here who can't tolerate any form of change. Too bad; maybe your friend could learn something new from someone she never would have had the chance to meet before. Its that kind of fresh perspective that will give this city the shot in the arm it needs (like many other places do). Don't let her bad mojo influence you. NOLA has its problems, but it also has things that no other city has.

[Ransomed]

New Orleans is a very unique place and I can understand some natives being a bit hesitant. Change is scary but New Orleans has been "untouched" for so long - sort of like an island that was never discovered and now many people want to "discover" her.

[CleanCutHippie]

Originally Posted by emee34

I think your friend has an attitude problem; too bad her glass, and her head, seem to be half empty instead of half full. The population has been in flux here since the storm, and I think its been great. Like Prytania said, there are people here who can't tolerate any form of change. Too bad; maybe your friend could learn something new from someone she never would have had the chance to meet before. Its that kind of fresh perspective that will give this city the shot in the arm it needs (like many other places do). Don't let her bad mojo influence you. NOLA has its problems, but it also has things that no other city has.

Funny as it sounds I try not to listen to locals from their respective cities because often they focus on the negative. City Data is a prime example of this. The locals of each city complain how the city sux and to stay away..blah blah blah. I took it as she was a bitter native who did not like change. She has been through a lot after the storm though so I can understand her frustration.