Moving to New Orleans? (Baton Rouge, Metairie: motel, house, neighborhoods)

[bluebird39]

I'd stay in Colorado if I were you. I was born and raised in Baton Rouge, and the school system there was pretty terrible, even many years ago. I went to college in New Orleans, and stayed a year after school. I still have family there, but some moved to Dallas after the storm, and some are still there, but hoping to move out.

If you have young children, I would strongly advise against New Orleans,. After college, I knew that I'd never want to raise a family there. My heart goes out to all of the families who had to flee and recover from Katrina. I can't imagine how hard that was and still is. It affected our family tremendously, and we were 3000 miles away, but I still am affected because my family was affected. I would say yes, go for it if you were single, or a young couple, but IMO, anywhere in Colorado would beat anywhere in New Orleans, or even Louisiana for raising a family. The schools there are SO BAD!! Over a quarter of the population send their kids to private schools. If you can afford that, then fine, but it really has been and still is a huge mess.

New Orleans is a unique place, but it'll never be the same. I fear for my family's lives with each storm that comes. They'll never be the same.... I really don't think they can suffer through another hurricane again. Can you truly imagine trying to evacuate with hundreds of thousands of people at the same time, in the middle of the night, with babies to take care of? Honestly, you need to ask yourself that, because it will happen. My family has fled more than a few times in the last decade. Most times were a drill, but Katrina wasn't.

Stay in Colorado.

[bluebird39]

Just thought I'd add that most private schools in New Orleans and Southern Louisiana are Catholic, and teach Catholicism. If you're Catholic, or don't care, then fine. If not, then public may be your only other option. My parents were raised Southern Baptist, so it was public school for me.

Also, having lived in the West and deep South, I know you'd be in for some major culture shock if you moved there. Talk to others from the West who've made similar moves. The South taught me manners, respect for my elders, gave me a very racially and culturally diverse perspective, taught me what true poverty looks like, and I also have a set of gills behind my ears, as do all true native Louisianians. The West has it's problems, but I love it very much. It's too dry for me, but after moving to the Midwest recently, I miss the mountains like I never thought I would. The mosquitos here in the Northwoods, though, are giving me another taste of what I remember growing up. N.O. and the deep South have stinging caterpillars too. My kids got introduced to these during Spring Break in New Orleans this year. Luckily they don't last too long, but we hit it perfectly. Fire ants are another thing I vividly remember growing up there. Another thing you have to watch out for with little ones.... It rarely freezes there, so bugs are a year round issue. If you have pets, fleas can be a major problem. OTOH, the plants you can grow there are amazing... unmatched anywhere except Florida and Ca. Citrus, tropical vines, azaleas bigger than your house!

Good luck

[sumwunzma]

I guess I just haven't felt the sting of what you're describing here. We've been to Ochsner on a couple of occasions and zipped in and out. East Jefferson has always been pretty crummy as far as the ER is concerned. I can remember sitting in the waiting room for 4 1/2 hours with my 80 year old grandmother, who we thought had just had a heart attack YEARS before Katrina. And the staff was just downright rude and not the slightest bit compassionate.

On the other hand, I have heard of a new incentive the state is offering to get doctors into the area. We'll have to see if it works. My husband is in the medical industry and most of the doctors he works with are staying. They're complaining about the overload of uninsured patients, but the ones who planned to leave, left pretty quickly. The suburbs are feeling the overflow of the city. I have not had a single problem getting an appointment with any of our doctors, dentists, etc., but we have insurance.

[IloveNOLA]

Originally Posted by sumwunzma

I guess I just haven't felt the sting of what you're describing here. We've been to Ochsner on a couple of occasions and zipped in and out. East Jefferson has always been pretty crummy as far as the ER is concerned. I can remember sitting in the waiting room for 4 1/2 hours with my 80 year old grandmother, who we thought had just had a heart attack YEARS before Katrina. And the staff was just downright rude and not the slightest bit compassionate.

On the other hand, I have heard of a new incentive the state is offering to get doctors into the area. We'll have to see if it works. My husband is in the medical industry and most of the doctors he works with are staying. They're complaining about the overload of uninsured patients, but the ones who planned to leave, left pretty quickly. The suburbs are feeling the overflow of the city. I have not had a single problem getting an appointment with any of our doctors, dentists, etc., but we have insurance.

This area can be a gold mine for doctors just starting their own practices.

[DeLaSalle]

Originally Posted by Micktooth

If you want to live "close" to the city, I would recommend Jefferson Parish. River Ridge, Harahan(which is on the East Bank), or Metairie.

Some kind of "Ya'tt" or a "Channel Mullet"?

[sumwunzma]

Good point!!!

[Magic Maggie]

My husband and sister-in-law and I just returned from Marrero on the Westbank where my mother-in-law still lives. I could take only 3 days of this...

First, the weather was so oppressively HUMID and I've lived in Florida, but its nothing like LA

Second, it seems like everyone SMOKES! I mean everybody...it's sickening to see little kids in a car with mom blowing smoke at them. Tons of obese people (pun intended). LA is recently ranked 49th out of 50 for quality of life in USA. West VA is last.


Third, crime and corruption. Some low-life even stole my mother-in-laws Mary statue from her front yard. It's like the wild west. My m-i-l said the Jefferson Parish police encourage homeowners to shoot-to-kill.

The place is dirty, rundown, just plain filthy. I would never, ever, raise a child there. Once my m-i-l passes away, both my husband and s-i-l swear they will never return there again.

The positive side is fabulous food and cheap seafood, but that's about it.

There are many other great places in USA to live. This ain't one of em.

[caseyperkins]

I'm planning on moving back to Louisiana but not in New Orleans. I will be moving to Gonzales, LA which is about 45minutes to 1hour away (nearer to Baton Rouge, LA). I must admit the main reason I'm moving back is because I have a lot of family and friends that have gone back. There are some who are so glad to be back, no matter the conditions. Then thereare others that are weary because so much still needs to be down in the city and of course because of the crime statistics. But, unfortunately, crime is steadily going up in most big cities. It's the times we live in. I'm a firm believer in divine protection from God, so my stance is prayer about everything and get some peace concerning the decisions you and your husband have to make.

Good luck.

[IloveNOLA]

Originally Posted by Magic Maggie

My husband and sister-in-law and I just returned from Marrero on the Westbank where my mother-in-law still lives. I could take only 3 days of this...

First, the weather was so oppressively HUMID and I've lived in Florida, but its nothing like LA

Second, it seems like everyone SMOKES! I mean everybody...it's sickening to see little kids in a car with mom blowing smoke at them. Tons of obese people (pun intended). LA is recently ranked 49th out of 50 for quality of life in USA. West VA is last.


Third, crime and corruption. Some low-life even stole my mother-in-laws Mary statue from her front yard. It's like the wild west. My m-i-l said the Jefferson Parish police encourage homeowners to shoot-to-kill.

The place is dirty, rundown, just plain filthy. I would never, ever, raise a child there. Once my m-i-l passes away, both my husband and s-i-l swear they will never return there again.

The positive side is fabulous food and cheap seafood, but that's about it.

There are many other great places in USA to live. This ain't one of em.

By and large, the west bank of Jefferson Parish, where Marrero is located, is considered the worst part of Jefferson Parish.

[masse1ta]

I just don't get what the big deal is to everyone. I've lived in New Orleans for almost 2 months now and not once have I felt like I was in any danger and I've been to some of the worst parts of New Orleans.

Sure, the humidity sucks but it's not that bad. I feel as though worse things could happen in life.

Every big city has it's unfortunate issues. But for the most part, if you mind your own business and don't get involved in any questionable behavior, you will be fine. Common sense.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking to raise a family here or anything either but I feel like people are exaggerating a lot of things