is New Orleans the New York City of the south? (Metairie: gated, live in)

[thealfa]

I Like this

Originally Posted by rcp11889

In a way, New Orleans is the NYC of the South. They don't call it the Big Easy for nothing (a reference to the Big Apple). They are both unique, urban, compact cities with amazing cultural value. In terms of business and population, no we are not the New York of the South. But, in terms of feel, culture, civic pride, we are definitely the NYC of the South. I've always used that comparison when talking about NOLA. We are New York, but instead of high-rises everywhere, we have creole architecture everywhere. We have the urban quality that every other city in the South doesn't have. Therefore, we really are the NYC of the South. We are a city with culture, history, walkability, etc. Sure, we may have faults, but so did New York in the 80's.

There is a famous quote by Mark Twain:

"In America, there is New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland."

I like to substitute Houston to give it a more modern feel.

[SacalaitWhisperer]

I've lived in Houston and New Orleans and have been to NY quite a few times.

Houston is nothing like New York and never will be.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Originally Posted by SacalaitWhisperer

....................

Houston is nothing like New York and never will be.

and thank goodness it never will be!

[annie_himself]

Houston as NY of the south? Not at all. New Orleans once was a major immigration city just as San Francisco and NY. There's cultural diversity due to that fact alone which gives it the edge over Houston.
New York of the south IS New Orleans.

[Dakota1776]

Originally Posted by thealfa

I guess what I meant by my question was if NYC and New Orleans are the same as "everyone is welcome here" sort of thing. In NYC, it feels like everyone is welcome there (it's NYC!). I was wondering about New Orleans, if it's the NYC of the South...

As somone who recently moved from NYC to NO I can say I haven't been made to feel unwelcome but the social vibe is completely different. The vast majority of people I meet here are from NO or the surrounding areas. People will ask "Where did you go to school?" By school they mean high school. I think it makes the social circles here closed and cliquey.

NYC's economy/business climate draws people from around the country. The city is filled with young professionals with open social circles (no one passes up the chance to network). In this regard NYC is far more "welcoming" than NO.

This isn't to say people in NO aren't friendly, just the opposite, strangers are much friendlier to passers by here. It's just so much easier to break into transient social circles in NYC than in NO where everyone has known everyone else for years and years.

[notasmoker]

I am from New Orleans but now live in NY state. Growing up there in the 70's & 80's, I always heard Atlanta being called "The NY City of the South." Houston, to me, is basically one big Metairie (N.O. suburb).

[Pook77]

Originally Posted by notasmoker

Houston, to me, is basically one big Metairie (N.O. suburb).

I have a huge fondness for Houston, but this is so true! Thank you for making me laugh!

[WestbankNOLA]

Originally Posted by notasmoker

I am from New Orleans but now live in NY state. Growing up there in the 70's & 80's, I always heard Atlanta being called "The NY City of the South." Houston, to me, is basically one big Metairie (N.O. suburb).

I've always said that about Houston. On that note, Atlanta is one big Mandeville.

[NYNO]

Originally Posted by thealfa

How you like NOLA? I like NYC, but I'm not sure about NOLA as I have not been there.

I'd be lying if I said I didnt miss NYC, but I adore living here.

Here's the major (although there are many!) difference as I see it: no one comes to NO to become rich, yet tons of people flock to NYC in search of wealth. What you are left with in NO is a population of people who truly want to be here. There is sense of community which is unparalleled.

I love living here but miss diversity of NYC.

[Creativeguy504]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

Houston as NY of the south? Not at all. New Orleans once was a major immigration city just as San Francisco and NY. There's cultural diversity due to that fact alone which gives it the edge over Houston.
New York of the south IS New Orleans.

Diversity in New Orleans? N.O. is VERY black and white. As someone who's lived in a TRUE diverse city (Los Angeles, where there are huge numbers of people from all over the world)...New Orleans just can't compare in that dept.

Can't even rival Houston.