Is N.O. like the "Berkeley" of the South? (New Orleans: organic, centers)

[topaz88]

I was in N.O. last month and it was my first time back since Katrina. It seems like there are definitely more Caucasian people, but a lot of progressive, liberal types, rather than "southern" good old boy types of people. There also seems to be a lot of people who are environmentally conscious, interested in supporting small businesses, farmers markets, local, organic foods, etc. It kind of surprised me and reminded me a lot of Berkeley. Does anybody else think this is true?

Oh and the area where I spent the most time was Uptown, Audubon Park area, and Fauborg Marigny.

[annie_himself]

Its always been like that. The only one I know of is "New York of the south." Possibly Austin with everything going on now.

[aab7855]

The suburbs are still very conservative, as are certain parts of Uptown like the Garden District. But the subculture you speak of was always present, before and after the storm. I think Uptown is whiter but the rest of the city remains unchanged.

[dailysounds]

I think New Orleans, and Louisiana for that matter, have always really supported local food and products more so than anywhere else. It's just part of the culture. Plus there are many things here that aren't available in other parts of the country.

[cBach]

Yes and no. Probably the only differences would come to social issues. Most New Orleanians are a bit more conservative on things like legalizing drugs, being atheist, etc... But they don't have the bible belt hangups on sex or drinking that you may find up in Shreveport for instance.

[annie_himself]

There's bible thumpers on Bourbon at times that throw it in your face about partying.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

and life centers around food and friends, not intellectual conversations. Although they do happen.

[SaintTaris]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah

and life centers around food and friends, not intellectual conversations. Although they do happen.

I agree. This one sentence sums up the attitude of most New Orleanians. Generally, New Orleanians care more about family, food and friends than politics. There is no one city that you can completely compare New Orleans too. It's a little bit of New York, a little bit of Austin, a little bit of Savannah, a little bit of Charleston, a little bit of the Carribean, a little bit of Montreal, etc.