Help a non-Southerner out! ?s on moving to NOLA/working surrounding states (New Orleans: apartments)

[batgirl52]

I'm moving to NOLA in September. Some questions:

1) Pros/cons of living in Uptown v. Garden District v. Metairie. I'm looking for a 1BR apt, preferably in a house or newer apartment building, that either includes a parking space or where's it's (relatively) safe to park on the street. What is considered "reasonable rent" in these neighborhoods for such a place?

2) Considering that I'm moving in September, is it a problem that I won't be able to look at places until mid to late August? I'm concerned that college students might take up most of the good apartments by the time I'm able to check places out.

3) I'm highly allergic to mold. It occurred to me that this might be a problem with some places (especially older houses) considering how humid NOLA is, and possibly flooding issues. Is it really? How would I go about finding out if this is a problem at a particular apartment?

4) "Culture shock": I've lived pretty much everywhere BUT the South, spent most of my adult years in the Northeast. My job will also require extensive travel in the states from LA east through FL. What are some "regional differences" I should be aware of?

5) Dealing with the heat/humidity. How can you adjust yourself physically to it? I've gotten used to living in colder areas but am also fine with hot, dry places (having grown up in the Southwest). Summers in DC were humid enough for me and NOLA seems to average about 20% more humidity than that. Am I going to need to chuck my typical wool suits out? And on that sidenote, what is women's business formal dress tend to be like?

[LindseyLou]

Good Luck! There is mold everyhere in New Orleans.

[Prytania]

1. Live in the city unless you just can't get past the threat of crime.

5. Its only really bad around July/August at night. I really don't find most days too out of tune for much of any part of the south. At night is where it's a bit much to deal with.
I don't know that I'd wear a wool suit in the summer...might be fine for winter though. (It did snow one day last December)

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

If you've spent a lot of time in the NE, you will experience culture shock. People don't rush thier words and are not brusque. A few sentences of 'How are you?", "boy it's hot today" are expected before you get down to business. I've met several NYers who moved to N.O. and they were despised for their rudeness. Now granted the whole NE isn't like NYC, but be cautious, esp. in business.

I can't answer about women's buysiness attire as I have been gone too long and only visit for family. It used to be suits for lawyers, corp exec, and dresses or skirts/blouses/slacks for everyone else.

[Rosinante]

Does this new job require living in the New Orleans area?

I was in professional sales, and travelled the southern half of LA, MS, AL and northern FL over to Tallahassee. My biggest account was in Baton Rouge ($750K/year), so I moved here — even though my employer didn't require it.

Mold and heat are going to be a problem for you. I'm originally from Pennsylvania, have lived in DC and can tell you that after 30 years in LA, I still dread the summers.

[Prytania]

The summers aren't bad until August, by then you just get fed up.

Although last summer was pretty mild..of course we had a hurricane.

And with low hurricane activity predicted this summer, it may be pretty darn hot.

[batgirl52]

Originally Posted by Rosinante

Does this new job require living in the New Orleans area?

I was in professional sales, and travelled the southern half of LA, MS, AL and northern FL over to Tallahassee. My biggest account was in Baton Rouge ($750K/year), so I moved here — even though my employer didn't require it.

Mold and heat are going to be a problem for you. I'm originally from Pennsylvania, have lived in DC and can tell you that after 30 years in LA, I still dread the summers.

My office is in NOLA, and I'll probably travel the other states about one week out of the month, so it makes sense for me to live in NOLA or an adjacent suburb.

How do people deal with mold in the house? Dehumidifiers?

[batgirl52]

What are Marigny, the Bywater like?

[Tigger81]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah

If you've spent a lot of time in the NE, you will experience culture shock. People don't rush thier words and are not brusque. A few sentences of 'How are you?", "boy it's hot today" are expected before you get down to business. I've met several NYers who moved to N.O. and they were despised for their rudeness. Now granted the whole NE isn't like NYC, but be cautious, esp. in business.

I am moving to NOLA in 3 weeks from NYC. I've only been here 4 years and it takes a conscious effort to remember to greet somebody first.

Where I work, when someone says "good morning", you're likely to get a "what's so $%^&* good about it?" back at you.