Why do people live here? (New Orleans, Baton Rouge: place to live, vacation, business)

[Shooting Stars]

Originally Posted by thepointykitty

The people who love New Orleans and want to be here are the ones who are "compatible" with the city. We belong to it and it belongs to us.

I think it's a lot like being in a relationship with another human being. There are plenty of guys out there with fine qualities who would not be a match for me, or me for them. Everyone has their good and not-so-good points. Not everyone could put up with my bossiness or my husband's lack of organizational skills. But we've each decided that the positive far outweighs the negative with each other and we have great relationship. But it's silly to argue with my neighbor, for example, and tell her that she should look for someone like my husband, because she might not be a match to that personality type.

As far as cities go, I've been to plenty of places that I liked but didn't want to live in. New Orleans is a wonderful match for me. I don't think I could live in L.A. - it just doesn't "feel right" to me, but I have a good friend who moved there and loves it. She easily overlooks things that would probably aggravate the heck out of me.

I think the bottom line is that everyone needs to figure out the best match for themselves and not bash other people for their choices. We all have different needs and different preferences.

New Orleans and I broke up after the first date.

[norb123]

Originally Posted by Shooting Stars

New Orleans and I broke up after the first date.

That's no surprise. This city is a love it or hate it kind of place. I've never heard anyone say New Orleans was ok or mediocre. It takes a certain personality and mindset to move here. All of the cities I've lived in before New Orleans are boring to me now. From the food, to the people, to the architecture, to just the way you feel walking down the street. I'm sure that sounds crazy to someone who has never lived here.

[NCN]

Originally Posted by Nola Wannabe

I have to ask, with all I have read on this forum about crime, poverty, corruption, etc....why do people live in New Orleans??

Beats me?

[NativeSon504]

Originally Posted by Nola Wannabe

I have to ask, with all I have read on this forum about crime, poverty, corruption, etc....why do people live in New Orleans??

The same reason why people move to Oakland, St. Louis, Miami, Baltimore, Memphis, etc. These are just examples of other inner cities that have the SAME issues you mentioned New Orleans has. For the life of me I don't know why people speak as if crime, poverty, corruption etc. are JUST a New Orleans issue. smh..

[Southern man]

Originally Posted by NativeSon504

The same reason why people move to Oakland, St. Louis, Miami, Baltimore, Memphis, etc. These are just examples of other inner cities that have the SAME issues you mentioned New Orleans has. For the life of me I don't know why people speak as if crime, poverty, corruption etc. are JUST a New Orleans issue. smh..

New Orleans is in the South. Its very popular to whip on the South. I lived on the Mississippi coast during Katrina. After the storm, you could read comments on the web to the effect,"I don't know why they let them build there".
During the little tropical storm that came ashore in NJ, I never heard or read such comments. Like the realtor says, location, location, location.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by Southern man

New Orleans is in the South. Its very popular to whip on the South. I lived on the Mississippi coast during Katrina. After the storm, you could read comments on the web to the effect,"I don't know why they let them build there".
During the little tropical storm that came ashore in NJ, I never heard or read such comments. Like the realtor says, location, location, location.

You must not visit the City vs City forum...

[southerngirl17]

Originally Posted by norb123

That's no surprise. This city is a love it or hate it kind of place. I've never heard anyone say New Orleans was ok or mediocre. It takes a certain personality and mindset to move here. All of the cities I've lived in before New Orleans are boring to me now. From the food, to the people, to the architecture, to just the way you feel walking down the street. I'm sure that sounds crazy to someone who has never lived here.

I totally get this! After living in New Orleans for just a short time, I couldn't live anywhere else! Even in cities that I previously thought were pretty great, such as Los Angeles and Orlando. It just hooks you in, I swear. My husband is actually one of the few people who think it's "Ok," though. He doesn't hate it or love it - I didn't think that feeling was possible here! lol

[writingpoli]

Well, some of us would like larger cities with far more things to do -- diverse restaurants, cultural institutions, a newspaper that isn't a crime blotter, etc. (I know everyone will list off New Orleans' cultural flair.)

After living around the country, including most recently Austin and Manhattan, I can't say NOLA is the best place in the world. Though I do see the same provincialism in nearly every town.

As for expense: The difference is that those towns have industries whereas NOLA's rents are ridiculously expensive with no real jobs. Fortunately, I brought mine with me.

But I'd be happy to take any and all monetary donations!

[norb123]

Originally Posted by southerngirl17

I totally get this! After living in New Orleans for just a short time, I couldn't live anywhere else! Even in cities that I previously thought were pretty great, such as Los Angeles and Orlando. It just hooks you in, I swear. My husband is actually one of the few people who think it's "Ok," though. He doesn't hate it or love it - I didn't think that feeling was possible here! lol

When I lived in other cities I always looked forward to vacations, and when they were over, I hated going home. Living here it's just the opposite. After a couple days out of the city I'm ready to come home.

I lived here for a few years when I was younger, and moved away for a good business opportunity. I think that's what made me appreciate this place so much. I missed little things about this city daily. It's definitely not for everyone, and it's far from perfect, but it fits me perfectly.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by writingpoli

Well, some of us would like larger cities with far more things to do -- diverse restaurants, cultural institutions, a newspaper that isn't a crime blotter, etc. (I know everyone will list off New Orleans' cultural flair.)

After living around the country, including most recently Austin and Manhattan, I can't say NOLA is the best place in the world. Though I do see the same provincialism in nearly every town.

As for expense: The difference is that those towns have industries whereas NOLA's rents are ridiculously expensive with no real jobs. Fortunately, I brought mine with me.

But I'd be happy to take any and all monetary donations!

I don't think there are many cities with more cultural amenities than New Orleans. Cities like Chicago and LA, well of course, but I lived in Houston and it's just not the same. Houston is diverse and all but people there don't frequently attend cultural events at the same percentage as New Orleans.
And as a comparison to Austin, IMO, I can totally see why people prefer Austin but it doesn't hold a candle to the authenticity of NOLA. Austin feels like people moved buildings there and settled 10 years ago. Outdoors is awesome but it feels culturally dead to me.

You couldn't be anymore correct about the industry though. NOLA is in desperate need of blue collar and white collar jobs. The city would literally explode if there were jobs.