I am considering taking a job in new orleans. I currently live in Pittsburgh, PA, so it would be a pretty big move for me.
Does anyone live there, or near there now? All the recent news stories I read are feel-good, rebuilding stories, but when I read on forums from people still living there, they reccomend against moving there.
Can anyone give me some insight? It would be nice to hear from someone actually experiencing it before I give it more serious consideration.
I live north of New Orleans on the Northshore (of Lake Pontchartrain.)
First off, I would not recommend moving to the city of New Orleans itself. If you want to relocate, plan a move to a suburb, and right now the best viable suburb is on the Northshore. (Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Abita Springs, etc.)
Working in New Orleans is one thing, but actually living in the city was a dicey proposition even before the storm, and now it’s a hundred times more difficult. In the city itself there’s a terrible shortage of basics such as health care, emergency rooms, affordable groceries, and reasonably-priced housing.
Also, I hate to say it, but it’s just plain depressing driving through all of the blighted and destroyed areas and seeing just how little progress has been made a year and a half after the storm.
That being said, I really do encourage people to come down and relocate here, at least to the suburbs. This area desperately needs just that kind of support and if you are in the position to make that kind of change in your life and give it a try down here, you’ll find that the people down here are warm and giving and very friendly.
There’s also a strong powerlifting/bodybuilding community in this area. Jesse Kellum trains in Covington, and Jack Reape trains on the southshore, but sometimes comes up and trains with Kellum and his krewe.
I’d just like to re-iterate what Red Hedd said. It would probably be better to work there, but live outside the city.
Oh, and anyone wanting to visit NO to party and stuff, PLEASE come on down. The city is desperately wanting it’s tourists back. The hospitality is still there.
[quote]BigRagoo wrote:
Oh, and anyone wanting to visit NO to party and stuff, PLEASE come on down. The city is desperately wanting it’s tourists back. The hospitality is still there. [/quote]
I couldn’t agree more. My girlfriend and I went for Christmas and the following four days. We stayed in the Quarter and had a great time. I came up with this top ten list:
Top Ten Reasons to Visit New Orleans this Year
Two for $10 Irish Car Bombs (shot of Irish Whisky and Bailey’s dropped into 3/4ths a pint of Guinness).
Great food at reasonable prices. We walked into NOLA (Emeril’s place in the French Quarter) got a seat at the bar and ate world class food for under $50.
More food. At Lillette, braised lamb shanks special, two for under $12.
http://www.liletterestaurant.com/
Great music at reasonable prices. On Tuesday nights, Rebirth Brass Band at the Maple Leaf Bar. Every other night, look to Frenchman’s Street for good free venues, like Walter “Wolfman” Washington at d.b.a.
Find a Broadband Internet Provider in Your State
Twenty-four hour bars - Rio Lounge, 833 Conti Street.
Reasonable hotel rates in the French Quarter during the week. Chateau LeMoyne $65/night
The French Quarter: You can drink and walk around because there’s no “open container” law.
Joi de vivre - Joy of life. Everyone seems to have it, even considering the destruction.
“Laissez les bons temps rouler!”
New Orleans is open and welcoming visitors
[quote]Loose Tool wrote:
BigRagoo wrote:
Oh, and anyone wanting to visit NO to party and stuff, PLEASE come on down. The city is desperately wanting it’s tourists back. The hospitality is still there.
I couldn’t agree more. My girlfriend and I went for Christmas and the following four days. We stayed in the Quarter and had a great time. I came up with this top ten list:
Top Ten Reasons to Visit New Orleans this Year
Two for $10 Irish Car Bombs (shot of Irish Whisky and Bailey’s dropped into 3/4ths a pint of Guinness).
Great food at reasonable prices. We walked into NOLA (Emeril’s place in the French Quarter) got a seat at the bar and ate world class food for under $50.
More food. At Lillette, braised lamb shanks special, two for under $12.
http://www.liletterestaurant.com/
Great music at reasonable prices. On Tuesday nights, Rebirth Brass Band at the Maple Leaf Bar. Every other night, look to Frenchman’s Street for good free venues, like Walter “Wolfman” Washington at d.b.a.
Find a Broadband Internet Provider in Your State
Twenty-four hour bars - Rio Lounge, 833 Conti Street.
Reasonable hotel rates in the French Quarter during the week. Chateau LeMoyne $65/night
The French Quarter: You can drink and walk around because there’s no “open container” law.
Joi de vivre - Joy of life. Everyone seems to have it, even considering the destruction.
“Laissez les bons temps rouler!”
New Orleans is open and welcoming visitors
[/quote]
No.11
“Big Al Carson” at the Funky Pirate!!
NOLA sucks! The place is dirty, smelly, and crime-ridden!
All-right, now a comment from someone who LOVES "The Big Easy". I don't know how old you are, married w/kids, or financial situation but I'll tell you what you need to know.
If you want to come to New Orleans to experience NO than for god sake don't move to the suburbs!!! I was born in NO, but raised in the 'burbs. A lot of my family still lives there(some just have the lots left after Katrina).
A cousin lives in the French Quarter, the patios and homes inside those walls are unfricken-believable. Check out www.nola.com this is the local newspaper. Last Saturday(3/3/07) there was an article in the “Inside-Out” section of the paper about folks from out of town who moved here after Katrina.
I would recommend renting if possible. It will be a buyers market for a long time until the government gets their act together, so if you were looking to make a 2-3yr flip on the house it might be tough. By renting you can live in some of the more interesting areas of the city.
No offense to the people living on the North Shore of the lake, you don't live here and "just visiting" is NOT the same.
Don't hesitate to PM me if you have any more questions.
Phileaux
My cousins live there. They’ve encountered some fun things such as a $900 Electric bill for 2 days of use. Also, their home owners insurance was dropped due to living in a non-inhabitable home. Too bad the insurance company didn’t drive by to see they completely rebuilt.
From what they tell, there is still too much chaos in NO. They are looking at relocation.
Thanks for all the info so far. From what I have read, it is a decently long commute across the lake for work. The place I would be working at is located in Metairie. I am young (24) and single, and would be coming alone. I was looking at some places in the warehouse district so far. I have not been offered a job yet, but I figured I should really know what I would be in for.
young and single would be ok. I grew up in Metairie but wouldn’t want to raise a family there. If you like to eat and party NO is the place. Downtown smells like piss and mildew.
Here’s an idea. If you don’t live in New Orleans(or surrounding area) keep it zipped because you have no fucking idea what you’re talking about. Whatever you saw on the news or your roommate’s cousin’s aunt’s best friend said probably isn’t the best source.
I would NOT move into the actual city. No way, no how, no shot. The levees aren’t even totally fixed yet and most areas are utterly deserted ie: Lakeview, Gentilly, 9th ward. The crime is horrendous too right now.
If you’re getting a job in Metairie then definitely move there or Kenner (only certain parts). You can get anywhere in the Metairie/Kenner area in fifteen minutes or less, and its a short drive into the city. There’s lots of stuff(concerts, plays, clubs, etc) to do and none of that “last call” shit at bars.
I’ll be honest though, if this is a long term job, I’m not sure if I can in good conscious recommend for you to move here.
If you are single, I’d definitely recommend it. The warehouse district would be perfect. Other cool places would be off of Magazine near the Whole Foods, or in Fauborg St. John off of Esplanade, near the Fairgrounds. I lived there until I got a job in OKC last summer. The single life in New Orleans is really good right now.
The biggest problem you may face living in the city is that dealing with anybody in a government office can make life hell, city government is notoriously incompetent. By renting you might be able to avoid some of these problems associated with being a homeowner.
Another drawback is that if you like outdoor activities, there isn’t a whole lot close by. The beaches in Florida are only 3 hours away though.
You could eat out there 365 nights a year at a different place and have an awesome meal, and every one of those restaurants is guaranteed to be better than the best restaurant in OKC. You can go out any night of the week and catch a great band. So much more to do than just the Quarter. To me, the pluses outweigh the very real negatives.
Don’t take advice from people that don’t live there, who come in to town just to throw up on Bourbon Street. North Shore and Metairie are just like any other suburb, if you like that lifestyle its ok, but I wouldn’t move down there without getting the experience of living in the city.
[quote]lemmings wrote:
Here’s an idea. If you don’t live in New Orleans(or surrounding area) keep it zipped because you have no fucking idea what you’re talking about. Whatever you saw on the news or your roommate’s cousin’s aunt’s best friend said probably isn’t the best source.
I would NOT move into the actual city. No way, no how, no shot. The levees aren’t even totally fixed yet and most areas are utterly deserted ie: Lakeview, Gentilly, 9th ward. The crime is horrendous too right now.
If you’re getting a job in Metairie then definitely move there or Kenner (only certain parts). You can get anywhere in the Metairie/Kenner area in fifteen minutes or less, and its a short drive into the city. There’s lots of stuff(concerts, plays, clubs, etc) to do and none of that “last call” shit at bars.
I’ll be honest though, if this is a long term job, I’m not sure if I can in good conscious recommend for you to move here.
[/quote]
My top ten list, forget it because apparently I don’t know shit … especially forget #10.
frisbee,
I don’t know if you have made your decision yet. There are certain intangible’s in this city I call home that are hard to explain.
That said I don’t know what is going to happen to you, myself, or anyone else, if you decide to move here. One thing to consider is that you don’t have to stay if you don’t like it. Is this a career move with a lifetime contract? Probably not. If you can come and visit before hand just to look around. Is that the same as living here? Nope.
The point is your 24yrs old with no ties to New Orleans, come to town have the best meals of your life, drink a little, see the history first hand. If you like it, stay awhile, if you don’t, thanks for visiting.
Phileaux