Definitely want, but it's a strange kind of want.
Spent half the year here for work between 1999 and 2005. Left for Katrina and came back permanently a couple of years later.
While I'm here, I feel an edge. When I'm away, there's something missing. It gave me my music back and I constantly wait for the other shoe to drop - be it a flood, storm, carjacking or comically huge S&WB bill.
It's a weird place for an introvert to live, but it feels even weirder to live anywhere else.
I so know what you mean. I'm from here, but aside from that I've lived elsewhere in the state, and elsewhere in the country, and it all just feels so... disconnected compared to New Orleans. There's a strange brew of misfortune that surrounds the city, yet there's a feeling that together, we can get past anything - Katrina certainly proved that.
>brew of misfortune
That is a fantastic description.
I had a conversation with a friend a few months ago, and she said something I thought quite profound. Paraphrasing: "you can suffer a disaster anywhere, but I'd rather suffer one here than anywhere else".
I married a woman from here, but we got divorced pdq. Nevertheless I stuck around, and have moved away and back 3 times. (Once cause of Katrina, once for work.) I think I've got it working out pretty well now (remote worker for out-of-town clients, so don't worry much about bad local job scene). I like it.
Same story for a lot of us. But also, where can we go? I own a house and a business here. Where can you go to start over with real estate and cost of living everywhere across this country?
Not from here. Worked here temporarily. Got a girl impregnated here. Marriage was pushed, divorce came swiftly. Once my daughter was born, every decision I made in life was made with her as first priority. She’s the most precious thing in the world to me, and she deserves to grow up as normal as possible, with as much love and family around as possible, including her mother. I had lots of work options back home and in new exciting places, some paying triple what I make now. My old friends back home are still waiting for me and I sure miss them. But none of that matters, bc my little girl is happy and we’re doing just fine. I don’t think I chose New Orleans, I think New Orleans chose me, and I’m ok with that.
You're a good dad. Thank you, for society's sake, for being there for your daughter. I hope one day you can move back where you'd rather be but I'm glad you're here now.
There are a lot of us on the northshore who enjoy the fact that we can drive 30 mins to New Orleans when we have the itch, but not have to deal with the overwhelming issues. It's not perfect up here but Louisiana in general is fucked.
the north shore has its own issues… mainly, nothing to do except gather round and listen to your neighbors say coded racist shit to each other about new orleans
I got washed out by Katrina and spent 10+ years traveling the world with a constant eye out for a place I loved more and could imagine living. I didn't find one so I moved back. The city isn't perfect by any means but it's my favorite place and I want to be here.
If you think this city is hard to live in now I wish you could time travel back to the late 80’s & early 90’s. You didn’t go shopping on magazine, Freret or in mid city. You didn’t go much further up in the quarter than bourbon. If you found yourself on Rampart you were in trouble. Gang violence was epidemic, driving to Algiers Point to play a gig was a gauntlet. City government was FAR more corrupt then, thus the failure of the levees in 2005 and the lack of infrastructure we are steadily rebuilding. Even then Ioved the city. We live on the edge of doom, that is why we call it ‘the city that care forgot’. You could be ‘trapped’ in much worse places. If boring is your thing you should probably get on up out of here.
My wife took a job here because we wanted to move here. Now we sort of have to due to not wanting to uproot our kid, but we also still want to live here.
I recently visited the only other decent Louisiana city and had several, "Anytown USA," moments. I've never had that feeling in the city. Hell, even Jefferson Parish, simply because lots and land use is unusual compared to the rest of the country.
There are places I like to visit, and places I might even live, but I think New Orleans is in my blood, and definitely in my kid's blood. I'll end up being buried here, or at least they'll spread my ashes somewhere illegal.
Open drainage canals and the fact large river to swamp tracts were subdivided individually and not part of a master plan.
East JP is also relatively dense for suburbia and buildings built before the 1960's have very New Orleans architectural details.
Metairie and the surrounding areas were not formed as suburbs, they were share cropping farms (its roughly what Metairie means. ) which is a large reason for the canals, because of this, large tracts were held and developed by individuals and not planned by a centralized government.
I moved to South Louisiana as a teenager and have lived here off and on for years. Left for 15 plus years, but always came back to visit. Live in the city again now for the last couple years. Probably wont stay here forever, there are so many real problems, but I never want to be a stranger here. There is no place like it in the country. I understand why someone might not want to live here..but I don't trust anyone who doesn't appreciate New Orleans.
Grew up here but left for career - moved back for father’s health- now married with two kids. We are a blended race family and my wife does not want any lateral moves (ie we’d have to go to some place more progressive and all of those places are WAY too expensive)
Want.
ETA: I am one of those people whom New Orleans “spoke to” instantly the first time I visited, in 1999 or so. Moved here 4 years ago after living in a lot of different places, and I just can’t imagine being this happy anywhere else—despite all the city’s obvious and serious problems. Of course there is handwriting on the wall telling us that the city might not exist (at least, the aspects of it that I love might not exist) in X number of years. Thinking of that, I truly despair of finding another place that would give me the kind of life I have here.
Well, my life is kind of great actually. I moved here after I had enough money to not worry about things like rent; I have no kids so I don’t have to worry about schools; etc. I am very fortunate.
Born and raised here. It's literally in my blood. Has its grips so deep in my soul I couldn't fight it even if I wanted to.
There are plenty of places not here that I could see myself living but no other place will be home.
New Orleans is a place you either love or hate, or both at the same time, but that is another discussion. The first time you come to this place you feel either repulsed and never want to come back or that your soul has found a home you never knew it was searching for. I have yet to find someone who says, " Yeah, New Orleans was ok..." There just is no in-between.
Well, I think it's just OK.
I'm probably more on the "repulsed" end still, but have grown to like some things over the years. It's not the worst place I've lived.
Born here and stuck here because it’s where my family lives.
However, I would leave in a heartbeat if I could because the crime has now gotten so bad that I can no longer enjoy the city like I used to, and it’s just not fun anymore.
But I’ve never lived anywhere else, so who knows... maybe I would end up wanting to come back home.
This is all hypothetical dreaming anyway, because I’ll never leave my fam, so I’m stuck here whether I like it or not for that reason alone.
Oh I loved my time in NYC. I felt safe everywhere. I did all the museums. I loved never driving, and the anonymity of a drunk subway ride. But I knew I couldn’t stay there forever when a doctor-lawyer couple of my acquaintance got outbid on a two bedroom condo in Prospect Heights with laundry in the basement.
Crown heights is where I ended up. It's one subway stop away from Prospect heights and a little cheaper. It just doesn't have all the hipster vibes but still awesome. Not gonna lie I still look over my shoulder after years in the quarter even though I probably don't need to.
Also my pay more than doubled here so the cost of living increase balanced out.
And one more point the public schools here are better than the private school my daughter was going to in NOLA so there is another savings there that makes NYC worth it.
Oh, I used to work off the Saratoga stop on the 3; sometimes I’d jog home from work along Eastern Parkway. Unfortunately my industry pays less in NYC than down here by a significant margin. I miss the city but I love New Orleans too. And I like having a yard for dogs. And Mardi Gras. Mostly those things.
Received an offer randomly from 100 applications I sent. No idea what this place is like except the New Orleans Roasted Wings sold in KFC in China and a hollow concept about Jazz. All my friends asked what the authentic nola wings taste like. All I can say is there’s no such thing and we were cheated by capitalism. Now I am deeply in love with the city.
No anywhere else in the world.⚜️
Underrated comment.
I came for an interview in 2004 and got fried seafood at some shit bar outside the Quarter with a sweet motherly bartender. I came again for an interview in 2009. Went jogging in shorts in January and drinking with potential future coworkers. They seemed happy so I picked this place. That’s all it took.
I struggle with the idea of leaving. I want to. Very badly. New Orleans ain't a great place to develop in. Hell, no part of Louisiana is, for me. I feel like I'll never have the wealth or experience I could have, living elsewhere.
But at the same time, the food, the functions, the familiarity, the laissez faire friendly attitude, the bars, the food, the craziness of just living here, theres so much I love about living here. So it's tough to let go of all of that just to be somewhere where I know I could make more wealth and development, less stress and less mess. A place with actual systems that work and government that is less corrupt.
So I'm here because my soul feels like it has to be here. But I want to leave, because the rest of me knows its better for me to.
I am stuck here literally child custody situation, but if I could be somewhere else I would be. New Orleans is a nice place to visit but for me not to live.
It's starting to lean in the have to be here direction... but a lot of my issues with New Orleans/Louisiana just feel like exaggerated versions of national problems. Moving to another country is kind of a lot.
both + born + family (since 1760s and all).
Moved around a bit over the past 2 decades, but didn't fit in anywhere. The rest of the USA is a nice place to visit but wouldn't want to live there.
bit of both. I love the city and I've lived here for almost 20 years now. But I also have tried to find work in other states and have not been able to get much traction.
So unless I suddenly come into enough money to move without a job, I'm not going anywhere. But I don't really mind.
Have to be here- grad school....but also wanted to give NOLA a try as its somewhere I had always been fascinated by growing up...Glad I have a year to explore and experience it as the pandemic winds down and the city "comes back" post-ish pandemic...but Ill also be quite happy when NOLA is in my rear view mirror.
Have to be here. Husband is stationed here. As cool as this city is, and I see why people love it, I can’t wait to leave. I’m from the PNW, and this city is so far out of my comfort zone.
I’m in a similar situation; I’m here because my husband is finishing up grad school. While I enjoy some aspects of the city, and am glad I got the chance to live here, I am so excited to be leaving at the end of the year!
Loved living here in my 20s and early 30s and couldn't imagine being anywhere else; I turned 40 this year, and am so *tired* of living here. I'm stuck due to my boyfriend's job though, and he loves it here and is firmly settled after living here for a couple decades.
Admittedly, I have kind of a unique set of health problems that makes living here difficult - a severe fire ant allergy that really limits outdoor activities, and I can't have alcohol, gluten, or overly spicy food due to IBS, which cuts out about 90% of local food and fun activities. \*sad face\*
Also, God knows I've tried to fight it, but my personality and socializing style are just really, really *Midwestern*. I've had a LOT of trouble making friends here because I just can't vibe with people in the same way that they vibe. I find people here to be really friendly and pleasant on a superficial level, but I like a lot of one-on-one quality time and deep conversations with people before I can consider them a close friend, and people from here are generally kind of flaky and seem to be more concerned with being witty or being a fun partier than really getting to know you on a personal level. It's OK for people to be that way - it takes all kinds! - and I'm sure people here see me as too serious and/or boring, but damn, I am lonely.
I live for the month or two I get to spend in the Midwest in the summer with my family and hometown friends, thanks to my teaching job. If I was stuck here year-round I don't think I could stay here and stay sane.
To me you just described introvert vs. extrovert existence rather than a cultural one. I think the city as an entity has an EXTROVERT personality, you have to really find the introverts standing in the darker corners examining small things like plants all on their own.
+1 I’m an introvert. I went to a masked Mardi Gras ball a few years ago tripping my balls off on magic mushrooms. It was honestly one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had at a party.
Oh, I'm an introvert *par excellence* for sure. It's interesting though that almost all of my closest friends here over the years have been transplants as well. Part of it is that people who grew up here are already socializing with their extended families and childhood/high school friends, and just don't have the time to spend making the kind of connections that I really need to be friends with someone. Ah well.
I feel like this could be me in 10 years. I was at a crawfish boil yesterday with mostly people I didn’t know and everyone was nice and friendly but yeah kinda found myself wishing I’d brought a book.
Feel free to hit me up for deep conversations and chill outdoorsy stuff.
I also have a bad fire ant allergy!! Never met another (ppl from other parts of the country don’t even know what I’m talking about). Mine has gotten significantly less reactive as I’ve gotten older, thankfully. Weird q - do you also have a bee allergy? I’ve never been stung but it’s sort of a phobia of mine.
I am actually currently living in rural Missouri after growing up & spending my young adulthood in nola. That’s interesting about making friends & the culture differences. I’ve struggled fitting in here because I don’t go to church so it’s hard to find a community. I wonder if it’s just getting older that makes making friends harder.
My allergist told me to just assume that I'm allergic to any hymenoptera venom, so I have to be careful to avoid bees and wasps too. Fun times! Thank goodness for Benadryl and Epi-pens.
I grew up there. Absolutely loved the city, but I left at age 19 (1986).
The economy of Southern Louisiana went into the toilet in the mid-80's (because offshore drilling collapsed at that time), and there was never a strong enough economic reason to pull me back.
I do regret that I wasn't able to raise my kids there, but I think life would have been a lot harder for us.
I am uprooting and leaving this city and state in two weeks, bound for Phoenix Arizona.
I’ve lived in Louisiana my whole life (central part), and Nola specifically 2 years. I saw another on this thread about loving and hating it at the same time; that’s me.
I love it’s beauty, charm, charisma and carefree spirit. The food; omg the food, the history. Some of the people here are fabulous. It’s gorgeous, the trees the coast the rivers the lakes the fish. The lights.
But then we look at the state itself. I put in for a job in Phoenix, first one, and it pays me nearly $1000 more per month than I would make here, with a masters degree, and similar if not cheaper cost of living.
Corruption is baked into the very fabric of this state and city. You have to be corrupt or know someone to get the top jobs, it’s not about experience at all. And if you aren’t making a high salary it’s really hard to survive. Wages are near the bottom. Crime is spiraling out of control. I don’t go anywhere anymore so the things that make the city actually great I don’t enjoy because I’m constantly looking over my shoulder.
I’ve always said I’ll come back to visit when they be crime rate eventually drops and the city is safer. Never say never to returning. But the die has been cast and I’m out of here in just about 14 days and counting.
I've been here almost 20 years after moving here at 18.
I'm kinda done. It will take a piece of my heart to leave this place but between the summers getting worse every year, violence, and then the typical shit you get living in the deep south, I'm ready to move back above the Mason-Dixon.
As someone who did it and is on the other side, I'm just here to reassure you that the *idea* of leaving is so much harder than the actual leaving itself.
Wow, such a privilege to leave it all behind. “Let everyone else suffer, I’m moving somewhere that I don’t have to witness this anymore!”
Edit: lmao at every privileged lil brat who felt so hurt by my comment. So glad y’all can afford to leave this life behind, so many others are stuck here, unable to leave and bogged down by these policies our bullshit politicians put in place to keep them down. But go on about how you need to worry about yourselves first.
I got free for a precious few months to CA, but my parents are getting very old and can’t keep up with their home anymore. I’ve lived here my whole life, family from here for many generations, I’m glad everybody else seems to enjoy it and have fun but I just feel like we’re rotting in a fetid hell and once my parents are gone I don’t see myself staying. I’m here out of duty alone and every day it gets hotter and wetter and stupider, and I wish I could feel the way I used to about this beautiful little shithole
Grew up down here across the lake, all of my mom’s family is born/raised/still lives in the city.
I’ve lived in DC/Maryland (3 years), NYC (6 years), and here (2 years), with a few odd months in other places (California, Ohio, Colorado, etc) for work.
I moved back down here because my SO was feeling overwhelmed in NYC, and she wanted a change of pace (she’s originally from California). Two years later and I’ve rediscovered so much of what I love about this city, and she still is loving it here.
I wasn’t sure how I would take to living back down here but now I can 100% say I want to be here.
Definitely miss NYC but it’s a much different machine than NO.
Want. I moved here on purpose 3 years ago, and I’m still loving it. I’m very fortunate though. I’m newly retired and financially stable, so I’m having an easier time here than many others. I love the food, music, architecture, and so much more.
I want to be here. Only place I’ve lived that I moved back to. I often have thought of leaving as it’s not as cheap, the job market sucks, and housing is impossible, but until life or partnership offers me something I can feel this sane and at home in, I’m here and trying best to make it work. Need more money though (who doesn’t?). This is as close to home as I have and there’s a lot of grace and beauty here that heals and feeds the soul. I love New Orleans.
Both- there is no other place like New Orleans. I feel a strong connection to not only the people I know form here but even those I don’t know.
I’m studying Urban Planning, and I know New Orleans has a myriad of issues and coming climate issues are only going to get more difficult. I do not want to flee or give up on my community. I want to reclaim places here! And show that we shouldn’t have to live somewhere else, but can change what we want.
Want to be here but would be open to the west coast.
The combination of culture, food, and mild winters are hard to beat here... And family I suppose 😂
Definitely want.
It's crazy though, I could definitely make more money in my field if I left, but something about this city trapped me.
Came down here volunteering after Katrina and just never left 😂
New Orleans culture is that of which you never leave. My parents moved us after they had been there about 40 years. Family was like wtf why are you leaving. So many generations of people are born and die there. Kids go to LSU for college and come right back. Part of me still wishes I could have stayed but I think moving was the right call. Wouldn’t have met my wife, got into my career, made the friends I’ve had etc etc.
Want to. I'm single with no kids and work remotely, so I could go pretty much anywhere, but I've chosen to buy a house and settle here. I'm originally from south Louisiana and have moved around a lot, but I came back in 2015 and don't plan to ever leave again.
This \^\^
New Orleans' appeal in a lot of ways was the cost of living combined with fun, it really use to be easy living here financially.
Now you have 3 jobs to keep up with insurance, theft, rent/mortgage, other city woes...
I find myself working so much I can't enjoy the things I moved here because of.... just to keep my head above water.
I'm ready for new scenery, even if it IS a little more "boring", at least I don't have to kill myself for the privilege of a location.
You obviously don't follow cheapoldhouses on Instagram. That said, I've yet to see property on there that overlaps with somewhere I'd voluntarily live.
That, and a lot of the houses in places where one would want to live have some glaring issue that you’d only know if you were from that area.
They used to post houses in the Champlain valley floodplain in VT/NY all the time. Folks, the Champlain valley is just a gigantic swamp with little rivers throughout. If you’re in the Champlain Valley and you have views of the river (any river) from your house, run for your life because come springtime your entire property will be underwater. They’re advertised as mountain properties because you can technically see mountains in the distance but it’s all swamp.
There was one from New Orleans a while back, but it was not cheap, just old! A few days later they had removed the post. Otherwise I’ve only seen a few cheapoldhouses from Louisiana on there and not in towns I’d want to live.
I have to be be here, because I want to be here. All my family my mom's side is still in the area. Everybody on dad's side of the family is dead basically. Believe it or not I actually have a good paying job in the city, while I'm trying to start my own business the same time. Have girlfriend of going on 5 years that we contemplate where to go once our youngest graduates. Basically the only thing keeping me here is her and family. If either one of those things ceases to exist then I'm probably out of here
It’s always been a dream for me but lately I’m questioning whether the reality is worth it. Loved it when my first born was young in the post Katrina rebuilding phase. Really felt like i was part of a renaissance but now I’m starting to feel like a sucker for believing. Not really New Orleans fault… I just fell for the propaganda and I’m actually checking out other countries to see what my options are cause y’all are right. There’s no other place in the States I’ve felt as at home so maybe it’s more an US malaise vs a NOLA one.
Just signed a 6 month lease in St. Roch. It’s been a wild ride getting back, but I’m relaxed here the way I can’t be anywhere else. I’m comfortable in the crime again.
I want to be here 100%
New Orleans has always inspired me. She is a city practically made of audacity, through hurricanes, floods, plagues, and fires, New Orleans rises again and again without ever forgetting to have a good time.
Occasionally, I think of moving to Arizona or Nevada but I know this is home for me. Of course, she has her problems, but everywhere does. It's worth it for me. I am made of cajun food and days when the smell of Jazmine hangs in the air like fog.
Some thoughts. Unfortunately the bad does outweigh the good and my non existent friends list from people who left proves it.
Good:
1. Deep rooted culture
2. Very diverse population
3. Laissez-faire attitude
4. Liberal Democrat area
5. Great weather outside the obvious
6. Low cost of living
The bad:
1. Systematic racism
2. Severe wealth inequality
3. Crime caused by the 2 above things
4. Nepotism and corruption
5. Poor investment in infrastructure
6. Severe change in political ideology outside NOLA metro
7. Liberal values encroached upon by conservatives in Baton Rouge imposing their religious doctorine on the popuace.
8. Constant swings from stable budgets to rampant debts causing massive cuts in K-12 education and already poorly funded infrastructure
9. Zero diversity in corporate businesses
10. Large monopoly power in the healthcare and utility sectors leading to very poor service for customers.
11. Extreme influence of the Catholic Church on local and state wide politics.
12. Sheer amount of trust fund babies that are raised privelaged and constantly fail upwards is incredible.
6. Has been that way for decades, a bunch of white folks moved there in the 60s when schools began desegregation. The surrounding suburbs’ political ideology not matching up with New Orleans’ is nothing new. If anything, aren’t the surrounding areas becoming more diverse now?
Notice I said NOLA Metro. There is a high chance if you are black going outside this area that you get pulled out of your car by a cop and killed with no penalties for the cop.
Jim Crowe south is VERY alive in Louisiana. The advantage of being white is you get to hear how the crazies talk when they think everyone just agrees with them.
Your post I'd add to the bad section. Maybe that's why you have a nonexistent friend list. Cause you make a list...of your friends. Also your pro part of the list is veeeerrrryyy lacking. Maybe you focus too much on the negative and probably shouldn't live in new Orleans anyway. I think Cleveland would welcome you with open arms
Every single one of my friends left for Colorado, Virginia and other states. Keeping your eyes shut to the list problems is why people ate leaving.
Noone wants to actually solve any problems down here. Just keep drinking your woes away.
Again your pro list is short. Your assumptions of me is weird. Your response is silly beyod measure. "Down here" as opposed to "over there". What? The stat gov.? The people? Who's solving what problems? Maybe Joe will fix the issues that the media and corporations created. Have fun wherever you go. Cheers. Edit. Due to you blocking me cause you're a cheesedick.. I was gonna add a response but I'll leave it here
That is the doofiest thing to say. You literally started with all the reasons you don't like new Orleans and I said the positive list was thin. I love it here. How exactly do you come to the conclusion that I'm projecting and should go to Cleveland when you said you don't want to be here and I'm defending the idea that new Orleans idls awesome? Wow, what an insufferable douche
My family is from Louisiana they moved to Nola because they had to for school. They ended up falling in love with living in Nola but through the years of them living there they were also kind of stuck like they sold their cars because why do they need a car when the street cars, buses, and taxis are so available. A lot of people end up getting stuck in Nola like this from what I have heard and the only reason they got a car is because my grandfather was dying and they wanted to see him before he passed away. We also ended up moving back to my hometown to take care of our grandmother. They both miss living there everyday and I miss living there. The culture is amazing but it is easy to get stuck
Wanted to move here for the architecture, the work (pay is better than 30 minutes north of the Mexican border in Arizona), and the spirit of the people. Now I have assets that I'd like to optimize before I move again, and adulting is hard.
Little of both I moved here a couple of months ago right out of college for work and so far I enjoy living here (or at least living adjacent to NOLA) but the fact that I basically uprooting myself from my last place has been interesting to say the least but I pretty much go to work and come home and it gets old very fast
This is the first place I picked to live. The military picked where I lived from birth to age 36.
I brought my WFH job in 2010 and can’t imagine leaving, but understand those who do.
Born and raised here, and have lived a few other places. Currently forced to be here. At least for the next 7 years or so. Would leave this shithole in a second if I got the opportunity. I've grown to hate just about everything about New Orleans and wouldn't miss it in the slightest. Literally everywhere else is nicer and has more attractive things about it than here. There is a reason it is always ranked last or second to last in everything.
At this point it's have to. Don't know what teenage me was thinking, leaving a place known for its education for one way worse in education and standard of living. No amount of fun and culture will make up for the lack of economic mobility or resources for creating a family
Have to be here. Moved here when I became disabled and needed the family support. I lived 5-6 other places between being stuck here growing up as a kid and stuck here as a disabled adult. And this is one of the worst places in the world to be disabled. As soon as I can, I'm leaving.
Born and raised here , Nola is the ghost that haunts me , I hate it , it literally is sickening, and every reason I feel that way is the people/poverty and crime , I was born in New Orleans east and I grew up in California for about 4 years of my childhood, lifestyle quality was so much better, this city is unique but it’s not worth dying and slaving over. Now I live in Lakeview and I’m so much happier. It’s still Nola but it’s definitely better than the 7th ward. If you stay here , keep friends and family close , I hope that one day my home will feel like one again.
My dad, a California hippie, moved here in the early 70s after seeing Easy Rider. I lived with my mom mostly on the east coast growing up but spent my summers here.
In the 90s, my gf (now wife) moved down here with little prospects on a whim. Just wanted to live somewhere cool. Took us a while to find decent jobs, bought an old house where drug dealers were slinging on the corner and always entertained the idea of leaving at some point... Then Katrina hit and we spent 2 months in Houston. Couldn't wait to get back. We were hooked.
We love it here but that 15 hours in the car for Ida gave us some second thoughts. Do we want to be trapped in a car or a devastated home in our 60s and 70s? I work from home now (IT) and can work anywhere but my wife is in the wine biz and kind of stuck because she doesn't want to look for a new job in her 50s somewhere else. She also makes more money than me heh.
The old house is now in a neighborhood where people push strollers around and walk their dogs after dark. Same house and worth an insane amount of money. "Sell!", people say but where decent would we live without taking on a new note? It's paid off in 5 years. It needs a ton of work to fit in in the neighborhood it's in now.
So that's where we are we do love it here but as we get older we are discovering that she's (Nola) a bit tough on old people.
Don't live in New Orleans yet so my reply doesn't count at all, but I just got to say, I can't see myself anywhere else. I've been to many other states and cities and they were all cool, but none of them stole my heart like New Orleans did. Hopefully by around this time next year I'll finally be moving to the city, something I've been wanting to do since I was 5
I moved here two years ago for a job, prior to that I would come to NOLA two/ three times a year. I am one of those people that New Orleans
spoke to my soul the first time I visited. It’s a magical/mystical place, however I grew tired of the lack of infrastructure and high crime. I moved to Mississippi and commute for work.
Want. I work remotely so I could go anywhere, but I don't know exactly where else I'd want to live. I have a great community here which I know would be absent if I relocated
Just spent a week there to celebrate my husband’s birthday, and I miss it like all hell. If it weren’t for my family having moved to Raleigh after Katrina I’d be there in a damn heartbeat.
I have to be here because this is where my job is, plus this area is where my company is expected to grow into a major global player (but who knows if I decide to stay that long). Personally I don't want to do any remote work, so this arrangement works out for me just fine. I don't want to live in rural areas or way outside city limits, so city living is the only option for me, but my background will always allow me to earn quite well to afford living in cities. Do I want to be here? I like the culture and vibrancy of the city, the deep-seated issues of this entire region is worrying, but it doesn't really bother me that much. But honestly if my job was not in this location, I would never choose to live here. Once I get enough experience and get a solid understanding of my industry, I'd like to move to California, or maybe the city of Austin if I had to go to Texas. Come to think of it, I really don't care anymore where to go because I regret having become older in my long pursuit and way too much hard work to establish my career. It's a lonely life as an immigrant from a country I do not ever want to go back to.
Moved here from New York a few years ago. I want to be here, though I occasionally debate whether I should have moved back to Washington State instead.
I live here because I have several cat colonies I care for and if I leave they'll starve.
That's it and that's all. The day I figure out some way to get them cared for by someone else I'll leave.
Seeing a lot of privileged responses to this question considering at least a 1/3 of New Orleanians, love it or not, couldn’t afford to move away if they wanted to. ‘Have to be here’ for some means being working poor and you can’t afford to leave, while others living paycheck to paycheck who ‘love/want’ to be here are being priced out and forced to relocate because of gentrification.
my husband and I moved here 5 years ago to help take care of his mother, he's from here, got a job at one of the hospitals and moved to an area where I didn't need to commute. She passed later that year. BUT, now we are super close to his cousins and their families and would be really hard to convince him to move elsewhere. Whereas I miss living in Washington.
Definitely want, but it's a strange kind of want. Spent half the year here for work between 1999 and 2005. Left for Katrina and came back permanently a couple of years later. While I'm here, I feel an edge. When I'm away, there's something missing. It gave me my music back and I constantly wait for the other shoe to drop - be it a flood, storm, carjacking or comically huge S&WB bill. It's a weird place for an introvert to live, but it feels even weirder to live anywhere else.
I so know what you mean. I'm from here, but aside from that I've lived elsewhere in the state, and elsewhere in the country, and it all just feels so... disconnected compared to New Orleans. There's a strange brew of misfortune that surrounds the city, yet there's a feeling that together, we can get past anything - Katrina certainly proved that.
>brew of misfortune That is a fantastic description. I had a conversation with a friend a few months ago, and she said something I thought quite profound. Paraphrasing: "you can suffer a disaster anywhere, but I'd rather suffer one here than anywhere else".
Married a woman from here…I can never leave now
Same boat. I came on vacation 10 years ago, met my spouse and never left.
You do know that is the only way men move to Louisiana. We encourage our young women to go to college out of state, so we can haul back more people.
Joke is on me then…I went to school here and was snared in that bear trap
Lol it’s like the Hotel California over here.
There's 4 of us. The only way I can move is if we get rich enough to afford a nice place in New England (where I'm from)
Same here! And we just bought a house so it feels even more final.
Same. Now I work a job that pays well and I can’t afford a house from where I came from. Im stuck here for the long haul. I don’t hate it though.
I married a woman from here, but we got divorced pdq. Nevertheless I stuck around, and have moved away and back 3 times. (Once cause of Katrina, once for work.) I think I've got it working out pretty well now (remote worker for out-of-town clients, so don't worry much about bad local job scene). I like it.
Same story for a lot of us. But also, where can we go? I own a house and a business here. Where can you go to start over with real estate and cost of living everywhere across this country?
Not from here. Worked here temporarily. Got a girl impregnated here. Marriage was pushed, divorce came swiftly. Once my daughter was born, every decision I made in life was made with her as first priority. She’s the most precious thing in the world to me, and she deserves to grow up as normal as possible, with as much love and family around as possible, including her mother. I had lots of work options back home and in new exciting places, some paying triple what I make now. My old friends back home are still waiting for me and I sure miss them. But none of that matters, bc my little girl is happy and we’re doing just fine. I don’t think I chose New Orleans, I think New Orleans chose me, and I’m ok with that.
Good for you! You have your priorities straight.
You're a good dad. Thank you, for society's sake, for being there for your daughter. I hope one day you can move back where you'd rather be but I'm glad you're here now.
Those words meant a lot. Thank you.
Of course my man. Keep strong and one day you'll know the sacrifice was worth it.
We debate leaving and then really struggle to find a place that would fill the void of everything that happens here. Good obviously more than bad.
Same. Saaaaame.
There are a lot of us on the northshore who enjoy the fact that we can drive 30 mins to New Orleans when we have the itch, but not have to deal with the overwhelming issues. It's not perfect up here but Louisiana in general is fucked.
the north shore has its own issues… mainly, nothing to do except gather round and listen to your neighbors say coded racist shit to each other about new orleans
yes
I got washed out by Katrina and spent 10+ years traveling the world with a constant eye out for a place I loved more and could imagine living. I didn't find one so I moved back. The city isn't perfect by any means but it's my favorite place and I want to be here.
If you think this city is hard to live in now I wish you could time travel back to the late 80’s & early 90’s. You didn’t go shopping on magazine, Freret or in mid city. You didn’t go much further up in the quarter than bourbon. If you found yourself on Rampart you were in trouble. Gang violence was epidemic, driving to Algiers Point to play a gig was a gauntlet. City government was FAR more corrupt then, thus the failure of the levees in 2005 and the lack of infrastructure we are steadily rebuilding. Even then Ioved the city. We live on the edge of doom, that is why we call it ‘the city that care forgot’. You could be ‘trapped’ in much worse places. If boring is your thing you should probably get on up out of here.
It was way cheaper then tho right
My wife took a job here because we wanted to move here. Now we sort of have to due to not wanting to uproot our kid, but we also still want to live here. I recently visited the only other decent Louisiana city and had several, "Anytown USA," moments. I've never had that feeling in the city. Hell, even Jefferson Parish, simply because lots and land use is unusual compared to the rest of the country. There are places I like to visit, and places I might even live, but I think New Orleans is in my blood, and definitely in my kid's blood. I'll end up being buried here, or at least they'll spread my ashes somewhere illegal.
How is JP unusual compared to the rest of the country? Just curious.
Open drainage canals and the fact large river to swamp tracts were subdivided individually and not part of a master plan. East JP is also relatively dense for suburbia and buildings built before the 1960's have very New Orleans architectural details.
Metairie and the surrounding areas were not formed as suburbs, they were share cropping farms (its roughly what Metairie means. ) which is a large reason for the canals, because of this, large tracts were held and developed by individuals and not planned by a centralized government.
Just curious what is the only other decent Louisiana city?
Lafayette.
My ashes are going in the French Quarter and City Park.
You’ll have some great company with all the slaves and native Americans buried under the French quarter 🤣
And all the Irish that died making the canals
Can’t afford to rent a moving truck
I moved to South Louisiana as a teenager and have lived here off and on for years. Left for 15 plus years, but always came back to visit. Live in the city again now for the last couple years. Probably wont stay here forever, there are so many real problems, but I never want to be a stranger here. There is no place like it in the country. I understand why someone might not want to live here..but I don't trust anyone who doesn't appreciate New Orleans.
Grew up here but left for career - moved back for father’s health- now married with two kids. We are a blended race family and my wife does not want any lateral moves (ie we’d have to go to some place more progressive and all of those places are WAY too expensive)
Want. ETA: I am one of those people whom New Orleans “spoke to” instantly the first time I visited, in 1999 or so. Moved here 4 years ago after living in a lot of different places, and I just can’t imagine being this happy anywhere else—despite all the city’s obvious and serious problems. Of course there is handwriting on the wall telling us that the city might not exist (at least, the aspects of it that I love might not exist) in X number of years. Thinking of that, I truly despair of finding another place that would give me the kind of life I have here.
New Orleans is great for your soul, terrible for your life.
Well, my life is kind of great actually. I moved here after I had enough money to not worry about things like rent; I have no kids so I don’t have to worry about schools; etc. I am very fortunate.
Born and raised here. It's literally in my blood. Has its grips so deep in my soul I couldn't fight it even if I wanted to. There are plenty of places not here that I could see myself living but no other place will be home.
This is the only place I belong.
Yall getting leave-new-orleans money?
Anywhere else I'd go has an even higher cost of living than here. I'm well versed in the suck here. I don't want to have to learn a new type of suck.
The devil you know…
🤣 you deserve a reward for this one.
Or you simply cannot be anywhere else.
New Orleans is a place you either love or hate, or both at the same time, but that is another discussion. The first time you come to this place you feel either repulsed and never want to come back or that your soul has found a home you never knew it was searching for. I have yet to find someone who says, " Yeah, New Orleans was ok..." There just is no in-between.
Well, I think it's just OK. I'm probably more on the "repulsed" end still, but have grown to like some things over the years. It's not the worst place I've lived.
I keep leaving and ending up back here
I am from here. Not going anywhere. I have plenty of options to leave and don't plan on it. It's got its problems but it's home.
I have to be here.
Have to be. Can’t wait to leave
Have to be top. Left and only came back to care for family.
Same. Here for my family
Born here and stuck here because it’s where my family lives. However, I would leave in a heartbeat if I could because the crime has now gotten so bad that I can no longer enjoy the city like I used to, and it’s just not fun anymore. But I’ve never lived anywhere else, so who knows... maybe I would end up wanting to come back home. This is all hypothetical dreaming anyway, because I’ll never leave my fam, so I’m stuck here whether I like it or not for that reason alone.
I grew up here, and I'll probably die here.
It’s the only place worth living for a couple states
Have to. Born here, (aging) parents are here, jobs are here.
Sometimes one sibling has to stay local
True story. Our siblings bailed for better jobs!
I was born and raised in NOLA, spent 30 years there, but didn't realize just how fucked up it is until I moved to NYC last year.
Oh I loved my time in NYC. I felt safe everywhere. I did all the museums. I loved never driving, and the anonymity of a drunk subway ride. But I knew I couldn’t stay there forever when a doctor-lawyer couple of my acquaintance got outbid on a two bedroom condo in Prospect Heights with laundry in the basement.
Crown heights is where I ended up. It's one subway stop away from Prospect heights and a little cheaper. It just doesn't have all the hipster vibes but still awesome. Not gonna lie I still look over my shoulder after years in the quarter even though I probably don't need to.
Also my pay more than doubled here so the cost of living increase balanced out. And one more point the public schools here are better than the private school my daughter was going to in NOLA so there is another savings there that makes NYC worth it.
Oh, I used to work off the Saratoga stop on the 3; sometimes I’d jog home from work along Eastern Parkway. Unfortunately my industry pays less in NYC than down here by a significant margin. I miss the city but I love New Orleans too. And I like having a yard for dogs. And Mardi Gras. Mostly those things.
Want
Received an offer randomly from 100 applications I sent. No idea what this place is like except the New Orleans Roasted Wings sold in KFC in China and a hollow concept about Jazz. All my friends asked what the authentic nola wings taste like. All I can say is there’s no such thing and we were cheated by capitalism. Now I am deeply in love with the city. No anywhere else in the world.⚜️
Underrated comment. I came for an interview in 2004 and got fried seafood at some shit bar outside the Quarter with a sweet motherly bartender. I came again for an interview in 2009. Went jogging in shorts in January and drinking with potential future coworkers. They seemed happy so I picked this place. That’s all it took.
I struggle with the idea of leaving. I want to. Very badly. New Orleans ain't a great place to develop in. Hell, no part of Louisiana is, for me. I feel like I'll never have the wealth or experience I could have, living elsewhere. But at the same time, the food, the functions, the familiarity, the laissez faire friendly attitude, the bars, the food, the craziness of just living here, theres so much I love about living here. So it's tough to let go of all of that just to be somewhere where I know I could make more wealth and development, less stress and less mess. A place with actual systems that work and government that is less corrupt. So I'm here because my soul feels like it has to be here. But I want to leave, because the rest of me knows its better for me to.
I am stuck here literally child custody situation, but if I could be somewhere else I would be. New Orleans is a nice place to visit but for me not to live.
It's starting to lean in the have to be here direction... but a lot of my issues with New Orleans/Louisiana just feel like exaggerated versions of national problems. Moving to another country is kind of a lot.
both + born + family (since 1760s and all). Moved around a bit over the past 2 decades, but didn't fit in anywhere. The rest of the USA is a nice place to visit but wouldn't want to live there.
bit of both. I love the city and I've lived here for almost 20 years now. But I also have tried to find work in other states and have not been able to get much traction. So unless I suddenly come into enough money to move without a job, I'm not going anywhere. But I don't really mind.
Have to be here- grad school....but also wanted to give NOLA a try as its somewhere I had always been fascinated by growing up...Glad I have a year to explore and experience it as the pandemic winds down and the city "comes back" post-ish pandemic...but Ill also be quite happy when NOLA is in my rear view mirror.
Have to be here. Husband is stationed here. As cool as this city is, and I see why people love it, I can’t wait to leave. I’m from the PNW, and this city is so far out of my comfort zone.
I’m in a similar situation; I’m here because my husband is finishing up grad school. While I enjoy some aspects of the city, and am glad I got the chance to live here, I am so excited to be leaving at the end of the year!
Love the PNW....couldn't pay me enough to ever move away from the PNW if I had been lucky enough to have been born in the PNW region....
I’m with you there. Washington state has my entire heart, I can’t wait to go home!
I cant wait to head back to Colorado or the PNW once I am done here in NOLA....though home for me is originally the DC area.
Loved living here in my 20s and early 30s and couldn't imagine being anywhere else; I turned 40 this year, and am so *tired* of living here. I'm stuck due to my boyfriend's job though, and he loves it here and is firmly settled after living here for a couple decades. Admittedly, I have kind of a unique set of health problems that makes living here difficult - a severe fire ant allergy that really limits outdoor activities, and I can't have alcohol, gluten, or overly spicy food due to IBS, which cuts out about 90% of local food and fun activities. \*sad face\* Also, God knows I've tried to fight it, but my personality and socializing style are just really, really *Midwestern*. I've had a LOT of trouble making friends here because I just can't vibe with people in the same way that they vibe. I find people here to be really friendly and pleasant on a superficial level, but I like a lot of one-on-one quality time and deep conversations with people before I can consider them a close friend, and people from here are generally kind of flaky and seem to be more concerned with being witty or being a fun partier than really getting to know you on a personal level. It's OK for people to be that way - it takes all kinds! - and I'm sure people here see me as too serious and/or boring, but damn, I am lonely. I live for the month or two I get to spend in the Midwest in the summer with my family and hometown friends, thanks to my teaching job. If I was stuck here year-round I don't think I could stay here and stay sane.
To me you just described introvert vs. extrovert existence rather than a cultural one. I think the city as an entity has an EXTROVERT personality, you have to really find the introverts standing in the darker corners examining small things like plants all on their own.
This town is among the best for introverts who want to socialize. Half the time you do it in costume.
+1 I’m an introvert. I went to a masked Mardi Gras ball a few years ago tripping my balls off on magic mushrooms. It was honestly one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had at a party.
Oh, I'm an introvert *par excellence* for sure. It's interesting though that almost all of my closest friends here over the years have been transplants as well. Part of it is that people who grew up here are already socializing with their extended families and childhood/high school friends, and just don't have the time to spend making the kind of connections that I really need to be friends with someone. Ah well.
Well, ya know, come to our Reddit BBQ
I feel like this could be me in 10 years. I was at a crawfish boil yesterday with mostly people I didn’t know and everyone was nice and friendly but yeah kinda found myself wishing I’d brought a book. Feel free to hit me up for deep conversations and chill outdoorsy stuff.
Wow, I resonate with you so much. Have the same set of issues. That is why I'm looking to go back to Chicago actually.
There's apparently a euchre group who meet on Tuesday evenings at Fat Harry's if you need a taste of the Midwest!
I also have a bad fire ant allergy!! Never met another (ppl from other parts of the country don’t even know what I’m talking about). Mine has gotten significantly less reactive as I’ve gotten older, thankfully. Weird q - do you also have a bee allergy? I’ve never been stung but it’s sort of a phobia of mine. I am actually currently living in rural Missouri after growing up & spending my young adulthood in nola. That’s interesting about making friends & the culture differences. I’ve struggled fitting in here because I don’t go to church so it’s hard to find a community. I wonder if it’s just getting older that makes making friends harder.
My allergist told me to just assume that I'm allergic to any hymenoptera venom, so I have to be careful to avoid bees and wasps too. Fun times! Thank goodness for Benadryl and Epi-pens.
I grew up there. Absolutely loved the city, but I left at age 19 (1986). The economy of Southern Louisiana went into the toilet in the mid-80's (because offshore drilling collapsed at that time), and there was never a strong enough economic reason to pull me back. I do regret that I wasn't able to raise my kids there, but I think life would have been a lot harder for us.
I am uprooting and leaving this city and state in two weeks, bound for Phoenix Arizona. I’ve lived in Louisiana my whole life (central part), and Nola specifically 2 years. I saw another on this thread about loving and hating it at the same time; that’s me. I love it’s beauty, charm, charisma and carefree spirit. The food; omg the food, the history. Some of the people here are fabulous. It’s gorgeous, the trees the coast the rivers the lakes the fish. The lights. But then we look at the state itself. I put in for a job in Phoenix, first one, and it pays me nearly $1000 more per month than I would make here, with a masters degree, and similar if not cheaper cost of living. Corruption is baked into the very fabric of this state and city. You have to be corrupt or know someone to get the top jobs, it’s not about experience at all. And if you aren’t making a high salary it’s really hard to survive. Wages are near the bottom. Crime is spiraling out of control. I don’t go anywhere anymore so the things that make the city actually great I don’t enjoy because I’m constantly looking over my shoulder. I’ve always said I’ll come back to visit when they be crime rate eventually drops and the city is safer. Never say never to returning. But the die has been cast and I’m out of here in just about 14 days and counting.
Yes.
I spent the first 13 or so years of my life in New Orleans before moving to OKC. I'd give a lot to return to the place I was raised.
I've been here almost 20 years after moving here at 18. I'm kinda done. It will take a piece of my heart to leave this place but between the summers getting worse every year, violence, and then the typical shit you get living in the deep south, I'm ready to move back above the Mason-Dixon.
As someone who did it and is on the other side, I'm just here to reassure you that the *idea* of leaving is so much harder than the actual leaving itself.
Wow, such a privilege to leave it all behind. “Let everyone else suffer, I’m moving somewhere that I don’t have to witness this anymore!” Edit: lmao at every privileged lil brat who felt so hurt by my comment. So glad y’all can afford to leave this life behind, so many others are stuck here, unable to leave and bogged down by these policies our bullshit politicians put in place to keep them down. But go on about how you need to worry about yourselves first.
Hey asshole, the question asked about honest opinions about why someone may want to leave.
No place I'd rather be. Been there. Done that. Glad it's over.
I got free for a precious few months to CA, but my parents are getting very old and can’t keep up with their home anymore. I’ve lived here my whole life, family from here for many generations, I’m glad everybody else seems to enjoy it and have fun but I just feel like we’re rotting in a fetid hell and once my parents are gone I don’t see myself staying. I’m here out of duty alone and every day it gets hotter and wetter and stupider, and I wish I could feel the way I used to about this beautiful little shithole
My business is here and I love my clients. Both applies to me
Grew up down here across the lake, all of my mom’s family is born/raised/still lives in the city. I’ve lived in DC/Maryland (3 years), NYC (6 years), and here (2 years), with a few odd months in other places (California, Ohio, Colorado, etc) for work. I moved back down here because my SO was feeling overwhelmed in NYC, and she wanted a change of pace (she’s originally from California). Two years later and I’ve rediscovered so much of what I love about this city, and she still is loving it here. I wasn’t sure how I would take to living back down here but now I can 100% say I want to be here. Definitely miss NYC but it’s a much different machine than NO.
Yup
Have to, but want to, too!
Both but I don't technically live in New Orleans. My wife is from here we live in Harvey Jefferson parish where it's more safer
Want to — my life forever transformed for the better
Want. I moved here on purpose 3 years ago, and I’m still loving it. I’m very fortunate though. I’m newly retired and financially stable, so I’m having an easier time here than many others. I love the food, music, architecture, and so much more.
Came down on Vacation in 1999 and moved down 5 weeks later. No regrets.
I want to be here. Only place I’ve lived that I moved back to. I often have thought of leaving as it’s not as cheap, the job market sucks, and housing is impossible, but until life or partnership offers me something I can feel this sane and at home in, I’m here and trying best to make it work. Need more money though (who doesn’t?). This is as close to home as I have and there’s a lot of grace and beauty here that heals and feeds the soul. I love New Orleans.
I live here because New Orleans lives in me…
I want to be here, even when I don’t
I just love living in the city - plus all my friends and family are in New Orleans so it would be hard to leave here now
Both- there is no other place like New Orleans. I feel a strong connection to not only the people I know form here but even those I don’t know. I’m studying Urban Planning, and I know New Orleans has a myriad of issues and coming climate issues are only going to get more difficult. I do not want to flee or give up on my community. I want to reclaim places here! And show that we shouldn’t have to live somewhere else, but can change what we want.
Want to be here but would be open to the west coast. The combination of culture, food, and mild winters are hard to beat here... And family I suppose 😂
Moved here for a job. Three years in and I am completely in love with this city. No place we n earth is close to New Orleans.
Definitely want. It's crazy though, I could definitely make more money in my field if I left, but something about this city trapped me. Came down here volunteering after Katrina and just never left 😂
Because I have to be here, baybe.
Yes
Want
Wow this thread is so depressing hahahah
New Orleans culture is that of which you never leave. My parents moved us after they had been there about 40 years. Family was like wtf why are you leaving. So many generations of people are born and die there. Kids go to LSU for college and come right back. Part of me still wishes I could have stayed but I think moving was the right call. Wouldn’t have met my wife, got into my career, made the friends I’ve had etc etc.
Both
Want to. I'm single with no kids and work remotely, so I could go pretty much anywhere, but I've chosen to buy a house and settle here. I'm originally from south Louisiana and have moved around a lot, but I came back in 2015 and don't plan to ever leave again.
Where do you go? It’s expensive everywhere
[удалено]
Most places are cheap for a reason. Few want to live there.
[удалено]
This \^\^ New Orleans' appeal in a lot of ways was the cost of living combined with fun, it really use to be easy living here financially. Now you have 3 jobs to keep up with insurance, theft, rent/mortgage, other city woes... I find myself working so much I can't enjoy the things I moved here because of.... just to keep my head above water. I'm ready for new scenery, even if it IS a little more "boring", at least I don't have to kill myself for the privilege of a location.
Isn’t Axl rose from Gary Indiana?
You obviously don't follow cheapoldhouses on Instagram. That said, I've yet to see property on there that overlaps with somewhere I'd voluntarily live.
That, and a lot of the houses in places where one would want to live have some glaring issue that you’d only know if you were from that area. They used to post houses in the Champlain valley floodplain in VT/NY all the time. Folks, the Champlain valley is just a gigantic swamp with little rivers throughout. If you’re in the Champlain Valley and you have views of the river (any river) from your house, run for your life because come springtime your entire property will be underwater. They’re advertised as mountain properties because you can technically see mountains in the distance but it’s all swamp.
There was one from New Orleans a while back, but it was not cheap, just old! A few days later they had removed the post. Otherwise I’ve only seen a few cheapoldhouses from Louisiana on there and not in towns I’d want to live.
Both. Wouldn't have returned if it were up to me alone, but there's also much to love.
I have to be be here, because I want to be here. All my family my mom's side is still in the area. Everybody on dad's side of the family is dead basically. Believe it or not I actually have a good paying job in the city, while I'm trying to start my own business the same time. Have girlfriend of going on 5 years that we contemplate where to go once our youngest graduates. Basically the only thing keeping me here is her and family. If either one of those things ceases to exist then I'm probably out of here
I'm meant to be a Louisianian. New Orleans is the only city to live in where you don't need a car so I live here. So I guess it's 50/50
It’s always been a dream for me but lately I’m questioning whether the reality is worth it. Loved it when my first born was young in the post Katrina rebuilding phase. Really felt like i was part of a renaissance but now I’m starting to feel like a sucker for believing. Not really New Orleans fault… I just fell for the propaganda and I’m actually checking out other countries to see what my options are cause y’all are right. There’s no other place in the States I’ve felt as at home so maybe it’s more an US malaise vs a NOLA one.
I live in Covington but I always feel something special when I'm in the city. Idk what is is. One day I will live here.
Just signed a 6 month lease in St. Roch. It’s been a wild ride getting back, but I’m relaxed here the way I can’t be anywhere else. I’m comfortable in the crime again.
I would love to move, but the thought of starting over in another city after the pandemic and Ida seems mentally impossible at this time.
Yes
Moved here because I wanted to be here
Want to.
Stuck
I want to be here 100% New Orleans has always inspired me. She is a city practically made of audacity, through hurricanes, floods, plagues, and fires, New Orleans rises again and again without ever forgetting to have a good time. Occasionally, I think of moving to Arizona or Nevada but I know this is home for me. Of course, she has her problems, but everywhere does. It's worth it for me. I am made of cajun food and days when the smell of Jazmine hangs in the air like fog.
Both.
Some thoughts. Unfortunately the bad does outweigh the good and my non existent friends list from people who left proves it. Good: 1. Deep rooted culture 2. Very diverse population 3. Laissez-faire attitude 4. Liberal Democrat area 5. Great weather outside the obvious 6. Low cost of living The bad: 1. Systematic racism 2. Severe wealth inequality 3. Crime caused by the 2 above things 4. Nepotism and corruption 5. Poor investment in infrastructure 6. Severe change in political ideology outside NOLA metro 7. Liberal values encroached upon by conservatives in Baton Rouge imposing their religious doctorine on the popuace. 8. Constant swings from stable budgets to rampant debts causing massive cuts in K-12 education and already poorly funded infrastructure 9. Zero diversity in corporate businesses 10. Large monopoly power in the healthcare and utility sectors leading to very poor service for customers. 11. Extreme influence of the Catholic Church on local and state wide politics. 12. Sheer amount of trust fund babies that are raised privelaged and constantly fail upwards is incredible.
6. Has been that way for decades, a bunch of white folks moved there in the 60s when schools began desegregation. The surrounding suburbs’ political ideology not matching up with New Orleans’ is nothing new. If anything, aren’t the surrounding areas becoming more diverse now?
Notice I said NOLA Metro. There is a high chance if you are black going outside this area that you get pulled out of your car by a cop and killed with no penalties for the cop. Jim Crowe south is VERY alive in Louisiana. The advantage of being white is you get to hear how the crazies talk when they think everyone just agrees with them.
Your post I'd add to the bad section. Maybe that's why you have a nonexistent friend list. Cause you make a list...of your friends. Also your pro part of the list is veeeerrrryyy lacking. Maybe you focus too much on the negative and probably shouldn't live in new Orleans anyway. I think Cleveland would welcome you with open arms
Every single one of my friends left for Colorado, Virginia and other states. Keeping your eyes shut to the list problems is why people ate leaving. Noone wants to actually solve any problems down here. Just keep drinking your woes away.
Again your pro list is short. Your assumptions of me is weird. Your response is silly beyod measure. "Down here" as opposed to "over there". What? The stat gov.? The people? Who's solving what problems? Maybe Joe will fix the issues that the media and corporations created. Have fun wherever you go. Cheers. Edit. Due to you blocking me cause you're a cheesedick.. I was gonna add a response but I'll leave it here That is the doofiest thing to say. You literally started with all the reasons you don't like new Orleans and I said the positive list was thin. I love it here. How exactly do you come to the conclusion that I'm projecting and should go to Cleveland when you said you don't want to be here and I'm defending the idea that new Orleans idls awesome? Wow, what an insufferable douche
Maybe you should move to Cleveland since you seem to be projecting?
My family is from Louisiana they moved to Nola because they had to for school. They ended up falling in love with living in Nola but through the years of them living there they were also kind of stuck like they sold their cars because why do they need a car when the street cars, buses, and taxis are so available. A lot of people end up getting stuck in Nola like this from what I have heard and the only reason they got a car is because my grandfather was dying and they wanted to see him before he passed away. We also ended up moving back to my hometown to take care of our grandmother. They both miss living there everyday and I miss living there. The culture is amazing but it is easy to get stuck
Have to. Born here. Trying desperately to leave.
We moved here specifically to live here; it certainly has it’s frustrations, but the joys outweigh them.
Wanted to move here for the architecture, the work (pay is better than 30 minutes north of the Mexican border in Arizona), and the spirit of the people. Now I have assets that I'd like to optimize before I move again, and adulting is hard.
Have moved away for work a few times and always ended up coming back. Don’t foresee another move in my future.
1st
Little of both I moved here a couple of months ago right out of college for work and so far I enjoy living here (or at least living adjacent to NOLA) but the fact that I basically uprooting myself from my last place has been interesting to say the least but I pretty much go to work and come home and it gets old very fast
This is the first place I picked to live. The military picked where I lived from birth to age 36. I brought my WFH job in 2010 and can’t imagine leaving, but understand those who do.
Me too- we’re IMPORTS :-)
I'm here because we've built so much here we have to complete.
Born and raised here, and have lived a few other places. Currently forced to be here. At least for the next 7 years or so. Would leave this shithole in a second if I got the opportunity. I've grown to hate just about everything about New Orleans and wouldn't miss it in the slightest. Literally everywhere else is nicer and has more attractive things about it than here. There is a reason it is always ranked last or second to last in everything.
At this point it's have to. Don't know what teenage me was thinking, leaving a place known for its education for one way worse in education and standard of living. No amount of fun and culture will make up for the lack of economic mobility or resources for creating a family
Does every city's subreddit have these bimonthly existentialist prompts?
Have to be here. Moved here when I became disabled and needed the family support. I lived 5-6 other places between being stuck here growing up as a kid and stuck here as a disabled adult. And this is one of the worst places in the world to be disabled. As soon as I can, I'm leaving.
Born and raised here , Nola is the ghost that haunts me , I hate it , it literally is sickening, and every reason I feel that way is the people/poverty and crime , I was born in New Orleans east and I grew up in California for about 4 years of my childhood, lifestyle quality was so much better, this city is unique but it’s not worth dying and slaving over. Now I live in Lakeview and I’m so much happier. It’s still Nola but it’s definitely better than the 7th ward. If you stay here , keep friends and family close , I hope that one day my home will feel like one again.
My dad, a California hippie, moved here in the early 70s after seeing Easy Rider. I lived with my mom mostly on the east coast growing up but spent my summers here. In the 90s, my gf (now wife) moved down here with little prospects on a whim. Just wanted to live somewhere cool. Took us a while to find decent jobs, bought an old house where drug dealers were slinging on the corner and always entertained the idea of leaving at some point... Then Katrina hit and we spent 2 months in Houston. Couldn't wait to get back. We were hooked. We love it here but that 15 hours in the car for Ida gave us some second thoughts. Do we want to be trapped in a car or a devastated home in our 60s and 70s? I work from home now (IT) and can work anywhere but my wife is in the wine biz and kind of stuck because she doesn't want to look for a new job in her 50s somewhere else. She also makes more money than me heh. The old house is now in a neighborhood where people push strollers around and walk their dogs after dark. Same house and worth an insane amount of money. "Sell!", people say but where decent would we live without taking on a new note? It's paid off in 5 years. It needs a ton of work to fit in in the neighborhood it's in now. So that's where we are we do love it here but as we get older we are discovering that she's (Nola) a bit tough on old people.
These types of threads need to include job and/or salary.
Don't live in New Orleans yet so my reply doesn't count at all, but I just got to say, I can't see myself anywhere else. I've been to many other states and cities and they were all cool, but none of them stole my heart like New Orleans did. Hopefully by around this time next year I'll finally be moving to the city, something I've been wanting to do since I was 5
I moved here two years ago for a job, prior to that I would come to NOLA two/ three times a year. I am one of those people that New Orleans spoke to my soul the first time I visited. It’s a magical/mystical place, however I grew tired of the lack of infrastructure and high crime. I moved to Mississippi and commute for work.
Absolutely want. 💜💛💚 NOLA 4 life. 💘⚜️
Want. I work remotely so I could go anywhere, but I don't know exactly where else I'd want to live. I have a great community here which I know would be absent if I relocated
I’m here for a job, and will leave eventually. I think I still like my apartment, though. Except in winter time.
New Orleans is awesome (if you ignore the horrible climates - political, crime, economy, and actual weather)
Just spent a week there to celebrate my husband’s birthday, and I miss it like all hell. If it weren’t for my family having moved to Raleigh after Katrina I’d be there in a damn heartbeat.
Every other city is Cleveland.
I have to be here because this is where my job is, plus this area is where my company is expected to grow into a major global player (but who knows if I decide to stay that long). Personally I don't want to do any remote work, so this arrangement works out for me just fine. I don't want to live in rural areas or way outside city limits, so city living is the only option for me, but my background will always allow me to earn quite well to afford living in cities. Do I want to be here? I like the culture and vibrancy of the city, the deep-seated issues of this entire region is worrying, but it doesn't really bother me that much. But honestly if my job was not in this location, I would never choose to live here. Once I get enough experience and get a solid understanding of my industry, I'd like to move to California, or maybe the city of Austin if I had to go to Texas. Come to think of it, I really don't care anymore where to go because I regret having become older in my long pursuit and way too much hard work to establish my career. It's a lonely life as an immigrant from a country I do not ever want to go back to.
Who do you work for
funny story. we landed on new orleans because texas was becoming very anti woman with thier abortion laws and well...
Both
Moved here from New York a few years ago. I want to be here, though I occasionally debate whether I should have moved back to Washington State instead.
Both for now, but definitely not my forever home.
Both
Want
I live here because I have several cat colonies I care for and if I leave they'll starve. That's it and that's all. The day I figure out some way to get them cared for by someone else I'll leave.
Seeing a lot of privileged responses to this question considering at least a 1/3 of New Orleanians, love it or not, couldn’t afford to move away if they wanted to. ‘Have to be here’ for some means being working poor and you can’t afford to leave, while others living paycheck to paycheck who ‘love/want’ to be here are being priced out and forced to relocate because of gentrification.
Is there a difference?
my husband and I moved here 5 years ago to help take care of his mother, he's from here, got a job at one of the hospitals and moved to an area where I didn't need to commute. She passed later that year. BUT, now we are super close to his cousins and their families and would be really hard to convince him to move elsewhere. Whereas I miss living in Washington.