Don't be lost in Nostalgia - 12/25/2010

I was born and raised in New Orleans and I never understood why some people loved it enough to die for it. Hurricanes Katrina was predicted long before it happened. New Orleans has always been ridden with poverty,poor education, HIGH crime and high unemployment due to lack of industry other than tourism and we all new it. Even though I grew up enjoying Mardi Grads and other festivals, I've always had a since of fear and lacking as a child due to it's enviroment. I haven't found a place with friendlier people 20 years later but I am happy that I left in 1990s. A friend I grew up with regrets that she never left to see and experience other places that are better. New Orleans is to me is like a Capitalistic spider Webb that trapped many people in to be eaten alive. My family lives elsewhere so I have no reason to visit. I can still attend Jazz festivals, meet friendly people, and eat craw fish in many other places in the world. What kills me is that some are still moving back..including my mother! WOW

[Comment on this Posting]

Quality of Life - 11/16/2010

I loved the food. If you like culture, New Orleans, has a lot of culture, and festivals.

[Comment on this Posting]

unemployment - 11/14/2010

Rate is 9.80 in the New Orleans-Kenner-Metairie area....certainly not 6.80

[Comment on this Posting]

Wrong Unemployment rate - 11/14/2010

New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner Unemployment rate is actually 9.80 not 6.80

[Comment on this Posting]

New Orleans; the rebirth of an American city - 2/18/2010

Over the course of her history New Orleans has gone from being the Queen of the South to being nearly wiped off the map by the catastrophic flooding resulting from the federal levee breaks during Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans has has had a troubled history; poverty, race, crime, poor educational achievement, lack of employment opportunities. On the other hand in many ways New Orleans is America's most interesting and romantic city. A city of Mardi Gras, Jazz, magnolia trees, street cars and the Mississippi River. August 29, 2005 was a turning point for city. Katrina has wrecked havoc everywhere. Could New Orleans survive? Should New Orleans survive? The answer, of course, was YES. Now, nearly 5 years after the storm, New Orleans is finally turning the corner. Renovation and rebuilding is happening across the city. New elected political leaders are poised to take full advantage of federal programs. The evolving charter school system is being touted as a model for urban education across the country. Homes are being rebuilt, infrastructure is being replaced or upgraded, and a whole new kind of New Orleanian is calling New Orleans home. Many of the educated 20 -30 crowd something that came to New Orleans after the storm to help put her back together have stayed, bought homes and have brought an enterprising spirit with them. In 2010, New Orleans is the place to be.

[Comment on this Posting]

Culture High and Low abounds in New Orleans - 2/5/2010

New Orleans had the first opera house in America and opera, symphony and art museums still thrive here. We are also the birth place of jazz and have the greatest, most abundant and most varied street culture in America, if not the world.

[Comment on this Posting]

visitor's impression - 1/7/2010

My daughter and I made a trip to New Orleans this Dec. This was our first time. We just loved your city. First off we liked the way you all take pride in preserving your history,we only had 4 days and wanted to see all of New Orleans so we took a tour bus ,very informative and our lady guide from the 9th ward treated us like we were family from out of town that she was driving around.We respectfully viewed the Katrina damage, I feel this is important because people all over our concerned and want to see for themselves how much help the most devastated lower 9th ward still needs and what our government is doing to help in this country for our US citizens. Like my daughter said back at the hotel "Come on mom ,Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have to build houses for them? Harry Connick Jr.? Yes they certainly did step up to the plate and they are to be commended but we want the government to give more money for rebuilding . We saw whole shopping malls still wiped out. These people don't even have grocery stores they can walk to. All money for war, all the time someplace new! We want New Orleans lower 9TH ward helped and the displaced citizens that want to return should be fully compensated. On the lighter side ,yes this city is a live music lover's dream. There was music all over 24-7! Our cab driver turned us on to a place in the by water area ,I had never even heard of that neighborhood and thought it was a gay neighborhood as bi in bisexual, kinda' like BoysTown in Chicago. He said it was a cool little jazz blues club so we said "yeah let's go!" It turned out to be Vaughn's a little bar owned by jazz musician Kermit Ruffin. it happenned to be Thursday so he was there with his band the BBQ Swingers! Unbelievable ! Being in this tiny club with great musicians, upfront and personal! Two men got up and gave us their seats ,everyone made us feel like we all knew each other.Our cab driver came back for us to see how we were doing and waited for us until we were ready to go. He wanted to make sure his tourist friends got back safely to the hotel since we didn't even know where we were.Yeah!he dropped us off at our hotel in the Garden district but we were not ready to go in yet, we just had to check out that 24 hour laundrymat bar -they don't have those in Kansas! or even chicago our home base. The bartender laid a couple of tequila shots on us and dished the dirt with us like we were locals. Maybe this is how David Johhanson got the inspiration for his song, you know the one,"I'll wash you down in any old laundymat" or what ever the words are. That song would go through my head every time I walked by that place. With all the booze around we really didn't over do it.we really like just getting a little buzz,good music and conversation.So there were no hang overs here. Besides there is so much to see and do during the day, we loved taking the St.Charles street car to the French Quarter and then walking back to our hotel jacked up on cafe aulait from Cafe Demonde. My daughter fell in love with the place and hopes to move there . Thank-You. For your friendliness and grace still remains. You may be shattered but your heart is beating strong. Come on USA help this beautiful child of yours. Have some pride for this is America's Paris!

[Comment on this Posting]

Awww - 10/23/2009

I have never lived in New Orleans but have visited before and absolutely loved it. It saddens me to see the horrible things said about such a beautiful and unique city. Personally, I plan on buying a home there some day. I would hope that its residents would come together as a community and put thier hearts and minds together to achieve thier vision for the city. I know it can be done.

[Comment on this Posting]

TERRIBLE!!! - 7/16/2009

The city of New Orleans is terrible!!! Dirty with a lot of crime is what makes this city just terrible!!!

[Comment on this Posting]

Looking to Move - 5/28/2009

Looking to move.

[Comment on this Posting]

The state of politics in New Orleans and the state - 3/7/2009

New Orleans has so many things going for it--climate, culture, dedicated citizens, fascinating history--but until the city has leadership with vision and leadership that can bring all of the diverse segments of the city together and pulling in the same direction, New Orleans will remain a city that people will visit, but few will want to move to.

[Comment on this Posting]

I'm disgusted & angry with myself for coming here - 2/16/2009

To be perfectly blunt about it, living here makes me ashamed to be a fellow human being...and I'm from New York. (We all know the reputation of New Yorkers) The majority of the people here are openly racist. Sure, whites are racist against Blacks, but dark-skinned Blacks are racist against nearly everyone, including light-skinned blacks, and light skinned blacks are racist against those of darker skin. Those that aren't racist are just plain mean. Yes, I know Katrina devestated the area, but that was years ago and, in any case, its no reason to treat people with malice, contempt, and prejudices. Its hard enough to live a life in these times, without having to worry about how the personal views of complete strangers will effect you. I'm in a situation that prevents me from leaving at this moment, but, as soon as its economically possible, I will be relocating & I will never return. To anyone thinking of moving here, take a long, hard, honest look! Leave the French Quarter and the other tourist areas. Go places where people aren't paid to be exceptionally charming.

[Comment on this Posting]

New Orleans - 2/6/2009

I have lived in New Orleans my entire life, except for a few years away at college. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina could have been turned into something positive, allowing governmental agencies, community groups and citizens to come together for the betterment of the community. Unfortunately, governmental waste and corruption have stifled the growth which should be occurring at this time. Our City Council is fighting hard in an attempt to reduce the waste and corruption stemming from City Hall. Our Mayor, Ray Nagin (I voted for him the first time, pre-Katrina, but not after Katrina), has done little to help our City. Thankfully, he is term limited and we will have a new Mayor in about 12 1/2 months. This City can still be something great. We have so many resources, such history, such passionate citizens.....we just need some effective leadership, something which has been lacking not only in New Orleans, but in Louisiana, and perhaps across the Country for quite some time.

[Comment on this Posting]

Really do your research before moving here! - 12/28/2008

I am a Chicagoan & I moved to New Orleans for about a year. This city is a nice place to visit or vacation, but not to live (especially if you are from up North). I will admit that SOME of the people here are nice while there are others that try to mimic themselves from a music video, jumped off a rainbow or just plain thuggish. The crime is very high and the nightlife would make Chicago's look like a cream puff! Also, you have to be prepared to pack all of your belongings & etc just in case there is a threat of a hurricane and drive for hours and hours on the expressway to nowhere! Call me stuck up if you want, but after a year there I tucked my tail came back home running. Don't do it!

[Comment on this Posting]

Post Katrina NO - 11/16/2008

Here it is, November 2008, and we are still here, sometimes wonder why. The recovery is driven by our citizens, the city government is totally inept and incapable of coming up with a viable plan. But those of us who love this sinking city love it fiercely...to a fault, I fear.

[Comment on this Posting]

Pay for your Education - 10/30/2008

The worst thing about the education here is that to get a decent one (and a safe one) you HAVE to send your child to a private school...and they get very very expensive (I know people that spend $15k per year for Pre-K)

[Comment on this Posting]

Corruption - 10/6/2008

I had hoped after Hurricane Katrina we could make a clean sweep and turn this place around. There is a significantly higher level of political involvement since Katrina but i remain amazed at how the same people with a history of corruption and political connections continue to get elected.

[Comment on this Posting]

great music & entertainment - 9/14/2008

I guess I'm just pregidous because I think the best music is in my city. If you visit you will experience a wide range of sounds & many, many talented locals. The Jazz is the "bomb". We have museums, parks,a great zoo, many nightlife activities, stage shows, operas, concerts and our fabulous French Quarter. Climate leaves much to be desired as we endure muggy summer days & nights. Our winters are mild & short and we get our fairshare of rain in spring & winter. The summer showers are usually welcomed. It has always been a desire of mine to experience FOUR actual seasons as ours seem to go from hot summer days to warm fall days to winter;s chill with some rain in between. Then we start all over again-smile.

[Comment on this Posting]

Outdoor Activities - 9/11/2008

I have been living in New orleans for about 3 years now, moved from the west coast/west. There are plenty of malls and shops, however, I miss being able to do outdoor activities. In the summer it is too hot to go outside, and in the winter too cold (it's not just the temperature, it's the HUMIDITY). Spring and fall are short, but the best time to get out. There are a few parks with running trails, and fewer with bike/skate trails. There is no camping, hiking or any outdoors activity, except fishing, because the city is surrounded by swamp. I am planning on moving soon where I can once again go outside and do something.

[Comment on this Posting]

FEAR OF CRIME - 8/26/2008

This is not a safe place to live. Crime and corruption contiunes to escalate even with the good intentions and enforcement of law officials.

[Comment on this Posting]