Talkin' 'bout New Orleans.

Benjamin Strange · #1 05-23-2011, 10:52 AM

I know what it's like to miss New Orleans. I've been in San Francisco now for three years, and it's never felt like home. I think I may want to go back.

I stuck it out for three years post Katrina, but there were a lot of factors that pushed me to leave: a cheating girlfriend, high rents, rampant crime, all my friends were leaving, dissatisfaction with not completely fitting in to the established music scene, living in a broken town, etc. Yet something is still tugging at me - New Orleans is in my blood. Yes, there's a lot not to like, but I miss the heat, the food, the music, the hospitality, the VIBE.

Fellow Yats, I need your input. How are things going down there now? Has the rental market come back down to pre-Katrina levels? Is the music scene still vibrant? I used to play for a living there, and I'd like to do that again. I was also planning on bringing my guitar repair/building business there as well - is there a strong need for this? Are people still coming back, or has it tapered off? Are there still tons of houses that haven't been fixed up, sitting empty? How's the general vibe of the city? Upbeat, or in the dumps? In other words: Wherey'at?

Gard · #2 05-23-2011, 01:33 PM

Ben, I know the feeling...oh, do I know it.

...sadly, unless I were able to relocate Roscoe Guitars to the Northshore, and convince my life-long NC resident wife to move, that isn't likely. Getting NC-style weather would be a bonus as well...

Fortunately, my sister still lives in Slidell...I need an excuse to call her and waste an hour or so of her time, you just gave it to me.

I'm sure some of the TBer yats will be chiming in soon enough...

ChiliPepper · #3 05-23-2011, 01:35 PM

I know several people who said San Francisco never felt like home. I really wonder why ?

I can't blame you for wanting to move back to NOLA. Despite its issues, it's still a great city for all the reasons you mentioned.

Good luck !

MJ5150 · #4 05-23-2011, 01:49 PM

I'd move to NOLA in a heartbeat if I could. Outside influences will not allow that move at this time.

-Mike

Pilgrim · #5 05-23-2011, 03:02 PM

It seems that many of us are most comfortable in the setting where we grew up...I can sympathize.

Johnny Crab · #6 05-23-2011, 04:21 PM

Lived there for 30+ years and moved to Texas in 1989 with the last 2 NOLA years 1 block off the "seawall" on the Northshore when you could leave doors unlocked, walk or ride bicycles all hours of the day or night without and misgivings. DONZ was a fun place.
I miss THAT part.
From what I've seen when visiting in-laws(Covington) and the post-Katrina tour my brother and I made all over the city.....I can't see going back.

Get out of SF and Kalifornia in particular. There are plenty of great places to live.

masturbasser · #7 05-23-2011, 11:58 PM

I currently live in Shreveport but me and my gf are moving there in september. I will be attending mortuary science college and having our first child there.

jonathan_matos5 · #8 05-24-2011, 12:04 AM

*waits for i left my heart in San Fransisco thread. . .