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Dont hesitate to reach out with questions, Im here to help!
My name is Mike, pleasure to meet you.
Pros and Cons of Living in New Orleans | (Shutterstock/f11photo)
I ended up moving to New Orleans with my fiance (Claire) in 2015 for a job opportunity.
After one year of living in New Orleans we decided to buy a condo and settle in long term.
So without further ado, lets roundup my personal list of pros and cons of living in New Orleans.
Living in New Orleans | (Shutterstock/Sean Pavone)
Planning to visit before finalizing your decision to move to New Orleans?Heres the hotel I recommend most.
First, the Perks of Moving to New Orleans
#1.
Think seafood heavy dishes like crawfish boils, gumbo and Shrimp Ettouffee.
Living in New Orleans | (Shutterstock/Jotai)
Its safe to say that youll never go hungry while living in New Orleans.
#2.
Friendly Locals
Another thing that surprised me about moving to New Orleans was the friendliness of the locals.
Moving to New Orleans | (Shutterstock/Sean Pavone)
By and large, Ive found it pretty easy to make friends while living in New Orleans.
Its unlike any other place in the country and locals take pride in calling the city home.
Theres a true sense of community, where people look out for each other.
Living in New Orleans | (Shutterstock/Sean Pavone)
#3.
Most popular bands and musicians pop into New Orleans while embarking on world tours and for good reason.
But you dont even need to go to a venue to catch some tunes.
Living in New Orleans | (Shutterstock/Sean Pavone)
Youre practically guaranteed to hear music while walking down the street day or night.
I will admit, prior to moving to New Orleans I didnt appreciate jazz.
Well, Im hooked.
#4.
#5.
I never really thought about that, but after mulling it over, I cant say I disagree.
Theres always something going on.
I mean, just look at all the festivals we have.
The granddaddy of all festivals in Mardi Gras, which runs from January 6 to Ash Wednesday.
Watch the city streets come alive with art, music and festivals galore during this two month stretch.
From storied traditions of king cake and bead tossing to festive costumes and floats that span the gamut.
This is a marathon, not a sprint.
Every event builds anticipation as the calendar ticks closer to Ash Wednesday.
#6.
People arent running around like theyre late for everything.
Generally speaking, I think people are less stressed in around here (myself included).
Its almost like being on vacation, which isnt something I realized before the move.
#7.
I love that I can (legally) drink on the street while living in New Orleans.
The libation cant be in a glass container, which isnt a problem.
Its something I take for granted until visiting another city.
Living in New Orleans doesnt feel like living a retirement community by any stretch of the imagination.
#8.
These buildings are a mix of brick and stucco that come equipped with cast-iron balconies and parapeted roofs.
Indeed, the fascinating architecture is definitely one of the coolest things about living in New Orleans.
This is the oldest cathedral in the country and has the beauty to prove it.
This is my favorite place to take out of town visitors.
Ive heard a few horror stories revolving around sticker shock, maintaining an old home wont come cheap.
#9.
), daily access to this park is one of the best things about living in New Orleans.
In addition to providing a peaceful respite, the park has no shortage of interesting cultural institutions as well.
Cons of Moving to New Orleans
#1.
Frankly, the economy is not that great and most jobs tend to be low paying/low skilled.
But Louisiana is considered the4th-worst statein the country for job availability.
All told, dont plan on moving to New Orleans unless you have a great job lined up.
#2.
Youll love living in New Orleans most of the year with the exception of the summer month.
If Dantes inferno ever needs a new addition, summer in New Orleans would be the top contender.
I wont sugarcoat it, summers make living in New Orleans hellish at times.
The unrelenting humidity can be chocked up to our rainy season, which occurs in the summer months.
#3.
Louisiana often claims dibs to having some of theworst public educationprograms in the country.
As you know, education is vital to a childs success.
After researching stats and metrics, we determined that private school was the only route to go.
This really sucked for us because we didnt plan on the expense before moving to New Orleans.
But it wasnt until we had our first child that we realized just how poorly Louisiana ranks for education.
#4.
However, both of us have had coworkers call out of work because their cars were stolen.
You dont need a car while living in New Orleans and the headache of owning a car isnt worthwhile.
Whats more, Louisiana has thesecond-highest car insurance ratesin the country.
#5.
The Bugs Will Eat You Alive
Alight, notliterally.
But some days you wish itwereliterally.
The largest culprit is the brown recluse spider.
This isone of the most dangerous spiders in Americaand one that takes great pride hiding in every crevice imaginable.
Its like a real-life version of Elf on the Shelf, only this thing is playing for its life.
Long gone are the days of not having to inspect your shoes before putting them on.
No, that luxury is foregone by those that move to New Orleans.
Nobody forgets the first time they were bit by a fire ant.
The ensuing dread (and damn betrayal) stay with you for life.
#6.
First, the roads are in terrible conditions, potholes are an icon for the city.
Second, I swear those water pumps fail whenever heavy rainfall occurs (which is often).
And finally, the outdated sewage system wreaks havoc on a weekly basis.
Were stronger than the potholes.
Hell, I dont want a gold medal for surviving daily life in New Orleans.
#7.
Many homeowners are required to purchase flood insurance for that very reason.
The sub-tropical climate is no joke, and something you should brace for while living in New Orleans.
Retiring in New Orleans FAQ
Is New Orleans a good place to live?
A lot of people enjoy living in New Orleans because of the citys uniqueness and sense of community.
Is New Orleans a good place to retire?
Those planning on retiring in New Orleans should do proper research.
But, its important to consider the demanding humidity and hot climate before retiring in New Orleans.
Plus, the risk of flooding and hurricanes and high crime rate is cause for concern for retirees.
Is marijuana legal in New Orleans?
The short answer is no, recreational marijuana is not legal in New Orleans.
Medical marijuana is legal and the state has a program for qualified patients.
The cost of living in New Orleans is generally low.
Id be lying if I said yes.
New Orleans has a relatively high tax burden compared to other US cities.
