[Ligament]

Fellows,

Please don't laugh too hard at my post. I'm looking for constructive advice from those in the know.

I have a very good job offer for New Orleans that would start July '06 and end July '07. I could then stay or move elsewhere.

What are your opinions regarding safety, affordability of nice 1-2 bedroom apartments, food, environment, etc? I am a northerner and all hear about on the radio is destruction...I have no friends/family near the NOLA area whose opinion I can trust...

Would there be anything safe or good about NOLA during the above time frame, or is it just too destroyed?

Also, it sounds like CCW is easy to do/obtain in NOLA?

Thanks!

[Preacherman]

NOLA is a dicey bet for a number of reasons.

1. The levees will be repaired to Category 3 strength by the middle of next year. However, if a Category 4 or 5 hurricane hits in the second half of the year, away go the levees again...

2. CCW is NOT so easy. Sure, Louisiana grants it easily, but NO makes life difficult for CCW permit holders in a number of ways, including harassment by cops, etc. On the other hand, the local supply of petty criminals has dried up for some reason... :D

3. The situation w.r.t. the city's rebuilding is very fluid right now, and no-one knows how many folks will come back, when they'll arrive, etc. Medical care, etc. is on a fairly haphazard basis, as many hospitals were flooded, and others don't know whether there'll be enough people there to provide a market for them to re-open.

4. The supply of rental housing is "iffy" right now. Many areas (including most of the low-cost areas) are uninhabitable. The supply of better apartments and houses is limited, and due to demand, they're expensive. If you're prepared to live a little out of the city and commute, this would work better.

Otherwise, if the money's good, no reason not to take the job - just be aware of the risks.

[Sistema1927]

I will probably be going back to Louisiana for a second round of disaster relief work in mid December. I was in Slidell for two weeks in September, and will spend 2 weeks in New Orleans if I can get all the loose ends for my "normal" life tied up prior to that time.

If you want to send me a PM or email after Christmas, I should be able to give you a pretty good appraisal on current conditions.

I do know that NO was surreal during September, since I spent one afternoon there, but there wasn't anything to do there simply because it was a deserted city at that time.

[Ligament]

ttt