New Orleans is ALL about the culture and NOLA is one of the few remaining cities left with a real, pervasive personality but being a culture vampire only gets you (and the city) so far. Most of the jobs are service sector jobs and this is one of the few places where people just move here, without jobs, just because they want to be here -- they’re drawn to it, they want the adventure. There’s a lot of moving here on a whim going on. Nevertheless, that’s not everybody. Tulane is a major draw as is The Gulf. Although not a wealthy city, it is pulling itself together post-Katrina. Some of those people moving here on a whim are professionals and people doing non-profit work.

NOLA is not a city in which to be anonymous or to be left alone with your imagination. There will be good mornings, goodnights, how y’all doing, and head nods and smiles and eye contact. Neighbors will walk out on their front porch to give treats to your dog. There is polite chit-chat. Prepare yourself.

Favorite thing about New Orleans: you can walk out of a bar with your go cup. Also, food and music are seriously good here. (Not to mention the King Cakes which are a Friday ritual.) 

Least favorite things: there are big bugs and constant roadwork (the city is sinking).

Bright Lights, Small City.

LookyLOO Review of New Orleans

As has been noted, this city is all about the Lifestyle. Live music plays 24/7 - Jazz, Blues, Brass, and Rock, take your pick. Combine that with amazing food, Cajun and Creole in particular, rocking bars and nightclubs, and seemingly nonstop festivals, Mardi Gras among them. While there is also plenty to do outside the city, fishing, hunting, and beaches an hour or two away, it’s fair to say that if you’re looking for peace & quiet perhaps pick another city. 

Check out the [**New Orleans calendar of events**](https://www.neworleans.com/events/) to see what happens here year-round.

Lifestyle

New Orleans and the surrounding areas are working hard to attract new businesses and jobs to the area. Economic incentives for [**Film**](https://filmneworleans.org/tax-incentives/), Music, Tech, and Healthcare are available for new businesses, new hires, and investments. The state provides much of that funding via the [**Louisiana Business Incentives Program**](https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/incentives). The city also has incentives through the [**New Orleans Startup Fund**](https://neworleansstartupfund.org/) that fund and guide business launches throughout the region. 

All that said, many people simply move here for the culture and end up working in the service and tourism sectors, which remains New Orleans's #1 industry. The costs are lower than you’d think, for a city so popular to visit, so if you’re a long-haul wfh’er looking for a cool city to call home this could be it. 


Worklife 

The New Orleans school district is called the [**Orleans Parish Public School District**](nolapublicschools.com) and is also referred to as NOLA Public Schools. The district receives a [**"B-" grade on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/orleans-parish-public-schools-la/) but gets an "A" for the quality of the teachers.

The district operates under a universal enrollment system where parents can apply to any public school in the district, including charter schools, through the [**OneApp system**](https://enrollnolaps.com/). This process allows families to rank their preferred schools, and placements are determined based on factors such as availability, sibling priority, geographic location, and special education needs​(

The star school in the district is [**Benjamin Franklin High School**](benfranklinhighschool.org)
is the highest-ranked public high school in the state, receiving an [**"A+" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/benjamin-franklin-high-school-new-orleans-la/) with high grades for Academics, Teachers, and College Prep. Benjamin Franklin is a Magnet/Charter and is very competitive for admittance. 



Schools 

You can actually make a difference in New Orleans. The smallest gestures reverberate here. 


You can make a difference

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**NOLA2Cincy**
Living in New Orleans
5mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

**What's it like living in New Orleans?**

I'm a native who moved back home this past summer so I have a unique viewpoint. The soul of New Orleans is as strong as ever. People and the community are the strong bonds which make so many of us stay despite the obviously hardships - super expensive insurance, hurricanes, inept government, etc.

But the eclectic, diverse population is incredibly welcoming and happy (while remaining cynical and aware of our issues) that I can't imagine living anywhere else. Food, music, architecture, and passion are available in high-quality and served with passion. If you want great authentic culture, this is the place but it's not Disneyland - there are issues.

For more reviews of New Orleans from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/new-orleans/reviews)

Eclectic, Diverse & Welcoming

Reviews of New Orleans from Locals

**The Good, the Bad and The Ugly**

Bright Lights, Small City.

New Orleans is ALL about the culture and NOLA is one of the few remaining cities left with a real, pervasive personality but being a culture vampire only gets you (and the city) so far. Most of the jobs are service sector jobs and this is one of the few places where people just move here, without jobs, just because they want to be here -- they’re drawn to it, they want the adventure. There’s a lot of moving here on a whim going on. Nevertheless, that’s not everybody. Tulane is a major draw as is The Gulf.  Although not a wealthy city, it is pulling itself together post Katrina. Some of those people moving here on a whim are professionals and people doing non-profit work. 

NOLA is not a city in which to be anonymous or to be left alone with your imagination. There will be good mornings, goodnights, how y’all doings, and head nods and smiles and eye contact. Neighbors will walk out on their front porch to give treats to your dog. There is polite chit-chat. Prepare yourself. 

**The Best Thing About New Orleans?** 

The culture. You can walk out of a bar with your go cup and food and music are king. (Not to mention the King Cakes which are a Friday ritual.) 

**The Worst Thing About New Orleans?** 

There are big bugs and roadwork (the city is sinking) and traffic cameras.

**How You Living?** 

Probably not in an old building in The French Quarter as you imagine.  The city is not the same to live in full-time as it seems on vacation. Life is not lived on Bourbon Street. There is abject poverty, crime and yes, corruption.  You can live in a decent house with a yard (and keep a store of emergency supplies) and there are about a half dozen good public schools though entrance is basically by lottery so nothing is guaranteed. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

You can actually make a difference. The smallest gestures reverberate here. 


New Orleans is surrounded by water but much of that water is the Mississippi River not the Gulf of Mexico. Homes “on the water” here are on the banks of the river not the Gulf. While much of life in New Orleans is celebrated for the nightlife,  you’re also surrounded by some of the most amazing outdoor opportunities within a short drive. National Forests, and beautiful Georgia and Florida beaches are available within a couple hours drive. Come for the music, parties, beignets, and gumbo but stay for what you can do outside the city. 


The Area 

The Central Business District is an obvious choice for young professionals to start their search for a home. Plenty of high-rise apartments, a short walk to Central Business District offices and the Warehouse District to the South, it also has tons of shops, restaurants and bars for nighttime. Bywater is an interesting alternative to the Business Districts. It’s the center of the city’s arts scene and is filled with clubs and eclectic restaurants. Most of the walkable jobs here are in the service sector, but you’re just 10 minutes to the Central Business District if a commute is required. 
- Central Business District
- Bywater
- Freret


Young Professionals

Central Business District

New Orleans is one of the most progressive cities for the LGBTQ+ community in the entire country. Festivals, Bars, LGBTQ-owned businesses,  and tons of local support and resources make the entire city feel friendly to all. Faubourg Marigny is one of the more famous gayborhoods in New Orleans. In the 80’s the neighborhood exploded with music venues and arts festivals and this pulled in the LGBTQ community. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city and as a result one of the most beautiful and classical in terms of architecture in homes and buildings. 
- Faubourg Marigny
- The French Quarter
- Pigeon Town


LGBTQ+

Faubourg Marigny

Algiers Point is a good starting point for families looking for a NOLA neighborhood. The area is safe, quiet, and filled with affordable and beautiful Creole cottages and Raised Center Hall homes, along the West Bank of the Mississippi River. Another great option is Bayou St John. Just a 10 minute ride into downtown, and filled with parks, museums and some of the best public schools in the city. 
- Algiers Point
- Bayou St John
- East Carrollton
- Fillmore
- West End


Families

Algiers Point

New Orleans

**NOLA2Cincy**
Living in New Orleans
5mo ago
🦉🦉🦉

**What's it like living in New Orleans?**

I'm a native who moved back home this past summer so I have a unique viewpoint. The soul of New Orleans is as strong as ever. People and the community are the strong bonds which make so many of us stay despite the obviously hardships - super expensive insurance, hurricanes, inept government, etc.

But the eclectic, diverse population is incredibly welcoming and happy (while remaining cynical and aware of our issues) that I can't imagine living anywhere else. Food, music, architecture, and passion are available in high-quality and served with passion. If you want great authentic culture, this is the place but it's not Disneyland - there are issues.

**GreenVisorOfJustice**
Living in New Orleans
5mo ago
🦉🦉

New Orleans is... well it's a little of everything and nothing at all.

As Emeril Lagasse put it in the Soul Rebels song (Down for my City) "We got food, we got love, we got taste, we got bam(!)"

The other reality is that we got a lot of poverty, there is a certain degree of segregation (it's sort of a legacy of the South sort of thing, but also a lot of socioeconomic factors too), we got crime (more violent crime than anyone should), and, well, worst of all, we're part of Louisiana (which outside of the I-10 corridor is an absolute shithole of a State). And, well, the City itself is... not great for City services and such either. As my wife (not from here) puts it, it's some hard fucking living here when it comes to stewardship of the City and its people (because Louisiana politicians are famously stupid/ignorant, clout-chasing, self-enriching doofuses).

I'm from here and, quite frankly, I'm going down with this ship when the waters come for us if they come in my lifetime. I tried living somewhere else and it was fine... but my community is here, my life is here, and I feel whole here.

So, basically, I would encourage two strategies:

A) Visit here often; tourists are the lifeblood of our economy and we appreciate folks who want to come here and pump money to our local businesses and otherwise the folks who make life here great (artists and service workers in particular).

B) Move here, but come with a sense of purpose in terms of how you can find a cause to support here because, well, I think every little bit of help residents of means can chip in is very meaningful.

**tyrannosaurus_cock**
Living in New Orleans
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

It can be difficult, often, but the freedom and culture are worth it, for many.

If you're type a, you'll have a rough time. Everything takes forever and people work to live, so it's not uncommon for a worker you've hired to just not show up because they have enough to pay the bills this month. Or they got hungover. Or there's a festival.

If you have no self control, you'll have a rough time. See my other reply to you. But it is nice to be able to bring a beer when you walk your dog, or take a beer on your walk to the next bar. Or do coke in the streets on Mardi Gras day. Or maintain half a dozen friends with benefits. There's a lot of freedom and very little judgment when it comes to vices here. It's really and truly wonderful, but use that wisely. There are few guardrails to keep you safe and sane too.

If you're a weirdie needing a community, you can find it here. If you're really extra fucking weird, you might not find many like-minded folks (this is a fairly small city after all), but you'll still be treated like a human.

It's fucking expensive, maybe not compared to NYC or San Fran, but in terms of real wages paid here. On top of that, everyone from the lowly street scam artist to the utility companies to the mayor herself is a grifty fuck wanting their cut.

The food in south Louisiana will spoil you (seriously, why does nobody else in the rest of the country know how to season anything?) and I love being able to find good live music any night of the week.

**neuro_turtle**
Living in New Orleans
2y ago
🦉🦉

In many ways it’s different, in many ways it’s the same. Just some major things that come to mind:

Don’t expect anything in a timely manner. You want your garbage can? Four months. You need your water turned on? Maybe. There is an interesting public service dynamic here where people get paid like absolute shit, and their silent form of protest is to be as slow as reasonably possible. A lot of people are also just overworked. Being nice and patient will get you far.

Social and racial disparities are incredibly high and obvious here. As I said, a lot of people get paid like shit. And it’s expensive to live here. Sometimes the amount of injustice is overwhelming.

On the whole, people are kind, neighborly, and accepting. The general temperament is that, as long as you aren’t hurting anyone, have at it! It can be hard to break into social circles, though.

Crime is bad, yes. But if you’ve lived in other cities, instead of say bumfuck nowhere, it won’t be too shocking. I personally experienced a lot of crime in the city where I lived previously, but have experienced none here. There is an absurd amount of carjackings, though.

In general, I would recommend trying it out. We moved here because we had to (not because we were a couple of people who took a week vacation and “fell in love with your city”). It took about 2 years to really adapt to it and, honestly, got significantly better once we started making more money. I don’t feel like I have to live here the rest of my life, but I certainly wouldn’t be upset to.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Magic Between The Lines