4 Reasons to Move to New Orleans

           Let’s say you want to begin a career in a new locale or retire someplace nice. To a place that sunny, friendly, and with lots to do. Chances are you’re thinking about New Orleans.

  Hurricane Katrina may have knocked the city down, but not out. Fourteen years since Katrina, professionals of all crafts have successfully migrated to the city. Their efforts in rebuilding and expanding the once torn city have earned it the 1# spot on The Wall Street Journals’ list of “Best Business Cities.”

  You may read many articles giving hundreds of good reasons to move to New Orleans. This article gives you four.

Manageable Cost of Living

  The first thing you ask before moving to a new city is, “How much does it cost to live there?” New Orleans real estate figures can go as low as $145,000 on a newly constructed home. This doesn’t factor in energy costs, which can be anywhere from $100-$300.

  According to Zumper’s National Rent Report, New Orleans isn’t even close to the top 20 most expensive cities. Cities like Atlanta and Philadelphia ranked at 21 and 18 on their list. New Orleans currently rests at a median of $1,310 to $1,450 for one and two-bedroom apartments.

Good Eats

  New Orleans was made for lovers of all things spicy and seafood. The city is a melting pot of African, Carribean, French, Italian, and Asian cuisine. One would have to move there just to sample all kinds of jambalaya, Cajun-spiced chicken, po’boy sandwiches, and gumbo.

  If you thought Thanksgiving and Christmas could bring the food, then Mardi Gras is something else. While celebrated on Fat Tuesday, Carnival season gives you plenty of days to indulge in good food and drink. A popular dessert during this time is King Cake-a circular roll of sweet brioche, covered in colored frosting, with a tiny trinket hidden inside.

Museum City

With all the culture and festivities going on in the city, you’d think New Orleans is one big museum. The French Quarter alone is renowned for its exquisite turn-of-the-century architecture. Sure enough, there are plenty of museums that paint an even broader picture.

  Located within the lush 1,300 acre City Park is the New Orleans Museum of Art. At NOMA, you’ll find exhibitions of both classical and contemporary artwork. History buffs will also want to check out the National World War II Museum, now partnered with Arizona State University.

Easy Going

  One of the things about New Orleans citizens is their carefree lifestyle. It’s a reflection of the city’s heritage as a diverse collective of creative and independent minds. A representation of American ideals that’s also distant from the rest of America.

  Though locals might single you out as a transplant, they’ll still talk to you as a lifelong neighbor. Each day you spend here may reveal a whole set of characters you’ve never met before. It’ll help to brush up on your Creole and learn to pronounce difficult words like “Tchoupitoulas” (CHOP-ah-too-lus).

 

*This is a collaborative post.