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+--- Thread: Been to New Orleans lately? (/showthread.php?tid=215593)
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Been to New Orleans lately? - Numo - 04-15-2018
Spent about 4 days in the city recently. We stayed in the Warehouse district, but spent a lot of time in the French Quarter, too. I have very mixed feelings about NOLA. On one hand, it was kind of a wonderful trip back in time with all the history, old buildings and homes. The Lafayette Cemetery was fascinating, and the WWII Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in American history. To be fair, we did not see greater New Orleans, so my comments do not reflect that part of town.
On the other hand, the areas of the city we that saw were largely run down to the point of seediness. It was quite apparent that this is a poor city, although maybe the infrastructure problems we noticed are just the natural consequence of living in a low tax state. The city transit we used (streetcars) were so ancient that they were dangerous. I remember standing at one of the stops with rail tracks on one side and cars whizzing by at 40 mph on the other. They were separated by about 10 feet.
We walked parts of Bourbon Street on 3 occasions, and felt mostly safe until one Sunday afternoon when it suddenly became very different. In 2-3 blocks, I saw 2 nodded-off junkies, a meth addict (constantly picking at herself), what appeared to be a pimp with 4 young girls, and the usual (for the French Quarter) army of drunks and assorted shady-looking characters. I do not judge or get easily alarmed by this kind of stuff; these are just my perceptions.
On the positive side, we had some fabulous meals in the Quarter, and enjoyed the music on Frenchman Street.
So while I enjoyed our stay overall, I don’t know that I can recommend going there. IMO, definitely not for kids unless time in the French Quarter is closely moderated by adults.
Re: Been to New Orleans lately? - Filliam H. Muffman - 04-15-2018
Parts of Seattle aren't much better. Addicts can set up mini tent cities anywhere there is 40 sqft of sidewalk that doesn't block access. Because of the way they get reported, they can move a block down the street every week in perpetuity.
Re: Been to New Orleans lately? - Wags - 04-15-2018
I was there a couple years ago for Jazz Fest with my 40 y.o. son. Felt safe except for a few minutes at the Jazz Fest. We had an Air Bnb in the Arts District near the St Charles line. I've always thought their street car system was great. Definitely no frills, but must be a fraction of the cost to operate compared to the MAX system in Portland where I live.
Yeah, the street car tracks are no place to be zoning out staring at cell phone. We had a wonderful time riding them. You get to talk to a lot of locals, as well the operator. Pretty much all the operators we had were happy to talk, seemed to enjoy it, in fact. I heard some really engaging conversations between the operator and some of the regulars. I didn't think they were dangerous, mechanically or socially - even at night. But, I was with my son, and I've also been dealing with lowlifes in my job for the last 35 years so I'm somewhat desensitized.
There is most definitely a seamy side of NO and you need to stay on your toes at night. I was there alone about 30 years ago, mostly in the French Quarter. My hackles were up a few times on that visit.
We took a day and drove out to Iberia Perish. I'm a big fan of James Lee Burke and I wanted to see the locale were so many of his books take place. I recommend it.
Re: Been to New Orleans lately? - Racer X - 04-15-2018
Filliam H. Muffman wrote:
Parts of Seattle aren't much better. Addicts can set up mini tent cities anywhere there is 40 sqft of sidewalk that doesn't block access. Because of the way they get reported, they can move a block down the street every week in perpetuity.
What is infuriating is that the citizens who live here really aren't given a say in the matter, and have to accept that our neighborhoods have become their garbage dumps. They are protected under the "Sanctuary City" umbrella. I don't recall ever being asked if we wanted to be a sanctuary city. Nor does my partner, or her kids.
I have to move my cars every 3 days if they are on the street, but someone living in their RV is left alone for months.
Re: Been to New Orleans lately? - Speedy - 04-15-2018
Katrina.
Re: Been to New Orleans lately? - jdc - 04-15-2018
Every major city has it. Sacramento isnt even all that "major" and there are signs of blight everywhere. My wife and kids ate downtown near the new $750 million Kings arena at a pizza place with some super award winning chef. Took the back stairs to the parking garage and literlly had to step over some sleeping homeless dudes head.
Try stopping in SF sometime -- there are entire blocks of tents. Everything is cement, fenced, triple locked.
Although move away from the city center, and its better.
Of course, the solution to the nations homeless... I have no idea.
Re: Been to New Orleans lately? - Racer X - 04-15-2018
Part of the solution to Seattle's homeless is stopping cities from bussing their homeless to Seattle.
https://shiftwa.org/cities-buying-one-way-tickets-to-seattle-for-their-own-homeless/
"In November, KIRO 7 spoke to Teman Crawford a twice-convicted felon living on the streets of Seattle. He said police in Oxnard, California, had gotten him a bus ticket to come to Seattle.
“It was $116. They said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Don’t come back,” Crawford said.
When asked why he picked Seattle, Crawford said his friends had called this the “land of opportunity.’“
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/king-countys-homeless-are-overwhelmingly-from-here-service-providers-say/
"Based on All Home’s ZIP code records, California sent more people to King County than any other state in 2014, followed by Oregon, Texas, Florida, Nevada and Georgia."
Re: Been to New Orleans lately? - mrbigstuff - 04-15-2018
Going to jazzfest soon. with the kids. so, thanks for the report. I've been there in 2003, and I don't recall anything too crazy except for staying within the city confines, and even then there can be some strange encounters, although I like those things. granted, not this time perhaps with the kids in tow.
Re: Been to New Orleans lately? - Will Collier - 04-15-2018
Never lived there, but I've been going to NOLA since I was a small child and usually visit again at least once a year. Suffice to say (and Ralph can chime in here), it's pretty much always been like that, a melange of rich and poor, fabulous and ramshackle, sacred and profane, all living cheek to jowl in that unique and perilous gumbo pot.
There's nowhere else like it in the world. I still wouldn't want to live there, but I do love to visit.
Re: Been to New Orleans lately? - Mr Downtown - 04-15-2018
Poor people discovered living in a large Southern city! In plain view of visitors! Film at 11.