10 Great Reasons to Live in La Nouvelle-Orléans

1. After living in four different countries (Nicaragua, Mexico, Canada, U.S.) and several well-known cities in North America (Mexico City, Montréal, Chicago, and New York), I am proud to call the city of New Orleans my true home. It is a city with the tradition of opening itself to all races, cultures and nationalities.

2. The city and its population are in dire need of assistance to recover, regardless of socio-economic background, political affiliations, and race. I want to continue to participate in the rebuilding of the city.

3. The courage the residents demonstrate by rebuilding their homes and businesses because they believe in the city’s future.

4. The unique fusion of cultures, from Creole to Cajun.

5. The world-renowned culinary industry. There is everything to please anyone’s palate. You can enjoy a delicious blackened fish from K Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen or grab a burger and shake from Camellia Grill.

6. It is the Big Easy. New Orleans is not part of the mainstream “to go” society, rather people can sit down and enjoy a pecan pie. Yet it is able to meet and exceed the demands a major metropolitan area requires.

7. The neighborhoods. A walk through Uptown or Mid-City, shopping on Magazine Street, or a bike ride in City Park. New Orleans has unique charismatic neighborhoods.

8. I am grateful I attended New Orleans public schools (Audubon Montessori and McMain Magnet), they helped to shape my future. The public school system exposed me to the deficiencies our city has, but it also exposed me to the tremendous efforts people make to overcome those deficiencies.

9. The pride and loyalty New Orleanians have for their hometown.

10. The ability and freedom to take a break from the mundane to participate in Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, or to travel to Chicago to support the Saints.