Why I am here...

…because life is too short and too precious to claw my way through Wall Street. Because the Pyramids were not built treading along in a hamster wheel.

…because I figured a 1500-mile road trip to begin a new life in an unfamiliar place would make for a unique story. I am proud to live somewhere where such a tale has become blasé.

…because New Orleanians open their doors, pour stiff drinks, fill plates high, and demand little of their guests beyond an adventurous tongue.

…because the architecture is the most amazing I’ve seen. Anywhere.

…because the city is in dire need of a brewing co-op and I hope to provide it.

…because I have an eye for what makes a city work, having lived in Boulder, Seattle, and Saratoga Springs, and because New Orleans has ten times the intrinsic charm of these other cities put together.

…because Cajun slang is interesting, southern drawls pacifying, and Yat dialects just downright bizarre.

…because there is real soul here: a tangible and visceral loyalty to a dynamic cultural ethic.

…because there are real minds here: those who heed the calls of intellectual adventure and find deep satisfaction through attacking problems at their roots.

…because a potential roommate warned me recently of the seeming permanence of endemic poverty and government corruption, and of the futility in wasting a swollen heart on a city with real problems. It sounded like a dare, and I never turn down a dare.

-Jeff Sandman

10 Reasons Why New Orleans - Lauren Baum

1. I'm a 6th generation New Orleanian… There's No Place Like Home.

2. I say "y'all" and talk to strangers on the street… I walk slowly, talk slowly and invite my mailman over for dinner. I think food should be spicy, music should be celebrated and alcohol should be allowed at 18.

3. If not now, when? If not me, who? How can I sell New Orleans from a distance? How do I expect others to seize the opportunity if I am watching from the sideline?

4. I am lucky – I was raised with excellent role models, brought up with morals and values and given the opportunity to secure an education. I owe it to these role models to share my luck, knowledge and skills with our city.

5. I am optimistic - I see an unprecedented opportunity in New Orleans – people are paying attention, people are making changes, people are coming to New Orleans when they never would have considered it before.

6. I believe New Orleans will have a new face – the Vanguards, the Bravehearts, the people stupid enough to take a chance and the people smart enough to see an opportunity. New Orleans will be inundated with some of the coolest, brightest and bravest individuals – these are the type of people I want to surround myself with.

7. I am young and adventurous – the world is my oyster – I could be anywhere in the world doing any number of things ….there are a million destinations and a million job opportunities – there is only one New Orleans. The rest of the world will wait for me, New Orleans may not.

8. I am unrelenting and determined – if I am passionate, I can accomplish great feats – how can I let this enthusiasm fall by the wayside?

9. I believe I can make a difference – and it is important to me to do so. My greatest accomplishments are in helping others – I thrive on the success of the people around me.

10. I am excited – Home Sweet Dome…Brad Pitt launches Global Initiative in New Orleans…Edwards Announces Campaign Candidacy in 9 th Ward…Harry Connick Sponsors Musician's Village…Belles of Bayou Road Host Grand Opening….Stanford, Columbia, MIT, Harvard partner with The Idea Village …. Voluntourism Reaches New Heights ….New Orleans faces Earthquake in Education…. I live in an inspiring time and place. I am living, walking, breathing and working in a history book. How could I only read about it?

Why New Orleans? Because… - Miji Park

(9 Reasons- I’ll pull out the 10th when I really need it)

I am an anti-social, sarcastic realist, but I still would rather be here than anywhere else.

I like making fun of tourists.
• But we have to rebuild the tourism industry to make that happen

Koreans have invaded every urban space, except New Orleans, and I need to:
• Figure out why
• Start an outpost of Koreans

My 5’1” fire-dancing, welding, corporate-peon sister thinks I’m crazy. I like it.

This city has brought me overwhelming frustration but has still taught me patience. You may not know me, but that is damn impressive.

Not even stability, money, and a guaranteed life of satisfaction could keep me in the place that has my heart, the Bay Area
• My heart would rather share itself with New Orleans

I believe in the power of place. New Orleans’ power of place is existent in:
• Each unique corner of architecture that tourists never see
• A meandering river that has permanently ruined my sense of direction
• Every neighborhood that looks more like a bohemian enclave than one tainted by urban blight

I thought Philly had issues until I moved here…
• Problems in New Orleans are not unique to New Orleans but have affected cities everywhere: housing, economic development, education, health care, etc.
• If you can develop a model to alleviate these problems here, where each issue has been exacerbated by Katrina, you can address them anywhere
• This is my generation’s failure and the future of my generation’s triumph

How can I walk away from this challenge?

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.

Top 10 Reasons I am in New Orleans

1. I am young and adventurous-- not to be confused with young and foolish.

2. I, like you, believe that this is a very interesting point in New Orleans ' history. This city, like Boston , has an uncanny knack for preserving its culture. It will be interesting to observe and play a part in New Orleans ' cultural preservation during a time of such guaranteed significant change.

3. The city has the cultural potential to become the next "it" city... the next "creative class" hub. In the way of Portland , Austin , Minneapolis and Miami , New Orleans has the potential to become the next unexpected place to forever change the world.

3. I have seen many places in the world, but I have never experienced the pure joy of having such an architecturally sophisticated view to spice up my everyday. "Rush hour" on St. Charles Ave. is a treat, rather than a burden.

4. I am here because I can be. There simply is not any other city that I truly want to be in.

5. The average January temperature in Indianapolis is 25.5 degrees.

6. The average January temperature in New Orleans is 51 degrees.

7. I remember my fiance telling me about a quote from Charles Barkley. He said, "somebody has to do it, it might as well be me." In a similar spirit, somebody has to build the next great American world city-- it might as well be me.

8. Have I mentioned the food yet?

9. Would it be obvious brown-nosing if I were to say The Saints?

10. I agree with every one of your beliefs, and I think that they will be realized. I think this because you are here, I am here and people are coming in order to make sure New Orleans is more than just potential. It is truly exciting to be "at the beginning of a 10 year run that will be the most interesting, frustrating, and rewarding of any city in the country." To miss it would truly cause me regret.