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New Orleans unsafe?


FrancisCA
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“Hudson was one of 265 deaths classified as murders last year, a 12-month period that vaulted New Orleans to the top of the list of the deadliest cities in the United States.”


https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/courts/daphney-jackson-guilty-in-killing-of-cats-meow-bartender/article_012404c1-a2c8-51c3-8229-aae67b1fc9d0.html#tncms-source=dontmiss-1

I have lived in South Louisiana all of my 59-year life, and the one-word answer to the question, “Is New Orleans unsafe?” Is  a resounding, “Yes!”

I live 80 miles north, and this area too has dramatically-higher crime.  I am fortunate in having the ability to host, and I strive to do that and avoid going to New Orleans if at all possible.  On the rare occasions I do go, I go, meet (only booking an hour), and get the hell out of there as fast as possible!

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24 minutes ago, arnemgreeves said:

 

Judging where they live, seems like a poor part of New Orleans. 

Interesting to see even the South is diverse. 

Great video.  You’re correct, but I would caution against too much of a false sense of security in the FQ.  I  know former law enforcement officials who used to patrol it who tell me there’s no way they would go there now that they’re retired.  That, to me, speaks volumes.  

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Maybe I’m crazy. I visited New Orleans earlier this year for a few days during Mardi Gras. I stayed in the French Quarter on Chartes Street. In the evenings, I walked out of my AirBnB wearing nothing but a jockstrap and tennis shoes. I milled around on Bourbon St between Lestat’s and the other end. As you can imagine, I earned a bunch of beads!

The drunk straight women were the most obnoxious out of anyone. They kept demanding I show them my hole lol. I declined, saying I’m already showing far more than most people. I took pictures with strangers requesting photos. It was fun. I spent the rest of the time in normal street clothes.

In my shoe I kept my ID and at most $20 in cash, often no $ at all. No room key since it was a keypad. I felt safe. I drank a little, but not even close to getting drunk. Made sure to eat as much as I drank and went long periods drinking only water. 

Quite a trip. I would go back. Next time to do more sightseeing, probably NOT during a festival. And then probably another time just for Southern Decadence.

As always, if you exercise an abundance of caution and stick to touristy areas, you should be fine. NOLA and Louisiana in general are no insular, homogeneous middle class suburb in the middle of the country. Treat it with common sense as such.

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1 hour ago, Simon Suraci said:

Maybe I’m crazy. I visited New Orleans earlier this year for a few days during Mardi Gras. I stayed in the French Quarter on Chartes Street. In the evenings, I walked out of my AirBnB wearing nothing but a jockstrap and tennis shoes. I milled around on Bourbon St between Lestat’s and the other end. As you can imagine, I earned a bunch of beads!

The drunk straight women were the most obnoxious out of anyone. They kept demanding I show them my hole lol. I declined, saying I’m already showing far more than most people. I took pictures with strangers requesting photos. It was fun. I spent the rest of the time in normal street clothes.

In my shoe I kept my ID and at most $20 in cash, often no $ at all. No room key since it was a keypad. I felt safe. I drank a little, but not even close to getting drunk. Made sure to eat as much as I drank and went long periods drinking only water. 

Quite a trip. I would go back. Next time to do more sightseeing, probably NOT during a festival. And then probably another time just for Southern Decadence.

As always, if you exercise an abundance of caution and stick to touristy areas, you should be fine. NOLA and Louisiana in general are no insular, homogeneous middle class suburb in the middle of the country. Treat it with common sense as such.

Mardi Gras is fun if you have never been to one. It would be too much to go frequently 😂 

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  • 1 month later...
On 8/23/2023 at 1:22 PM, Simon Suraci said:

Maybe I’m crazy. I visited New Orleans earlier this year for a few days during Mardi Gras. I stayed in the French Quarter on Chartes Street. In the evenings, I walked out of my AirBnB wearing nothing but a jockstrap and tennis shoes. I milled around on Bourbon St between Lestat’s and the other end. As you can imagine, I earned a bunch of beads!

The drunk straight women were the most obnoxious out of anyone. They kept demanding I show them my hole lol. I declined, saying I’m already showing far more than most people. I took pictures with strangers requesting photos. It was fun. I spent the rest of the time in normal street clothes.

In my shoe I kept my ID and at most $20 in cash, often no $ at all. No room key since it was a keypad. I felt safe. I drank a little, but not even close to getting drunk. Made sure to eat as much as I drank and went long periods drinking only water. 

Quite a trip. I would go back. Next time to do more sightseeing, probably NOT during a festival. And then probably another time just for Southern Decadence.

As always, if you exercise an abundance of caution and stick to touristy areas, you should be fine. NOLA and Louisiana in general are no insular, homogeneous middle class suburb in the middle of the country. Treat it with common sense as such.

Wow sounds fun! 

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I've been to NOLA so many times. My best friend has a vacation home in the Garden District, but whenever I visit we book rooms at the Royal Sonesta or Monteleone. NOLA is a great foodie town. So many choices. Recently, I tried Coquette in the Irish Channel Neighborhood/Garden District and it was fantastic. You'll be spoilt for choices when it comes to food. I was a little scared wandering off the side streets at night going to Corner Pocket. So, just stay in the well lit areas.  New Orleans also has a very vibrant music/jazz scene too (Preservation Hall, etc) - just a really fun time if you make it to one of the festivals. 

 

Edited by cany10011
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  • 2 weeks later...

Haven't been to NOLA since just before Katrina.  Was there on business, and stayed at Le Pavilion. About my 3rd of 4th time staying there.  Always felt safe there. 

I remember I once walked from the temporary casino they set up several blocks outside the French Quarter.  Walked from there with my winnings in my pocket to the Meriden to meet my brother.  I was telling the bartender about it.  She looked at me, and said "don't ever do that again".  

Food is great there.  Last meal I had there was at Mr. B's.  Veal Osso Buco

Edited by bashful
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I’m almost thinking about moving to New Orleans for the season. I had a good time when I was there, and was busier with appointments than I expected. 
 

I’m just not feeling my current State at all. And St. Louis is kind of like the “Midwest” New Orleans (even has a Mardi Gras as well)…but it’s just not popping. I was a hit in New Orleans for a few days. I liked the steady visitor traffic and even the locals were eager. Only 1 person didn’t want to do a deposit, but he still showed up. I told him: meet me in front of the hot dog 🌭 restaurant lol. 
 

I didn’t get to see it all this trip, but I did want to check out Metairie a bit more…at a bartender’s advice. Even though I liked the city, it’s embodies everything “ Big City south” and with that comes racism, crime, poverty…in sections. And the open hand drinking I love: but it definitely brings out the crazies. It reminded me of Las Vegas the most. I happen to know a friend who goes there often, who can help chaperone on future visits. And I was already making new friends at the Phoenix gay bar lol. 

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Been to New Orleans many times. Yes, it has a higher crime rate than most other cities (and has for decades) and you need to be more cautious, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun. New Orleans is that rare tourist trap-y place that's fun even though it's obviously a tourist trap and unlike most tourist traps, you can find very good food. You need to follow the usual guidelines for being in a city--be aware of surroundings, go out with other people, if you can. Canal Street has major hotels but it can seem desolate on a weeknight. The Monteleone is close to Canal, but at the beginning of the French Quarter, so it has a good compromise location.  There are other places worth seeing besides the French Quarter including the Warehouse District and the Garden District. There are numerous themed day or evening events throughout the year, that mostly target locals so you may find something that can draw you to one place or another.

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9 hours ago, buckguy said:

Been to New Orleans many times. Yes, it has a higher crime rate than most other cities (and has for decades) and you need to be more cautious, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun. New Orleans is that rare tourist trap-y place that's fun even though it's obviously a tourist trap and unlike most tourist traps, you can find very good food. You need to follow the usual guidelines for being in a city--be aware of surroundings, go out with other people, if you can. Canal Street has major hotels but it can seem desolate on a weeknight. The Monteleone is close to Canal, but at the beginning of the French Quarter, so it has a good compromise location.  There are other places worth seeing besides the French Quarter including the Warehouse District and the Garden District. There are numerous themed day or evening events throughout the year, that mostly target locals so you may find something that can draw you to one place or another.

The Garden District is an interesting place. As for food, a friend just complained that the food was greasy and salt in every restaurant he went to in New Orleans. I had not been to NOLA since covid. Not sure whether things changed for the worse or not. 

Edited by NJF
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On 9/30/2023 at 4:29 AM, FrancisCA said:

Wow sounds fun! 

Let us know how your trip turned out! I haven't been back in a while. Love the architecture, the gas lamp lights, the vibe and the food. Even considered painting the ceiling of my porch blue...to "keep the bad spirits away" after I learned of the practice during a past visit. 😁

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On 10/17/2023 at 6:42 AM, KeepItReal said:

Let us know how your trip turned out! I haven't been back in a while. Love the architecture, the gas lamp lights, the vibe and the food. Even considered painting the ceiling of my porch blue...to "keep the bad spirits away" after I learned of the practice during a past visit. 😁

Spent exactly a week there and had a great time! Loved the people, the food and going to all the touristy spots and museums. Did alot of ghost, voodoo, haunting type tours and was feeling spooked by the end of the trip

Did my first half at Crown Plaza Royal near burbon and canal which was a bit chaotic but loved diving right into nola. Not sure why that hotel is 4-stars cause it reminded me of an old vegas hotel, the lobby is nice the room are not pretty. After I stayed in the business district at La Pavillon for the last half and it was MUCH more calmer and relaxing not THAT was a nice 4-star hotel. Big recommeondtion.

Had some really great clients of both local and tourist types. Was pretty busy throughout the week.

I can see why people would think its a dangerous city but like other cities with big touristy areas just dont be dumb walking around. 

I would 100% come back if im ever on that side

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  • 2 months later...
6 hours ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

I guess that's supposed to make people feel better when they are robbed at gunpoint... The criminals mean what they say!

No but at least they don't think we're both going to hell because of our lifestyle choice! 

I was quoting @arnemgreeves

Back to subject something must be done about the hopelessness and poverty in the South! 

THEHILL.COM

After crunching the numbers, the large city with the highest cost of crime was found in Alabama.

 

WWW.QUORA.COM

Answer (1 of 13): Instead of answering “why”, both the answers so far are attempting to deny the premise, claiming that crime rates are high around cities. OK, the...

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  • 2 weeks later...

NOLA is just like any other city that caters to tourists. Be aware of your surroundings, if it doesn’t feel right it ain’t right, and don’t walk around by yourself under the influence. I think the typical targets are young party goers that are inebriated.  I visit the city often and I’m a solo traveler. I just do my best to be aware of my surroundings especially at night 

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