The honest pros and cons of moving to New Orleans, Louisiana (2025)

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Barber Shop located in Ninth Ward, New Orleans, Louisiana, damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash

The biggest issue plaguing this beautiful city is its weather woes. In this region, spring and fall are non-existent as there are only cold months and extreme heat between May and September. On top of that, the humidity levels are always around 80%, making day-to-day functioning a complicated affair. So if you are planning to move here, then get ready for the concoction of intense hotness and sweating coupled with a prime superstorm zone.

As people might be aware Hurricane Katrina tore through The Big Easy in 2005 causing nearly $160 billion worth of damages and displacing millions of residents. This area is nestled in a space that happens to routinely be hit by typhoons between June and November. Many homeowners are required to purchase flood insurance as water logging is not an unusual event here. Locals living in this city tend to brace for the worst when it comes to weather.

A brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa). Photo by Timothy Dykes on Unsplash

Unless you are from Australia, chances are the hardest adjustment to make in New Orleans is the pestering bugs. Expats moving should learn to coexist with critters and consider them a part of their daily lives. The largest culprit among these insects is the brown recluse spider. It is not only one of the most dangerous creatures in the country but also great at hiding in every crevice imaginable. If you start living here, then make it a routine to inspect your shoes, bedsheets, and clothes before putting them on.

Once bitten by this beast, people experience vomiting, chills, and dizziness, and in some extreme cases may need medical intervention. Apart from the brown recluse, Mardi Gras season brings the fire ants out as well, their venom wreaks havoc and causes agonizing pain unlike any felt before. The last creepy crawler in NOLA is the buck moth caterpillar. These specific pests tend to fall out of oak trees in spring and their sting can be very excruciating and uncomfortable.

A young schoolboy drawing with a pencil on a piece of paper. Photo by CDC on Unsplash

After moving on from the deadly critters the next big problem faced by expats happens to be the failing infrastructure. The architecture of New Orleans is undoubtedly one of the most stunning vintage elegance legacies, but at the same time, the modern public amenities, such as highways and sewage systems, wreak havoc on locals every year. Firstly, roads are riddled with potholes and make traveling anywhere a nuisance. The transportation network is limited, making commuters rely on only buses and trams.

While the iconic Crescent City streetcars serve the central districts well, they lack connectivity to the outer neighborhoods. To make matters worse, the water pumps fail each time there is heavy rainfall causing the outdated sewers to flood many parts of the municipality.

The Big Easy is also the most populated place in the USA located under sea level. If you have children or are planning to start a family, then keep in mind that Louisiana has some of the worst public education programs in the country. So it would be wise to budget for private school tutoring for your young ones before moving to New Orleans.

A hungry homeless man sits behind a wealthy young man. Photo by Benjamin Disinger on Unsplash

Even though Hurricane Katrina was nearly a decade ago, the devastating impact it had on New Orleans’ economy cannot be underestimated. Pre-Katrina, the city was vibrant and dynamic, and now it seems to remain in recovery mode. The job market is abysmal, with most work being low-skilled and tourism-based. The saving grace of this region tends to be the service and hospitality industry as the top employers are always catering businesses.

The state government is not investing much in innovative pursuits like biosciences and technology, making Louisiana the 4th worst place in the country for work availability. Even if by some miracle you manage to land a high-paying gig, furthering and growing your career is even harder. Competition for higher positions is steep, and the luxury of jumping from one company to another doesn't exist as there are very few challengers in any unique fields. So unless there is already a great employment lined up for you, do not expect to find one here.

Policemen at work. Photo by Sean Lee on Unsplash

A direct effect of a recovering economy is a high crime rate. New Orleans happens to have an index of 1, which means it’s safer than only 1% of the other United States cities. So statistically the chances of a person being a victim of a felony would be 1 in 16. But there is some good news mixed with the bad – violent offenses are not a common affair, so there is a real probability of experiencing petty crimes.

The French Quarter is a hotspot for robberies since there is an influx of tipsy and partying tourists. If you own a car then the possibility of it getting stolen is high. Some burglaries at gunpoint have also been reported routinely, so it would be advisable to stay on your guard, especially during late night hours and huge celebrations. We advise our moving expats to consider not buying a vehicle in New Orleans as the headache of owning one is not worth it, and Louisiana also has the second-highest automobile insurance rates in the country.

Window with shutters and neon Famous New Orleans Po Boys sign. Photo by Mary Hammel on Unsplash

Now that we have explored some vital flaws in New Orleans, let's look at one of the biggest perks of living here – the amazing food. This city is considered an awesome culinary destination in the country, if not the world. Living up to its hype, the place specializes in Creole and Cajun cuisines – a fusion of African, European, and pre-Columbian American styles.

There are very few areas in the USA that showcase the type of culinary diversity that can be found in this city. Apart from the usual savory dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish boils, and shrimp étouffée, The Big Easy can satisfy even the most stubborn sweet tooths. Indulge your taste buds into delightful items like soft beignets at Café Du Mondeor Italian desserts at Angelo Brocato.

Ranging from hole-in-the-wall humble eateries to legendary fine-dining establishments, it is safe to say no one will ever go hungry while staying in New Orleans. Let us take a closer look at a few of the must-try budget-friendly restaurants that should be visited here!

The Camellia Grill

#24 of 570 BBQs in New Orleans, USA

Omelettes

Eggs are mixed with milk, cream or water, fried in a pan till a light golden color is reached. Vegetables, mushrooms, pieces of cheese, meat may be added.

Best omelettes in New Orleans restaurants

Nestled inside a grand white mansion on St. Charles Avenue, The Camellia Grill, a diner-style eatery, opened in 1946. The old-fashioned landmark restaurant is the last of its kind that manages to maintain a charming vintage touch. The interiors are regal and retro in style, made up of stately oaks, pink neon lights, metal chairs, an open service counter, and high beamed ceilings. They also feature a backyard patio perfect for enjoying the warm sunny disposition of Louisiana.

The menu revolves Southern breakfast items, such as enormousomelets doused in chili, crispy waffles with fried chicken drizzled with chili honey, roasted pork chops with hand-cut green beans, pan-fried catfish with coleslaw, grilled corned beef with tater tots, and crispy shrimp po’boys. Satisfy your sweet cravings by ordering signature desserts like chocolate pecan pie, coconut cream pie, or apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Average bill – $16

Galaxie

#9 of 326 Mexican restaurants in New Orleans, USA

Quesadillas

A Mexican dish consisting of a tortilla that is filled primarily with cheese, and sometimes meats, spices, and other fillings, and then cooked on a griddle or stove. Traditionally, a corn tortilla is used, but it can also be made with a flour tortilla.

Best quesadillas in New Orleans restaurants

If you are looking to travel back in time and get a feel of an authentic taqueria from the 70s then Galaxie is the place to be. It was a boarded-up St. Claude Avenue service station that had been recently transformed into a lovely restaurant with an Art Deco setting designed by architect Walter Dorwin Teague and developer Patrick Finney. The space looks like a Route 66 gas depot diner with a Texaco star, bug bay rolling doors, and a dark purple color palette.

The kitchen is helmed by Chef de Cuisine Hank Shackelford, who presents a blended menu combining Mexico City-style al pastor and Oaxacan-style barbacoa. Guests can expect scrumptious dishes – braised beef cheek tacos with charred pineapple, spit-roasted pork adobo shoulder, skewered gulf shrimp with marinated red cabbage, grilled chickenquesadilla with roasted bell pepper sauce, and crispy fish with portobello mushroom. Also explore their large drinks selections consisting of mezcal specials, tequila-based cocktails, and rum daiquiris.

Average bill – $18

Café Reconcile

#81 of 1946 cafes in New Orleans, USA

Sandwiches

Sandwiches usually consist of vegetables, cheese, eggs or meat put between thin slices of white bread. Sandwiches can be consumed at lunch and dinner, eaten on the go, or served with soup or salad.

Best sandwiches in New Orleans restaurants

We cannot have a list of top New Orleans restaurants and skip a spot for soul food. Started in 1996 by Reverend Harry Tompson, S.J. – a pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Café Reconcile is not just a simple establishment but a nonprofit community center that helps young people with rehabilitation. The five-story building houses a school, a training facility, home support, and a canteen-style eatery. Their workforce development initiative has aided more than 2000 young men and women from marginalized communities to graduate with skills in sectors of hospitality and culinary development.

By dining in this facility, patrons are also assisting in the growth of the neighborhood and the creation of future chefs. Diners can opt for fried green tomato sandwiches, smoked beef sausage with red bean rice, fried blackened catfish in lemon pepper sauce, crispy portobello mushrooms with coleslaw, stewed white bean rice with Louisiana shrimp, and grilled pork loin smothered in gravy with collard greens. In desserts, order their special items like banana bread pudding, pineapple upside-down cake, and peach cobbler.

Average bill – $22

The Joint

#5 of 570 BBQs in New Orleans, USA

Pork ribs

Prepared either indoors or outdoors, juicy pork ribs are always a treat. There are two types of pork ribs, namely spare ribs and baby back ribs.

Best pork ribs in New Orleans restaurants

Our last stop takes us deep into the Bywater district east of downtown New Orleans – to a backyard barbeque restaurant called The Joint. Situated inside a ramshackle wooden building, it is a neighborhood institution that has been featured in many publications such as Bon Appétit, Zagat, and Food Network as one of the best BBQ spots in the state. The ambiance here is convivial and welcoming, complete with tattered flags, fading yellow stripes of paint, swiveling bar stools, and round large booth seatings.

Upon entry, the heavenly fumes from the smoker entice every visitor and prepare them for what is to come next. Indulge your taste buds in gastronomic delights like caramelized brisket burnt ends with coleslaw, mixed sausage platter served along with gooey mac & cheese, smoky pulled pork burgers, and Saint Louis-stylepork ribs in barbecue sauce with cornbread muffins. Do not miss out on their homemade desserts featuring key lime pie and peanut butter tart. In drinks, they offer fruity cocktails, rum punch, and craft beers to pair with your meal.

Average bill – $20

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