A family member wants to relocate from Caifornia to Lafayett, LA.  I'm concerned.  I've heard some negative things regarding lack of diversity and opportunity.  I'd like an honest response.  Thanks.
128946
I have been through Lafeyett,La. Not much their. La. Got hit so hard by Katrina Hurricane, they all have not recovered yet, I would wait another 1-2 before moving their.
84983
Life is what you make it to be.  There are quite a few well to do Hispanics in my neighborhood who worked for what they wanted.  It may be a struggle but you will eventually get just strive hard for it.  And to the dumb A S S above me with the IGNORANT response.  Check your facts sweetheart....this land was STOLEN from mostly Hispanics and Native Americans and as a Black American I found your answer to be offensive.  Why don't you take your A S S back to where you came from before you stole this land and claimed it as your own!!!!!!!!!!!
618641
I went down to that area staying in the Madevlline Church of Christ.  While we did liittle work working in New Orleans.  Most  of the work was in Waveland, Mississippi, It is impossible not to be effected by the devestation.\nEspecially when you speak with people who have a job and no home.  If you have been there just for five days you will be traumatized.
36571
I am in N O. The people here are faced with very few places to live, rent, or lease. Everything is full and prices are terrible. I hope someone can give you the answer your looking for because the reality of the situation here is grim.
442823
ft drum horrible , my friend and her hubby moved there last yr. cold and boring place in the middle of no where. after she moved there last christmas hubby cheated on her with 2 of her friends and  divorced her and he got custody of all 3 girls and one was not even his. so stock up on books and magazines and look for groups to join so you wont be bored. good luck with the move
375673
move out, head for bd19, its far enough to not have the same hassle but near enough to not be moving too far from the friend/family/job you might already have. staying in bradford is not a good idea for any white person anymore. admit deafeat, we lost. Its fast becoming a rat infested dump anyway
563295
I am Transsexual and stating to live a "Normal Life" is unreal, what is "Normal" anyways???  My answer to this is that if you need change in your life and you feel you must move the most diverse city in the united states is SanFransico! The cost of living in Sanfran is pricy... For myself I live in a RedNeck town called Redding in northern california and at first I thought I needed to move to SanFran or simular to be accepted and in all honesty I am so glade I stayed and confronted everyone here because the turn out for acceptance has been very good for me here in a "Normal" RedNeckish town called Redding. the best answer to your question is that you can be discriminated anywere and to live a "Normal" life it is up to you if your life is "Normal", to be honest I would not worry about being "Normal" I would worry about being happy. It is best to visit your desired location for moving intrest first and seek out a support group and make new friends and the rest will fall into place.
17017
I really don't know much about WV, but I've been there a couple times (to Huntington). If the rest of WV is like there, you're better off moving to VA. Don't get me wrong, the people are so nice, but there just aren't many jobs. I also have a cousin who lives in the mountains in Berkeley Springs and he works in MD.
291187
hello, i am from louisiana, 30 minutes south of new orleans. i am not exactly sure what the answer is. you are probably talking about the 9th ward (which is one of the hardest hit areas), it is not one of the best neighborhoods and that could be why they do not want to rebuild. i heard something about it becomming a rich neighborhood. but honestly who would want to rebuild there. the entire area is protected by a levee. the other area that was hard hit was chalmette, the entire parish flooded and the water was up to the roofs of the homes. i personally would not live in an area protected by a levee. also i am sure that most of the people in the 9th ward area can not afford to rebuild. the insurance companies aren't exactly being fair. i hope i helped you understand a little bit better, if not feel free to contact me.
307491
Heres the deal: I've lived in Nashville, and visited Louisville. I'm currently living in SW Missouri (right near NW Arkansas!! \n\n--Nashville and about a one hour radius is VERY expensive to live!! Lots of fun cool stuff to do, and plenty of jobs, but can you afford to live?? Only if you find a really well-paying job. \n\n--Louisville has a lot of fun things to do, and a nice tourism business, less of a "Southern" atmosphere, but that's all I can say, because I've never lived there, or tried to find work there. \n\n--NW Arkansas: NOT MUCH TO DO!! VERY AFFORDABLE HOUSING!! You have to weigh out the options!! I just moved here. (SW missouri) and the landscape is ugly, and you have to go to Springfield MO or Branson MO, or Eureka Springs AR (VERY cool town) in order to find some fun stuff to do, but IF you are OK with that, there are jobs to be had, and VERY cheap cost of living. The PEOPLE here are also VERY NICE!! I just got a 2100 sq. Ft. Hous with 4 br and 3 bath, for UNDER 80k!!! So you gotta look at the pros and cons. Also, in this area, there's not too much diversity, we NEED some Black people to move in!! I miss my peeps.....
25746
I guess it depends on what you are looking for specifically.  I moved to Burlington, VT 4 yrs ago.  It is safe, beautiful and extremely kid friendly with a lot of family geared activities.  However, the lack of diversity is a problem for me, but....it is changing.  hope this helps and good luck!
18411
Jay- You may want to try the local newspaper. http://www.nola.com there is a section on housing and I agree housing is going to be tight. Perhaps your new employer has some contacts.\n\nGood luck and I think you will be busy for years. Thanks for playing a role in the rebuilding the city is worth it.
584749
Been there.  Ultimatums are never good. Small towns are full of gossip. The transition is easier because of family and friends. Both of you list pros/cons of where you'd like to live. Ask him if he'd be willing to check out some places that would fit what you're both looking for.  He may feel that you are choosing to move home to get away from him. Try to compromise. I did and I don't regret not moving back home. I found things that I really liked about where I live and we have been here for 25 years. Really think about this before you do or say something that you can't take back. I hope I helped.
12059
Perhaps you may want to split your time between France and the US. Speaking french the area surrounding Lafayette LA may be a good choice especially in the areas such as Euncie, Opelousas where you can hear French being spoken.\n\nOne can buy a home starting at $60.000.\n\nLouisiana can be hot in the summer, but the fall winter could be ideal. last week the communties were in the 70 degree range.\n\nThe communities could use a good baker and with so much French cusine if you had cooking skils perhaps you could supplement your income and become an active member of the community.\n\nOther questions? mrtopproducer@Yahoo.com
639873
As a native from LA now living in the NYC metro area also in my late 20's, I understand where you're coming from. Real estate here is on par with So Cal, but its the property taxes that really makes things so unaffordable. This is why my boyfriend and I have been looking in Albany as a potential for buying. You can pick up a house for as low as $35k (obviously not in the greatest area) and can find some nice properties for $150k with taxes that won't force you to live on ramen noodles. The downside is trying to find employment there- its primarily govn't work and seems you have to "know" people to get your foot in the door. Nightlife there is pretty good and varied from what I've seen and experienced. My boyfriend went to SUNY Albany and has had good things to say about it. So there's my two cents! All the best in finding something that suits!
214199
I agree..:) i live in NJ now.. in an area that my son goes to a blue ribbon school..:) but I am trying to move because of cost of living.. housing here is ridiculos now..you can't find a one family home in a decente neighborhood for less than 500,000...and the taxes are the equivalent of a high scale rent...:) so my advice is don't come..:) I am leaving..:)
647667
Honey, I feel you. I am from New Orleans and I know a lot of those people did not use their money properly and now they want to come back to live for free. I know there are people out there who did and are still doing what they need to be doing, I don't forget about them. I came back home and have been working my butt off to get my life back to normal, and people like the ones you talk about want it all just given to them.  Unfortunately a lot of New Orleans has worked like this for a long time and it's pretty sad, if this kind of thing happens again, my husband and I are outta here!!!!  I love New Orleans, I grew up here, I know when I have to draw the line.