WMU,
I lived there for several years, and in fact, learned to fly out at KNEW. When I first moved there, I was like WTF,O? But the place is an aquired taste, and after a while, really grows on you.
You need to learn to operate on "New Orleans Time", which is to say at a stately pace. Ya don't want to over exert yourself as you mosey down to the Popeye's for lunch.
The people are really, really nice, and the friends you make, you make for life. I contrast this with Minneaoplis, which is just chock full of the most miserable SOBs God ever placed on this green earth (except it's not green there, just either white or grey, and everything is covered with dust). There was absolutely no concept of the "social graces" among the population.
In New Orleans, the food absolutely rocks...you can't really throw a stone without hitting a decent place to eat, and the best burgers, BAR NONE, in the whole universe are to be had at the "Port 'o Call" on Esplanade just on the border of the French Quarter. The stew at the Camillia Grill is without compare.
Conversly, the food in Minneapolis blows chunks. I never did find a decent seafood place, and oddly enough, all the steaks (which you would think would be somewhat OK as a lot come from NE) tasted like they had been stored open next to the floor cleaner. In fact, ALL the food tasted like it had already been chewed. Blech, you can keep that place.
If I could, I would move back to Louisiana, maybe someplace on the North Shore.
Nu