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September 12, 2005
Should we move back?
Today Gina and I discussed the subject of moving back to New Orleans.
I don't mean the topic of whether the evacuees should move back to New Orleans.
I mean, should Ray and Gina maybe think about packing up the kids and moving there?
This came up as Gina was wistfully window-shopping overseas real estate while listening to the Roberts nomination hearings. Furnished apartments in Paris, in case you didn't know, go for US$3000. But this got us back to the topic of New Orleans, and her desire to contribute her architectural services to the rebuilding effort, to make sure that whatever gets built there won't be some butt-ugly urban-renewal crap.
I say, "Well, New Orleans was cheaper than Austin even before Katrina. Now it's going to be cheaper still. And compared to Texas, property taxes don't even exist there. And I know where the good magnet schools are, so we wouldn't have to worry about private school."
"But you wouldn't be able to find software work there."
And then the light went on in both of our heads.
Of course, I wouldn't be able to find work there...if I stayed in the software biz.
But what have I been talking about for months now but my desire to get out of the software biz and somehow get into something else?
Is it remotely possible that the cut in pay I would take would be made up for by Gina's drastic increase in business and the savings from lower taxes and a lower cost of living?
I feel like New Orleans might be on the verge of a great renaissance, and part of me just doesn't want to miss it.
Something to ponder. We're not talking about it seriously, yet, don't worry. But it's got me thinking.
Posted by ray at September 12, 2005 5:22 PM | Permalink
Categories: [katrina | new orleans ]
Comments
If it were to happen, it wouldn't be til next summer anyway, just because of the kids' school.
And right now it's a dream that's not even possible to research, since there are no such thing as real estate listings and job listings for New Orleans right now.
It's like "Let's consider moving to this city that currently doesn't really exist." Shee-yeah.
Posted by: Ray at September 12, 2005 8:03 PM
I think it's a really interesting idea and something to think about. Do you think the kids would be on board?
Posted by: Gwensarah at September 12, 2005 9:55 PM
You need a partner in your business scheme, brutha, let's talk. I'd fuckin' love to have a reason to be there on a regular basis...
Posted by: Karl Elvis at September 12, 2005 10:48 PM
Ray, I didn't see an email address for you so decided to leave a comment instead. I want to apologize for my response to your comment on my don't-rebuild post. You commented from the heart and I responded from the head, and didn't sufficiently acknowledge the legitimacy of your perspective. Its obvious from all that you've been doing and writing that New Orleans is very important to you, and I feel bad that my response was so dismissive of your feelings. If it makes you feel any better, both my husband and a close friend have gotten onto me for being wrong. :)
Posted by: hope at September 13, 2005 8:54 AM
One more thing - I noticed Poppy Brite on your links list. I was somewhat acquainted with her and Chris when I was in college (in Athens, GA). If you know them, please pass along my hello and best wishes, as I know they, like so many others, won't be able to go home for a long time.
Posted by: hope at September 13, 2005 8:59 AM
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