[UncleRando]

Brain drain threatens New Orleans recovery
MICHAEL KUNZELMAN / ASSOCIATED PRESS
December 16, 2006

NEW ORLEANS - It wasn't the flooding that drove Dr. David Jones out of New Orleans for good. His house in the Lakeview neighborhood stayed dry. Instead, it was the way Hurricane Katrina eroded the orthopedic surgeon's practice.

With fewer patients to treat and no patience for the sluggish pace of the city's recovery, he moved his family and practice to Raleigh, N.C., in July.

"I love New Orleans and always will," said Jones, 39, who now works at a hospital affiliated with Duke University. "I could have made a go of it there, but it would have been slow and arduous."

New Orleans is losing an alarming number of young professionals in Katrina's aftermath. Many doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers and other highly educated people are gone. Some left during the storm and never came back. Others came back, but soon gave up and moved out altogether. Whether a full-blown brain drain is under way is unclear. But some suspect so, and fear the exodus will only get worse.

"They don't see the career opportunities here that they see elsewhere," said University of New Orleans political science professor Susan Howell.

For many professionals trying to make a living here, the number of patients and clients has dropped off drastically. Less than half New Orleans' pre-Katrina population of 455,000 has returned.

A recent survey by the University of New Orleans suggests the loss of the region's best educated, most talented and highly trained workers could worsen. One-third of residents surveyed in October said they are likely to leave within two years, and those with postgraduate degrees were even more likely to consider leaving.

Health care has been especially hard-hit. Thousands of doctors, nurses and medical technicians were evacuated after Katrina in August 2005. Sixteen months later, only five of 11 hospitals are open, just one at full capacity.

According to another UNO survey, the city has regained less than 60 percent of its non-hospital physicians and its private education jobs. A similar percentage of professional, scientific and technical workers, including lawyers, engineers and architects, had yet to return more than a year after the storm, the survey found.

One who came back but plans to leave again is Jennifer Lange. Lange, 33, was president of the Young Leadership Council, an organization of young professionals, when Katrina hit. A marketing manager for Isidore Newman School - whose graduates include the NFL's Manning brothers - she evacuated to Houston, then came back a few months later.

But her job was one of about 90 eliminated by the private school, and she found herself working at a lower salary for an insurance and benefits company.

Now, she plans to move back to Houston, where she and her fiance, financial planner Thomas Brandino, will wed next year.

"I never wanted to leave," she said, "but he looked around and couldn't find a job here." Still, Lange is optimistic: "We'll be back one day. He's promised me."

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061216/NEWS02/612160330

[MolsonExport]

Sad to say, but I don't think N'aulins will ever recover completely.

[Kevin]

What's the estimated population of Metro New Orleans? Is this happening in just the city or the whole metro?

[Texan101]

Sad to say, but I don't think N'aulins will ever recover completely.

Agreed....

[mikeelm]

Well we also got to remember there were a couple of bad storms in New Orleans durring the 60s and while this more recent 1 was the worse, I'm sure similar problems happened durring the other 2 so maybe it will just take time.

[Alta California]

Sad to say, but I don't think N'aulins will ever recover completely.

Recovery implies that there was something there before. I see it more of an accelaration of a decades-long decline. NO though, just might've hit that proverbial "rock-bottom".

[LMich]

Very good point, Alta. Though, I don't agree with your first sentence as New Orleans had, and still has, a lot going for it. This reminds me a lot of Detroit 1967 race riot in that it only accelerated the huge flight from the city that had been doing on for 17 years, by then.

[galaca]

I'm in New Orleans I love it. Everyday it seems like I find something else great about the city and I definitely want to stay here after graduation but...

[SuperstarMark]

Ugh, that article is sad. I feel that none of those relocated residents, even though they loved New Orleans, will come back. Hopefully things will progress quicker and stronger in the city in 2007.

[alon504]

Worry not...we're doing just fine here. If anyone should be worried it is people like me, because we are actual citizens that live in the city itself. I have little to no concern and the recovery is going well and is accelerating daily. We're doing just fine down here. Someone asked about the population...the metro area is about 1.35 million today. We have our issues like any metro area, and of course, we are recoverying from the largest national disaster in US history. I don't see anywhere in the article where they mention the thousands that have moved here from other cities (many that have never even set foot in New Orleans before), or the record building permits and sales tax collections the entire area is enjoying. I work at a bank in New Orleans and assist these new citizens to our community daily. The one thing that is hurting New Orleans right now is housing. You'd be hard-pressed to find a home in the city, itself, for under 400K and the average rent, now, for an apartment is around $1500...so this is hurting us right now. But, we are dealing with this, as well.

[Grateful Denver]

I am a student at Tulane University
I live in Uptown new orleans
recovery, and resurgance is occuring

[LMich]

I don't think anyone doubts that New Orleans is recovering. If it weren't, I'd be worried. But, it's a legitimate question to question the scope and size of the recovery.

[alon504]

I don't think anyone doubts that New Orleans is recovering. If it weren't, I'd be worried. But, it's a legitimate question to question the scope and size of the recovery.
As it stands right now, the metro area is about 100,000 less than it was pre-Katrina. It looks like we should have the gap closed by around 2009, at the latest. As far as New Orleans city proper, it will be some time before we reach pre-Katrina levels. A great deal of residents of New Orleans, now live in the suburbs. Many haven't been able to return to New Orleans..particularly the poor, as the federal government is tearing down all public housing developments in the city, outside of three. Many of these poor are stuck in Georgia, and Texas and likely, won't be back to the city for another 3 years when new public housing is completed in mixed neighborhood format.

[alon504]

Duplicate post

[UncleRando]

As it stands right now, the metro area is about 100,000 less than it was pre-Katrina. It looks like we should have the gap closed by around 2009, at the latest. As far as New Orleans city proper, it will be some time before we reach pre-Katrina levels. A great deal of residents of New Orleans, now live in the suburbs. Many haven't been able to return to New Orleans..particularly the poor, as the federal government is tearing down all public housing developments in the city, outside of three. Many of these poor are stuck in Georgia, and Texas and likely, won't be back to the city for another 3 years when new public housing is completed in mixed neighborhood format.

Is it a common held belief in New Orleans that the people who left are going to return back to New Orleans. 100,000 people is a lot of people to make up in a few years! You would have to rely on tons of people returning after they have now established themselves elsewhere in the country.

I just think its a lot to expect for people to uproot their lives again to return to the place the had called home.

Don't get me wrong...I wish New Orleans the best, but imo the outlook isn't as bright as you are portraying.

[VivaLFuego]

Here's hoping it serves as the same sort of catalyst that the Chicago Fire of 1871 did

[Visiteur]

VivaLFuego, Chicago was at the head of a booming region, since it was considered a gateway to the west back in the 19th century. Chicago had been steadily growing, and the fire was only an aberration in the city's history. New Orleans, however, is different. The city has been on the decline for a few decades, and Katrina has only exacerbated the effects of that decline. New Orleans may recover, yes; but I doubt it will ever be as large and prominent as its former self.

As for the brain drain article, I think of two things- 1)It seems everyone does move, or want to move, to North Carolina; and 2)the Midwest and Northeast suffer from it as well, and it will be up to the leaders of New Orleans, both government and private, to try and keep the educated residents, and work for a good, strong future for the city.

[LMich]

Yeah, as mentioned, the storm has simply expediated the population decline. It was on a downswing before Katrina hit. I actually met a young (20-something) Katrina victim, last year, and while she talks about how much she loved the place, it was also hell for her and her young children before the storm. The storm just gave her the excuse (and means through contributions) she needed to relocate. She took a bus leaving everything behind, and ended up here in Lansing, and doesn't plan to return to NO to live, ever. This isn't just a NO thing, though, this is happening with plenty of declining cities (i.e. any kind of event happening that people use to leave for more stable lives).

[alon504]

As said, I live here...doesn't seem too bad to me...in fact, it seems better than before Katrina, in many ways. In any case, if this is a dying city, post hurricane, than I'm not complaining...here's your rush hour in New Orleans this evening...

Heading South:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e63/Timothy8474/TR2.jpg

Heading West:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e63/Timothy8474/TR1.jpg

Heading North:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e63/Timothy8474/TR3.jpg

[LMich]

It's about tempering optimism with reality, and that's something I've become good at living in Michigan. It's not about raining on your guy's parade, but NO has a long ways to go. Are you denying that the hurricane didn't expediate the the inevitable population decline that was occuring pre-Katrina? One can make a good argument for a smaller city, as so many established urban areas across this country are shrinking, but I hope you're being realistic and not just blindly optimistic for blind optimisms sake.

[alon504]

It's about tempering optimism with reality, and that's something I've become good at living in Michigan. It's not about raining on your guy's parade, but NO has a long ways to go. Are you denying that the hurricane didn't expediate the the inevitable population decline that was occuring pre-Katrina? One can make a good argument for a smaller city, as so many established urban areas across this country are shrinking, but I hope you're being realistic and not just blindly optimistic for blind optimisms sake.

I'm not unrealistic, at all. For one thing, I'm not into the big fast-growing city thing. New Orleans has been there and done that. I live here because it is home and life here is grand with all of the trimmings. I was born in Downtown New Orleans. Do we have urban issues? Of course. Would anyone expect anything different from a 310 year old city that has over 3 million people within 75 miles of its' core Downtown, with over 1 million squeezed into 65 square miles? Come on...I know my city, the area, and how it handles ups, downs, and tragedies. We're honestly fine. If anything, we're one of the most solid cities in the nation. Is everything rosy? Hell no. But, we deal with what life deals us in this community. BTW...here's hoping we're dealt a Superbowl win in Feb., 2007. :D

[MSP]

I was in NO for Mardi Gras this past spring. The one thing that did surprise me was we were sitting in a traffic jam in morning rush hour. If you listened to the media, they made it sound like it was a ghost town, which wasn't true. Sure there was a ton of damage, but what do expect when you are hit by a natural disaster of that scale. It's going to take some time to recover from something like that.
I drove through Homestead FL shortly after hurricane Andrew and it looked devastated but I'm sure it looks fine today. Things take time.
Anyways, I will definately be back. I had the best food of my life down there. Just my 2 cents.

[bobdreamz]

^ yes Homestead has recovered but it did take years for it's population to recently surpass pre-Andrew levels.

[UncleRando]

I'm not real sure on why people are equating traffic jams to liveliness and vibrancy :shrug:

The two are not directly connected...of coarse there is going to be traffic back ups there, when some drivers leave the roads...it encourages others to then take the roads (unless there is an alternative source)...this is a traffic pattern that has been apparent for years. Just because there are traffic jams in NO...that does not neccessarily mean that NO is on the rebound or healthy.

[alon504]

I'm not real sure on why people are equating traffic jams to liveliness and vibrancy :shrug:

The two are not directly connected...of coarse there is going to be traffic back ups there, when some drivers leave the roads...it encourages others to then take the roads (unless there is an alternative source)...this is a traffic pattern that has been apparent for years. Just because there are traffic jams in NO...that does not neccessarily mean that NO is on the rebound or healthy.

It's just an example...come on down and see firsthand. It would more than likely shock you.

[UncleRando]

I would love to be shocked...I was just commenting that traffic congestion is not a good measure of vitality (whether NO has it or not). Some numbers in relation to business success or population stats would be more relevant. I have a feeling that NO's pre-katrina disparity of wealth is only getting worse.

Like I said, I hope NO the best...but there are a lot of underlying problems that spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E for NO.

[alon504]

I would love to be shocked...I was just commenting that traffic congestion is not a good measure of vitality (whether NO has it or not). Some numbers in relation to business success or population stats would be more relevant. I have a feeling that NO's pre-katrina disparity of wealth is only getting worse.

Like I said, I hope NO the best...but there are a lot of underlying problems that spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E for NO.

We're past the trouble point. From what I've witnessed with recovery, and where we are now, I'm more than pleased...I'm excited. The average reader on this thread has no clue how devastating Katrina was for this city. It was unbelievably horrible. Words really cannot describe. For the metro area to be like it is today with 1.35 million people back, for our NFL team to be back and our NBA team coming back next season (and bringing the NBA All-Star game with them on their inaugural season back to New Orleans), is a testament in itself. Downtown New Orleans' office occupancy is at an all time high and we have condo construction galore just around the corner, including Trump Tower New Orleans, which will begin construction in April or May and will be New Orleans' newest tallest building at almost 850'. We have our work cut out for us, but, we are up to the task, but, we're going to be fine in New Orleans. No one should have any worries. As said...come check it out for yourself. People think it is so much worse than it is and it is hurting some tourist related businesses, although things have certainly gotten more positive in the last 6 months for those guys.

[LMich]

I'm not sure why you're pushing so hard. Established urban cities in general have been hurting and with mounting problem in this nation for quite some time. The hurricane did not change that. Again, it's about being realistic. The recovery is just as real as the problems this city (and most established urban cities) faces. The hurricane didn't wipe that a way, and I think it's a bit disingenuous to pretend that the problems aren't just as real as the recovery. No one needs to pity NO, but let's not misrepresent the challenges the city still faces in addition to the phyiscal damage the hurricane brought. Time didn't stop for NO when the hurricane hit, which means that the steady decline hasn't stopped, either. The population decline is neither good nor bad in itself. Again, this is not meant to be malicious, especially coming from someone born in a shrinking decline city, and living in a shrinking city, but you must be honest in your assessments, or else risk being called on the overly rosey descriptions. NO was a great city before Katrina, and still remains a great city afterwards, but you don't have to be from the city to know that it had its problems before that most urban cities still face, and it will continue to have these serious urban issues because of a broken or uneven society. Katrina was just the cherry on top of all of the problems.

[alon504]

I'm not sure why you're pushing so hard. Established urban cities in general have been hurting and with mounting problem in this nation for quite some time. The hurricane did not change that. Again, it's about being realistic. The recovery is just as real as the problems this city (and most established urban cities) faces. The hurricane didn't wipe that a way, and I think it's a bit disingenuous to pretend that the problems aren't just as real as the recovery. No one needs to pity NO, but let's not misrepresent the challenges the city still faces in addition to the phyiscal damage the hurricane brought. Time didn't stop for NO when the hurricane hit, which means that the steady decline hasn't stopped, either. The population decline is neither good nor bad in itself. Again, this is not meant to be malicious, especially coming from someone born in a shrinking decline city, and living in a shrinking city, but you must be honest in your assessments, or else risk being called on the overly rosey descriptions. NO was a great city before Katrina, and still remains a great city afterwards, but you don't have to be from the city to know that it had its problems before that most urban cities still face, and it will continue to have these serious urban issues because of a broken or uneven society. Katrina was just the cherry on top of all of the problems.

I know what you are referring to LMich, New Orleans is no Detroit...trust on that one.

[LMich]

I was alluding not to Detroit, in particular (an extreme), but all established urban areas seeing with decline. But, even if I was, New Orleans easily ranks (or ranked before Katrina) among the extremes, though, in terms of the social problems plaguing these established urban areas, and this is not an opinion. If you want me to explain, I will. I'd rather not, and rather you acknowledge both realities of NO, the successes and continued failures instead of the one-sided "everything's going along swingingly" attitude. NO is just as beautiful, and just as flawed, as any of this country's other historic gems that have gone through rough times. This would have never been an issue with me if you'd not responded to some comments left here with instant rose-colored glasses, and a level of optimism that should have tripped off anyone's BS alarm.

[alon504]

I was alluding not to Detroit, in particular (an extreme), but all established urban areas seeing with decline. But, even if I was, New Orleans easily ranks (or ranked before Katrina) among the extremes, though, in terms of the social problems plaguing these established urban areas, and this is not an opinion. If you want me to explain, I will. I'd rather not, and rather you acknowledge both realities of NO, the successes and continued failures instead of the one-sided "everything's going along swingingly" attitude. NO is just as beautiful, and just as flawed, as any of this country's other historic gems that have gone through rough times. This would have never been an issue with me if you'd not responded to some comments left here with instant rose-colored glasses, and a level of optimism that should have tripped off anyone's BS alarm.

I'm not trying to paint a rosy picture. I know that, as a very old established urban area in this country that we have our urban issues. With that said, we're aren't dying. Before Katrina, Metro New Orleans wasn't booming..but, we have been growing steadily and consistently, for years, at around 3%. The City of New Orleans has been declining, but, that trend had, actually reversed itself, according to many, in the 12 to 18 months before Katrina struck. Now, we are dealing with Katrina, but, many of the same developers and developments that were planned pre-Katrina, are peeping back into the scene, along with many other developments. And, I'll say, this...I certainly appreciate the wisdom you offer in understanding older, established cities in this country like I do. At times, it can be frustrating and silly when you see posters on these forums post all of these glorious posts about their cities booming. Yeah, it's wonderful, and they have a right to be proud, but, truth be told, many of these places are meer adolescents when it comes to being a major urban area. The urban issues haven't even settled in with these places. Around New Orleans, you have to live almost 50 miles from the city core, to be in a completely new area that has been untouched by development or urban issues. Many of these newer cities, haven't even developed within, yet. There is a thread on this forum that gives a great summarization of new developments heading to New Orleans. Here it is, since you seem to have a grasp on older cities.... http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=100363

[SuperstarMark]

The one thing that is hurting New Orleans right now is housing. You'd be hard-pressed to find a home in the city, itself, for under 400K and the average rent, now, for an apartment is around $1500...so this is hurting us right now. But, we are dealing with this, as well.

Wow, this really surprises me. Is this N.O. proper / inner city, or also including suburbs?

[Rene]

We’ve had hurricanes before, but not like this one. Considering the damages to our defenses, a weaker hurricane would do the same amount of damage.

The metro region's current population is 1.1 million. Pre-Katrina levels were 1.3 million. About 90% of the 200,000 lost population comes from Orleans Parish. Those were the ones whose houses were greatly damaged. Many St. Bernard Parish residents who lost their homes live in St. Tammany Parish which has now created a "Balkens-esque" tension across the lake.

The city was a magnificent world-class city in its day. After the Civil War and Reconstruction, what once was New Orleans has withered away and the city has been in a constant downward spiral ever since. Katrina iced the spiral.

The city is sustainable, but it is held together like band-aids. Living in New Orleans is like living in a Third-World City: Bad Leadership, Crumbling Infrastructure, No Plan or Future, No Money, and the Louisiana Army Patrols the Streets. Let’s not start about Health and Pollution.

However, there is great potential, but it won't be done today. Tomorrow won't be the case either considering the status of our levies and wetlands.

[Grateful Denver]

We’ve had hurricanes before, but not like this one. Considering the damages to our defenses, a weaker hurricane would do the same amount of damage.

The metro region's current population is 1.1 million. Pre-Katrina levels were 1.3 million. About 90% of the 200,000 lost population comes from Orleans Parish. Those were the ones whose houses were greatly damaged. Many St. Bernard Parish residents who lost their homes live in St. Tammany Parish which has now created a "Balkens-esque" tension across the lake.

The city was a magnificent world-class city in its day. After the Civil War and Reconstruction, what once was New Orleans has withered away and the city has been in a constant downward spiral ever since. Katrina iced the spiral.

The city is sustainable, but it is held together like band-aids. Living in New Orleans is like living in a Third-World City: Bad Leadership, Crumbling Infrastructure, No Plan or Future, No Money, and the Louisiana Army Patrols the Streets. Let’s not start about Health and Pollution.

However, there is great potential, but it won't be done today. Tomorrow won't be the case either considering the status of
our levies and wetlands.

o brother,
to start if the numbers you are really looking at state thagt new orleans is 1.1 today and was 1.3 back then with 90% of the loss coming from Orleans Parish, then the city has actually gained populagtion due to the gigantic influx of legal and illegal immigrant from latin american countries, between kenner, and mid city canal street locations, new orleans has been flooded by recent imiigrant and my work at the ESL program at Loyola University reflects this trnd
yes, new orleans has seen better days, it was once the third largest city in this country, and although not all of the establishments that made this great city still exist as operating thetaera, opera houses, churches...etc, the history those structures created, and the culture brewed in this town still remains strong and vibrant following this storm
for all of its infrastructure issues, police and government corruption, pollution in the mississippi, brain drain, (Come say that to us at Tulane by the way)yada yada yada, living in new orleans is like living in no other city in the U.S.A, the culuture, the lifestyle, the slower pace of life, the old old homes, the food, the drinking, and whether new orleans is larger or smaller, it is still one of the MAJOR CITIES of the south, and will continue to be for a long time