Even though hurricane Katrina flooded almost 80 percent of New Orleans, renovations and repairs are successfully making "the most unique city" in America a safe and entertaining place to live again. In fact, New Orleans will probably become more protected than before because of the events of 2005. In an effort to prevent such catastrophic damage from occurring again, the government has allocated billions of dollars for flood protection in the city. Consequently, by 2011 New Orleans should have enough hurricane protection barriers in place to withstand the worst storm that can strike over the next hundred years.
With so many repairs and renovations being made, New Orleans will probably look like a brand-new city when it is completely restored, but some things about it will never change. For example, New Orleans is still home to a vibrant and diverse culture. Creole, French, German, Irish, and Spanish immigrants have all left their mark on the city; especially on New Orleans's cuisine. Because of the city's proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, New Orleans is especially famous for its seafood. Fried squares of dough which are called beignets are also a common dish that is often served with a topping of powdered sugar and a hot cup of coffee. As the birthplace of Jazz, New Orleans is also an important hub for music. In fact, the annual Jazz and Heritage Music Festival is one of the largest music festivals in the nation.
In addition to entertainment and culture, New Orleans is bursting with economic potential. There are two ports based in the New Orleans area. The first is the Port of South Louisiana and the second is the Port of New Orleans. Together, these ports rank fourth in the volume of tonnage that they handle. In addition to transportation and shipping, New Orleans is famous for its oil production and several Fortune 500 companies.
As the city recuperates from its latest natural disaster, more and more residents are returning to the area. An estimated two-thirds or more of the population have already come home, but there are still plenty of options available in the New Orleans real estate market. The median price of single family homes in the area is just above the nation average around $220,000 and median rent prices are more than reasonable around $350. So, if you are looking for an affordable, safe and entertaining home, check out some of the listings in New Orleans.
