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Originally Posted by dagolfer33
I love NO, and I have personally never had any real problems down there. I have certainly been many more times than most people, living right up I10. I just would advise anyone who hasnt been there to take caution. I would say NO east isnt too far from still looking like a war zone, however. Your advice of staying around the French Quarter area and Lakefront is good...stay where the people are and its OK.
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Good advice.
Long before Katrina, New Orleans often was among the tops in the nation for crime and murders per capita. So at least for me, Katrina aftermath was not a surprise.
My best advice is to keep your guard SERIOUSLY up around the French Quarter.
Bourbon Street and Canal Street are essentially fine.
Problem is that many tourists get lost walking, or decide to explore a block or more out of the "tourist area." Big mistake.
New Orleans criminals lurk in the shadows of parking garages and the streets just off of Bourbon waiting for wayward tourists to mug, shoot or more.
The City of New Orleans has always worked hard to keep that kind of stuff quiet.....but it's ALWAYS been there. And again, I was not surprised at all by the actions of the thugs and general populace post-Katrina.
That said, I was last in New Orleans in May 2008, and would happily go again tomorrow.