What Would You Recommend a New Orleanian do?

[funkybutt]

With adequete insurance some could cash out their equity and move along to some other life in another city somewhere. Would you reinvest it in the property there or leave?

[Spinzonner]

1. Seize a ranch in Crawford Texas

[eleny]

2. Depends on your age and other factors

I'm the one who waits to see what's up. But it really depends on the variables and how invested you are emotionally in the area. You really know what you want to do. I bet you really, really do, dontcha?

[funkybutt]

4. VERY emotionally connected to the area

as a matter of fact. it's the only place i ever felt "at home" and i wasn't born here

although there are other places i'd be willing to try out

what to do...

the house is about 75% (prekatrina) owned by the mtg company

[eleny]

14. i sure wouldn't take the cash and leave, then

i'd take it as slow as i could.

i wasn't born in colorado but love it here. so i hope you aren't pressured to split.

[funkybutt]

3. i'll make a decision by tomorrow and share it

[norml]

5. Buy a travel trailer or a motor home

then you can take your home with you, whether you stay or go.

[funkybutt]

8. I'd have a hard time living in a travel trailer

I've been bouncing from family members house to family members house since the storm. I've been a home owner for several years. Now we have an overpriced very small apartment and a mortgage. We have a large chocolate lab and a cat. I don't see all of us inhabiting a travel trailer for 6 months.

I must say though. I have thoroughly thanked every neighbor who is getting their FEMA trailer set up. I'm so glad that they will be living there. I've given them all my number in case they need anything.

[EFerrari]

10. My yellow lab and two cats lived with me in a small

Airstream for about two years. We did okay. They didn't care as long as they were with me, and I did better because they were with me. It's a love thing. lol

[norml]

13. They've as much room as a small apartment, and some are larger.

Or you could get two, and split your stuff between them.

[funkybutt]

15. they are nice..i've toured them

My neighbors have some really nice ones..and I'd love ot have one when i retire and travel..but i have a choice between that travel trailer (which still wouldn't be available anytime soon - I had to be living in town on October 10 to retain my job, so i couldnt wait for FEMA) and rental assistance (hopefully) from FEMA which will pay about 50% of our rent at a fairly small apt. Since I'm still employed and have had family help us, we can afford to pay a little bit every month.

Many of my coworkers will be living in these..and i think that's really great. If i didn't have another alternative, I'd really appreciate one.

[Tsiyu]

6. So many people I know love New Orleans

I've never been but I love all of them so I know it must be a very special place.

My decision would depend on how attached I was to the very spot I was in. If you have emotional ties to that specific place, stay and rebuild the best you can.

If you can find another suitable place, I would cash in and start over, still in New Orleans.

I suppose it helps to know what you'll be left with in either case, so you have to do the math and come up with the solution that puts you in the most secure spot for your current situation.

Duh!


Good luck to you and Happy Everything, funkybutt :hi:

[politicat]

7. I'm going through something similar....

We had a house fire.

I'm just one person, but it sounds like you love the community and the area - and if you do, stay. It'll come back, but only if people who love the area stay there. Else, you're turning it over to the actual looters, the ones in ties from KBR and Halliburton and Disney who will make it 1 part theme park, 1 part gated community and 1 part mall.

I wasn't attached to the community I was in, but if we had a similar loss on this house, which is in a community I love and want to remain a part of, I'd be making huge waves to get my community back in.

Build a house you'll love and be comfortable in - it doesn't have to be big or fancy, but build it right for you. (In fact, you may be able to build what works for you for what you'll get back from the insurance, if you're looking to build small and ecologically sound.... go google for small houses and tiny houses and grab this book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486263002/102-1235502-6327366?v=glance&n=283155
Here's an architect that does small and ecologically sound houses http://www.dsaarch.com/Small%20Houses.htm

Build for what you need and what your life really is... especially if you love the place you live.

But if you don't love the place you live, don't bother. If there is a place you love, go there. If there isn't, then maybe your better bet is to reinvest in an RV or a bus conversion and become a post-modern gypsy - go where the work is, see the continents, run around until you find a place you can love. (Lots of resources for that lifestyle, too, and if you get a motorcycle license and carry one on a trailer on the back, the cost of living is not significantly higher than it is for the median.)

Good luck, and I hope I've been of service.

[EFerrari]

9. Take your time.

:hug:

[funkybutt]

11. thanks sfexpat

care to share your vote with me?

[EFerrari]

12. I was one of the three that voted purple. But, that's really

only what I would do. :hi:

[funkybutt]

16. not too many people voting on this one...

i vote in almost every poll that i see

:shrug:

[blonndee]

17. Sue like a motherfucker. That's what I would do. n/t

[Jamastiene]

18. If possible, borrow the largest amount and buy property in

the commercial zones. Sell it when they start with the gentrification of NOLA and build a nice row of affordable decent homes IN NOLA for people who cannot afford to do the same. Just to stick a thorn in the side of the assholes who want to keep out the poor, offer it to the poorest for a discount to rent or buy.

For those that cannot afford it, stay wherever you were relocated and come back at them when you get back on your feet. Don't let them ever live this down. Hold it against them until the time is right for payback. Hold out hope that the truth will not be forgotten and do whatever you can to keep it from being forgotten.

[funkybutt]

19. kick

[funkybutt]

20. DUers don't like this poll?

seems that most polls get more voting than this.

Don't worry, you're not going to be responsible for my decision. I'm just curious what others would do if in my position.

[Generic Other]

21. Does your heart tie you to the community?

That's what matters in the long run.

[funkybutt]

22. Absolutely

the only place i've ever felt like I "fit"

[bigwillq]

23. I would rebuild

Never been to NOLA but home is home no matter where you are.