Gambit article: "Is NOLA Worth It?"

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Michael Hecht, CEO of the economic development organization Greater New Orleans Inc. (GNO Inc.), says young people are arriving to take advantage of the area's storied culture; a lower cost of living than in major metro areas such as New York, San Francisco or Chicago; and the sense of purpose offered by a city on the mend. But some of those same young people are quietly expressing doubts about the viability of remaining in New Orleans. They're talking about a perceived lack of career opportunities, compensation they say hasn't kept pace with the rest of the country, and a cost of living (particularly in terms of housing) that strains people at all but the highest income levels. There's also frustration over what many characterize as widespread institutional failure, from crumbling infrastructure to a network of local schools that varies wildly in quality — a serious drawback for people ready to start families.

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But inconveniences often have financial implications. New Orleans' public transportation system is widely viewed as unreliable, making it difficult to get around without a car — which then requires insurance in one of the country's most expensive markets. Infrastructure issues can lead to pricey car repairs. Uneven school quality can mean overpaying for an apartment, like Bolles and her partner, who stayed put for many years so their eldest son could attend Lusher Charter School. "[The good schools] are not attainable for most people who live in the city," Bolles says. "We want to stay [in New Orleans] ... but it would be a disservice to our children not to move."

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A 2015 summary of Brookings Institution research reported that seven out of 10 jobs being created in New Orleans are in "low-wage" industries, such as tourism, retail and administrative services. The labor market analysis group Emsi found that 36 percent of New Orleans' job growth since 2010 has been in restaurants alone. A July 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics report identified wages below the national average throughout New Orleans, but particularly in professional occupational groups. In management, business and financial operations and computer and mathematical fields, wages were 14 to 19 percent lower than the national average; health care and support professionals are paid 13 percent less. A 2015 Data Center report focused on low-wage workers found that almost 60 percent of jobs across the region in 2011 paid less than $39,996 per year.

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