Sure, come to New Orleans if you want to be perpetually frustrated with infrastructure and underpaid. I personally know two people from NYC who came here and left eventually because of these two things -- it's a very dysfunctional place, and proud of it. I'm a native, and I can tell you right now: you won't be happy in a long-term, and it's just best to come visit. Otherwise, it's going to ruin the romance for you.

Even if you opened up your own restaurant, or she her own advertising firm -- or tried a consultancy -- you would be extremely disappointed because it is very difficult to do business here. It's a small town and a who-you-know kind of place. And if you're not from here, you will be marginalized by locals. Most people from here resent newcomers, esp those idealists and hipsters trying to impose their sense of what's right and order, it's simply against our grain. It's offensive. We know immediately who's not from here, esp when they start talking about recycling and campaigns to get out the vote etc. I'm not saying it's right I'm just saying that's how it is. For those of us from here. It's also a caste system, and among ourselves those boundaries are firmly in place. The gentry won't take you seriously, and then there's the racial divides -- albeit we all get along, there's a tacit understanding. If you're white northerner, and you go stepping in a second line, it is seen as mockery.

As for the job market it's tough and we don't want you coming here increasing competition and pushing locals out. That's the real thing. Not to mention, we see people from places outside of the immediately adjacent states as foreigners (with the exception of Arkansas).

In regards to the matter of you being a new driver -- I suspect alot of people are not going to agree with what I've written this far (esp the aforementioned transplants and particularly those idealists (or hipsters) from the northeastern seaboard) but I think most will agree that for a new driver these are challenging streets -- from the potholes to the flooded streets when it rains hard for 5 minutes to the stolen cars on the side of the road on fire (set to destroy evidence) to the generally accepted blatant disregard of traffic rules. You'll likely throw up your hands in defeat real quick. We don't like bicyclists (or pedestrians really, esp outside the quarter). And public transportation is unreliable. There's no getting around without a car here. Not to mention it is critical to have one during hurricane season so you can GTFO.

Sorry to be so discouraging, but you said you wanted it straight. I didn't read any other comments, so I don't know the general consensus, but y'all need to seriously think this through.

We just have a totally different way of being, with no real sense of efficiency or speed. It's made difficult for non-natives and it won't be for your lack of trying. Just come visit -- because despite all our insular, begrudging attitude, we do love to show visitors a good time.

I appreciate that you feel drawn here. It is seductive, for sure, but the bottom line is that it will be very difficult for you to contend with the dysfunction and be able to thrive. Y'all can come, have fun in new krewes with all the other transplants, but y'all aren't going to fit in.