As some of you may know, we’ve been planning on moving to New Orleans, Louisiana. We wanted to find a place that could match the cultural strength of Los Angeles… with A LOT less people, and traffic. Alana loved NOLA/The Big Easy/The Crescent City after helping out when Hurricane Katrina hit. She always wanted to take me there and we finally visited for the first time during their Tricentennial, which was early last year. She was worried that I wouldn’t enjoy their drinking culture, but I didn’t mind. Sure, the tourists on Bourbon Street were annoying, but the locals on Frenchmen Street were great! I didn’t have my trombone with me, but if I did, I surely would’ve joined their impromptu marching band at midnight.
For the past month or two (time flies, so I don’t really remember) we have been working with a VERY local real-estate agent. We saw a lot of homes during our last visit, but for some strange reason, we were drawn to this one. I told Alana that I wanted a fixer-upper and boy did we find one. This place had been in a rough state for quite some time and it was actually bought post Katrina by a single woman, who had her boyfriend do a lot of patch work to keep it together. After some stiff negotiations, lots of inspections, and tons of other not so fun stuff, it really looks like we’re all set. Sure, there are a few more steps that need to be finalized, but at this point, we’re 95% sure that this is going to be our new home this May.
Alana will continue holding down the fort, while I take some time off work to get our new home up to snuff. Don’t worry, I won’t mess with any electrical or major plumbing issues, but I’m fairly confident and experienced when it comes to everything else. Surprisingly enough, the bones and major systems are in good shape. I’ll get a dumpster, buy a sledgehammer, put on a helmet (Alana requires this because I’m injury prone) and start cleaning up. It is way larger than we need, but we’re looking to flip it in about 5 years… if all goes according to plan. We’ve told a handful of people about the move and everyone wants to visit for Mardi Gras next year so we’ll start taking room reservations now.
Holy Cow…Congrats ..send me your address…design on a dime…my forte …more thank happy to help ..always
Congratulations, you two!! I hope you fully enjoy the process of recreating your new home and feel at home in New Orleans. 🙂