If you live in New Orleans, then you live with a lot of difficult things. Sometimes, you might even wonder why you go through it all. But then, all you have to do is take a walk outside. More often than not, the city will give back to you all the reasons living in New Orleans is the best. Here’s all of the amazing things New Orleans has to offer---and why you can’t live anywhere else.

1) You never have to worry about where to pick up a beer.

Any time of day, within 10 minutes of you in Orleans parish, I bet you can find one. In other cities? Not so much. BONUS: To-go cups!

2) Same goes for good music.

It’s just everywhere. Even just sitting in your house, you’ll probably hear something.

3) Finding something free to do is easy.

Just walking down Bourbon or Frenchmen Street is a full on show any time, any place—or just show up to the weekend festival or block party.

4) There are flowers blooming all year long.

That’s right, winter just isn’t really a problem here. Even if you have a few really cold days, a warm day always comes along. Azaleas are my favorite.

5) Inspiration is everywhere.

New Orleans just oozes creativity, passion, desire, struggle, and celebration! If you don’t get inspired—then you’re doing something wrong.

6) New Orleans has some of the best food in the world.

There’s a standard of cooking here that makes it very hard to eat anywhere else. And of course, you just can’t get those Nawlin’s favorites in another state!

7) The city never closes.

There’s a freedom to going out here that’s hard to find other places. Any night of the week, if you want to let off steam and have a night to remember, New Orleans is your oyster.

8) We have all the best benefits of a small town and a big city.

With concerts, art openings, festivals, and shows playing any night of the week, we have the luxuries of a big city. But anywhere you go, if you’ve been here long enough, you’re gonna run into someone you know. It’s a small town. Best of both worlds!

9) The people.

Without fail, if I just sit on a random street and people watch for a while, I’m gonna run into someone that makes my day. There are some incredible souls living in this city.

10) It’s completely gorgeous.

With all of our partying reputation, people can sometimes overlook one of the most amazing aspects of the city—its beauty. It seems like everyone has a garden filled with plants, not to mention the amazing historical architecture that is everywhere!

11) How unpredictable it can be.

On any given day, the weather can go from awful to beautiful, you can get a parking ticket and find $50 on the street, and you can fall in and out of love with a stranger on a dance floor. When you’re in New Orleans, you never know what to expect.

12) And yet, some things never change.

But one thing that is undeniably awesome about New Orleans is that somehow, New Orleans bars, restaurants, and shops find their little niche and stick to it—for decades. Like Haase’s shoe store! How do they stay open? Knowing that these institutions can survive year after year gives me hope.

Why do you live in New Orleans? What do you think are the best things about our city? Let us know how you feel living here! We love to hear your feedback!