I’m heading to New Orleans tomorrow for the 2023 meeting of the Southern Economic Association, where I’ll present research on the labor market effects of Certificate of Need laws.

I’ll take this as an excuse to re-up two previous posts on New Orleans:

First, my travel guide post for anyone else heading there soon

Second, my bigger-picture take on how the city has changed over the last decade: Waxing Crescent: New Orleans 2013-2023

I recommend reading the whole thing, but here’s the conclusion:

As much as things have changed since 2013, my overall assessment of the city remains the same: its unlike anywhere else in America. It is unparalleled in both its strengths and its weaknesses. If you care about food, drink, music, and having a good time, its the place to be. If you’re more focused more on career, health, or safety, it isn’t. People who fled Katrina and stayed in other cities like Houston or Atlanta wound up richer and healthier. But not necessarily happier.

Hope to see some of you there!