New Orleans is one of the most unique places in the country–so different, in fact, that if you try to live other places, it just doesn’t work out that well for you. Here are some of the main ways that living in New Orleans makes sure that you are marked for life.

1) You can never stand for closing times.
Flickr.com / Gary J Wood
Once you are used to choosing your own hours, it’s hard to go back.
2) Same thing goes for to-go cups.
Flickr.com / Todd Shaffer
It’s that freedom stuff—once you have a taste of it, you never want to give it up.
3) If there’s not free food, you’re not going.
Flickr.com / Mid-atlantic Center
There are plenty of other parties—with free food.
4) You assume that every place you go is going to have it own unique cuisine, music, and social culture.
Flickr.com / denisbin
But apparently, there are large areas across the states where the predominant culture is fairly uniform.
5) It’s really shocking when you can’t find a live music show for under $10.
Flickr.com / Chris Waits
I know this is the norm in most places, but why?
6) It’s really hard for you to enjoy parades outside of New Orleans.
Flickr.com / Stephen Kallao
This one actually bothers me. Whenever I go to a parade out of town, I’m such a hater.

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7) If anyone talks any trash about New Orleans, you sometimes can’t hold your anger back.
Flickr.com / dingler1109
On the other hand, if someone is saying that the city is perfect and basically a wonderland, you're quick to be real and correct them.
8) You feel like a 30 minute drive somewhere is way too far.
Flickr.com / Bart Everson
And if you’re asking me to cross a bridge—forget about it.
9) Whenever you go somewhere new, you have to douse yourself in lotion.
Flickr.com / Joshua Willis
I instantly turn ashy when I leave the near 100% humidity.
10) You’re used to having summer days any month of the year.
Flickr.com / meg
For all the complaining we do about the heat, it’s pretty nice when you can still manage a t-shirt even late in winter.
11) But if a freeze ever comes around---you don’t know how to deal.
Flickr.com / Joe Shalbotnik
Really anything under 40 is cause for all the winter clothes to come out. Or really, just don't leave the house.
12) You’re used to things being pretty dirty, and probably decaying in some way or another.
Flickr.com / Harry Lipson
So when you’re someplace super clean and well maintained, it’s almost creepy.
13) But in the end the biggest way New Orleans will ruin you for life is…
Flickr.com / Jason Mrachina
You’ll fall so deeply in love you’ll never be able to live somewhere else. Or if you do move, you’ll be so homesick you’ll always be plotting ways to come back.

Do you feel different because you live in New Orleans? What makes living in New Orleans different than living anywhere else? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below–we love hearing your feedback!

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