Mike and I have been to New Orleans a number of times since Katrina. We own a timeshare there at Hotel de la Monnaie ~ located across the street from the Old Mint at the corner of St. Peters and Esplanade.
To us, things haven't changed all that much. The streets are cleaner and there are loads more help wanted signs in the windows. We were VERY happy when they got the St Charles streetcar running again.
Our last trip was between Christmas and New Year's 2007. Time for another trip! New Orleans is our 2nd home!