I love NOLA and lived there for many years. It is a fun city when you want it to be and you can also be quiet there and just enjoy the beauty.
As for work, you have to go where the chance for advancement is the greatest. I would also, as mentioned, rent your present house out - even if the monthly rent amount does not cover the whole cost of the house and everyone's situation should be assessed by a professional, you probably will make that back in tax deductions and the appreciated value of the house when you do sell it in the future. Plus, like Goldie said, you will have the option of moving back if things do not work out.
Best of Luck - and if you do move to NOLA - we MUST have cocktails the next time I am there, which is about every other month
