Louisiana Cities Emerge As Affordable Retirement Options With Cultural Appeal
(KMDL-FM) As America's population ages and more and more citizens reach retirement age, the decision on where to spend those "Golden Years" becomes more urgent. The largest factor in retirement planning is, "Can we afford it?" Well, according to one financial planning website, there are a dozen great small cities in the South that retirees should consider; two of those cities are in Louisiana.
The website Financebuzz.com perused data from across the country, specifically looking at median monthly rent data. The study found a dozen smaller cities in the South that offer many of the same amenities as larger cities, or they are close to larger metropolitan areas. They have all the benefits of living in the South, aka warm winters. The study discovered that the median rent in these communities was give or take about $1,200 per month.
Besides Cheap Rent, What Makes a Great Place to Retire?
The list curated by Finance Buzz included cities in Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, South Carolina, Mississippi, Texas, and North Carolina. Only Alabama and Louisiana had two cities on the list. The cities included from Alabama were Dothan and Gadsden.
Dothan would be better for those who like quick access to Gulf Coast Beaches without having to pay the higher cost of being on the water. Gadsden is in northern Alabama, where there are actually some hills and caves and waterfalls. So, you would have two distinct choices there.
Which Louisiana Cities Have Been Named Affordable Places to Retire?
The two cities chosen from Louisiana were Lafayette and Alexandria. Here is what Financial Buzz had to say about life in CENLA, or the greater Alexandria area. They noted the proximity of the Kisatchie National Forest, and it's 100 plus miles of trails. They made special mention of the Wild Azalea Trail.
Finance Buzz also noted Alexandria's downtown history. They referenced the Museum of Art and the Kent Plantation House. Those were some of the amenities, along with the $1200 per month median rent that put Alexandria on the list. The Financial Buzz study found the median monthly rent in Alexandria to be $899 per month.
READ MORE: Lafayette, Louisiana - 30 Memories from the Past 30 Years
The Finance Buzz report on Lafayette suggested the Hub City was more lively than Alexandria. The city sits at the crossroads of Cajun and Creole cultures and is known worldwide for its joie de vivre. Lafayette hosts Festival International every year, plus Festivals Acadiens et Creoles, both major music festivals that bring in crowds from around the world.
Lafayette's dining scene is legendary, with Cajun and Creole dishes highlighting the culinary scene. There is free live music almost every weekend somewhere in Lafayette, and the festival scene in South Louisiana always means a good time is just a short drive away if it's not in your own backyard.
Lafayette is also home to one of the state's largest universities. That means cultural events, educational opportunities, and college athletics too. The city is well known for its family-friendly Mardi Gras celebrations and parades as well.
READ MORE: When is Mardi Gras Next Year? See The Dates Through 2050
Again, the selling point, as far as the financial aspect is concerned, is the ability to find quality housing for a median rental price of $1,200 per month. In fact, the Financial Buzz figures put the estimated rent in Lafayette at $968 per month.
You can see the entire list of 12 Quaint Southern Cities Where You Can Retire on $12,10 a Month (or Less) by following that link. You can learn more about how they arrived at the choices that made their list as well.
READ MORE: Social Security Expert - This Is The Worst Age to Retire
Now you might come for the quality of life and low rental prices, but what will keep you in South Louisiana is the food. Here are 10 reasons why you'll stay.
10 You Gotta Try Meals in Lafayette and Acadiana - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
Gallery Credit: Bruce Mikells
