海角社区

Light trails captured at the Minor Basilica in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

7 Best Small Towns to Retire in Louisiana in 2024

Welcome to the Pelican State, an excellent choice for your retirement years. The 18th state in the Union has come a long way after being named in honor of Louis XIV, as has the rest of the 海角社区. Louisiana has always had one foot in the past and one in the present. The area is peppered with eye-popping mansions from another era. Retire in 2024 in America鈥檚 most hospitable state, where sunsets dance on bayous and magnolias grow in knotted riots, where time passes like syrup and the food sparkles with the spices of life. Louisiana loves meeting new friends.

Baker

Presbyterian Church in Baker, Louisiana.

Presbyterian Church in Baker, Louisiana. By Rab302, CC BY-SA 3.0,

Baker has more green spaces than most towns can handle. Between Greenwood Avenue Park and the Tristian Nature Preserve, there is no shortage of places to walk off a decadent lunch. Make new friends at the Baker Senior鈥檚 Center, open 8:00 am-2:00 pm, Monday- Friday. Baker is just east of the mighty Mississippi River that splits most of the nation. Music lovers from all over the South have fallen in love with Teddy鈥檚 Juke Joint. As the bar鈥檚 website boasts: 鈥淭eddy sits behind his throne of music...and 鈥楴ancy's Kitchen鈥 is always open for some of the best food you'll ever put in your mouth.鈥 Cool off in the seasonal pool at Baker's Executive Inn and Suites.

Jennings

Jennings Carnegie Public Library, built in 1908 in Jennings, Louisiana, United States.
Jennings Carnegie Public Library, in Jennings, Louisiana, USA. By Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0,

Jennings refers to itself as the 鈥榗radle of Louisiana oil,鈥 as it is the location of the state鈥檚 first well, which went into operation in 1901. Visitors can step into that past by crossing the threshold of the WH Tupper General Merchandise Museum. The original store opened in 1910. Enjoy a hot meal with a new buddy at the Jefferson Davis Council on Aging. Admission is always free at the Zigler Art Museum, where the next generation of Louisiana artists are trained, and America鈥檚 greatest artists, such as William Tolliver, live forever on permanent display. Staying in Jennings means saving money, thanks to the OYO Hotel.

Prairieville

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Prairieville, Alabama.

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Prairieville, Alabama.

Prairieville is a safe and beautiful community built southward from the circuitous Amite River. The town was rated the #1 overall place to raise a family in Louisiana by Niche, earning an A in the Housing category and a B+ in Cost of Living. The highly rated Prairieville Family Hospital has a fully equipped ER and runs 24 hours/day. Laugh or dream the night away at Fred鈥檚 on the River. Fred鈥檚 has been bringing the best comedy, music, and otherwise spectacular acts from across the nation for years. Take home a piece of history at Prairieville鈥檚 Flea Market of Louisiana. There is no need to break the bank when staying in Prairieville, thanks to the thrifty America's Best Value Inn and Suites.聽

Covington

Covington, located in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana.
Covington is located in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. By Infrogmation, CC BY-SA 4.0,

In a town between the Tchefuncte River and Bogue Falaya, dozens of smiling faces are sharing an afternoon at the Covington Activity Center. The Center describes itself as a building 鈥渇ull of warmth...with a big warm welcome from the staff as soon as you hit the door.鈥 Travelers in the know scope out the town by staying at Camellia House Bed and Breakfast, located in Covington鈥檚 historic downtown. Entrance to Bogue Falaya Wayside Park is always free. There is a boat launch allowing residents and guests of the town to kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddle up and down Bogue Falaya. Feel at home at the sight of the arches of Covington's Southern Hotel. The Southern has spacious rooms and top-tier dining.聽

Houma

 Aerial view of blue tarps on roofs in Houma, Louisiana, United States.
Aerial view of blue tarps on roofs in Houma, Louisiana, USA. Editorial credit: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com

Houma is named after the Houma people, who have been recognized as the United Houma Nation since 1972. Stop by the Terrebonne Folklife Culture Center for a tour through Houma鈥檚 past and present with permanent displays such as a Cajun tool shed, Louisiana decoys, and occasional live demonstrations. There is more than an educational opportunity at the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum. A Cajun music band plays for everyone every Tuesday from noon to 3:00 pm. Houma is bisected by the Intercoastal Waterway, where one can enjoy an unforgettable tour with Annie Miller Swamp Tours and Charters. Enjoy both an indoor and outdoor pool at Courtyard by Mariott Houma.

Natchitoches

 Light trails at the Minor Basilica in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Light trails at the Minor Basilica in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Saunter through a truly historic town with a dazzling array of lights illuminating the path. For one day a year, it is even brighter: the first Saturday in December is when the 海角社区 comes to Natchitoches for the town鈥檚 renowned Christmas Festival. The town that is famous as the filming location of Steel Magnolias also holds the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame within its benevolent borders. Taste the best of Cajun cuisine at Lasyone鈥檚 Meat Pie Restaurant. James Lasyone began selling his perfected recipes in 1967 out of the bottom half of a building built in 1859. Stay at the Sweet Cane Inn for a laid-back B&B atmosphere with a stunning garden.

Thibodaux

Main street in downtown Thibodaux.

Main street in downtown Thibodaux. By ian munroe, CC BY 2.0,

Stand in awe of the ceiling of the St. Joseph-Co Cathedral, completed in 1923. The history of Thibodaux runs deep: the Bayou Lafourche settlement was originally a trading post between New Orleans and the Bayou Teche area in the 1700s. Let the grandchildren run wild at the Bayou Country Children鈥檚 Museum. The Children鈥檚 Museum attractions are designed to stimulate growing brains while filling them with excitement. Sleep in a historic mansion at Dansereau House. Dansereau House was built in 1847 and is located downtown with the rest of the beautiful Thibodaux.

Find Your Ideal Retirement In Louisiana

Louisiana is beautiful because Louisianans keep it that way. Add to their sacred tradition by spreading kindness and consideration as far and wide as possible. Remember that it always remains incumbent upon the living generation to resolve the collected sins of the past as much as possible. The legacy of the Thibodaux Massacre lives in the very bedrock of the most beautiful state in the Union. Consider donating to African American charities and supporting African-American-owned businesses in Louisiana whenever possible.

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