Lafayette, the 4th largest city in Louisiana, will appeal to many baby boomers who relish the idea of cajun culture. It has a warm climate in winter, a high per capita ratio of restaurants, a major university (University of Louisiana at Lafayette), Creole and Cajun culture, and a wide variety of outdoor activities. Lafayette is referred to as the “Cajun Capital City” due to its location in the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun country in the south central section of the state. Lafayette is the seat of Lafayette Parish. It is one of the very few places in Louisiana to experience population growth since Hurricane’s Rita and Katrina (it absorbed many refugees after the storms). Current population is estimated at 115,000, with twice that number in the greater metro area. The town is in Lafayette Parish. Photo of Cajundrome courtesy of Wikipedia and Billy Hathorn.
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Active adults will find a wide range of housing in and around the Lafayette community. Your real estate dollar goes a lot farther than in most communities in the Sunbelt. You can live near the University (itself centered on Lake Cypress), downtown, in older neighborhoods, or in many planned active adult lifestyle and assisted living communities being built here. Smaller communities around Lafayette are also colorful and charming, such as Abbeville, New Iberia, Opelousas, and Marksville.
According to Zillow, the median home listing price was $225,000 in early 2017, showing a steady increase in home prices during the last couple of years.
What is special about Lafayette
University town (University of Louisiana at Lafayette); inexpensive housing; Creole and Cajun charm; many great local communities; strong local economy (oil and education); many lakes and rivers; 2nd biggest Mardi Gras in the south; Cajun Field and Cajun Dome, home of the Ragin' Cajuns
What is not special about Lafayette
The community has its poorer neighborhoods as well as its hot, humid summers. It is not a small town.
Who will like retirement in Lafayette
Lafayette attracts people who either want to live in a university town with a vital center and a low cost of living. Many are interested in the color provided by its Cajun and Creole cultures, along with great fishing and outdoor sports.
The economy of Lafayette is driven by oil, education, tourism. For Lafayette Craigslist
Climate and Physical Environment
Lafayette is located on the Vermillion River in south central Louisiana. Cypress Lake is on the campus of the U of Louisiana Lafayette. View Google Map for Lafayette
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Hillard University Art Museum; Gumbo U (South Louisiana Community College) has great classes available for seniors; Jean Lafitte National Park Acadian Cultural Center; Heymann Center (performing arts); Cite Des Arts; Lafayette Natural History Museum and Planetarium; Lafayette is the "Cajun Capital City" and has many Cajun restaurant choices.
Crime
The crime rate in Lafayette is well above the national average.
Medical facilities
There are 7 hospitals and medical centers in Lafayette, including University Medical Center.
Transportation
Lafayette Regional Airport. has service to Houston, Dallas / Ft. Worth, Atlanta and Mephis. Lafayette Transit offers bus service. Grayhound bus service. Amtrak connects to Orlando, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.
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