Heritage Shores
Bridgeville, Delaware
Natchitoches, Louisiana
What It Is Like to Retire in Natchitoches
History lovers will find Natchitoches (NACK-uh-tush), Louisiana to be an interesting retirement community. Located on the Cane River Lake, this charming southern town of 18,500 was the picturesque setting for the movie Steel Magnolias, starring Sally Field and Shirley MacLaine. An older movie set here is The Horse Soldiers with William Holden and the Duke, John Wayne. The town was founded in 1714, and is proud to be the oldest permanent settlement within the Louisiana Purchase. Originally a French trading post, wealthy southern planters established cotton plantations with gorgeous mansions along the slow moving river. Their legacy has resulted in a Historic District that goes on for 33 blocks, and which is now a popular tourist destination. Most of the town is quite prosperous, although there are some poorer areas. Living expenses tend to be well below average.
The town offers unusually vivid old-world charm on brick streets with wrought iron decorated buildings, all surrounded by live oaks draped with Spanish moss. Much of the architecture goes back to the mid-1800’s, mixing Queen Anne, Victorian, and Creole styles. Shreveport, 67 miles away, is the closest large city. Picture of Riverwalk of Cane River in downtown Natchitoches courtesy of Wikipedia and Billy Hathorn, Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0/
For a list of profiles on 1100 cities and towns go to reviews of the best retirement communities.
Where to Retire in Natchitoches and Home Prices
Active adults 55+ have a number of different housing choices in this popular retirement town. They can live in the historic district, in a newer subdivision, condos, apartments, or nearby mobile home parks. Property taxes are very low. Home values here $176,400 in late 2024 were about half the national figure, according to Zillow.
What Is Special about Natchitoches
Natchitoches is a charming old city with large Historic District, a Christmas lighting festival on the Cane River which attracts 500,000 visitors, many historic homes and plantations are open to the public for tours, and is filled with many lakes and rivers. It is also home to Northwestern State University. Outdoor recreation such as fishing is very good and a reason why many peope live here.
What Is Not Special about Natchitoches
• The community has its poorer neighborhoods. • Hot, humid summers • There is a fairly high rate of property related crime •
Who Will Like Retirement in Natchitoches
Natchitoches attracts a community of people who either want to live in a charming and historic old city with a low cost of living. For more about the attractions of retiring in Louisiana . Use this link for a page that explains the various types of retirement communities
Local Economy Is Driven by
The economy is driven by tourism and the university. The unemployment rate is much higher than average.
Climate and Physical Environment
The city of Natchitoches is located in central Louisiana, 67 miles south of Shreveport. There are several lakes in the area, including Chapin Lake, plus many streams. The average July temp is in the low 80s and the average Jan temp is in the high 40s. View Google Map forNatchitoches.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
There is a Creative and Performing Arts Center, 2 libraries, and the George Williamson Museum. Northwestern State University has many cultural programs.
Crime
The crime rate is about double the national average.
Medical facilities
There are 2 hospitals here: Natchitoches Parish Hospital and Satellite Rehab Hospital at Natchitoches
Transportation
Alexandria International Airport is 50 miles away
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