7 Towns Perfect for Retirement in Louisiana
These seven towns in Louisiana are the best places to consider when planning for retirement. They are rich in culture, natural resources, and assisted facilities. Choose where to spend your retirement years, whether it is the warm climate of Leesville, the festive community of Haynesville, or Mandeville, with a plethora of parks and outdoor recreational areas. In Louisiana, these towns emerge as prime contenders for those envisioning their golden years in a setting rich with history, beauty, and ample amenities.
Leesville
Leesville is a popular retirement town in Louisiana. If you are looking for an affordable town with a low population and kind neighbors to enjoy the rest of your life, this is the place for you. The town has a median home price of $173.9K. Out of the 5,339 population, 14.9% are seniors, and there are retirement facilities like Southwest Louisiana Independence Center Inc. and The Woodlands Healthcare Center. Leesville has long, hot summers and short, cold winters. Retiring in Leesville means access to the beautiful Leesville ART Park. You can also take a stroll from Downtown to see the Museum of West Louisiana. Visit Gallery One Eleven to support the works of local artists. Watch movies with family and friends at Regal UA Lee Hills. Relax and get to know other residents at Shooters Billiards & Sports Bar. Go for health and medical checkups at Byrd Regional Hospital and Doctors Hospital At Deer Creek.
Mansfield
Retire in Mansfield, the childhood home of Actor Joshua Logan and other notable American celebrities. 19% of the town's population are over age 65. The homes in Mansfield are affordable, with an average price of $202,300. However, retirees can live in homes like Desoto Retirement & Rehab Center and Mansfield Nursing Center, which have adequate care and facilities. Travel back in history with the interpretive programs at Mansfield State Historic Site. Watch historical exhibits at Mansfield Female College Museum. Take a walk or drive to Shreveport some afternoons to see the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum and Spring Street Historical Museum. Seniors can also watch exhibits at the R.W. Norton Art Gallery. There is also a great place to take your grandkids - Jubilee Zoo - Petting Zoo & Play Place. The coldest periods in Mansfield are December and January. Lastly, seniors can get regular checkups at DeSoto Regional Health System.
Haynesville
Haynesville is known as “the Butterfly Capital of Louisiana” because of the abundance of colorful insects in the city. It is a warm and fun town to retire. The community is welcoming and friendly to visitors and new residents. Haynesville has a median home price of $75,000. Retirees living in Haynesville can take walks or sit on the park bench at Haynesville City Park to watch people go about their lives and enjoy the tranquility of the park. There is a playground there for children to have fun when their grandkids come to visit. The Senior Citizens Park is another park in town specially created for seniors to network and have fun. Attend the yearly Claiborne Parish Fair held in October. Another yearly event is the Butterfly Festival, which is held in September. Seniors can sign up for Haynesville Golf Course to enjoy a game of golf with other residents. Get medical aid at Haynesville General Hospital or David Raines Community Hospital.
Lake Providence
Lake Providence should not be mistaken with Mississipi River’s Oxbow Lake. Although they have the same name, they are different sites. Lake Providence is a rural town known for its cotton plantations. The Union Army harboring refugees in its camp nearby during the Civil War contributed to the town’s growth. The town is full of southern charm and is a perfect place to retire. It has an average home price of $189.5K. Retirees can decide to buy their homes or live in nursing homes like Lake Providence Nursing and Rehabilitation or K & S Personal Care. Seniors can get healthcare services near their homes in East Carroll Parish Hospital. As a resident of the town, learn about the town’s cotton history at the Louisiana State Cotton Museum. Still contemplating whether to retire here? Visit the town as a tourist and check out the Byerley House Visitor Center to get more information. While living here, take a walk or drive along the town to visit neighboring places like East Carroll Parish or Monroe.
Ruston
The city of Ruston is known for its mildly cold winters and hot summers. It is a slow-paced college town with great opportunities for retirees. There are over 22,000 residents in this town, with 11.2% being seniors. The town has a downtrend of $272K average home price. Retirees also have access to assisted living facilities such as Trustwell Living at Russ Place or Arbor & Terrace, as well as healthcare services like Ruston Regional Specialty Hospital or Northern Louisiana Medical Center. Sports lovers will have access to sporting activities at Lambright Sports and Wellness Center. Get fresh and locally made food and fruits at Ruston Farmers Market. Take a walk and absorb the breathtaking views of the town at parks like Lincoln Parish Park, R.L. Cook Park, and Rock Island Greenway. Get history and military lessons at the North Louisiana Military Museum and Lincoln Parish Museum. Go gallery-hopping and enjoy art exhibits by artists in the town at Creatives At Work and F. Jay Taylor Visual Arts Center.
Opelousas
Spend your retirement years in the third-oldest city in Louisiana. Opelousas is known for playing a major role during the Civil War. The inclusive town also celebrates diverse cultures while still practicing its Cajun and Creole traditions. Homes in Opelousas have an average price of $188K. The town has about 2203 seniors and assisted facilities such as Holy Trinity Villa, Senior Village Nursing & Rehab Center, Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Facility, and C’est la Vie Independent Living Center. If retirees feel unwell, they can visit St. Landry Extended Care Hospital or Opelousas General Health System-Main Campus. The rustic Creole Heritage Folklife Center is a great place for seniors to visit to get a sense of what it used to be like back in the day. Borrow and read interesting books at Opelousas Public Library. Get antiques and vintage goods at Spotted Cat Antiques, LLC. Explore the town’s museums at the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum, Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center, and Rural African American Museum. Relax at South City Park on some days.
Mandeville
Mandeville is a great retirement location with a weather of mild hot summers and cold winters. Movement around the city is easy by taxi, bus, or car. Seniors can also take a walk to shorter distances. Mandeville has a median home price of $399,000 and different retirement facility options such as the pristine Windsor Senior Living Community, the tranquil Brookdale Mandeville, and Rouquette Lodge, where seniors can be a part of a community. There are available medical centers, such as STHS Mandeville Emergency Department, in the town. Relax and get to know other locals at parks and nature preserves like Northlake Nature Center, Mandeville Lakefront, and Fontainebleau State Park. Take your grandkids to the Children's Museum of St. Tammany at Kid's Konnection Playground Park. Dine with families and locals at Bistro Byronz and Barley Oak.
Retire in any of these senior-friendly towns with nature parks, assisted facilities, health centers, and friendly neighbors. You can also go on a road trip to these towns to see if the living conditions match what you envision for retirement before making your choice. Whether it's the warmth of Leesville, the festivities of Haynesville, or the serene beauty of Mandeville, these towns welcome retirees with open arms and friendly faces.
