5. Lafayette, Louisiana
Laissez les bons temps rouler, says a Cajun French proverb. It means “let the good times roll”, which should be your next retirement motto. Especially if you decide to live your golden years in Lafayette.
Also known as the “Cajun Capital City,” this southern destination is rich in distinctive foods, history, two-stepping tunes, and obviously Creole and Cajun culture. Nature lovers have lots of outdoor spots to appreciate in the area, too.
Located on the Atchafalaya Loop of America’s Wetland Birding Trail and the Mississippi Flyway, Lafayette provides an abundance of wildlife to enjoy, as well as plenty of swamps, rivers, and bayous for fishing, exploring, and paddling.
Additionally, it’s more affordable than the more (in)famous New Orleans, which comes with living costs 1% over the national average for retirees.
Most of those places are not in the south.!!!Delaware, Oklahoma, Kentucky???
once again weather is great however mostly on the East Coast or at least more east than the west! no thanks!
And let us not forget the humidity. Nor the poverty of Mississippi and Louisiana. True, we are not college-bound, so the abysmal education system need not concern us. Every state has something to offer, including all the southern states, but for overall comfort and recreation I prefer the West, and for coziness and social interaction just stay in New England.
From the two comments below, it looks as though you have posted this retirement story before.
I lived in Augusta 33 yrs. We didn’t call it disgusta for naught. It’s hotter than sin in the summer. And gets pretty cold in the winter. Not at all temperate weather.