Font Size: 
Redefine Your Life
Louisiana, known for its great food, world famous music, fascinating culture and celebrated joie de vivre, has a lot to offer. So, if you're looking for an active, fun-loving place to spend the rest of your life, head for Louisiana. 
Here, you'll enjoy a low cost-of-living, mild climate, low taxes, good hospitals, friendly people, unique culture, incredible natural beauty and an unbelievable wealth of recreational opportunities.
Culture and Recreation
The lifestyle in Louisiana has a distinctly laid-back quality and a definite European flavor. Elements of French, English, Irish and German cultures can be found in different spots throughout the state and, ironically, much of the old architecture in New Orleans' French Quarter is actually Spanish.
With more than 700 festivals (nearly two a day), you don't have to wait long for the fun to begin. There's great shopping on Magazine Street in New Orleans and antiquing throughout the state. With its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, its countless marshes and bayous, and the famed Toledo Bend Reservoir (the nation's 4th largest man-made lake), Louisiana boasts some of the best fishing in the world. Our 37 state parks offer opportunities for camping, hiking, biking and birding. If you're feeling lucky, give one of our casinos a whirl. Go to one of our Saints, Hornets or Zephyrs games. Visit one of the 115 sites on the America's Wetland Birding Trail. Or just kick up your heels and enjoy the endless nightlife.
Affordability
Property taxes are low in Louisiana, yet the service level is high. The state income tax is modest, and sales taxes are about average. The 2005 report in Bloomberg's Wealth Manager magazine ranked Louisiana fifth in the U.S. for tax-friendly states for retirees.
Landscape and Climate
Few states are as culturally and geographically diverse as Louisiana. The southern part, comprised of the Cajun Country, Plantation Country and Greater New Orleans regions, is composed of prairies and bayous. The southwest and central portion, comprised of the Cajun Country and Crossroads regions, are heavily influenced by the Cajun culture. And the central-to-northern region, comprised of Crossroads and Sportsman’s Paradise regions, is hilly with lush evergreen forests.
Depending on where in the state you live, you may experience a light freeze a few times each year, but never a deep bone-chilling one. Most of the winter is mild (January averages 53°), which is great if you like outdoor activities. Like all southern states, Louisiana is hot in the summer—that's why we call this the Sun Belt—with July averaging 82°. Typically rainfall comes in the form of spring showers, summer afternoon thunderstorms (which help to cool things off) and ahead of cold fronts in the winter. There is no prolonged rainy or dry season.
Click here up-to-date Louisiana weather forecasts.
