Here are just some of the benefits you could enjoy by relocating to this bustling, energetic community that truly embraces the joie de vivre.
1) Strong Focus on Family
Family is central to the Cajun way of life, and in Lafayette, it’s given the full focus it deserves. From carefully maintained public parks to top-rated public and private schools with excellent pupil-to-teacher ratios, the city is an ideal place to raise children of all ages in a friendly but hard-working atmosphere that offers the best start in life.
2) Famous Cajun Cuisine and Hospitality
Cajun cuisine is deservedly renowned for its generous flavor and comfort, and Lafayette offers some of the best dining you’ll find in all of Louisiana. Sociable meals are an essential element of daily life in the city, showing off the famous Southern hospitality at its most warmhearted and welcoming.
3) Packed Events Calendar
There’s little opportunity for boredom in Lafayette, with the city’s residents enthusiastically seizing any excuse for a celebration. From monthly festivals and parades to the annual Festival International de Louisiane that draws people in from all over the world, you’ll never be short of entertainment or festivities.
4) Incredible Arts and Culture
Lafayette’s cultural scene is second to none, with monthly events showcasing the best of Cajun arts, crafts, and performances that the region has to offer. The city boasts numerous museums and art galleries, such as Acadiana Center for the Arts and the Hilliard Museum. Live music venues provide a vibrant backdrop to live and play throughout the year. Residents can get a taste of Lafayette’s downtown scene during the city’s monthly Downtown ArtWalk and Lafayette Arts & Fleas Market, or explore the many studios of local creators and makers that share their love for all things South Louisiana.
5) Team Spirit
Lafayette is home to the Ragin’ Cajuns football team, with home games at ‘The Swamp’ attracting large and fervent crowds. The city also has thriving junior leagues in soccer, tennis, baseball, and more. For those who like their sports a little less strenuous, Lafayette is also home to two of Louisiana’s leading golf courses, which attract links enthusiasts from across the country.
6) A Sportsman’s Paradise
The city is home to the largest swamp in the U.S., the Atchafalaya Basin, offering ample opportunities to enjoy life in the great outdoors. Popular leisure activities include fishing, bird watching, hiking, hunting, and kayaking, making it easy to get away from the hustle and bustle to relax and reset in nature.
7) Affordable Cost of Living
Move to Lafayette, and you won’t be short of funds to enjoy all the benefits and events the city has to offer. With an overall cost of living 12% below the national average and housing an enticing 31% lower, life in Lafayette is as affordable as it is hospitable.
8) A Top College Town
Lafayette’s business climate offers ready access to some of the best talent in the country, thanks to the city’s excellent educational facilities. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette draws students from 90 countries worldwide, creating a strong pipeline for top-level recruitment. Additionally, South Louisiana Community College, recognized as the #1 community college in the state, places a strong focus on workforce development for employers looking for talent readily equipped to enter their respective fields.
9) Unmatched Connections
Lastly, Lafayette is nicknamed ‘The Hub City’ thanks to its many highways and interstates spreading out in all directions, along with other high-quality infrastructure, including access to major ports and airports.
It’s not only traditional infrastructure that makes Lafayette an ideal base for business. South Louisiana has invested a $30 million grant in a cutting-edge, high-speed fiber network to make the region’s digital connections as comprehensive as its physical ones.
For all these reasons and more, life in Lafayette seamlessly blends the best in hospitality, entertainment, and business culture to make it an ideal place to live, work, and play.
For more information on how Lafayette could enhance your work-life balance, visit our Quality of Life page.