Thinking of retiring to New Orleans? If this city is on your radar, you may already know why it’s a fantastic retirement destination. If you haven’t considered New Orleans, now is the time!
There’s much to say about The Big Easy, from the culture to the cuisine to the community. Read on to discover why New Orleans is an excellent place for retirees.
The Rich Cultural Heritage of New Orleans
New Orleans is a city rich in history. You’ve heard of Mardi Gras, but did you know that the name of the celebration comes from Native Americans? The indigenous people of New Orleans, otherwise known as Mardi Gras Indians, were composed of over 40 tribes.
These tribes helped shield runaway slaves in the 1800s, and this friendship between the two groups greatly informed Mardi Gras Indian culture. However, these weren’t the only groups that influenced New Orleans culture; there were also French culture, Spanish culture, pirates, and privateers.
The city’s culture has also been greatly informed by various eras in American history, including colonial times, the Civil War, the Victorian Era, and World War II.
The culture in New Orleans often manifests in festivals and celebrations, making it an excellent place for retirees to experience new things and enjoy themselves. There are over 130 festivals a year. These range from food-centric festivals to spirits and wine, to dance and live music, and of course, the most well-known ones such as Carnival and Mardi Gras.
As a retiree, you’ll never be short of entertainment in this city, especially if you love jazz music, southern cooking, and soulful celebration.
Indulging in the Unique Cuisine of New Orleans
But we can’t just gloss over the food so quickly. New Orleans cuisine is world famous- and for a good reason; the multi-cultural influence combined with down-home cooking has created some of the country’s most beloved and unforgettable dishes.
Some of those dishes and culinary traditions include:
Cajun food: Jambalaya, crawfish boils, cajun gumbo, okra, and smoked meats
Creole food: Oysters and crab, shrimp bisque, creole gumbo, po’boy sandwiches, and Bananas Foster
French food: The French Quarter boasts incredible cafes and restaurants serving everything from beignets and croissants to poutine and escargot
Beyond dining at some of the best restaurants in the nation, retiring in New Orleans is an opportunity to get directly involved in the food culture with hands-on experiences.
The city offers fresh farmer’s markets, French markets, and food halls- open-air environments for various food and drinks. For those simply along for the ride, a food tour may be the activity of choice to sample from the cornucopia of New Orleans cuisine.
Not only that, but many culinary schools offer cooking classes where retirees can learn to create unique cajun and creole dishes independently.
Retirement-Friendly Communities in New Orleans
New Orleans is home to retirement-friendly communities that make for a great place to live out the golden years.
The neighborhoods consistently ranked as the best for retirees in the city are Lafitte, Edgard, and Westwego. There are many more, but some factors they all have in common are proximity to water, nearby shopping and food, safety, and nearby medical care.
If you’re looking for independent living in New Orleans, caring.com ranks these as the top 5 communities in New Orleans for 2023:
Woldenberg Village
The Landing at Behrman Place
HomeLife in the Gardens
Lambeth House
Upside New Orleans
There are many options when choosing a retirement community in New Orleans since it is such a desirable destination for seniors. The city is ripe with aid and amenities such as van and accessible transportation services, community centers, Meals on Wheels, home care programs, and more.
When choosing a community, consider location, activities, nursing or medical services, and cost. A good rule of thumb is to spend at most 30% (20% is ideal) of your income on your housing costs.
Housing in retirement is one of the biggest expenses retirees face, so plan. You may not want to cut corners if a higher cost means better medical care or more excellent amenities where you live. You’ll just need to run the numbers to see what’s realistic.
Regarding housing, if you’re still not sold in New Orleans, one key factor may tip the scales for you: New Orleans has the fifth lowest property taxes in the country. Not only that, but Big Easy offers multiple tax incentives to its senior residents. These include:
Annual Retirement Income Exclusion
No taxes on Social Security benefits
Tax exemption on some retirement income such as railroad, military, or government jobs
There’s more good news, too; Louisiana’s state taxes are lower than the national average. Combine senior-friendly living with the opportunity to own property at a lower cost, and you have a recipe for the perfect place to retire.
Staying Active and Engaged in New Orleans
New Orleans is rich not just in activities but in the land as well. There’s a reason Forbes included Louisiana on their list of the 30 most beautiful cities in the U.S.!
With water on three sides of the peninsula and no shortage of lush foliage, it makes for a stunning place to retire. The weather is also ideal for seniors; the subtropical nature of this part of the country means it’s almost always warm, and no shoveling snow in the winter!
Regarding activities, retirees can find plenty of opportunities to get outside in New Orleans, from paved paths to golf courses, parks, to pickleball. There’s something for everyone.
Cultural and Educational Opportunities for Retirees
The opportunities for leisure activities aren’t limited to the outdoors in New Orleans. The city has so much culture to explore that it would take a lifetime to experience it all.
Museums, art galleries, and cultural centers abound in New Orleans. A quick Google search brings up a whopping 42 art museums alone. No matter what piques your interest (art, music, or perhaps World War II), you will find a museum for it.
Colleges and universities in or near the city also bring livelihood and excitement to New Orleans. Catch a Privateers football game at the University of New Orleans or a performance at Tulane School of Liberal Arts.
You can also get involved in the community through volunteer work such as RSVP- one of the largest senior volunteer organizations in the nation. RSVP has a program in New Orleans that accepts volunteers who are 55 years and older. The New Orleans Council on Aging has seniors’ best interests at heart; browse their website for resources and opportunities (similar to RSVP) to get involved.
Embracing the Community Spirit of New Orleans
If you retire to New Orleans, check out social clubs and organizations for retirees through resources such as the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. If you’re passionate about music (or simply want to try it out), you can join a senior choir, or to get your body moving, try a senior dance fitness class.
These clubs foster friendships for senior retirees in New Orleans and are a great way to meet new people.
Navigating Healthcare and Wellness Services
Having reputable and nearby healthcare facilities will be critical in this stage of your life. New Orleans has 31 hospitals, the highest ranked being Ochsner Medical Center. Oschner has been ranked the Best Hospital in Louisiana for 11 consecutive years. The facility leads nationally in cancer care, cardiology, neurosciences, liver and kidney transplants, and pediatrics, among other areas.
LSU Healthcare Network is another excellent resource when it comes to medical care. They have 30 specialties with numerous sub-specialties ranging from endocrinology to nephrology, primary care, and even an ALS clinic.
You’ll also find programs, especially for seniors, such as PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), which are dedicated to the health and wellness of the elderly. The program includes Adult Day Health Centers, primary and specialty physician care, medications, rehabilitative therapy, personal care services, and transportation. Most services are provided on-site with a focus on preventative care. This program is specifically for the older subset of seniors, so it’s a great option when thinking about care down the line.
Tips for Making the Most of Retirement in New Orleans
Even with all of New Orleans’s excitement, retirees can still embrace a laid-back lifestyle and slower pace. It’s nicknamed The Big Easy due to the city’s relaxed stance on Prohibition back in the 1920s and 30s, but it could be said that the name also describes the easy-going atmosphere and attitude that’s palpable in the air in New Orleans.
Enjoy a stroll in New Orleans City Park or the sculpture garden at NOMA, or perhaps visit a historic site or go on a guided boat tour. Find more here of New Orlean’s best-hidden gems. Embracing all sides of New Orleans will be another long-time pursuit, as the city truly has it all.
Where Y’at
New Orleans is a dream come true for many retirees. It offers an exciting new chapter of life with a world of possibilities. Making it your retirement destination means you’ll inevitably experience new culture and cuisine and be part of a unique and robust community.
Don’t be afraid to involve the community when making this move; the more you step out of your comfort zone, the more adventure you’ll find in the Big Easy.
To check out more neighborhoods for retirees, click here.
For an eating guide, click here.
Take a look here for a calendar of festivals.