History Buffs Will
Appreciate Natchitoches, Louisiana's Rich Heritage, Southern
Romance and Affordable Living
Cost of Living: Below the National
Average
This delightful spot has a certain old-world charm to it,
although parts of the town are poor. It is a racially mixed
area and has been the location of several movies, most notably
1989's Steele Magnolias with Julia Roberts. Many of
the locals were extras in the movie and still talk about the days
when Hollywood came to town. Tourists come to visit to see
where the movie was made and to stroll charming, downtown Front
Street. This weathered-brick avenue runs along the Cane
River (which continues on into plantation country) and is lined
with wrought-iron-laced buildings, stately oak and magnolia trees,
shops, boutiques and restaurants. Downtown streets have
French names and are dotted with churches and structures from the
mid-19th century. Throughout the Historic District, Queen
Anne and Victorian architecture styles, along with Creole-style
cottages, are common.
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Natchitoches is also popular for its Christmas lighting
festival, which begins the first Saturday in December and runs
through New Year's Day. This popular family event brings
nearly 500,000 people who come to see the Cane River aglow during
this time. Numerous other festivals are held
throughout the year and celebrate Creole, Native American and
Louisiana cultures. Natchitoches also has a Mardi Gras
celebration, and historic house tours and plantation tours are
popular with tourists and residents alike. Northwestern
State University makes its home here and presents symphony, ballet
and theater seasons in addition to various sporting events,
including football, baseball and rowing. |
The town has two golf courses, one public and one at the
Natchitoches Country Club (318-352-5538). This area is
surrounded by lush green hills, plenty of lakes and rivers, giving
residents ample opportunities to partake in all kinds of water
activities, from fishing to sailing. Natchitoches also
has several shopping centers, including Dixie Plaza Shopping
Center, Bienville Square and Broadmoor Shopping Center.
There is no public transportation system, but the local Council
on Aging operates a van for seniors. The Council can
be reached at 318-357-3250. The Retired Senior Volunteer
Program (RSVP) also has a chapter here and matches seniors with
volunteer opportunities in the community. Their number is
318-357-2203. Natchitoches has more than 90 houses of
worship, representing 30 denominations, providing further
volunteer opportunities.
Health care is fairly good. The Natchitoches
Parish Hospital is a fully staffed medical facility with 78 beds
and offers emergency care, 45 medical/surgical beds, 10 OB/GYN
beds, four labor, delivery and recovery rooms, eight intensive
care unit/critical care unit beds and a 15-bed geriatric
psychiatric unit. Shreveport (67 miles northwest) is the
closest city (population 200,000) with more extensive medical
facilities.
The unemployment rate in town is slightly higher
than the national average; the primary employment sectors are
education, health care and public administration.
For school system information, click here.
The weather in Natchitoches, like much of the
South, is hot and humid in the summer and cool and damp in the
winter. The average January high is 56 degrees (the average
low is 36 degrees), and the average July high is 93 degrees (the
average low is 73 degrees). Relative humidity averages 73%,
and the sun shines roughly 60% of the time.
Women should take note that for every 100 females
here, there are only 85 males (this could be a good thing or a bad
thing). Crime rates are higher than the national average,
but most crimes are property-related. The area is prone to
tornadoes but no more so than the rest of Louisiana.
The median household income is also below the state average.
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