Relocating to Lafayette? Rich with Cajun and Creole culture, The Hub City has plenty to offer its residents—from affordable housing and diverse university options, to fun festivals and great restaurants. Here are ten things to know about living in Lafayette!
Live Affordably in Lafayette
With the cost of living being 2% lower than the national average, Lafayette offers comfortable living for all stages of life. The city’s modest median home price of $197,000 offers prospective homeowners flexibility, while the median rent of $899 is lower than the national average! Lafayette’s affordability can help new residents feel more confident about choosing from the many great neighborhoods and apartments the city has to offer. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, renter, or new to the city, Lafayette may just be the ideal city for you to live in.
Start Your Career in Hub City
Due to its historical status as a hub for the oil and manufacturing industries and being well-connected to major roadways, Lafayette has earned the nickname The Hub City. Along with oil and manufacturing, Lafayette’s modern job market represents a wide variety of industries, including healthcare, construction, retail, tourism, and finance. At 3.3%, Lafayette’s unemployment rate is lower than the national average, making it an ideal Southern city to start or advance your career. Find opportunities in engineering, sales and marketing, field operations, and more at energy-focused companies Baker Hughes and Halliburton. Advance your career in merchandising, customer experience, and product design at fine jewelry manufacturer Stuller Inc. Beyond job opportunities, there are several organizations in Lafayette dedicated to business growth and providing networking opportunities, including One Acadiana and the Lafayette Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
Further Your Education at Lafayette Universities
Looking for higher education options in Lafayette? The city offers multiple higher education options for all career and financial needs. Major in environmental science, sports communication, or Cajun & Creole studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the state’s second-largest public university. If you don’t want to commit to a four-year university, sign up for programs in nursing, industrial technology, carpentry, and more at South Louisiana Community College. Looking to earn your pharmacy technician, medical assistance, or retail management degree? Check out Remington College-Lafayette, a non-profit college offering diploma programs and associate degrees. Or kickstart your nursing, dentistry, or health information technician career at Delta College of Art and Technology.
Learn About Lafayette’s Cultural History
Since the French began settling in Lafayette in the 1760s and blending their traditions, the Cajun people and French-speaking African-American Creole have largely shaped Lafayette’s history and modern culture. Visit exhibits like Maison des Cultures, historic homes like the Beau Bassin, or artisans like Chief John Sitting-Bear Mayeux at Vermilionville, a 23-acre living history museum. Explore historic homes like the Billeaud House, LeBlanc House, and the Doctor’s Museum at the 32-acre Acadian Village, named after the area where Cajun people first settled. Watch an award-winning educational film, explore exhibits on Cajun history and language, or attend ranger programs at the Acadian Cultural Center within Jean Lafitte National Historic Park. Or learn about and sample traditional Cajun cuisine like gumbo, fried shrimp, or boudin by going on a Cajun Food Tour.
Enjoy Family-Friendly Activities in Lafayette
There are plenty of Lafayette attractions for kids and adults alike to visit. Check out exhibits like Digital Divide, Nanotechnology, and Meteorites at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Science Museum. Explore exhibits like STEM Street, Knowledge Nook, and Health Galleries at the Children’s Museum of Acadiana. Attend seasonal events like the Lafayette Nutcracker Market, see your favorite artists live—or watch the Ragin’ Cajuns (NCAA D1) basketball team play at the Cajundome & Convention Center. See shows like Disney’s Frozen Jr, enroll your kids in holiday camps like Fall Into Folklore, or check out the after school program at the Wonderland Center for Performing Arts. Or see animals like the endangered white-handed lar gibbons, feed goats and chickens at the petting zoo, or enjoy a spin around the Storybook Carousel at the nearby Zoosiana.
Immerse Yourself in Lafayette Arts
There are many ways for you to enjoy and celebrate Lafayette’s rich arts and culture scene. Check out shows like Jersey Boys, rotating art exhibitions like the Louisiana Watercolor Society, and event series like Artists in Conversation at the Acadiana Center for The Arts. Visit exhibits like Michael Eble: Somewhere, Rodin: Toward Modernity, and Profound Prints: Art by Exceptional Women at the Hilliard Art Museum. Enjoy shows like The Empire Strikes Back In Concert, A Zydeco Christmas, and The Music of Queen at the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy shows like The Creole Nutcracker, Omnium Circus, and Swan Lake at the Heymann Center. Support local theater performances like Debauched, The Lion in Winter, and Small Town Hollywood at Cité des Arts. Or immerse yourself in art from local museums, studios, and independent galleries at the monthly Downtown Lafayette ArtWalk.
Explore Lafayette’s Great Outdoors Year Round
Louisiana has earned the nickname Sportsman’s Paradise due to its vast outdoor spaces, and Lafayette is no exception. The city’s mild and warm climate—along with its variety of bike trails and parks—makes it possible to enjoy outdoor recreation all year long. Enjoy a game of tennis with friends, observe the natural wildlife, or have a picnic at Girard Park. Run or bike along the paved loop, or participate in Yoga at The Park at Moncus Park. Go on a hike, play a round of frisbee golf, or go kayaking at the Acadiana Park Nature Station. Play soccer, go fishing, or go-kart with friends and family at Moore Park. See birds like anhingas, wood ducks, and black-crowned night herons during a Lafayette swamp tour with Cajun Country Swamp Tours. Or go fishing, paddling, or hiking at the Atchafalaya Basin.
Attend Fun Lafayette Festivals
You’ll never run out of festivals in Lafayette to attend year-round! Celebrate Cajun and Creole culture, listen to live music, and enjoy authentic Cajun food from local vendors at Festivals Acadiens et Créoles. Try traditional Greek and Asian food, immerse yourself in live music from African bands, or watch the French stilt walkers at the Festival International de Louisiane, the largest international music festival in the United States. Watch a free movie, participate in arts and crafts, or grab a snack from a local food vendor at downtown Lafayette’s Movies in The Parc. Make your best gumbo, jambalaya, or dessert to enter the Blackpot Festival & Cook-Off. There are also fun festivals near Lafayette that you can participate in. Rock out to live music, have fun on carnival rides, and sign up for the rice eating contest at the International Rice Festival over in Crowley. Or take Cajun dance lessons, watch the celebrity crawfish eating contest, or attend the Cajun cooking demonstration at the nearby Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival.
Discover Great Lafayette Restaurants
The state’s French, Creole, and Cajun history continues to influence Lafayette’s restaurant scene today. Start your day off right with a Boudin Omelet, Cheeseburger Omelet, or Breakfast Club Sandwich from the American-inspired Dwyer’s Cafe. Order Gumbo, a Cajun Benedict, or Beignets at The French Press. Pick from an eclectic selection of Poboys, including the Crawfish Boil Sausage, Banh Banh Shrimp, and Red Bean Falafel at the Louisiana-inspired Pop’s Poboys. Try Spanish-inspired dishes like Albondigas, Muhammara, or Morcilla Quail Eggs at the Pamplona Tapas Bar & Restaurant. Taste classic Cajun-inspired dishes like Crawfish Nachos, Zydeco Stuffed Shrimp, and Catfish Bites at Prejean’s Carencro. Or enjoy fun ice cream flavors like Birthday Cake, Banana Pudding, and Pralines and Cream at Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe.
Enjoy a Night Out in Lafayette
Planning a night out on the town with friends and family? There are various Lafayette nightlife options to enjoy! Attend live events like The Groove Room, Cajun Jam, and dance lessons at Blue Moon Saloon. Enjoy a cocktail or mocktail, listen to live music, or take a Zydeco dance workshop at Artmosphere. Sip on handcrafted cocktails, discover your new favorite band, or dance the night away with friends at The Grouse Room. See comedians like Anthony DeVito, Tim Smith, Sean Patton, and more at Lafayette Comedy. You’ll also find plenty of Lafayette bars and breweries to go to! Cheer on your favorite sports team, play a round of pool, or enjoy a mixed drink at Marley’s Sports Bar. Or try beers like the Sequoia, Hazy Times, Sweetest Cow, and more at Adopted Dog Brewing.
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