If you’re ready to start planning for your retirement, have you thought about where you’d like to live? The deciding factors in your retirement location should depend on what’s most important to you, but there are other features to keep in mind while weighing the pros and cons of an individual locale.

What Makes a Great Place to Retire?

We heartily agree with retirees choosing the great state of Louisiana. Here are some criteria to consider as you hone in on the area you want:

Healthcare

While solitude located far away from the hustle and bustle of a big city like New Orleans may seem like a great idea for your retirement, you should consider if you’ll be close enough to healthcare facilities. Proximity can make a huge difference if you need to receive treatment quickly. If you have specific conditions like cancer or heart disease, make sure that nearby medical facilities are adept at treating them.

Quality of Life

As we age, it’s important to continue to nurture relationships with others and engage in our communities. Review an area’s population size and see what percentage of those people are over 65. When a community has more seniors, the recreation options for seniors increases, with community events and activities being planned especially for them.

Cost of Living

Living on a fixed income can be tough. During retirement you’ll need to examine your finances more carefully than you may have anticipated, making sure that every dollar is spent carefully. The cost of living varies across the state—from housing to property taxes to grocery bills. What’s the most inexpensive place you can live without losing great healthcare and quality of life?

X-Factor

You can be as practical as you want, but what place makes you feel at home? It’s your life, and you should feel great about your choice, even if your decision came down to je ne sais quois.

Louisiana’s Certified Retirement Areas

Thirteen areas within Louisiana are Certified Retirement Communities. In order to qualify as a Certified Retirement Community, you must meet criteria in categories such as climate, demographics, tax structure, housing availability, crime, employment and volunteer opportunities, healthcare, transportation, recreation, and festivals.

Start Planning Your Retirement with Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance

If you’re starting to plan your retirement, consider working with Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance. An agent is trained to advise you on the retirement resources available to our policyholders such as:

• Individual Retirements Accounts (IRAs) from Farm Bureau Bank
• Tax-deferred, fixed annuity
• Term and whole life insurance

Get started by using our Agent Finder to contact your local Farm Bureau Insurance agent.