3 Acadiana Towns Featured – ‘Louisiana’s Best’ Small Towns

The bayous of Louisiana are a metaphor for life in the Sportsman's Paradise. Things move slowly but they move steadily. We're not in a rush, we'll get there when we get there. And that pretty much sums up the philosophy of small-town life in Louisiana.

Louisiana's smaller communities are truly the backbone of our state and our culture. It's in these smaller communities you'll find some of the best food, the friendliest people, and the most amazing festivals. And since Louisiana is not a geographically large state, most of these small communities are within a few hour's drive at most if you'd like to visit.

One company that knows a thing or two about moving in and out of towns, both small and large is PODS. Their not-so-traditional method for moving families has made them a popular choice for Louisiana families that are moving to a new home or a new city.

And while the folks at PODS were moving Louisiana families around they must have taken some notes because they have created a list of a dozen of Louisiana's Best Small Towns.  The list was based on quality of life, affordability, housing costs, and some other factors. You can see the entire list from PODS, right here. 

What is Louisiana's "Best Small Town"?

The answer to that question might vary depending on who you ask. Southern Living Magazine says it's Natchitoches. That town also tops the Southern Living list for the friendliest small town in the state. But the PODS survey saw things a little differently and we are pleased to report that Louisiana's Best Small town is right here in Acadiana. It's one of three communities that made the PODS list.

The town PODS picked as the Best Small Town in Louisiana was the St. Martin Parish community of Breaux Bridge. The study cited an average rent price of $800 and an average price for a single-family home at $148,600. The study also suggested that Breaux Bridge would be great for families and retirees. It features a great selection of restaurants and shopping, it's close to nature, and the people are considered to be over the top when it comes to being friendly.

What Are The "Best Small Towns" In Acadiana?

After Breaux Bridge makes an appearance at number one, the next small town in the part of Louisiana known as Acadiana is Youngsville. I find it hard to think of Youngsville as a small town. It was when I first moved to the state but it has grown by leaps and bounds over the past 25 or so years.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Youngsville is listed at $1,200 a month with a single-family home valued at $259,000. You can see that's quite a jump from the prices in Breaux Bridge, right?

Youngsville, Louisiana was included on the list because the city offers great job opportunities. It is very diverse in its culture. And, there are a lot of housing options for those looking to move into town.

The third Acadiana town to make PODS Best Small Towns in Louisiana List was Milton, Louisiana. Nestled on the banks of the Vermilion River Milton often receives rave reviews for its educational opportunities. The average rent in Milton is $1,160 per month for a one-bedroom apartment and a single-family home costs about $220,000.

Its location compared to much larger Lafayette means residents have all the amenities of a larger community with the relaxed pace and charm of a small town less than ten minutes away. Milton was recently ranked as a Top 50 suburb in Louisiana and the fourth best suburb to purchase a home.

If you'd like to view the entire list created by PODS, you can do that here. What's your favorite small town in Louisiana? Do you have one?