Louisiana is a state in the Deep South region of the country, bordering the Gulf of Mexico to the south. It has a population of around 5 million people. Its capital is Baton Rouge and its most populous city is New Orleans, with 350,000 residents.

Louisiana is known for being a multicultural state and its heritage is influenced by a mixture of 18th-century French, Spanish, Haitian, Native American, and African cultures. This unique history gives Louisiana a culture unlike any other in the United States.

What's life like in Louisiana?

Louisiana offers its residents plenty of benefits, including a lower cost of living than many other states, a strong and diverse economy, as well as a vibrant and well-preserved history and culture. Louisiana also has plenty of excellent public schools, making it a popular state for families with kids.

With over 400 festivals held annually, Louisiana residents rarely run out of things to do. With vibrant music and food scenes, people in Louisiana enjoy a very unique quality of life not found anywhere else in the country.

Work in Louisiana

Tourism plays a large part in Louisiana's economy, earning the state an estimated $5.2 billion every year.

Louisiana hosts many important cultural events, such as the World Cultural Economic Forum as well as Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Along with tourism, Louisiana has a thriving film industry and is known as “Hollywood South”.

The Port of South Louisiana, located on the Mississippi River, is the 4th-largest port in the world and brings thousands of jobs to the local area. Louisiana has a large agricultural industry and is a large producer of crawfish, cotton, soybeans, sugarcane, and rice. Louisiana is also ranked as one of the best states for small businesses.

Major Attractions of Louisiana

Here are some of the top attractions that make Louisiana a great place to live and work:

• French Quarter: The oldest district in New Orleans, dating back to 1718. Now, it's full of boutique shops, bars, and restaurants.
• Bourbon Street: A historic street in the French Quarter in New Orleans, renowned for its jazz and dining.
• Jackson Square: A historic square in the French Quarter, declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960.
• Oak Alley Plantation: A historic plantation on the banks of the Mississippi River, named after the double row of oak trees planted in the early 18^th century.
• St. Louis Cathedral: An iconic cathedral in New Orleans dating back to the early 1700s.

Pros and Cons of Living in Louisiana

Pros:

• Warm climate – Louisiana doesn't tend to get cold. Even winters in Louisiana are mild compared to most of the country.
• Friendly people – Louisiana residents have a reputation of being friendly and welcoming, no matter where you're from.
• World-famous food – The Cajun food of Louisiana is renowned and draws people from all over the world.

Cons:

• Hot and humid summers – The summer months in Louisiana can get pretty intense as temperatures and humidity skyrocket.
• Cockroaches – Mainly because of the heat, Louisiana struggles with pest control. The cockroaches get huge.
• Sales tax – Louisiana has one of the highest sales taxes in the country (9%).