Situated on Lake Pontchartrain’s northern coast, Mandeville, Louisiana, is a peaceful town that is modern yet protective of its heritage and surrounding natural beauty. The town is iconic for the gorgeous, enormous oak trees lining its lakefront. There are about 12,000 people living in Mandeville, and 17.5% of them are 65 or older. If you are thinking of retiring in Mandeville, LA, here are nine things to consider before making the move to a retirement community here.
Weather
Mandeville enjoys a subtropical climate with warm summers and moderate winters thanks to its position just across from New Orleans. The town typically has high temperatures of 91°F in July and 62°F in January.
Things to Do
Mandeville presents retirees with excellent shopping and dining experiences, tourist attractions, and outdoor recreation areas like the Fontainebleau State Park. The town also boasts numerous historical destinations including the Trailhead Cultural Center, Northlake Nature Center, and Children’s Museum of St. Tammany, which is a wonderful place to enjoy with your grandchildren!
Public Transportation and Travel
From Monday to Saturday, the St. Tammany Transportation System provides on-demand transport for travel within the town. Even better, residents 60 and over can travel for free from 7 am to 2:30 pm when they sign up for the COAST program! For travels beyond the city, the I-12 Highway conveniently runs just north of Mandeville.
Crime Rate
The great news is that Mandeville is safer than almost half of all American towns as its crime rate is 16% below the nation’s average!
Medical Facilities Nearby
For chronic conditions or medical emergencies, St. Tammany parish where Mandeville is situated is home to top-notch medical facilities like Oschner Health Center. There are also medical facilities nearby that specialize in dementia care and cognitive health such as Lakeview Regional Medical Center, which is part of the world-class Tulane Medical Center.
General Cost of Living
The average cost of food and utilities is lower than the national average, which is helpful for retirees living on a limited income. As a bonus, Mandeville’s average healthcare costs are also lower than the nation’s average!
Cost of Assisted Living
According to the Genworth Cost of Care Report in 2021, the mean cost of assisted living in Mandeville is around $3,631 per month, which is about $869 less than the national mean of $4,500 per month. This makes assisted living in Mandeville cheaper than the surrounding Louisianan cities of Covington, Jefferson, and Metairie.
Moreover, a variety of federal and state financial support programs are available for eligible retirees to aid with Assisted Living expenses, such as the Supplemental Security Income Category G and Community Choices Waiver.
Cost of Memory Care
Mandeville’s average monthly cost for memory care is $5,075, which is less expensive compared to the national average of $5,294 per month. This makes memory care in Mandeville cheaper than in the surrounding Louisianan cities Slidell, Hammond, and Covington.
Additional Ways to Finance Assisted Living and Memory Care Expenses
Although families can choose to pay for assisted living and memory care out of pocket, there are various other ways to help pay for these expenses. Veteran pensions, reverse home loans, health insurance for long-term care, and life insurance are some alternatives that can help fund your stay at a retirement community.