Small-town charm and French heritage define Sunset
Sunset is a rural town in Saint Landry Parish, about 15 miles north of Lafayette. Although Sunset is a small town, the area is bursting with culture. Once known as the Sweet Potato Capital of the World, Sunset has evolved into a destination for the arts and antiquing. This charming, one-traffic-light community hosts several events that attract visitors from across the parish. Many residents speak French, stemming from their Cajun and Creole roots. Along with building more houses, Sunset is working to improve the downtown area by adding bike lanes, green space, parks, trails and major chain retailers. Home buyers seeking a pastoral retreat have a variety of housing options to choose from in Sunset. Cozy ranch-style houses and shotgun homes rest on large plots of land. If you’re looking for even more space, there are country homesteads on acres of land available for sale. The average Sunset home price is about $200,000.
Downtown Sunset is a hub of dining, shopping and culture
Sunset attracts locals and visitors alike for its thriving arts and antiquing scene. In 2012, Sunset was designated as a Louisiana Cultural District, allowing for original works of art to be sold tax-free. The downtown district along Napoleon Avenue is lined with vintage shops, flea markets, art galleries and studios, as well as local cafes serving classic Louisiana dishes like gumbo and spicy seafood. Many of these establishments are located in old buildings that include sweet potato kilns, paying tribute to the town’s former glory days as the Sweet Potato Capital of the World. The town is known as the Rubboard Capital of the World, home to one of the four musical instruments founded in the United States, and Louisiana locals come here to purchase them. In true Louisiana fashion, Sunset embraces 'Laissez les bons temps rouler' (let the good times roll) and hosts major special events that attract visitors across the state. There are art walks, farmers markets and antique markets throughout the year. The annual Celebration of Herbs and Gardens features over 75 vendors selling everything from native plants to herbal products to yard art. The Exit 11 Yard Sale showcases precious antiques at discounted prices. And, of course, Mardi Gras is the biggest event of the year. Sunset hosts a parade, a ball, and a Mardi Gras king and queen crowning each year.
Highly rated public and private schools are in the area
The Saint Landry Parish School Board serves Sunset. Many of the schools are highly ranked, like the Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts and Arnaudville Elementary School. Sunset Middle School is the only school located within the town's boundaries. The Saint Landry Parish School Board offers a variety of excellent academic programs, including gifted education and Advanced Placement courses. There are several private schools just outside of Sunset as well, including the Saint Ignatius School and the Schools of the Sacred Heart, which share a campus. Academy of the Sacred Heart is an all-girls preparatory school offering instruction from pre-K to 12th grade. Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart is an all-boys preparatory school. Residents interested in higher education can travel just 15 miles south to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Louisiana State University Eunice is also about 28 miles away.
It can take a while to drive to places outside of Sunset
Residents enjoy Sunset’s rural, secluded setting, but the average commute is a bit longer than the national average at 26 minutes. Interstate 49 runs through town. Saint Landry Public Transit offers scheduled bus rides across the county and into Lafayette. Lafayette Regional Airport offers commercial flights from several airlines. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is about two hours away. Sunset is working to improve the walkability of the city, especially in the downtown area.
