The economy is pretty good here in North Louisiana. New homes going up everywhere, unemployment not nearly as high as most places.
A lot of it has to do with the oil shale boom of a few years ago I guess. I don't see many poor people in the casinos; most are rich, retired Texans.
Also, cost of living is very reasonable here. The weather is good pretty much year round. In our neighborhood, we don't even have to lock our doors at night. You could not pay me enough to live in a big, congested city.

Happy to be a medium-sized frog in a fairly small puddle.
DonM