Lecompte, LA

Set along Bayou Boeuf in central Louisiana, Lecompte is a quiet, close-knit community of around 600 residents. Positioned just off I-49 and Highway 71, it gives locals a calm, small-town atmosphere with an easy 15-minute commute north to Alexandria for major shopping, dining, and healthcare. The town also carries a fun bit of history, taking its name from a famous 19th-century racehorse named Lecomte, with the letter "p" added to the town's spelling years later.

ATTRBilly Hathorn / CC BY 3.0

Lecompte is best known as Louisiana's pie capital, largely because of Lea's Lunchroom. Serving up thick ham sandwiches and towering slices of meringue pie since 1928, the iconic diner remains a favorite gathering spot for locals and travelers alike. For newcomers, living here means enjoying slow-paced bayou living and plenty of open space, all while keeping regional amenities within quick reach.