RUSTON LA Questions - Relocation (Monroe: for sale, rentals, low crime)

[slowmover]

Currently located in Louisiana but wanting to move (doesn't have to be out of the state).
Retired but not yet old enough for Medicare. Married, children grown.

We have visited Ruston and thought it was a busy but nice town. It has low crime stats and the shopping we would need. The schools seem good if the grandchildren live in the same city. The movie theatre was really nice. Downtown was cute. It has a nice library, maybe some live theatre and for us a nice hobby game store. We aren't big sports fans, more board game, books and movie people.

My concerns are

1. Housing. We would prefer to own a townhouse or small home with very little yard care at all. Have been watching realtor website and really don't see much for sale under 250k, above I20 but still close to town. Would also be willing to be near the college and downtown. We saw some rentals within a very short walk of downtown and that seemed fun, but we don't want to rent.

2. Medical - I am using the healthcare market until Medicare and would have the choice of blue cross or united healthcare. It seems Ruston medical care centers around The Green Clinic and a very very few other doctor offices. We currently see a primary twice a year, a cardiologist twice a year and an ENT twice a year. One of us may need a thyroid surgery in the future and the other a Cath lab (out patient procedure) for heart in the future.

3. How are the internet services?

Don't need lots of restaurants, although favorites are Thai and Mexican. We don't want to drive to Monroe much but may check out the zoo in Monroe once a year or so.. Is Ruston too small not to go to Monroe for medical and or entertainment and shopping more than 2x times a year?