Say hello to the Bluegrass State, where verdant forests and rugged cliffs stretch across the horizon and a rich tapestry of cultural, communal, and musical heritage unite all who stay. Home to iconic legends like Loretta Lynn and Bill Monroe, Kentucky nurtures a sense of well-being and fosters a deep oneness with the land. With lively, fast-paced cities and the scenic retreats and idyllic lifestyles of small towns, the best places to live in Kentucky offer countless natural splendors with ancestral roots deeply embedded in Appalachian tradition and outdoor adventure.
Offering a warm-hearted sense of community, Kentucky is the perfect place for newcomers. Not only is this welcoming to those raising families, but a recent study also found that feeling connected with one’s neighbors promotes better health outcomes that can help you live longer. Additional findings point out that nearly 27 percent of people age 60 or older live alone in the US, which has been linked to adverse health outcomes like depression, heart disease, and more.
With median home and rental prices beneath the national average, Kentucky offers a great cost of living which is important as a study found that more than a third of Americans won’t consider purchasing a home until they have at least $200,000 saved up. Fortunately, that’s often not an issue for most while the natural wonders and vibrant culture of Kentucky are enough to turn any newcomer into a true Kentuckian at heart.
Given that this state has so much to offer, it can be challenging to find the best places to live in Kentucky. However, it doesn’t have to be. To discover the top-rated places to live in Kentucky, we’ve compiled the cream of the crop to speed up the process. Therefore, without further ado, let’s get started. Don’t happen to see your favorite city? No worries, let us know in the comments!
The List: Best Places to Live in Kentucky, According to Experts
1. Anchorage
“Anchorage is a wonderful place for those who like the outdoors,” writes HopDes. With a population of just 2,172, Anchorage is home to “beautiful residences and lush greenery which make it an ideal place to unwind from the hustle and bustle of city life.” Additionally, “almost everyone in Anchorage has their own house, which complements the town’s rural atmosphere.”
My goodness I need to start waking up earlier to watch sunrises more often! pic.twitter.com/DCIJ08u8ob
— Thomas Knepshield $11 (@tknep3) October 2, 2021
The Crazy Tourists states, “Anchorage is a small town with a lot to offer and is considered one of the best places to live in Kentucky.” Although small, Anchorage is an exciting town with unlimited access to the great outdoors and “music venues, adorable cafes, and mouthwatering restaurants all around the town.” With an affordable cost of living and a thriving art and culture atmosphere, Anchorage is a great place to call home.
“If you’re looking for a beautiful historic home and don’t mind the price, Anchorage is the place to be,” claims Rocket Homes. With median home values leaning on the expensive side, Anchorage is considered “one of the wealthiest cities in all of Kentucky” and is a suburb of Louisville. Best of all, in such a small city, “average commute times are only four minutes.”
2. Lexington
Located in the midst of the Bluegrass Plains, Lexington “is a small city serious about college basketball and has one of the highest qualities of life as a Kentucky town,” reports Courier Journal. Also known as the Horse Capital of the World, Lexington’s culture is sowed deep in its historical equine roots and is “home to two horse-racing tracks, including the iconic Keeneland.”
“Dotted with green pastures and rolling hills, Lexington is a distinguished international center for racing, breeding, and sales,” says Monster. With the equestrian industry providing more than 60,000 jobs, Lexington is surrounded by “more than 450 horse farms that are stocked with every breed imaginable.” In addition, Lexington is “home to the University of Kentucky, offering many employment opportunities from educational to agricultural” which makes it one of the best places to live for families seeking a more country way of life.
“Also known as the ‘Athens of the West,’ Lexington is an important economic and cultural center for the rest of the Bluegrass region,” writes Touropia. Featuring a “myriad of interesting historic sights, grand mansions, and atmospheric plantations lining the streets of its Victorian neighborhoods. While most of its attractions relate to horse breeding and racing, there are also plenty of terrific restaurants and distilleries to try with a trip to the famous Keeneland Race Course being the highlight of many visitors’ time in the city.”
3. Fort Thomas
“Just a short drive southeast of both Cincinnati and Bellevue, Fort Thomas is a city suburb to steal people’s hearts in recent years,” describes Touropia. Featuring an excellent public school system and affordability, Fort Thomas is “a sought-after spot to settle with families, young professionals and retirees alike.” In addition to having safe parks, this small town possesses unique pockets of life stemming from local eateries, breweries, and boutiques to scenic trails and rolling hills.”
“Known for being an U.S. Army post in 1890, Fort Thomas is a small city full of history,” explains Rocket Homes. With many well-preserved historic structures, Fort Thomas has a way of bringing Kentuckians closer to our Civil War roots. “With a low crime rate and plenty of nature and history to explore, Fort Thomas would make a good home for anyone.”
“Home to exciting nightlife and hip coworking spaces, Fort Thomas has a sparse suburban vibe and maintains reasonably consistent temperatures across all four seasons,” mentions HopDes. With a population of 17,241, Fort Thomas has a standard of living that is “14 percent less than the U.S. average while its public schools are highly regarded” making it the perfect destination to raise a thriving family.
4. Louisville
Featuring a thriving sports, arts, and culture scene, Louisville is rated one of the best places to live in Kentucky. As reported by Courier Journal, “Louisville has the highest scores in the value of living and has a housing market with better value than similarly-sized metro areas.” Home to a diverse and robust economy, Louisville is known for its plentiful job opportunities and entrepreneurial spirit.
“Nearly twice the size of Lexington, Louisville is probably one of the best cities to move to in Kentucky with a population of more than 600,000 people,” says Dividends Diversify. Home to the University of Louisville, this city is a “liberal-leaning college town with plenty of jobs for anyone willing and ready to work.” With a cost of living lower than the national average, Louisville is the perfect place for a family to establish their roots.
“Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city, with something always to do this city always attracts residents,” writes Zumper. With cost of living and rent reasonable for urban living, Louisville is a perfect place for new homeowners to call home and offers numerous entertainment options, cultural festivals, and live music events. Best of all, groceries and transportation fees are significantly lower than the national average.
5. Wilmore
“For those looking for a smaller town to call home, Wilmore certainly fits the bill,” writes Rocket Homes. As a quiet, small town near Lexington, Wilmore is renowned for “its tight-knit community of friendly neighbors and is the home of Asbury University.” With a median home price of $170,800, home values fall well beneath the national average while “the average commute only takes five minutes.”
HopDes describes Wilmore as a “small town worth visiting with rustic charm that families will love.” With exceptionally “low crime rates and a population of just 6,025 people,” Wilmore provides homeowners with an open suburban feel. Additionally, Wilmore is home to a large number of young professionals making it an excellent destination for singles while its “public schools are much better than the national norm.”
Offering a small-town atmosphere, “Wilmore is declared by local people as an excellent place for families,” says The Crazy Tourist. Featuring the perfect amount of rural appeal, Wilmore resides “along beautiful fields and farmland.”
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.
I think there is an issue with the very last paragraph in the story, as it may not be clear that the statement “while some of the city’s most treasured past times” and then lists three significant points of interest, Kentucky Horse Park, the Waveland State Historic Site, and the Aviation Museum of Kentucky, none of with which are in or very near to Wilmore.
Why didn’t you mention the crime rate for the city of Louisville. And the poor Democrat policies that are wasting tax payer dollars! That’s why I moved from there 6 years ago. And never intend to go back. Lived there for almost 46 years.
Why haven’t you mentioned the high crime rates in both cities, plus the higher cost of living? You don’t mention anything about the small rural towns that surround both cities. My guess is your being funded by both cities, yes I know the issues about them I live in northern kentucky.
Louisville shouldn’t be on this list period. Several years ago maybe depending on what part of it you went to. The crime, homeless, high noise, high traffic is in every part of it now. The cost of living alone is enough to be cut from this list we pay more in louisvile for food housing fuel than any other part of ky. Most of the worst rated schools in ky are located here as well over half of those students and families are ither on government assistance or almost at requirements for it.
I have seen a lot of people ride a lot of things about my state of Kentucky but you right the worst you’re a idiot