Why Kentucky is a Great Place to Live (Updated for 2022)
Among the many reasons that Kentucky is a unique business stalwart, as far as states go, is the simple fact that it is an attractive place to live. One of only four states to be recognized as a commonwealth, it may not boast ocean-front property or lots of big city frills, but its increasing population is testament to the many advantages it does offer. Between the 2010 and 2020 census, Kentucky saw nearly 4% population growth, more than a 1/5 of which occurred in the state’s central, Bluegrass region, largely attributable to three important characteristics: lifestyle, cost of living, and family.
The vibrant culture and traditions of Kentucky make for lifestyles that are at once diverse and well-defined. Famous for its state parks, historical sites, and nature reserves, along with country music, horses, bourbon, and basketball, Kentucky seems to have something for everyone, and its people are proud of it all. Whatever you’re looking for, you’re bound to find it; Kentucky comprises major cities like Louisville and Lexington, lively college towns like Bowling Green, countless charming small towns, riverfront and lakefront towns, and many farming and mountain communities. As well, Kentucky is increasingly diverse – Lexington and Louisville are noted for their growing diverse populations – but its politics have remained largely centered and balanced.
From a practical standpoint, especially when inflation continues to rear its ugly head and unemployment continues to burden many Americans, Kentuckians enjoy a low cost of living. In the top 20 overall, costs of basic needs like groceries, healthcare, and housing are all among the
country’s lowest. Notably, the median cost of a home in Kentucky is just &165,000, compared to the national average of nearly $292,000. Kentucky is also well below the national average in utilities, transportation and education.
The cost of living is a primary reason that raising a family in Kentucky is favorable. Industries are booming, job opportunities abound, housing is inexpensive, and property taxes are remarkably low compared with most other states, making Kentucky strong and stable. Kentucky borders the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and, depending upon where you are in the state, you may be within about an hour drive (or less) of Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Nashville, or Saint Louis. There are also a number of in-state attractions for the family. From Mammoth Cave National Park and the National Corvette Museum to the Louisville Slugger Museum, Louisville Zoo, and Churchill Downs, to the Red River Gorge and Daniel Boone National Forest, along with many recreational lakes, bourbon distilleries, and horse farms in between, there are no shortages of weekend ideas. And while professional sports teams are not what the state is known for, college athletics reign supreme, particularly for the Big Blue Nation, the University of Kentucky’s passionate fanbase.
Kentucky offers a unique blend of southern warmth hospitality with just enough northern poise, and midwestern commerce. It’s a little bit Rust Belt and a little bit Bible Belt. It’s undefinable yet exceptionally distinct. The reasons to live in Kentucky are many, but perhaps Daniel Boone himself put it best. Upon his visit to Kentucky in the late 1760s and early 1770s, he quipped that Kentucky is a “second paradise.” 250 years later, Kentuckians still agree.