Northern Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky (Owensboro, Murray: homes, neighborhoods, best schools)

[piper2]

My wife and I are preparing to move to Kentucky from Alabama and have an opportunity to relocate for work to Northern Kentucky or to Western kentucky (owensboro). What would you all reccomend as far as who has a better school system, overall impression of the people in the region. We are looking to find a home in the 400-500 range and are wondering what neighborhoods in both we should consider. Thank you

[Davart]

Well luckily there is more than Owensboro in Western Ky. Go a little further west say 100 miles and you'll find some of the highest rated schools in the state, one of the highest rated colleges in the country and some of the highest rates safe places to live in the country. While there isn't as much to do here in terms variety, but there is as much to do here as about anywhere depending on what you want to do.
We also have longer seasons, less snow, less crowds and less traffic, less pollution and while we have less big city amenities we still never lack things to do.

[Davart]

Originally Posted by redevil1

What college is so high rated in w. ky. Surely you don't mean wku or murry. Colleges in ky would rank as follows, Centre, Transylvania university, UK, UL, Morehead, nothern kentucky university, western kentucky university, then murray state.

US News ranks Murray State University at number 15 in the south's top Universities.

other on the list ...
18. Bellarmine University
41. Western Kentucky University
63. Morehead State University

USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2007: Universities-Master's South: Top Schools

Centre college, Transylvania University, UK, UofL, Nothern Kentucky University wasn't even on the list ... doesn't mean they're bad schools, there not I went to 2 of them, they just didn't make the top list. Which is based on a number of factors.

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by Davart

US News ranks Murray State University at number 15 in the south's top Universities.

other on the list ...
18. Bellarmine University
41. Western Kentucky University
63. Morehead State University

USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2007: Universities-Master's South: Top Schools

Centre college, Transylvania University, UK, UofL, Nothern Kentucky University wasn't even on the list ... doesn't mean they're bad schools, there not I went to 2 of them, they just didn't make the top list. Which is based on a number of factors.

Centre, Transy, UK, and UL won't be on the list because it is a list of universities that offer Bachelor's and Master's programs with very few if any PhD programs. Centre and Transy are liberal arts colleges that don't have graduate programs. UK and UL are large state universities that offer lots of PhD opportunities. Centre is by far the best education to be had in Kentucky for undergrad. Graduate/professional education depends on your field of interest.

I'm not dogging Murray State, but some flags went off in my head when I saw no Duke, Vandy, William and Mary, Georgia Tech, UVA, UNC, UGA, Florida... Those are the best schools in the south.

[Davart]

Originally Posted by rnc76

Centre, Transy, UK, and UL won't be on the list because it is a list of universities that offer Bachelor's and Master's programs with very few if any PhD programs. Centre and Transy are liberal arts colleges that don't have graduate programs. UK and UL are large state universities that offer lots of PhD opportunities. Centre is by far the best education to be had in Kentucky for undergrad. Graduate/professional education depends on your field of interest.

I'm not dogging Murray State, but some flags went off in my head when I saw no Duke, Vandy, William and Mary, Georgia Tech, UVA, UNC, UGA, Florida... Those are the best schools in the south.

Hey I didn't write the report, perhaps it was small public schools or something (Centre is small, but private). Murray (which I did NOT attend) does have a PhD program, just living close to it, I see all the list in the papers on rating.
Yes Centre is good, I have cousin who is a Professor there.

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by piper2

My wife and I are preparing to move to Kentucky from Alabama and have an opportunity to relocate for work to Northern Kentucky or to Western kentucky (owensboro). What would you all reccomend as far as who has a better school system, overall impression of the people in the region. We are looking to find a home in the 400-500 range and are wondering what neighborhoods in both we should consider. Thank you

Northern KY all the way. More job opportunities, more entertainment options, lots of different housing options (suburban, urban, rural...) and good school systems. Ft Thomas is consistently ranked #1 in the state and there are lots of good Catholic schools. Those are what I'm familiar with, there are probably other areas with good schools too. The people are friendly, but the area has a more midwestern feel, whereas Western KY has more of a southern feel closer to that of Alabama. 400-500 will go a long way in either location.

[rnc76]

I'm not trying to bust your chops, just trying to clear up the confusion. Here is the criteria for the "University-Master's" ranking.

USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2007: Universities-Master's

[ECoast77]

That really depends on what you're looking for. I'd agree that N. Ky is going to be better in terms of schools, and yes, 400-500K will be very adequate in either location for housing. W. Ky is more rural and Southern, whereas N. Ky is more urban and Midwestern, but that's a BIG generalization. In my opinion people in both regions are very friendly, but some people have negative reactions in that regard to N. Ky.

[gotide4]

I would say go for northern kentucky. Western kentucky is very nice but in northern kentucky if you want to be away from it all there are plenty of huge lots or homes with a lot of land and quiet (alexandria) (independance) but the beauty of it is you are really still only fifteen minutes away from all cincy has to offer and covington as well. You get the best of both worlds if you want them. The quiet and space of a small town and the opportunities of a large one.

[gotide4]

And I just asked my wife and she said Centre is by far the best school in the state...couldn't resist..ha