I am worried about moving to Owensboro (Louisville, Whitesville: fit in, appliances)

[jshope]

I grew up in Owensboro, left and went to Lexington, then northern VA, and now in central Ky. My mother fits with he description that it is a perfect place with everything. It is a great town for families, really good schools...including owensboro catholic. There is a lot there to love once you become a part of it. But you cannot come close to the beauty of Lexington. But being happy is about your family and what is in your heart. We have been happy no matter where we have lived (as cheesey as that sounds). Give it a chance and just know that Louisville, Lex, Nashville, and BG will become your new shopping areas. There are two local places to eat that I have not seen mentioned..Colby's and Briarpatch. I grew up loving them and still hear they are good!!!! Good Luck.

[sandman1]

Thanks for all of the advice. I don't want all to think I need material things for happiness....it's just a convienience issue and it will be a big change from what I have grown up around and lived around up to now. Thanks again for all of the advice.

[MichaelBNA]

For those that are "hating" on Owesboro, let's be real here fellas. It only has 54,000 people in it and what more do you want out of a city that size??? A International Airport with 200 flights a day and three seperate malls with a Neiman and Nordstrom? If that's what you are wanting, you are in the wrong state, city, and COUNTRY for that matter. For the size of Owensboro, it's metro, and surrounding communities it's more than enough and then some. It's growing, albeit slowly, but development is taking shape on the east side on highway 54 and things should really be nice in a few years once the economy bounces back (hoepfully). It's a typically midwestern town with southern traits. Ther eare some cool bars downtown and some nice restaurants to boot. Give it a chance and it will certainly grow on you.

As for the hospital, what the heck would you expect out of a smaller community? Vanderbilt University Hospital? That's a joke dude. To even think it would be ahead of the game with technology is absurd. Good grief, I was born there when it was Owensboro-Daviess County Hospital (circa 1979) and I turned out just fine. I know many people that have devoted a great amount of time into making that hospital one of the best in the region. Considering what it used to be, they have done a great job with it! For the area it serves, it's a great hospital. Far better than any in the area like Trover etc.

[sandman1]

do you want out of a city that size??? A International Airport with 200 flights a day and three seperate malls with a Neiman and Nordstrom? If that's what you are wanting, you are in the wrong state, city, and COUNTRY for that matter.

Northern kentucky....International Airport with more than 200 flights a day, more than three malls, 22 high schools...I think I have the right state. As for Owensboro having adequate resources for its' size....ask every person who has to drive to Evansville for anything if they agree with you; and if you are waiting for the economy to get better before things really "take off"...news flash, we are now on the backside of a huge economy and its only now looking to slow down so I don't know what they are waiting for. Finally...I think I might know a little bit about hospitals and there facilities and for a hospital of any size or community they are lacking some very important things. I know of numerous patients that have recieved a lack of care in the area so there is room for improvement just as in any hospital in any city. I am sorry to come off as rude but Michal BNA I don't appreciate the overtone of your post...almost insulting my intelligence. I didn't think I was "hating" on Owensboro, I was asking for friendly folks like yourself to tell me the upside and it's too bad you choose to be the ambassador because my opinion just went to the toilet....and how old are you; I haven't been called dude since college.

[MichaelBNA]

Originally Posted by sandman1

Northern kentucky....International Airport with more than 200 flights a day, more than three malls, 22 high schools...I think I have the right state. As for Owensboro having adequate resources for its' size....ask every person who has to drive to Evansville for anything if they agree with you; and if you are waiting for the economy to get better before things really "take off"...news flash, we are now on the backside of a huge economy and its only now looking to slow down so I don't know what they are waiting for. Finally...I think I might know a little bit about hospitals and there facilities and for a hospital of any size or community they are lacking some very important things. I know of numerous patients that have recieved a lack of care in the area so there is room for improvement just as in any hospital in any city. I am sorry to come off as rude but Michal BNA I don't appreciate the overtone of your post...almost insulting my intelligence. I didn't think I was "hating" on Owensboro, I was asking for friendly folks like yourself to tell me the upside and it's too bad you choose to be the ambassador because my opinion just went to the toilet....and how old are you; I haven't been called dude since college.

Well if you took my post to be rude, then I don't know what to tell you cause it wasn't meant to be. But expecting it to be more than it is.....well that's absurd. And to compare the city to Northern Kentucky just proves one thing, you have no clue here in this respect. Northern Kentucky is surrounded by a metro of over 2 million people. That's right, 2 MILLION people while the Owensboro metro barely has 94,000 in it. Apples to oranges in so many different ways mate. Once again, for the size market that Owensboro serves, it's great. If you have to drive to Evansville for stuff you don't get in Owensboro big deal. It's not a day trip and it certainly isn't a bad drive. You cannot realistically think that Owensboro will have EVERYTHING for EVERYONE in it. With a small market like that, it's impossible. Simple economics.

Owensboro is a fine small city with alot going for it. It's hospital isn't the best in the land, but for the area it serves it is great. No, it doesn't have every piece of technology that a hospital should have, but it has capable doctors and staff that get the job done everyday. You don't see the feds beating the doors down trying to shut the place down. If they can't perform certain operations there, they fly them to Louisville or Nashville where they know it can be done. This is typical small market business. I don't see why Owensboro is any different than a typical town its size here?

What does my age have to do with anything. I basically said in my last post I was born in 1979. I lived 30 miles south of Owensboro for over 21 years. When we needed stuff, we went to Owensboro or Nashville for things. That's just life in a small town.

Lastly, I don't mean to sound rude, but to expect a high level of things out of a city that has basically sat dormant since the coal bust of the 80's is crazy. The region surrounding Owensboro is still struggling due to job losses and unemployment. Many of the states highest unemployments rates are in counties that are in the Owensboro market. That plays into what types of amenities Ownesboro has greatly. Please, don't compare it to a conglomerate metro like Covington, KY-Cincinnati, OH. That just isn't a fair shake for Ownesboro at all. If it takes just one person to sway you opinion about a place, you are one shallow person to begin with. Personally, I hope you're not that way.

[sandman1]

Michael BNA I appreciate your posts...thanks for the information. I mentioned NKY because it had the things you said I was in the wrong state for thats all. As for everything else...you are right but I think you missed my point to this thread. I have few options and will end up in the area. I mentioned my concerns not as an attack on the city but as my concerns moving from one way of life to another. I was hoping to get some advice and have so, not to engage in a back and forth with you. I'm not from the area and don't know the background of coal or whatever you say the reason is that the economy stinks there. That was twenty plus years ago though and that is my issue. Why have they not found a way to improve the economy of the area. That makes little sence to me. I have read that a proposed entertainment center with resteraunts, movie theaters and a mall has met enourmous resistance from the people of Owensboro for a variety of reasons but none that I can make sence of. They say it takes away from there downtown but the downtown doesn't have anything but the rivercenter. I've digressed. For those who have helped thank you. Out of curiosity though...isn't Bowling Green of similar size, and aren't they growing rapidly. If you want to compare those to cities maybe that's more your style. I think the interstate probably helps Bowling Green tremendously but I know it's roughly the same size as owensboro but offers some more things.

[MichaelBNA]

Originally Posted by sandman1

Michael BNA I appreciate your posts...thanks for the information. I mentioned NKY because it had the things you said I was in the wrong state for thats all. As for everything else...you are right but I think you missed my point to this thread. I have few options and will end up in the area. I mentioned my concerns not as an attack on the city but as my concerns moving from one way of life to another. I was hoping to get some advice and have so, not to engage in a back and forth with you. I'm not from the area and don't know the background of coal or whatever you say the reason is that the economy stinks there. That was twenty plus years ago though and that is my issue. Why have they not found a way to improve the economy of the area. That makes little sence to me. I have read that a proposed entertainment center with resteraunts, movie theaters and a mall has met enourmous resistance from the people of Owensboro for a variety of reasons but none that I can make sence of. They say it takes away from there downtown but the downtown doesn't have anything but the rivercenter. I've digressed. For those who have helped thank you. Out of curiosity though...isn't Bowling Green of similar size, and aren't they growing rapidly. If you want to compare those to cities maybe that's more your style. I think the interstate probably helps Bowling Green tremendously but I know it's roughly the same size as owensboro but offers some more things.

No big deal.

Ownesboro is what happens when old money is left to fend for itself. Some like change, others shun it like the plague. Bowling Green is home to a large university, progressive thinkers, and it's close to Nashville. It also has a major Interstate running through it with another on the way perhaps. It has everything going it's way, while Owensboro has none of the above (i.e. Major Interstates, Universities that matter, etc.).

The reason nothing has changed is because all of the state economic dollars go to Eastern Kentucky to help out the so-called "poor". It's very one-sided in Kentucky and to be frank, i'm glad I got out when I did. It's a corrupt state from a government standpoint.

[Off Topic]

Interesting article here:

Owensboro's community conversation

[Floridahater]

Originally Posted by MichaelBNA

No big deal.

Ownesboro is what happens when old money is left to fend for itself. Some like change, others shun it like the plague. Bowling Green is home to a large university, progressive thinkers, and it's close to Nashville. It also has a major Interstate running through it with another on the way perhaps. It has everything going it's way, while Owensboro has none of the above (i.e. Major Interstates, Universities that matter, etc.).

The reason nothing has changed is because all of the state economic dollars go to Eastern Kentucky to help out the so-called "poor". It's very one-sided in Kentucky and to be frank, i'm glad I got out when I did. It's a corrupt state from a government standpoint.

Believe me! Florida is equally corrupt (or inept) along with the other 49!!

[Silas]

Owensboro has good medical jobs available now since our local medical community just announced a new 400+ bed hospital campus on 140 acres. (Land is purchased and engineering is being done). The most exciting medical career track would probably be biomedical with the new Michell cancer research center and their partnership with Large Scale Biology in developing plant produced vaccines and treatments.
Fine and prosperous farms. Some of the best hunting and fishing anywhere. New performing arts center, new greenbelt with miles and miles of bike trails, beautiful river frontage with $40,000,000 (thats millions) improvements started. Great community with 4 colleges. new library, 4 museums, Lower than average cost of living. Vibrant economy with low unemployment. Incomes are not the highest, but cost of living is very low. Lowest utility costs in the nation, unlimited clean water, 3rd largest city in Kentucky and less than 3 hours to 4 major cities. One days drive to gulf coast, Chicago or to the east coast. 4 distinct seasons. County schools are routinely awarded best in the state. Catholic schools have an unbelievable college scholarship record. Crime stats show it as one of safest towns in America. Airport now connects with northern Kentucky. You will love the people and life style.