Relocation Advice/Suggestions (Lexington, Louisville, Bowling Green: low crime, houses, elementary school)

[OPSMAN]

There is a possibility that I will need to relocate to a new work location in Summer Shade. I am from NW Indiana/Chicagoland area, and I have no clue about Kentucky whatsoever.

Right now, I'm most interested in hearing what counties/towns I should be looking at to live. I'm okay with a commute up to 45 minutes. Schools are very important as I am married with 2 small children. Low crime is also important.

Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.

OPSMAN

[censusdata]

Summershade is in South Central Kentucky south of Glasgow. It is in Barren County, which had a 2006 population of 40,737, an increase of 7.1% over its 2000 population of 38,033.

Glasgow has an excellent independent school system

courier-journal.com»Kentucky CATS scores»Louisville, KY

[OPSMAN]

Thanks for the information about Glasgow. That looks to be about 15 minutes from Summer Shade. How about Bowling Green...schools, crime, economic stability, social interaction?

OPSMAN

[ttyl1979]

I am not from anywhere around there. I am from Lexington which is about 2 1/2 hours. BUT.....I have driven to both Bowling Green and Glasgow several times for work. Bowling Green is a small town feel, seems clean and has a small college community. Glasgow to me, while I am sure it is a great place, it did not feel very clean, or like it was headed in a forward direction. I would think that both places would be a safe place to live because they are both smaller towns. This is just my opinion. I have only been to each about 5 times. I would like to hear what others think. Good Luck!

[Davart]

Check Western KY the crime is very low, most people don't even lock their houses, and you can leave your keys in your car. The schools are very highly rated and in fact the elementary school my kids went to is a National Gold Medal school, one of the few in the state to get that award. The local "metro" area is Paducah which is the local shopping and business hub. Cost of living and property is cheap. There are a lot of transplant here so you don't get that "you ain't from around here are ya" attitude. It will be quite the change from Chicago area about anywhere in KY but, its a good change. I use to work in Chicago and I will not go back for anything more than a visit.

[superme]

Summer Shade is a very small town, not much to it. I work at a school there 2 days a month. Nice place, not much diversity at all. Metcalf County is a dry county if that means anything to you. I would imagine if you are not from there, you may want to live in Glasgow or Bowling Green. The commute would not be too bad and you would have more to do.