My story... :) (Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, Paducah: apartments, rent, house prices)

[slove1106]

Warning... may be a little long. Well, I think I've lived in California for much too long. A little about me. I'm 26 and currently have two children, a 7 year old boy Anthony, and 4 year old girl Destani. I've never been much of a city girl. When I was a child, my family would visit a family friend's farm in a rural area and I think that was when I found myself most happy. Unfortunately they moved and I was stuck living the city life the rest of my teenagehood. I've always been into fishing, the outdoors, camping, etc... (I even had an online business for 4 years selling outdoors sporting goods!) Well, living here where I do, (Orange County... TOO city for me) there's not as much outdoors or nature as I would like. To get that serene, calming, outdoorsy feeling, my ex-husband and I used to go camping at least 5 times a year, but that's just not enough!

Simply put, I need to move out of here. Too many people, too much crime, too much drama... Not enough nature and country for me. My family thinks I'm weird (or crazy, you choose) wanting to move to the country. They're more city folks. (They gotta have Prada, Gucci, SUVs, the high paying jobs) Me... I prefer the calm, slow life (Even though I too have an SUV ). I want my children to grow up running around the woods, fishing at a nearby lake, go out without me on their back 24/7 because I'm afraid they'll get hit by a car. Although I live in a very good and rich neighborhood and have the security crime-wise, I don't feel as if my children can go outside and run around and be children as there's about 100 feet of road to 1 foot of grass! There's no nature unless I go to "designated" areas and just not enough "playroom" for my kids. I wish they could experience the joy I had as a kid roaming around the country side shooting at squirrels and enjoying nature. (Don't worry, my aim wasn't that great, the squirrels got away )

Anywho. I chose Kentucky because my best friend lives in Cadiz. We were childhood friends and she moved to TN about 10 years ago, they to Cadiz, KY about 6 years ago. She loves it, and I know I would too.

Here's my scenario. I'm looking around the Cadiz area because although I want the "country" setting I want to be close to some bigger (although not huge) cities for employment. At the moment, I work for the State of California and am making about $37K a year. At this salary in Orange County (About $3.2K a month) This can't even pay for a 2 bedroom apartment. I was paying $1400/mo. prior to my divorce 2 years ago and those same apartments now are going for $1800+) Absolutely NOT even an option to buy a house here. You can only imagine the mortgage. So anyway, I want to stick to the Fort Campbell area so I may find a government job there as well. I have 7 years experience as an Administrative Assistant to (high) authorities here so I know I'll have no problem with employment (or will I??). By the way, I'm looking into a lakefront/area home so I can take my kids fishing a lot. To be more exact, I'm looking into the homes between Blue Springs & Linton close enough to Fort Campbell.

My question really is, how does this relocation sound? With my job experience, my "wants" and "needs"... (Quiet, nature, slow...) Although I'm only 26, I'm not into the whole partying scene, going out, or anything like that. So I'm not worried about being close to any of that.

I'd like to know anyone's thoughts regarding my options and what anyone thinks of this major life change. And hopefully, maybe a few online buddies in that area that I may meet once I move there. Then my social life would be set.

[tomocox]

You will love the lakes area of Western Kentucky. Not only is there the National "Land between the Lakes" Park, and the two huge TVA lakes (Kentucky Dam/Lake and Barkley Dam/Lake), but you will also love Pennyrile State Resort Park.

You will also be close to Reelfoot Lake which is just south of the Kentucky/Tennessee state line. So with your outdoor sales...

It should be a wonderful move for you.

[slove1106]

Thanks tom. As far as the area I'm looking at and employment, do you think I'd do ok? I hear that Hopkinsville would be an option as well as Fort Campbell. I'm in the Administrative field so I'm "thinking" I'd do ok. I don't know about the jobs there too much. My friend who lives there can't really comment all too well since her husband's in the military and makes good enough money for the whole family. As for me, it would be me and my office expertise, and my BF's carpentry/construction field... Do you think employment would stand in the way of anything in that area? Do you think that area's close enough/near descent employment? Thanks.

[tomocox]

Slove, if you are a good worker and your history shows that you have earned your previous wages, there will always be a job, especially in the administrative field. You may take a big initial hit in pay, but Kentucky people are fast studies and they will pay you for your value, they just might need a few days to discover how valuable you are.

[slove1106]

Great. Thank you.

Yes, I have researched jobs there for the past couple months and I do notice that my job field pays significantly less. (About $40K in California vs. average $25K there) But I am also putting into consideration that even with $40k here in California, I can't afford even afford rent. Versus if I were to make $25K there, we'd actually be able to not only afford mortgage, but also live comfortably. ($2K rent vs. $500-$800 mortgage) I'm only looking into houses around $100K so as to not overextend my family and live beyond our means. I'm going for the whole "slow pace, not have to worry about money all the time" lifestyle. It may be hard to understand for non big-city people but anyone who's lived in California knows the stress of living here is just not worth the high paying jobs! I can't wait to move to Kentucky and make half my pay here. At least I'll have no stress!

Thanks.

[censusdata]

I don't know how strong the job market around Hopkinsville would be, other than the TN side. Bowling Green and Upstate Kentucky (Lou, Lex, NKY) has a much stronger economy

[Gordonstoun]

You might also consider the town of Princeton, in Caldwell County. The University of Kentucky has an agricultural research facility there...you might look for a job with them. It's a quiet, peaceful country community, not far from the lakes and Cadiz.

The people are very friendly and warm. It's a sleepy place, though...it's about as far, culturally, from California as you could imagine.........every person you meet will invite you to church.

Also, don't rule out Murray, Mayfield, and Paducah.

[kygman]

Slove, hello from Cadiz! I have lived here on weekends for 6 years. Just making the move permanent since retiring from the state highway department. My wife and I have had a long distance marriage. She retired from Ft. Campbell last June and I retired from the highway dept. in Morganfield Feb. 1As far as housing, check realtor.com . Just put in Cadiz's zip code (42211) and go from there. Same with Hopkinsville. The closer you get to Ft. Campbell, like the Oak Grove area, the higher the house prices get. As far as trying to get a job with the state, might have to put that on hold for a little while. As usual the state is almost broke when a new governor is sworn in. But this time the last governor tried to spend every penny he could after losing re-election. So there is a hiring freeze. There might be some jobs on base at Ft. Campbell. The fun of visiting everything in the area could take another email! lol
Have a good trip out here!

[slove1106]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Yes, I've checked the MLS and I'm actually on watch right now for houses near or on the lake right around the Oak Grove/Linton area close to Fort Campbell. I really do want to stay as close to or possibly ON the lake as my whole point in relocating would be to have the life I'd really like. (For me, that's getting away from the city and being in a quiet secluded small town where nature overpopulates rather than the usual congestion I have to deal with in California ) I'm just hoping jobwise that this would be a realistic decision. (Moving in that area I mean) Sort of a fishing/hunting/being outdoors on the weekend but being close enough to work on the weekdays type of thing.

And yes unfortunately I've heard about your budget crisis. We (Cali) are on one too. I don't necessarily have to be in the govm't sector, just a job good enough to where I can live comfortably. Unfortunately I did get spoiled by the whole "security" factor that comes into play when you work for any govm't job. I actually haven't been in the public sector for 7 years but hey, if it pays the bills, I'll do it!

I'll be visiting there around April or May and I'm sure I'll love it. Thanks for the reply guys.

[kygman]

Watch out moving to Linton! You've heard about being out in the middle of nowhere? Go another 20 miles past that to get to Linton. It's a nice area and has a Corps of Engineers boat ramp and swimming area, but it's a long way out there. Linton is about 5 miles off 68/80, the main highway to Cadiz from the lakes. I'm not running it down, just letting you know where it is. You might add Canton to the list. It's 10 miles west of Cadiz and right on Lake Barkley. Don't know if you saw it on realtor.com but there is a 3 BR, 2 bath home, 2046 sq. ft, on 1.5 acres, for $69,000. That's on 68/80, about a quarter mile from Lake Barkley.