Compare Williamsburg/Corbin? (Lexington, Somerset, Pikeville: 2010, construction, schools)

[cdcdguy]

I am looking for a place to retire n Southern Kentucky/North Tenn. area. It is really pretty. I want quick access to 1-75, and small town. I don't need lots to do, but walking/hiking with some decent places to eat, and friendly welcoming people. I drove through this past weekend, but could not stop.

I really love the mountain views. Would one town be better than the other? Hospital information? I plan to start to spend weekends in the area to get a flavor of the region.

Any other information would be great.

[xxmagex]

A quick list of towns that might meet the factors you are looking for.

Williamsburg
Corbin
Barbourville
London
Pineville
Somerset

Williamsburg, London and Corbin are all directly on I-75. COrbin and London both have good hospitals. London is building a new one to be opened in 2009/2010- you probably drove by the construction site as you were on I-75. London is the headquarters for the Daniel Boone National Forest and has plenty of hiking paths nearby (including a hike to a civil war battlefield that is more or less in the same condition it was in 1861).

Barbourville is about twenty minutes from I-75. Nice small town, Pineville is little bit under a hour away from I-75. Somerset is 30 minutes or so from I-75 and larger than the others, although the London is always close behind.

I'll try to post some links later to help you out.

[cdcdguy]

xx- Thanks for following me around on the message boards! London is pretty, but didn't have the same "mountain" feel as Corbin and Williamsburg. That is what I am most looking for. Middlesboro is a possibility, and it is lovely town, but a bit off the interstate. Area around Pikesville are the prettiest, but much too remote. I will look into Somerset too, as I will be in the area again in a couple of weeks. Thank You!

[censusdata]

Williamsburg is more of a college town, Corbin is more of a sprawling town with lots of shopping center and restaurants

[InLondon]

Originally Posted by cdcdguy

I am looking for a place to retire n Southern Kentucky/North Tenn. area. It is really pretty. I want quick access to 1-75, and small town. I don't need lots to do, but walking/hiking with some decent places to eat, and friendly welcoming people. I drove through this past weekend, but could not stop.

I really love the mountain views. Would one town be better than the other? Hospital information? I plan to start to spend weekends in the area to get a flavor of the region.

Any other information would be great.

Corbin is larger, more restaurants. A large convention center is currently under construction on Highway 25W at I 75. Baptist Regional Medical Center is a good hospital and is one of the largest employers in Corbin with 1,400 employees. There's plenty of trails to walk/hike at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park about 10 miles southwest of Corbin. The known good restaurants around town are Applebee's, Dino's (Italian), the original KFC, King Buffet (Chinese), The Dixie Cafe to name a few.

The Southside of Corbin is rather mountainous or maybe big hills but the Northside of town is more flat.

Also, although you didn't mention it, Corbin City Schools are really good and have high test scores particularly at Corbin Middle and Corbin High.

[cdcdguy]

In London- Not concerned too much about schools,as kids are finished awhile now. I am looking for the towns with the best mountain views, but not too far from a good sized(10-20k) city. I like Middlesboro a lot. I wonder if I woud head east from Lexington if I could find somewhere without going all the way to Pikeville? It IS pretty, but not near anything else. Stanton maybe???

[xxmagex]

Maybe Morehead?

[cdcdguy]

Morehead would certainly be a possiblity, but I have not been there yet. Basically I am looking at a roadmap that lists elevations for just a few spots. I am basing where I can get a mountain feel from this. But there are only a few places where elevation is listed.

Anyone know of a map or place that lists Ky. elevation?

[InLondon]

Kentucky Topography maps which lists elevations.... Kentucky Topographic Maps (USGS Quad Topo Maps) & Aerial Photos

[cdcdguy]

InLondon-Thank You! This is what I am looking for.