Kentucky: Smaller Cities with Big City Amenities?

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by hdhick2

I am really leaning toward BG. I love Lexington and all the amenities, but it lacks the charm of a unique town - a vast majority the stores and restaurants are of the big-box variety. I know BG is probably more of the same, but at least it's a small city that's not trying to be bigger than what it is.

Just my opinion. I'm from BG and lived in Lex for 7 years. Lexington has a lot more identity and uniqueness when comparing it to BG. Lexington is the epitome of everything KY: horses, bourbon, tobacco, UK... There is really nothing unique about BG, big box stores and chain restaurants dominate (expect for the city's obsession with Mexican restaurants). The landscape around BG is fine but nothing spectacular. BG does have a nice, charming little downtown. WKU is a nice campus. I am not saying BG is a bad place to live but I wouldn't move to BG if you are wanting to get away from the feel of Lexington's suburbs.

[jmwbaw]

Originally Posted by rnc76

Just my opinion. I'm from BG and lived in Lex for 7 years. Lexington has a lot more identity and uniqueness when comparing it to BG. Lexington is the epitome of everything KY: horses, bourbon, tobacco, UK... There is really nothing unique about BG, big box stores and chain restaurants dominate (expect for the city's obsession with Mexican restaurants). The landscape around BG is fine but nothing spectacular. BG does have a nice, charming little downtown. WKU is a nice campus. I am not saying BG is a bad place to live but I wouldn't move to BG if you are wanting to get away from the feel of Lexington's suburbs.

True. Most of BG does lacks character. The Scottsville Rd, Campbell Lane area is filled with big generic box stores that you will find pretty much anywhere, and this is where most of the shopping and restaurants are. But most cities have areas of town like this. Anything unique about BG will be found the closer you get to the downtown area, as far as businesses go.

[hdhick2]

One thing to point out is that I like big-box stores; that's precisely what we don't have in eastern KY (and what we have to drive 1-2 hours to get to). That matters more to me than unique small-town stores, although the latter is certainly necessary in creating an amicable environment.

[bw87a]

I'd say either Richmond or Bowling Green. The NoKy suburbs would also be a decent choice as they have quite a large number of jobs and a pretty good economy.

[dixiegirl7]

Originally Posted by rnc76

Just my opinion. I'm from BG and lived in Lex for 7 years. Lexington has a lot more identity and uniqueness when comparing it to BG. Lexington is the epitome of everything KY: horses, bourbon, tobacco, UK... There is really nothing unique about BG, big box stores and chain restaurants dominate (expect for the city's obsession with Mexican restaurants). The landscape around BG is fine but nothing spectacular. BG does have a nice, charming little downtown. WKU is a nice campus. I am not saying BG is a bad place to live but I wouldn't move to BG if you are wanting to get away from the feel of Lexington's suburbs.

While I agree that the Lexington area is very beautiful and very Kentucky, Bowling Green is also a very pretty city and the surrounding farm land is very picturesque. Bowling Green has horses, tobacco and WKU just in a lesser degree than Lexington. The idea that Lexington is the only part of Kentucky where horses are bred is just a myth. If you are from the Bowling Green area I would think you would know that.

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by dixiegirl7

While I agree that the Lexington area is very beautiful and very Kentucky, Bowling Green is also a very pretty city and the surrounding farm land is very picturesque. Bowling Green has horses, tobacco and WKU just in a lesser degree than Lexington. The idea that Lexington is the only part of Kentucky where horses are bred is just a myth. If you are from the Bowling Green area I would think you would know that.

Horses are bred all over this country but it doesn't mean that every city has a horse culture. Yes, I know of a couple horse farms outside of BG, but there is no real "horse industry" in BG. They are tiny compared to the ones in Lexington. Lexington and the surrounding counties account for the VAST majority of the horses bred in the state. That isn't a myth.

The farmland around BG is nice, but it isn't unique at all. Lexington's surroundings are unique and beautiful. That was my point. Lexington's has an identity defined by certain things. Other than the Corvette (which is a relatively recent addition in the history of the town) what is BGs unique feature?

I like how you say "if you are from" BG implying I'm an imposter. I've posted many times on here about BG and my knowledge of the area is pretty obvious. I like going back to BG to see my family, but I find myself fairly bored within a couple days. There are very few things that I just have to do when I go back. I look forward to going back to other places that I've lived so I can go to certain restaurants, or parks, or bars... BG, not so much, there is nothing really other than my family that calls me back.

Again, BG is not a bad place to live. I find it to be pretty non-descript though. If a person is looking for a small city with all the big box stuff, a few options for entertainment and a no hassle life, then BG is a fine place to live. I was very happy to leave and never have any intention of returning. It isn't that I hate it, there is just a lot more out there for me. However, I would return to Lexington if the right job opportunity came up.

[dixiegirl7]

There are actually several very well known horse farms in this area and Simpson County is becoming a world known center for horse breeding, particularly quarter horses. The fact that Bowling Green holds nothing of interest to you does not mean that would be true for other people. I have spoken to many people from much larger cities and progressive areas, even other countries that love Bowling Green and living here. I guess to find the farmland "unique", you have to be from a place that has nothing like the miles and miles of rolling hills and fields. We are just accustomed to such beauty and open space. Every time I leave and go to other areas of the country, when I come home I realize how truly beautiful it all is.

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by dixiegirl7

There are actually several very well known horse farms in this area and Simpson County is becoming a world known center for horse breeding, particularly quarter horses. The fact that Bowling Green holds nothing of interest to you does not mean that would be true for other people. I have spoken to many people from much larger cities and progressive areas, even other countries that love Bowling Green and living here. I guess to find the farmland "unique", you have to be from a place that has nothing like the miles and miles of rolling hills and fields. We are just accustomed to such beauty and open space. Every time I leave and go to other areas of the country, when I come home I realize how truly beautiful it all is.

That is why I have tried to preface everything I've said with "my opinion" and "I think"... I realize some people really like it. I'm giving my opinion, the OP can take it for what it is worth. I know many of my other friends from growing up who feel the same way that I do. Bowling Green has positives, it is a nice small size city. It was a nice place to grow up, but I was happy to leave. That basically sums up how I feel.

[Cav Scout wife]

Originally Posted by hdhick2

If I got a job in Frankfort, I would just commute from Lexington. Any western cities besides Bowling Green, Paducah, and Murray I'm missing?

Henderson, KY.

Not too big, but right across the river from Evansville, IN which is not too small.

[wildcatt86]

I moved to bg about 4 months ago and plan on leaving next spring. Once school starts in, everything in the city becomes more miserable. From taking a walk down the road, to grocery shopping. You can't go anywhere without some redneck college kids acting like morons. Wku lets in pretty much anyone. Plus the amount of rude bosnian people is astonishing.