Paducah:moving in 2010 (Cadiz, California: to rent, house, buyers)

[sneeches3]

My husband is the in USCG and we could very likely be stationed in Paducah next spring. I have searched through previous threads and it seems most get sidetracked into debates that really don't answer the question.....forgive me if I'm missing something. Most of the Cons against Paducah, from what I've read, don't seem like they would affect us too much since we're military and therefore won't be there long term. We have one baby and hopefully will plan on our 2nd while there.

We're currently in Southern California (just outside of Long Beach) and are really wanting to get to a smaller town where we can rent a house that doesn't cost us our firstborn child and 110% of our income!
Things important to us:
* relevant community for young (30's) family
*outdoor lifestyle(camping, kayaking, hiking, cycling opportunities)
*viable church community to get plugged into
*safe, walkable areas
*home for 3 (maybe 4) to rent with a yard to plant a garden (our housing allowance will be around $750 I think for this zip code)
*possible bike commute for husband to the Coast Guard Base (225 Tully St.)

Not Really Relevant for Us
*long term economy of town
*taxes
*school system
*job opportunities
*housing market for buyers
(I do know that all those things ultimately affect the lifeblood of a city, just won't make or break us while we're there).

Any specifics related to what I've listed would be awesome, specifically areas (streets) to live/avoid! Thanks so much in advance!

[kshe95girl]

The only thing I can comment on is the fact that Paducah is not very far from the Land Between the Lakes area,
Land Between The Lakes | HOME
When the ex and I were stationed at Fort Campbell, we went there often, loved it!

[kygman]

Too bad you couldn't be in Paducah this weekend for the big BBQ festival, Porkstock (instead of Woodstock. lol). There's always the National Quilt Museum down by the riverfront. It's the largest quilt museum in the world. kshe mentioned the Land Between the Lakes. Paducah isn't far from Kentucky Lake, the largest man made lake east of the Mississippi River. But I bet Hubby will get to see a lot of that. Metropolis, Illinois, across the Ohio River has the honor of claiming to be the home of Superman. After some research, it was discovered that this is the only town of Metropolis in the U.S., so, in '72 the Illinois legislature designated it as the home of Superman. The is a huge statue of him on the court square and they have a big festival every June. The original Lois Lane still comes every year and they are working on a Lois Lane statue.

[kshe95girl]

^ every time I drive home I stop at the Quilt Museum, its a real treasure!

[kygman]

The floodwall painted with murals of the history of Paducah is something to see too.

[kshe95girl]

kygman, I just noticed you are from Cadiz.......my mamas people are from Poplar Bluff and Risco, I spent a lot of time in W Ky growing up, it sure is a beautiful place......my uncle still lives in Monkey's Eyebrow, what a name!