California family considering moving to rural Kentucky (Lexington, Louisville: transplants, how much)

[Sundance]

Oh, I forgot to add, there are plenty of martial arts places around.

[censusdata]

Personally I'd recommend Garrard County near Lexington or Henry County near Louisville.

[dixiegirl7]

I would recommend Barren or Simpson Counties in southern Kentucky. Simpson County is twenty minutes from Bowling Green and all the amenities you need (several martial arts schools, shopping, healthcare) and only thirty minutes from Nashville. Barren County has Glasgow for most of what you'll need and is still only 30 minutes from Bowling Green also. Both are conservative communities and have absolutely beautiful farm land.

[EclecticEars]

Kentucky is a geographically diverse state--arguably, the most diverse east of the continental divide, save for possibly Oklahoma and Texas. Not a lot of sawmills here, though, but I believe a few still exist here and there in rural-most Eastern Kentucky.

You want to be around the suburban areas of Kentucky that are still growing. Here are my recommendations of nice rural towns without a lot of that hillbilly crap and that do provide good qualities of life, such as good hospitals, a not-so-snobby populace and cleanliness:

Around Louisville/Elizabethtown: I recommend Elizabethtown itself, Vine Grove, Simpsonville, Fisherville/KY 148 corridor (in Louisville, but rural), Oldham County, Eminence. In Indiana, look at Sellersburg, Charlestown, Corydon, and Floyds Knobs; Floyds Knobs has better public schools than even Oldham Co., Kentucky's highest-rated overall system. I do not recommend Bardstown (seriously, folks, it's not that great), Taylorsville, Bullitt County, or Shelbyville.

Around Lexington/Richmond: I recommend Wilmore, Midway, Frankfort (also only 40 minutes from Louisville), Danville, and rural Fayette County (still considered Lexington but away from urban cluster). I do not recommend Lawrenceburg, Harrodsburg, Versailles (very overrated), and Georgetown, and especially do not recommend Stanton, Richmond and Winchester; just terrible towns.

Around Northern Kentucky: I recommend Boone County west of Burlington and south of Union (includes Walton, Verona, Rabbit Hash), Kenton County south of Fort Wright (includes Independence, Morningview,) Campbell County south of Cold Spring (includes Alexandria, Grant's Lick, California, Melbourne.) Just stay outside I-275 if you want rural. You could also look at Lawrenceburg, Aurora, or Rising Sun in Indiana or Batavia, Ross, Millville, or Monroe in Ohio.

Around Bowling Green: Bowling Green itself, although BG's central core is kind of a dump. This is home of Western Kentucky University, so there's that vibe going on. I don't recommend any of the surrounding communities.

Do keep one thing in mind: Kentucky's public schools are only of slightly higher quality than California's. They suck, with the exceptions of a few wealthier districts around Louisville, N. KY, and a system in Richmond called Model Lab.

The rest of Kentucky, outside of these four areas, is extremely rural and has very little development--residential, commercial, industrial, and public sector--occurring.

[Digger57]

Anak, you have made a good choice and I commend you for your focus and values. Kentucky is a wonderful and diverse state that will provide what you are looking for, just do your homework and take time to visit some key areas of interest to you. My favorite areas are more rural such as Butler and Warren counties in the south central area. Danville, Lexington, and Winchester are also a few towns I like personally. The weather is not bad at all with four distinct seasons. Winter is not too bad with some decent snow here & there, Spring is spectacular, Summer is great and has some humidity but not nearly as bad as most southeastern states, Fall is a blaze of color and must be seen!
I wish you luck with your transition. Please let me know how it goes and keep us posted!

[KoHoSo]

Anak, I'm a native Kentuckian that has now lived a long time in the Inland Empire area of California. Let me add a few things on a couple of the questions that you asked.

Originally Posted by Anak

First question: How much of a negative stigma do we bring with us by being from California? I know that in some places Californians are not exactly welcome. We seem to get branded as Kalifornicators. I can't say the stereotype has not been earned, but we aren't all hybrid driving, tree hugging metrosexuals with purse dogs. Will rural Kentuckians welcome us, or will we be looking at decades, if not generations of "outsider" status?

Two years ago, I took a driving trip by myself across 2/3 of the USA so that I could see my home state for the first time since 1983. I had long ago lost my accent and was very concerned about what would happen to me as everybody saw my California license plate. I went all over the Commonwealth crossing the Mississippi River on a ferry into Hickman and made it a point to mostly stay out of the larger towns by staying off the Interstates and sticking to the old US Highways and state routes. I crossed the southern part of Kentucky, through the center, went out into the eastern part along KY-15, up toward the northern area, back into Louisville, and out through Paducah. I interacted with many locals as I shopped, ate in restaurants, visited state parks, took pictures, and reminisced. I cannot point to even the most minor of incidents in the five days I was there where I was not made to feel fully welcome whether it was by somebody I was buying something from, a state park ranger, or just a nice person walking down the street.

Sure, as a group, Kentuckians might disdain Californians (what other state doesn't hate California right now? ). However, one-on-one (and knowing full well that no blanket statement is ever 100% correct), I can't think of any place where people are more genuinely happy to have visitors from other states than Kentucky. They are curious to know what California is really like and your personal presence will remind them that the Golden State is the home of Ronald Reagan just as much as it is Nancy Pelosi (just stating that as a fact, not a personal preference) and as much of a farming state as it is a purveyor of personal excess. In other words, it's just as diverse as Kentucky in that way, only bigger.

Fifth question: Particularly for those who have also lived in warmer climates--just how cold am I likely to find Kentucky? I have one friend who swears he was colder in Tennessee than he was in Kodiak Alaska. He blames it on the humidity. Is it really that cold?

This is so hard to say because each person has his or her level of what true "cold" is. For example, I interrupted my stay here in California for two years by moving to Denver. Yes, it got cold there, but it didn't bother me that much until it got down to 19 degrees or lower (keeping in mind that Colorado is much more arid than Kentucky). In my view, the thing you will most have to worry about is not driving like a Californian there -- your life will depend on it if you move into a rural area of Kentucky (assuming you're not one of the five people left in this state besides me that doesn't drive like an idiot or a maniac ). Judging by the overall character of your post, I think you will come to get used to wearing a few extra clothes, enjoy the turns of the seasons, and highly appreciate the closeness and community that cold weather brings to a place that is used to it (unlike the valleys of California where everybody hides until it passes). Just be prepared. I'm sure you saw the awful ice storm that happened in Kentucky last winter. Depending on your location, you will have to watch for floods, tornadoes, and -- especially in the west -- you'll be right next to the only fault zone more dangerous than the San Andreas. Then again, no place is perfect and it's all nothing that a little extra food in the cupboard and a good NOAA Weather Radio won't mostly take care of.

If you have satisfactorily had your other questions answered, I really think that you would enjoy a life in the Commonwealth. If you can take the time and can afford it, perhaps a quick wintertime trip to Kentucky would seal the deal. And, if it does, start brushing up on your college basketball.

[Anak]

Thank you to those who have replied. I much appreciate the information and insights.

Some trips to KY are indeed on my to-do list. I want to be there when it is as cold as possible. I also want to be there in the spring when the pollen is as bad as possible (personal detail which I can't expect anyone else to be able to answer for me).

It doesn't sound at all like my being from California will be too worrisome.

A question for EclecticEars: What is to avoid with regard to Shelbyville? One area which I am tending to prefer is the area around Frankfort. Especially a bit west would appear to provide relatively convenient access to both Lexington and Louisville. This is favorable in my book as it will allow my wife occasional access to a large city (typical of her native habitat) and provide educational options as my boys grow up. Shelbyville is one area which appears to be a natural in this instance. What would be the downside to Shelbyville? Note: This is precisely where I see the value in this forum. I know of no better way to find out what an area really is like.

I do appreciate those who have mentioned available real estate. Again, the inside perspective is worth far more to me than what the marketing folks present.

It also sounds like finding a martial arts studio will not be nearly as challenging as I anticipated.

Kentucky is looking promising. I just have to be successful in cashing out of Kali.

[SFLWR]

One thing about that ice storm that hit us.....that was NOT something that happens every winter.....we do get ice at times but our winters are just more cold than anything. You might want to check out Berea area , it's a nice town and pretty with a good college and close to Lexington . And Louisville ....full of crime and gangs.

[KoHoSo]

Originally Posted by SFLWR

One thing about that ice storm that hit us.....that was NOT something that happens every winter.....we do get ice at times but our winters are just more cold than anything.

Very true. I apologize if my mentioning that storm in my previous post gave the impression that such ice storms were a yearly occurrence.

And Louisville ....full of crime and gangs.

On this representation I would respectfully disagree. What city of Louisville's size does not have crime and gangs? In addition, over most of this decade, Louisville has been rated as one of the safest cities for its size in the entire United States.

Does that mean that there are not places there that you would not want to go, especially at night? Of course not. Does that mean it is as safe as one of Kentucky's smaller towns? Certainly not. However, and again with all due respect, I think that's a little harsh to say that Louisville is "full of crime and gangs" when, at least compared to the rest of the United States, the statistics show otherwise. In fact, Louisville's relative safety is one reason I am thinking about moving back to the Commonwealth myself.

[SFLWR]

Originally Posted by KoHoSo

Very true. I apologize if my mentioning that storm in my previous post gave the impression that such ice storms were a yearly occurrence.

On this representation I would respectfully disagree. What city of Louisville's size does not have crime and gangs? In addition, over most of this decade, Louisville has been rated as one of the safest cities for its size in the entire United States.

Does that mean that there are not places there that you would not want to go, especially at night? Of course not. Does that mean it is as safe as one of Kentucky's smaller towns? Certainly not. However, and again with all due respect, I think that's a little harsh to say that Louisville is "full of crime and gangs" when, at least compared to the rest of the United States, the statistics show otherwise. In fact, Louisville's relative safety is one reason I am thinking about moving back to the Commonwealth myself.

no, I didn't take it you meant the ice thing happened yearly, just wanted to clarify for the OP so he wouldn't be scared off .
Sorry if "full of " crime and gangs was to harsh. I was just comparing it statisticly from where I live . I'm sure Louisville has some great neighborhoods . Didn't mean to offend anyone, sorry.