California family considering moving to rural Kentucky

[Capt. Dan]

Originally Posted by Anak

Thanks to you guys for clarifying things, but I assure you, I wasn't much concerned by the first post suggesting gangs in Louisville. Crime in Kentucky is fairly low on my list of concerns. Shoot, I currently live within 40 miles of Tijuana, Mexico. Right off the path from Tijuana to Los Angeles. Let's talk drugs and human smuggling operations. Not that we have experienced problems first-hand, but I expect Kentucky to be a substantial improvement over San Diego with regard to overall safety.

I am still very much in information acquisition mode. I remain curious as to why EclecticEars recommends against Shelbyville. At the moment I am focusing on the area around Frankfort and around Berea. Getting out 10 to 20 miles from either of these would probably suit my family fairly well.

I really want to get out there and see the areas firsthand.

Do they still have the warning signs on Interstate 5 that show an entire family [presumably illegals] running across the road?

[Anak]

I have not paid attention to whether those signs are still up or not. There were some down in the south bay area and also some up toward San Onofre. I don't spend much time in either area, so I am not sure if the signs are still there or not. They were somewhat entertaining.

[kygman]

Anak I know you said you're looking between Louisville and Frankfort, and everybody has told you about every part of the state except western Kentucky, what I call the forgotten part of the state. It's hard to hear much of anything about the part of Kentucky west of a line from Elizabethtown to Bowling Green. I live in Cadiz. My step daughter and son-in-law just bought 12.5 acres plus a 4 BR 2 bath house for $140,000 They are about 5 miles from Barkley Lake. Kentucky and Barkley lakes are 10-15 miles from here. Kentucky Lake is the largest man made lake east of the Mississippi River. The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (Land Between The Lakes | HOME) has 170,000 acres and 300 miles of undeveloped shore line to hike, bike, camp and boat. There's over 200 miles of hiking and biking trails, and 100 miles of horse and wagon trails.
As far as cities, you can get on I-24 and be in Nashville, Tn in about an hour or Paducah in less than that.
I know I'm doing what I always say I wouldn't do, telling you about one place after you've decided on another. Hope you decide to move to Kentucky. After you get settled, load up the family and get out to see all this state. There's plenty to see and do and a lot of friendly people to visit with.

[Anak]

From what I have seen (pictures, and likely not the full story), western Kentucky is relatively flat and not particularly heavily timbered. Proximity to mountains and forest is a priority of mine.

If my grasp of western Kentucky is inaccurate I would be happy to have it corrected.

[RICKYY]

Originally Posted by Anak

From what I have seen (pictures, and likely not the full story), western Kentucky is relatively flat and not particularly heavily timbered. Proximity to mountains and forest is a priority of mine.

If my grasp of western Kentucky is inaccurate I would be happy to have it corrected.

Like another poster here, I was raised in Western KY., (Grayson County) and have lived in San Diego, Escondido and now Temecula, CA. for the past 27 years.

Western Kentucky is relatively flat but not table flat like the plains of Indiana and Illinois. Because of its rolling terrain it is not well suited for large scale farming but that also means a lot of timbered acreage. And a lot of beautiful small farms.

Eastern Kentucky is beautiful and has the mountains but the people had a reputation of being somewhat clannish. I don't know if that is still an issue. My Grandmother was born in the hills of Eastern Kentucky and eventually moved further west. She did not talk favorably of Eastern Kentucky but I do not know why and I never really got over there.

I believe you mentioned Shelbyville as a place you were looking at but it is up north close to Louisville and there are no mountains up there. I personally never liked Louisville, too big cityish.

The town I was raised in was Leitchfield, pop 3100. That sign has not changed in 56 years. It has a town square with the courthouse in the middle, looks like Mayberry. It is a dry county and living there is like being on a different planet from San Diego. Very quiet, slow pace, land is pretty affordable, good hunting and fishing, no crime. I still have family there and it has really not changed since the 50s and 60s when I lived there.

With your values you would fit right in there, especially if you are a man of the land and like to hunt and fish. Being from CA would not be an issue as long as you did not try to push the "CA values" thing on them. It is almost like the land time forgot and is a little too rural for most people

I have seen posters on this forum from CA looking for Mayberry wanting to know if mixed race couples, gay couples, liberal progressive would be welcome there and my recommendation to them is they would probably have a problem there.

The weather is not bad, 4 distinct seasons, beautiful spring, hot, humid summers, beautiful falls and moderate winters. There is usually a couple dustings of snow and then usually one kind of big snow of a couple of feet or so. It might get down to zero for a few weeks in January.

Kentuckyians are good people and the rural folk are simple and non-pretentious. I guess anywhere in the state would be a good place to live. I had an aunt that lived about 5 miles south of Elizabethtown on an old farm that did not have indoor plumbing, but it was a very nice area. Good luck in your search.

[kygman]

Originally Posted by RICKYY

Like another poster here, I was raised in Western KY., (Grayson County)

No offense RICKYY, but you're a little bit from true western Kentucky. I'm in Cadiz, about 110 miles west of Grayson County and we're about 100 miles from the Mississippi River. The land is like you said, rolling, but after you go past the Land Between the Lakes, it levels out on down to the Mighty Mississippi. I do disagree with you about the people.

"I have seen posters on this forum from CA looking for Mayberry wanting to know if mixed race couples, gay couples, liberal progressive would be welcome there and my recommendation to them is they would probably have a problem there."

I have known several gay couples who have been successful business leaders in their communities. As far as mixed race, I haven't seen any problem with them in this area either. I know many mixed race couples and their children. I have lived in Graves County, Union/Henderson County area, and here in Trigg County. I have yet to see any problems. You will always somebody who will say something, but most people will laugh and go on about their business. Liberal progressive? Come on! You'll have people agree with you and you'll have people that won't. But you won't be run out of town or threatened or anything.
I have lived in western Kentucky all my life (so far!). Don't see any need of moving anywhere else. There are friendly folks around here. Are there "unfriendlies"? Tell me anywhere in the country you won't find a few! Come on to Kentucky, western , eastern, norther, southern, central...wherever. It's a great state with great friendly people.

I'll get off my soap box now! lol

[susann910]

Relocating from Calif. to Kentucky, Cadiz in a few weeks. Bought 2 acres with 2 house, both nice for $77,000. on Barkley Lake. The town has about 2500 people but close to larger towns. I haven't been there yet, just seen pictures. My husband and brother-in-law went there and found the place. I'm so excited. Been living in the desert for 50 years. It will be a whole new life.

[RICKYY]

Originally Posted by kygman

No offense RICKYY, but you're a little bit from true western Kentucky. I'm in Cadiz, about 110 miles west of Grayson County and we're about 100 miles from the Mississippi River. The land is like you said, rolling, but after you go past the Land Between the Lakes, it levels out on down to the Mighty Mississippi. I do disagree with you about the people.

"I have seen posters on this forum from CA looking for Mayberry wanting to know if mixed race couples, gay couples, liberal progressive would be welcome there and my recommendation to them is they would probably have a problem there."

I have known several gay couples who have been successful business leaders in their communities. As far as mixed race, I haven't seen any problem with them in this area either. I know many mixed race couples and their children. I have lived in Graves County, Union/Henderson County area, and here in Trigg County. I have yet to see any problems. You will always somebody who will say something, but most people will laugh and go on about their business. Liberal progressive? Come on! You'll have people agree with you and you'll have people that won't. But you won't be run out of town or threatened or anything.
I have lived in western Kentucky all my life (so far!). Don't see any need of moving anywhere else. There are friendly folks around here. Are there "unfriendlies"? Tell me anywhere in the country you won't find a few! Come on to Kentucky, western , eastern, norther, southern, central...wherever. It's a great state with great friendly people.

I'll get off my soap box now! lol

Well pardon me for not being a "true" western Kentuckian Mr. Kygman, perhaps you could point out the line where "true" western Kentucky begins. I didn't know I had to live in Cadiz, KY, to say I was from western Kentucky. I've been to Cadiz and it sure as hell isn't anything to brag about. I guess I got outed as a poser, sorry.

I don't know anything about the people of Cadiz, KY, but I know about the people of Grayson County KY. The are very nice and very conservative and they want their piece of Kentucky to stay just the way it is. They are not a bunch of politically correct liberals and don't take any crap off anybody. They watch TV and the news and surf the internet. They see how other areas of the county are turning into crap and they are not going to let that happen in the piece of Kentucky they live in.

So maybe Cadiz, KY is ok with the "alternative livestyle" bs, I can guarantee the people of Grayson County, KY, won't put up with it.
However, it is no skin off my nose, I don't (and wouldn't) live there anymore and it is a free country and people can live where they want.
I just don't think it is right to tell people whose lifestyles will be offensive to the locals to "come on down, you won't have any problem"! I see it on these boards all the time and then read the stories about people moving to areas they are not welcome in.

But since Mr. Kygman has identified me as a poser, don't listen to me, listen to him and take your alternative lifestyle to the backwoods of Kentucky. Have fun!

[kygman]

Calm down, Rickyy. I apologize for making it sound bad. If you look back through most of these threads on Kentucky, when somebody asks something about western Kentucky, most of the talk is east of the Natcher Parkway (Owensboro to Bowling Green to those of you not familiar with the area). I looked back at the way I put that after reading your comment and I shouldn't have said it that way. I've never been to Grayson County.
On the road we live on, you drive past the homes of two very nice and friendly black families before you get to our house. Their young sons have been over here playing with our grandson before. Last year there was a rash of bicycles thefts from people's homes. They were trying to get our two bikes but the black man next door came out yelling at them and they ran off. He then called the police and came over to let me know about what almost happened. i would do the same for him. There are 8 or 9 homes on our short road and I would say maybe half are black families. I have talked to several and have probably waved to every one of them as they drive by our house. I'll wave hi to you as you drive by, doesn't matter the color of your skin. I'm friendly to the person, not the color. I see mixed race couples married and raising families here quite often.
So, once again, Rickyy, I do apologize. You've got your own opinion on the matter and have every right to express how you feel.

Susann, I hope you have a safe trip. We almost bought a fully furnished 2 br mobile home on an acre by the lake for $55,000. Decided on a 3 br, 2 bath home about a mile from town on an acre for $70,000.

[JasonAndAmelia]

I think that the OP might be a little confused about where "western" Kentucky is. If you want hills and trees, and forests, I would say that Western Kentucky is an ideal fit. Also, going by the OP original positings. I would suggest Hancock and Ohio Counties. 1.5 hrs to E'ville and Louisville. Also, 45 min to Owensboro, the state's 3rd largest city. We do have plenty of hills, and woods. As well as a timber industry and several sawmills, although getting on at one might be tough, but if you have experience you'll fare better than those without. Also, our housing market hasn't tanked like the rest of the country, so Daviess County and even Hancock and Ohio counties are still building, so you can possibly find work in doing that. Hancock County schools were ranked as the best in western kentucky and in the top 5 in the state. So, schools around here are very very important. My wife and I moved here from Oklahoma and we love it. We both work in Owensboro, but live in Hancock county. A lot of active Evangelical Christians around here. As far as martial arts, the school offers something for the community in HC and I know that Owensboro has several studios. The internet in HC is very well covered. Whatever ATT doesn't offer for DSL is serviced by several wireless internet providers which do offer high speeds. Don't think that KY Ends in Louisville and then picks back up in Bowling Green and goes west from there. There is alot of good, cheap real estate up here along the Ohio River. Great hunting, also.