Northern Kentucky...The WORST place in the Country? (Covington, Florence: condo, moving)

[ihatenky]

I recently came back from a grueling three day trip to Northern Kentucky; IE; Hebron, Florence, Newport and Covington area. What an absolute wasteland. I've never been in a place more devoid of diversity, culture, and general courtesy in my entire life. It was as if everyone was operating in a constant state of offense. And I mean everyone. For what, I still can't figure out. The term "White Trash" seems to fail in its ability to convey the gravity of ignorance held by the general populace there. It has to be some type of a vortex for all things sadistic and ugly.

[Forest_Hills_Daddy]

Worse than Skid Row in LA?

[Wing Feathers]

[notthatgirl]

ya gotta pay the troll toll

[kentuckydad95]

I thought the Appy region was the worst part of KY? I'm confused.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by notthatgirl

ya gotta pay the troll toll

Send that troll down here, we'll have the Forest folk find a gator hole for him!

[HiBall]

Be quiet...leave it alone ...maybe it will go away.

[sweetpickle]

Ok I can't leave this one alone....to the OP: I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience in Northern KY but in my experience the area is not quite the wasteland you describe. Have you been to Detroit? Or South Central LA? It's the Heartland...not a booming coastal city. There are some very nice aspects to the area...Newport on the Levee comes to mind which is of course situated on the river - a great place for Labor Day celebration. Cinn is close and there are some interesting historic districts. Anyway, I'm sure if needed you could find some positive aspects about the area but this is only of course if you keep an open mind.

[EclecticEars]

About the OP: He/she may technically be "trolling" per the stipulations of the forum, but I can't leave this one alone.

I used to defend NKY from the "Yankee-bashers" that did not like the region. I've always heard friends and acquaintances growing up downstate talk about about rude and crass Cincinnatians (or, just the general label "people from Ohio") can be. I always thought that NKY would have enough southern mannerisms to not be as much like those so-called danged Cincinnatians just because it is in Kentucky.

Except for Florida, Chicago and New York City (and even many of its natives are reserved but friendly), never have I encountered a constant stream of nasty, bitter, negative, condescending, or all of the above people. I have spent nearly a year and a half giving this area a chance. It is extremely hard to make friends in this area, even though I have hung out some with acquaintances since moving here (although it's hard to get together due to busy and diverse schedules.) As for racial segregation, I would argue that it is so thick that you could cut it with a knife; yes, worse than other cities I've visited like San Antonio, Birmingham, Atlanta, and Nashville. I have met great people at work and have gone out with many of them for drinks and meals. But just the general Joe Schmo on the street is, like the OP said, in a state of offense and, yes, many of them are even sadistic. I'm really not kidding. Not most, or even a slight majority, but still many. Even California (or at least much of it), one of my states of interest, gave me an overall good impression people-wise when I was there two months ago.

The rest of Kentucky isn't for me culturally. I've had interviews lately in TX and CA but no opportunities came out of those. I do now understand that much of the rest of Kentucky is friendlier, although in my opinion it is only superficially. My blood pressure and stress level seems to lower whenever I get past the Crittenden exit on I-75, and yet I find that because of the amenities that NKY is accessible to that it is the best part of Kentucky for me. Yet I'm unhappy in N. Ky; call me crazy, I know.

Folks, I sincerely don't think it's me. I've given up on Kentucky; I'm not a fit.

[ihatenky]

Thank you for apologizing. I appreciate the condolences but would still request a refund of my time spent there. We did go to the Levee to have lunch and watch the game. It was fine if your idea of fashion is Deb and Hot Topic, and cuisine a bowl full of hot wings and sliders. It was whatever, but I will say it had attractive views of Cincinnati. The newly constructed "Queen City Square" building added a nice contrast to the existing skyline. But all of that is besides the point. I guess what I was more posting on were the people. They were genuinely strange- aggressive even, for no reason whatsoever. I have traveled to all of the places you noted, as well as many other parts of the country and have never encountered such an across the board degree of racism, prejudice, and lack of understanding. That was my experience- and I did keep an open mind. It was just repeatedly closed by the behavior of those I encountered.