Thinking of moving to Berea KY

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by silverjeep

Thanks for the comments. The key word here is to retire. We won't need jobs, so the job market isn't an issue. we asre looking for the smaller town atmosphere. Ann Arbor is getting too big and too conjested. The Art Fair is too big - stopped going to it years aqo. I'm sick of the all the spoiled rich kids at the Big Blue U who do nothing but drink and raise hell. A good example: Did you read about all the damage U of M frats and serority menbers did at two ski resorts in Northern Michigan? Prooerty damage & lost revenue at one of them came to $400,000.00 plus. Then there is the high cost of living and housing plus Michigan's no-fault car insurence. "A lot of reasons to get out of dodge"

If you're going to retire, I'd say it's just fine. The little college there will provide more life and activity than you'd get in most towns this size.

[CraigCreek]

Originally Posted by onthamove

berea has lots to offer i think by how you describe yourself you'd fit right in, however some people in recent years have started "art" fairs, lol we all know what "art" attracts, so if those weirder folk who come to town now and then do not bother you, you'll like Berea

Good grief. The "art fairs" in Berea have been held for around 50 years, if you're referring to the Kentucky Guild of Artists fairs out at Indian Fort Theater. Additional fairs and festivals have been added in more recent years, in Old Town and near the Square in Berea itself. Berea is a very contemporary place which honors and preserves the best of its unique heritage, so perhaps that gave you the impression that the Berea arts fairs are something new. They are not, but they remain fresh and relevant.

To cast aspersions on the admittedly artsy folks who are drawn to Berea is just - well, "artless" comes to mind, but that term has innocent connotations which hardly apply to the post above. Clueless might be more accurate, considering that the vast majority of Berea artists are hard-working, dedicated, creative and original people with vision. Berea - and Kentucky - is richer for their presence.

Yes, some of the creative people who love Berea are admittedly quirky - but "weird(er)" is hardly a just or accurate description. Are you judging by appearance, or have you actually gotten to know some of these arty folks??

[CraigCreek]

OP, I think Berea would suit you well. It has most of what you are seeking and is conveniently located just 45 minutes down the road from Lexington, which offers medium-sized city amenities plus advanced health care, should the need arise. Berea does have a good hospital, which recently became affiliated with Lexington-based St. Joseph Hospital(s), a collection of now three excellent Catholic hospitals.

Berea is beautifully situated, on the first ridge of the Cumberland Mountains, and has its own unique culture. There are many activities available to the public at little or not cost, including the juried craft fairs, traditional music and dance events, the annual Spoonbread Festival and Celtic Festival, concerts, lectures, plays, dance events (both participatory and presentations) and sports events sponsored by Berea College. Hiking is readily available, and there are swimming pools, playgrounds, tennis courts, golf, and other activities in the area. The public library is small but growing, with updates underway (or perhaps completely by now - I haven't been to Berea in several months, sadly).

Berea College students are generally mannerly and friendly - there are no sororities or fraternities - and are bright kids. Only those who are academically qualified, bright kids make it into Berea.

Of course, there is the usual petty crime in Berea, and an occasional horrific incident of one kind or another, but it's generally a very safe, comfortable place, filled with friendly people with high aspirations of various kinds.

So come visit, and see for yourselves if this is your place!

[Lilsaldegato]

Hey silver jeep. We moved from A2 to up north Gaylord MI 5 years ago. And now moved from there to Lexington renting and are buying in the next month and came across Berea today for the first time. It felt allot like Ann Arbor but on a much much smaller scale. We have family here and love this place. So we are looking to buy here. Go for it!!! Oh and yes shame on those students that did an immense amount of damage. One of the resorts was the tree tops in Gaylord and living here, it shook the whole town than parents of these kids tried buying the owners off fir the damages.