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Hello, I am a graduating college in a month and I have been getting interest from a few companies. One of them is a company near Lexington that I am extremely interested in working for. It is actually my top pick out of all potential careers that are available to me. However, location is important and I am looking for some information about the city. I just know that a weekend trip there or even a week trip there probably won't give me enough information so I'm hoping the community here can help me! First off, here is some information about myself:
I have spent almost my whole life living in California and for the past 4 years, Salt Lake City. I am Asian and male and in my 20's. I have no religion. I really like being active, nature, hiking, and outdoors. I am not super outgoing but not a hermit either, as in I enjoy having human interactions on a regular basis and meeting people, but I don't go out of my way to do it like many people in large cities would generally do.
I've done a lot of research on what is in Lexington, the economics of the city, climate, safety, etc. What I am more interested in is what it is like to live there:
-What is the culture?
-How are the people? Friendly, approachable, or usually all part of cliques? This encompasses making friends as well as dating.
-Is it super religious? As much as I loved the outdoors of Utah, the heavy religious influence hanging over the city bothered me a bit. I have nothing against religion, but I don't want people to constantly try to convert me or change the way I think. Also lots of places are closed on Sundays here, which is kind of boring.
-What's the lifestyle?
-How's the global cultural scene? Lots of ethnic foods, events?
-I also hate bringing up ethnicity but sadly not every community views it the same way. Is it considerably more difficult being asian-american in Lexington or is it not a big deal at all? I can definitely say there was a big difference moving from San Francisco to Salt Lake City.
-How is driving there? I really enjoy driving.
-I am still young and don't have a family yet, but thinking about the future, is it a good family city?
-How is the nature scene there? Lots of beautiful hiking trails? National parks? State parks?
-How is the airport? I enjoy traveling, so is the airport one that has direct flights to most cities in a reasonable radius or does it require tons of transfers to get anywhere?
-I also really enjoy practicing yoga (particularly of the hot variety), are there lots of good studios there?
-How is the weekend/night life?
Also, with everything I have said, I am pretty easy going and not hard to please. I don't absolutely require the perfect living conditions that check off every box. As much as I absolutely love California, I also really love Salt Lake City for completely different reasons. I just want to get a general sense for Lexington and judge based off that.
Hello, I am a graduating college in a month and I have been getting interest from a few companies. One of them is a company near Lexington that I am extremely interested in working for. It is actually my top pick out of all potential careers that are available to me. However, location is important and I am looking for some information about the city. I just know that a weekend trip there or even a week trip there probably won't give me enough information so I'm hoping the community here can help me! First off, here is some information about myself:
I have spent almost my whole life living in California and for the past 4 years, Salt Lake City. I am Asian and male and in my 20's. I have no religion. I really like being active, nature, hiking, and outdoors. I am not super outgoing but not a hermit either, as in I enjoy having human interactions on a regular basis and meeting people, but I don't go out of my way to do it like many people in large cities would generally do.
I've done a lot of research on what is in Lexington, the economics of the city, climate, safety, etc. What I am more interested in is what it is like to live there:
-What is the culture?
-How are the people? Friendly, approachable, or usually all part of cliques? This encompasses making friends as well as dating.
-Is it super religious? As much as I loved the outdoors of Utah, the heavy religious influence hanging over the city bothered me a bit. I have nothing against religion, but I don't want people to constantly try to convert me or change the way I think. Also lots of places are closed on Sundays here, which is kind of boring.
-What's the lifestyle?
-How's the global cultural scene? Lots of ethnic foods, events?
-I also hate bringing up ethnicity but sadly not every community views it the same way. Is it considerably more difficult being asian-american in Lexington or is it not a big deal at all? I can definitely say there was a big difference moving from San Francisco to Salt Lake City.
-How is driving there? I really enjoy driving.
-I am still young and don't have a family yet, but thinking about the future, is it a good family city?
-How is the nature scene there? Lots of beautiful hiking trails? National parks? State parks?
-How is the airport? I enjoy traveling, so is the airport one that has direct flights to most cities in a reasonable radius or does it require tons of transfers to get anywhere?
-I also really enjoy practicing yoga (particularly of the hot variety), are there lots of good studios there?
-How is the weekend/night life?
Also, with everything I have said, I am pretty easy going and not hard to please. I don't absolutely require the perfect living conditions that check off every box. As much as I absolutely love California, I also really love Salt Lake City for completely different reasons. I just want to get a general sense for Lexington and judge based off that.
Thanks for the help everyone!
Lexington has the feel of a thriving city at times, and has the feel of a big town at times. Southern Culture...but we border just south of the mid-west, so there is a little bit of that too! It can vary a bit, depending on what neighborhood you live in.
The people are usually friendly and usually very polite (Southern Culture coming through there). I haven't noticed the "clique" thing, but maybe that is because I am older.
Quote:
-Is it super religious? As much as I loved the outdoors of Utah, the heavy religious influence hanging over the city bothered me a bit. I have nothing against religion, but I don't want people to constantly try to convert me or change the way I think. Also lots of places are closed on Sundays here, which is kind of boring.
Well, we are on the edge of the Bible belt here, so you have a lot of people who do attend Church...you shouldn't find quite the level of people trying to convert you though, that you did out west in Utah. (and as long as you don't openly attack other peoples religious beliefs you will probably be okay..I know several self professed Atheists, and they do not seem to lack in friends.
Most things are open in Lexington on Sunday (a few businesses no, but for the most part life goes on as usual.) A lot of stores are open 24/7 and a few only close one day a year - on Christmas day.
Quote:
How's the global cultural scene? Lots of ethnic foods, events?
We are not as large as many of the Largest US Cities, but we don't have a lot of people from other Countries and Cultures (Maybe it's the college's influence, I am not sure) but you run into a lot of people from other states and countries.
Lots of outdoor stuff...hiking, parks, forests....
Kentucky is noted for it's outdoor forests, parks, hiking, rock climbing...in some of the lushest, most beautiful scenery imaginable.
I think its a city where a lot of people would feel very comfortable in....yes, its Kentucky, but its a world away from most all of the other towns in the state, because of the universities and colleges, and the diverse student body. I was there for a year and saw so many different ethnic groups, in the mall, in restaurants, on the street, at parks...it was great. No one is going to look at you differently because you're Asian, if that makes it clearer....many, many groups of folks there from all over the country, and from overseas, for that matter...I'll never forget the group of very TALL students (on basketball scholarships, I asked them) from China I saw shopping in Macys...one was kind enough to reach up and pull down a comforter set I wanted that was on a mile high shelf. You'll be just fine.
Hi! I grew up in Lexington and spent some adult years there as well. I now live in Los Angeles and consider Utah my favorite state after California. I'm into the outdoors and not religious, so maybe I can help answer some of your questions.
-What is the culture?
Central Kentucky is South meets the Mid-West. I used to live in GA and SC and it does not have the culture of the deep south. At the same time, people are noticeably different once you cross into Ohio. People are friendly for the most part. I would consider Lexington progressive for where it is. It is a bastion of conservatism compared to San Francisco, but probably not any more conservative than SLC.
-How are the people? Friendly, approachable, or usually all part of cliques? This encompasses making friends as well as dating.
People are friendly, approachable and cliquish. Most people here are from here or they came here to go to school and tend to stick with the friends they made from those places. Interestingly, dating is easier and a great way to get to know people. That said, MeetUp wasn't a thing when I last lived there and I think getting involved with that could help a lot.
-Is it super religious? As much as I loved the outdoors of Utah, the heavy religious influence hanging over the city bothered me a bit. I have nothing against religion, but I don't want people to constantly try to convert me or change the way I think. Also lots of places are closed on Sundays here, which is kind of boring.
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by influence. Church is a big thing here, but you can find plenty of friends who aren't into that. Churches do have a LOT of influence politically, socially, etc…
-What's the lifestyle?
I always felt like Lexington was a great place to be a kid and is a great place to raise kids, but not really great for people ages 15 and up who don't have families. That may be changing, but most things are geared toward that. Also, something I never really noticed when I lived there, but definitely do now, is that most social events revolve around eating and going to bars. In CA, I meet up with friends to hike, go to museums, etc… But, in Lex, drinking is a big thing. Obviously, this is slightly better in the summer. But, mostly, that just moves the drinking to the nearest patio.
-How's the global cultural scene? Lots of ethnic foods, events?
I don't know much about this. I do know there is an African Roots Festival in downtown every year.
-I also hate bringing up ethnicity but sadly not every community views it the same way. Is it considerably more difficult being asian-american in Lexington or is it not a big deal at all? I can definitely say there was a big difference moving from San Francisco to Salt Lake City.
I have a friend who also lived in Lexington and now lives in CA. He was one of maybe five asian kids in my high school and makes fun of the lack of asians there. But, this is something that is changing all the time and even he hasn't lived there for more than ten years. I don't think you would ever be made to feel unwelcome anywhere because you were Asian. Again, big difference from SF, but probably not too much different from SLC.
-How is driving there? I really enjoy driving.
It is pretty easy to get out of the city to some gorgeous country roads to drive on. Traffic is not really an issue.
-I am still young and don't have a family yet, but thinking about the future, is it a good family city?
It is a great family city. There are more parks and green space in the city limits than anywhere I have seen and the public schools are great. Lots of family activities going on all the time.
-How is the nature scene there? Lots of beautiful hiking trails? National parks? State parks?
It is not like SF or SLC. Nature is not right out your door. I definitely didn't like that I couldn't just be somewhere hiking in 15 minutes. That said, Raven Run is a nature preserve about 30 minutes outside the city where you can go hiking and Red River Gorge is about 2-3 hours away, one of the best climbing/nature areas in the country. Lexington is a beautiful town, but you have been spoiled! SF and SLC are two of the most beautiful cities in this country IMO. Lexington does not even compare. But, it's a lot greener and more lush than cities.
-How is the airport? I enjoy traveling, so is the airport one that has direct flights to most cities in a reasonable radius or does it require tons of transfers to get anywhere?
It's not a major hub, so it just depends on where you want to go. A lot of flights will connect through somewhere, but there are direct flights to a few major places.
-I also really enjoy practicing yoga (particularly of the hot variety), are there lots of good studios there?
-I don't know anything about this! Google is your friend.
-How is the weekend/night life?
This changes a lot, so not really sure. Most of the action seems to be downtown and the scene is way better than it used to be.
Your love for California and Utah makes me wonder whether you would like it because they are so different from Kentucky. But, the job is a big thing. If you are that interested in the position, then why not come check it out for 2-3 years? If you hate it, you can always transfer to another job/city! May as well see a different part of the country. If you can learn to love UK basketball and horse racing, you will fit right in.
Your love for California and Utah makes me wonder whether you would like it because they are so different from Kentucky. But, the job is a big thing. If you are that interested in the position, then why not come check it out for 2-3 years? If you hate it, you can always transfer to another job/city! May as well see a different part of the country. If you can learn to love UK basketball and horse racing, you will fit right in.
Wow you have been all over the place, I'm so jealous. Thanks for your great responses by the way!
So the company I'm interested in is actually in Harrodsburg, but I'm pretty sure I would not like living there. Lexington seems like it's at a feasible distance away to live (unless there are traffic issues I'm unaware of).
Yea it is a tough decision because my options are:
-Stay with my current company in Salt Lake City after graduation, which I am apathetic towards. I neither like it nor hate it, but I love this state. I just went to Capitol Reef National Park this weekend and it was gorgeous!
-Move back to the Bay Area and work for a startup company that wants me. The work there seems like it'll be really fun, but a startup doesn't offer nearly as much benefits or pay as a normal company, and you know the living expense situation in California.
-If I get this Kentucky job, move to a place that I'm unsure about, but work the job that I currently want the most.
Honestly if I get the job, I am probably 99% going to move to Kentucky no matter what because career is more important at this point to me. I just like doing my research beforehand to make sure nothing surprises me I feel I am very adaptable to any situation!
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