OT - looking into relocation to Louisville area, Bowling Green or Lexington

[OneStopReb]

Hey all — I’m looking to relocate from the North MS/Memphis area in the next few years (if you know anything about Memphis, you’ll possibly understand) — I’ve thought about somewhere around Louisville, not necessarily the city proper, but the area, also thinking Bowling Green or possibly Lexington…..can any of you tell me pros/cons of any? Recommend any in particular?

Nothings set in stone — just doing some looking into different areas.

It’s going to be just me, so schools aren’t a big factor but —- always want to get in a good school district for future possible resale

Thanks in advance

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Hey all — I’m looking to relocate from the North MS/Memphis area in the next few years (if you know anything about Memphis, you’ll possibly understand) — I’ve thought about somewhere around Louisville, not necessarily the city proper, but the area, also thinking Bowling Green or possibly Lexington…..can any of you tell me pros/cons of any? Recommend any in particular?

Nothings set in stone — just doing some looking into different areas.

It’s going to be just me, so schools aren’t a big factor but —- always want to get in a good school district for future possible resale

Thanks in advance

Just read the other day that Lexington was voted the best city to live in. It listed about fifteen reasons why as it covered a lot of stuff for everybody. Remember it saying a lot of major cities have some of those things but Lexington has a bit of all. One thing was the quality of the school systems there.

 

[vhcat70]

TN income tax = 0%. KY income tax = 4%.

 

[billoliver40]

If you are used to the conveniences of a city the size of Memphis, then Bowling Green is likely a bit too small...although it is just an hour or so via I 65 from Nashville.

I would agree total box Lexington would be a good bet.

 

[Boz]

If you have the cash Oldham County is a nice place with the best public schools in the state. It has high taxes, and nice houses with a country feel. If is an easy drive to Louisville. Louisville has most very you would need and want.

 

[sieken]

I agree about Oldham County, seems to appreciate a little quicker as well. If being somewhat close to Lexington is important, Danville is a beautiful area. Fairly close to Louisville and Lexington.

 

[CRZ4UK]

If moving to Louisville pick your area wisely. Crime is terrible. Coming from Memphis might be an improvement, but not much.

 

[sieken]

The violence in Louisville is a bit overblown. The new Chief of police seems like a good one as well and is taking safety seriously. My biggest issue with the city is over development without bringing the infrastructure up with it. It’s a freaking parking lot throughout the whole city for a couple hours in the morning and worse in the afternoon.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Just read the other day that Lexington was voted the best city to live in. It listed about fifteen reasons why as it covered a lot of stuff for everybody. Remember it saying a lot of major cities have some of those things but Lexington has a bit of all. One thing was the quality of the school systems there.

The report I am talking about was nation wide. Not just Kentucky.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

TN income tax = 0%. KY income tax = 4%.

This. Move to Portland, TN or Springfield, TN if you want to be close to KY. Or Clarksville if you want a bigger city. Bowling Green isn't that far a drive and you have Nashville.

That 4% may not matter to OP but does to me.

 

[satcheluk]

Hey all — I’m looking to relocate from the North MS/Memphis area in the next few years (if you know anything about Memphis, you’ll possibly understand) — I’ve thought about somewhere around Louisville, not necessarily the city proper, but the area, also thinking Bowling Green or possibly Lexington…..can any of you tell me pros/cons of any? Recommend any in particular?

Nothings set in stone — just doing some looking into different areas.

It’s going to be just me, so schools aren’t a big factor but —- always want to get in a good school district for future possible resale

Thanks in advance

With so little detail about you, your likes, dislikes, family situation etc, it’s kind of like asking which ice cream would you recommend. I think if you added some personal details, you’d get more thoughtful responses.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

In Lexington a couple of things remember was how so many of the parks are hooked together with walking and biking trails. How the parks covered so many area's of Lexington to be available for a lot of people. The arts communities for plays, shows and the like. The transportations system. There were several other things that made it a top city to live in that I can't remember.

 

[Catluv]

TN income tax = 0%. KY income tax = 4%.

Tennessee sales tax 7%. Ky sales tax 6%. Tennessee grocery tax 4%. Ky 0.

 

[sieken]

Tennessee sales tax 7%. Ky sales tax 6%. Tennessee grocery tax 4%. Ky 0.

I remember when they first did that, Gatlinburg was charging 9%. It was insane to me. That the curious thing about politics, it’s always a shell game. The results are usually the same at the end of the day.

 

[fabcat]

Tennessee sales tax 7%. Ky sales tax 6%. Tennessee grocery tax 4%. Ky 0.

The 7% in Tennessee is on vehicles. Other sales tax in Tennessee is 9% closer to 9.75%. Kentucky’s sales tax is 6%.

 

[3632]

Just read the other day that Lexington was voted the best city to live in. It listed about fifteen reasons why as it covered a lot of stuff for everybody. Remember it saying a lot of major cities have some of those things but Lexington has a bit of all. One thing was the quality of the school systems there.

Don’t know how those things get ranked but with national publications I’m not sure what they know or don’t. The public schools are not horrendous by any stretch but they have taken a dive in the last handful of years. I know that both anecdotally and measurably…Only Lafayette has an above average rating with the state education system now. Everything else is mediocre. Lot of changes in the last 5 years in the public schools there. Dunbar, clay, etc no longer considered all that good. In the 5 point scale Lafayette is the only one with a 4. Woodford is a 4. Best school in central Kentucky is Boyle. With compounding traffic issues in Lexington and no appropriate city planning to ever alleviate it as it grows, I would pick Bowling Green. Greenwood and south Warren are better public schools and not far from Nashville. Lexington probably a plus for health care with a large university hospital though but Nashville isn’t too far for everything but emergencies

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Don’t know how those things get ranked but with national publications I’m not sure what they know or don’t. The public schools are not horrendous by any stretch but they have taken a dive in the last handful of years. I know that both anecdotally and measurably…Only Lafayette has an above average rating with the state education system now. Everything else is mediocre. Lot of changes in the last 5 years in the public schools there. Dunbar, clay, etc no longer considered all that good. In the 5 point scale Lafayette is the only one with a 4. Woodford is a 4. Best school in central Kentucky is Boyle. With compounding traffic issues in Lexington and no appropriate city planning to ever alleviate it as it grows, I would pick Bowling Green. Greenwood and south Warren are better public schools and not far from Nashville. Lexington probably a plus for health care with a large university hospital though but Nashville isn’t too far for everything but emergencies

They had about 50 cities listed. And like I said, it pointed out around 10 or more things that make a city good. And Lexington checked all the boxes. Maybe they thought the schools were plenty good enough with all the other things the city has to offer to the people?

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Tennessee sales tax 7%. Ky sales tax 6%. Tennessee grocery tax 4%. Ky 0.

Yeah, but ones income is a far greater amount than one spends on groceries in a year.

 

[Skyguyb27]

TN income tax = 0%. KY income tax = 4%.

Now do sales tax. They get you one way or another. State and local sales tax in Kentucky is 6%, Tennessee is 9.5%. According to
Google.

 

[KT34]

This. Move to Portland, TN or Springfield, TN if you want to be close to KY. Or Clarksville if you want a bigger city. Bowling Green isn't that far a drive and you have Nashville.

That 4% may not matter to OP but does to me.

The income tax will drop to 3.5% in 2026 and the plan is to gradually reduce it to 0. I don't know if they have a target year when it will become 0.

 

[Catfanlou]

East end of Louisville is high quality of life . Forget rest of Louisville .
Lexington does check all of the boxes .as stated above taxes pretty much even out .
Really does depend on the lifestyle you want .
I live in Prospect which is the best of the best in small cities . But this is where I made my living and my kids live .
If I would do it all over again I would choose Lexington because of the cultural and sports programs of UK . My wife and I spend about as much time socializing in Lexington as we do in Louisville due to UK events of four committees between us we are on.
I just can’t see Bowling Green . Just a bit small and too far away from major airports . Great community if you want a sedentary life I guess .

 

[Boz]

I live in Lexington now and was raised here. I lived in Louisville- Jtown for 20 years and the two cities are so different. Lexington is a nice medium sized city with lots to do. It's very clean and green. Louisville is a metro city that feels large. It has better dinning and generally much more to do than Lexington. I actually am considering moving back to Louisville again probably Lake forest area.

 

[trueblujr2]

Tennessee sales tax 7%. Ky sales tax 6%. Tennessee grocery tax 4%. Ky 0.

Now do income tax.

 

[vhcat70]

I just can’t see Bowling Green . Just a bit small and too far away from major airports . Great community if you want a sedentary life I guess .

I don't have a dog in this but BG is just an hr from Nashville airport. Given how many more direct flight locations it has vs. Lex, extra time driving there from BG probably is made up in time savings from not changing planes to go many places that you need to do from Lex. Any frequency of flights to major locations would be higher to.

 

[99firerock]

TN income tax = 0%. KY income tax = 4%.

Does KY still have local income taxes on top of KY Income taxes? Had a friend move from VA to KY and the raise in Income Taxes/Taxes, along higher Auto Insurance had them scrambling back to VA in 6 months.

 

[BlueRaider22]

I have lived in several parts of Tennessee and Kentucky.

1. I'd rather not be taxed, but if I must give me sales tax over income tax. For the most part sales tax is voluntary......don't spend a lot and you won't pay a lot.

2. On average, a typical day in Memphis is going to be 10 deg warmer with 10% more humidity than Lexington/Bluegrass area.

3. I really dislike cities.... There are many very nice areas away from man that are within all of the areas you are talking about.

4. I can't speak to Memphis area directly, but Lexington/Fayette area costs are approaching parts of Nashville and surrounding areas. I would much rather live away from these areas where you can get so much more for your money.

5. Tennessee in general is considerably more Southern in culture. Kentucky is a mixture of Mountain/Southern/Midwestern culture.

6. Gonna ruffle some feathers, but the food is better in Tennessee.......generally across the board. Likely from the increased Southern culture. And don't be fooled about people claiming that Kentucky is known for BBQ. They're trying hard, but they're so far behind the other main styles in the US.

 

[StubbornPenny]

Lexington has become like a baby Asheville - incredibly expensive. A well drink at a bar is usually $5-$7, a craft beer is $6-$9 usually. My crappy little starter home has become a forever home because while it has gone up 300% value, So has everywhere else.

 

[Robcatt24]

Stay in Tennessee.

East Tennessee offers a great lifestyle.

So many outdoor things to do. Lakes and rivers everywhere. The Smoky Mountains. The whole Dollywood/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg thing.

Lots of great paying jobs in the Oak Ridge area. Alcoa and Maryville as well. The Tri Cities region offers a lot.

Knoxville is a cool town. Great music scene. The downtown area is a lot of fun.

Not too far from places like Asheville and Chattanooga and North Georgia.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Stay in Tennessee.

East Tennessee offers a great lifestyle.

So many outdoor things to do. Lakes and rivers everywhere. The Smoky Mountains. The whole Dollywood/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg thing.

Lots of great paying jobs in the Oak Ridge area. Alcoa and Maryville as well. The Tri Cities region offers a lot.

Knoxville is a cool town. Great music scene. The downtown area is a lot of fun.

Not too far from places like Asheville and Chattanooga and North Georgia.

Only if they get rid of Neyland and the fans

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Stay in Tennessee.

East Tennessee offers a great lifestyle.

So many outdoor things to do. Lakes and rivers everywhere. The Smoky Mountains. The whole Dollywood/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg thing.

Lots of great paying jobs in the Oak Ridge area. Alcoa and Maryville as well. The Tri Cities region offers a lot.

Knoxville is a cool town. Great music scene. The downtown area is a lot of fun.

Not too far from places like Asheville and Chattanooga and North Georgia.

I will say this about Knoxville. It has an oddly urban vibe. City feel. Definitely Moreso than Lex

 

[Tskware]

I remember when they first did that, Gatlinburg was charging 9%. It was insane to me. That the curious thing about politics, it’s always a shell game. The results are usually the same at the end of the day.

Of course, that's right. That's because government costs about the same for the same services anywhere you live. There's no free lunch.

 

[Tskware]

I live in Lexington now and was raised here. I lived in Louisville- Jtown for 20 years and the two cities are so different. Lexington is a nice medium sized city with lots to do. It's very clean and green. Louisville is a metro city that feels large. It has better dinning and generally much more to do than Lexington. I actually am considering moving back to Louisville again probably Lake forest area.

Lived in Lexington all my life and love it here.But if I had to move somewhere else in Kentucky honestly Louisville is the only other choice to me at least

 

[Boz]

Lived in Lexington all my life and love it here.But if I had to move somewhere else in Kentucky honestly Louisville is the only other choice to me at least

My girlfriend is trying to get me to move to Greensburg, KY. I just can't do it. I am a city boy either Lexington or Louisville for me

 

[Tskware]

My girlfriend is trying to get me to move to Greensburg, KY. I just can't do it. I am a city boy either Lexington or Louisville for me

My mom grew up in Centertown, Kentucky in Ohio County and to the day he died, my dad hated visiting down there. Maybe 300 people live there in the middle of nowhere.

Just shoot me now . . .

 

[maroon79]

Hey all — I’m looking to relocate from the North MS/Memphis area in the next few years (if you know anything about Memphis, you’ll possibly understand) — I’ve thought about somewhere around Louisville, not necessarily the city proper, but the area, also thinking Bowling Green or possibly Lexington…..can any of you tell me pros/cons of any? Recommend any in particular?

Nothings set in stone — just doing some looking into different areas.

It’s going to be just me, so schools aren’t a big factor but —- always want to get in a good school district for future possible resale

Thanks in advance

Best place to see Mempho is in your rear view mirror

Lives there 86-92

Daughter and grandkids live there

 

[sieken]

Of course, that's right. That's because government costs about the same for the same services anywhere you live. There's no free lunch.

Visited Texas. I really like it there but it’s the same deal. No income tax but you pay to drive on most major roads via tolls. I’m not sure if the whole state is set up like that but the Houston area for sure is.

 

[Soupbean]

I have lived in several parts of Tennessee and Kentucky.

1. I'd rather not be taxed, but if I must give me sales tax over income tax. For the most part sales tax is voluntary......don't spend a lot and you won't pay a lot.

2. On average, a typical day in Memphis is going to be 10 deg warmer with 10% more humidity than Lexington/Bluegrass area.

3. I really dislike cities.... There are many very nice areas away from man that are within all of the areas you are talking about.

4. I can't speak to Memphis area directly, but Lexington/Fayette area costs are approaching parts of Nashville and surrounding areas. I would much rather live away from these areas where you can get so much more for your money.

5. Tennessee in general is considerably more Southern in culture. Kentucky is a mixture of Mountain/Southern/Midwestern culture.

6. Gonna ruffle some feathers, but the food is better in Tennessee.......generally across the board. Likely from the increased Southern culture. And don't be fooled about people claiming that Kentucky is known for BBQ. They're trying hard, but they're so far behind the other main styles in the US.

Like some of your points but help me with the last one. Whenever I hear that about BarBQ I think, why would one place have an advantage of any other in cooking Q? Unless the meats just better, there's only some many ways to cook it and I'm sure every back yard Q afficianado had tried them all, and most people just copy what the good cooks do already. Isnt all about he sauce anyway? And same deal there, eveyboyd has a recipe.

 

[BlueRaider22]

Like some of your points but help me with the last one. Whenever I hear that about BarBQ I think, why would one place have an advantage of any other in cooking Q? Unless the meats just better, there's only some many ways to cook it and I'm sure every back yard Q afficianado had tried them all, and most people just copy what the good cooks do already. Isnt all about he sauce anyway? And same deal there, eveyboyd has a recipe.

I think it's more culture rather than location based......but of course these are often linked. As you would imagine, you would likely find better Japanese food in Honshu, Japan than you would in Bardstown, KY.




As far as BBQ.
-There are 4 main styles of BBQ in the US which are the undisputed kings. Carolina (which often will have a vinegar and/or mustard base), Tennessee/Memphis (which is usually a dry rub on ribs with sauce to be added later), St Louis (ribs smoked in sauce), and Texas (which has mastered smoking anything low and slow.....sauce optional). There are other areas that have BBQ, but the culture just isn't there yet.

 

[sieken]

I think it's more culture rather than location based......but of course these are often linked. As you would imagine, you would likely find better Japanese food in Honshu, Japan than you would in Bardstown, KY.




As far as BBQ.
-There are 4 main styles of BBQ in the US which are the undisputed kings. Carolina (which often will have a vinegar and/or mustard base), Tennessee/Memphis (which is usually a dry rub on ribs with sauce to be added later), St Louis (ribs smoked in sauce), and Texas (which has mastered smoking anything low and slow.....sauce optional). There are other areas that have BBQ, but the culture just isn't there yet.

I'm a fan of Kentucky's, mainly because I love BBQ but also they typically have Burgoo. Not so much in the Louisville area but when you get out in the rural parts of the state.