It can be difficult to find a city that truly has “something for everyone”– oftentimes, cities with great arts, culture, entertainment, and nightlife come at the price of a high cost of living and intimidating navigation. It’s no wonder why Lexington, Kentucky is such a fast-growing city, with a variety of qualities that make it truly the best of both worlds. Here are five reasons to consider moving to the Horse Capital of the World (most of which have little to do with horses– though there are plenty of those, too.)
Lexington brings together the best of big cities and small towns.
With a metropolitan area of over half a million people, Lexington is hardly small, but it’s also not uncomfortably big. There’s never a lack of things to do around here, but there’s also a close-knit sense of community and hospitality that Lexington takes pride in. Getting around isn’t the chore it is in some larger metropolitan cities (and it’s even less so once you get a hang of Lexington’s handy shortcuts and backroads) and finding parking is a much more feasible task. And sure, there are all your quintessential big box stores and chains, but there are also many bustling, one-of-a-kind local businesses to support.
The cost of living will net you a better bang for your buck.
For a city of its size, Lexington is considerably more affordable than its counterparts. In fact, a 2018 study found that Lexington was within the top 5 affordable places to live alone, and the cost of living consistently ranks below the national average. Oh, and it’s one of the most affordable cities for retirement, so no matter your age, you can reap the financial benefits of living in Lexington.
There’s a wide variety of job opportunities.
Lexington’s job market is a strong one– being in central Kentucky means opportunities in the equine and agriculture industries, but there’s opportunities to be had in creative fields and technology as well. Being a college city means a job market bolstered by the University of Kentucky, and several major companies are based in Lexington.
There’s no shortage of nightlife and entertainment.
Live music, top-notch bars and restaurants, sporting events– no matter what you enjoy, you’ll find it in Lexington. You can attend the one-of-a-kind experience that is a University of Kentucky basketball game, be it in Rupp Arena or Memorial Coliseum; or, you can head over to Keeneland or the Kentucky Horse Park to catch a race. On the other hand, you can stop by the Kentucky Theatre to catch indie films and classics; you might also want to take a look at any of Lexington’s music venues that draw in everyone from up-and-coming local legends to big names. Lexington is also a great city for art lovers, with various art galleries and museums as well as local artisans.
The scenery is not to be underestimated.
Put simply, Lexington is pretty. Not only is it clean, but it’s full of picturesque historical landmarks, well-maintained parks, and natural beauty even in the heart of downtown. You’ll encounter dozens of stunning murals, statues and other art installations, and unique architecture. All in all, Lexington isn’t just nice to look at; it has the quality of life to back it up.
(Featured image courtesy of VisitLex.com)
