Alexandria

I'm going to partially agree with the other reviewer on Alexandria, though I can't say I feel exactly the same about all aspects of the town.

First, the town is definitely very friendly and quite safe. I've been through Alexandria numerous times over the years, even spending the occasional weekend here with my wife, and I've always been impressed with the people and overall environment. It's hard to put into words what you get from a large group of people at various places around a city, but if there was ever a city to make you feel at home right away, I'd have to say Alexandria might be it.

The schools in Alexandria are also excellent. Bishop Brossart High School gets fairly high marks, and not just from the testers, but also from parents. Campbell Ridge Elementary also serves Alexandria I believe, and while I haven't heard much about the testing standards (which doesn't mean they're bad, I just haven't had my ear as close to the ground about that lately) but the teachers are supposed to be very good. I actually called up a buddy before writing to ask his opinion, and he has a couple little ones at Campbell and he thinks it's a 'superb educational establishment.' I trust his judgement.

For food, JimE is right to say there are few options. The only one that really sticks out in my memory is Mima Mae's. It's very affordable, and they serve some absolutely outstanding breakfast all day long. They only take cash though, so don't just walk in with a credit card. My oldest daughter did that once and I had to listen to a frightened call about what to do. Fortunately, the owners were understanding and we were able to pay later.

Like I said, the people in Alexandria are amazing.

If you're a single guy, I think it can be a bit too slow in Alexandria, though you're not too far from Cincinnati, so you can just take a jaunt up there from time to time to get your kicks in. If you need constant excitement this might not be the place for you though.

All in all, I really like Alexandria. I think it's a bit better for a little older guy like me than JimE, but I still think you can have a lot of fun and get to know some amazing people here. Whole heartedly recommended.

Alexandria is my home, and has been for the last two years!  I love it here, and in my opinion most people who either live here or move here fall in love with the local flavor as well!

Let's break down why.  First, there's almost no crime in Alexandria.  Sure the occasional crime happens, but in a few years when I have kids I'm definitely going to feel comfortable with them walking to school, going trick or treating, and just running around the neighborhood.  I ran around a lot as a kid, and I think that's a big drawing point for Alexandria.  Much of the credit for this lack of crime has to be given to our local police officers, who you will meet and they'll get to know you.  They're super friendly, and I love that they take the time to say hello to newcomers.  

But they're not the only ones who say hello, as everyone is actually quite friendly around here. I've never lived for long periods of time in a big city, but my experiences in Chicago and New York gave me the impression you could live there a lifetime without getting to know anyone. I know my neighbors. They know me. It's comforting, and it makes you feel very welcome.

Alexandria is also fairly inexpensive. You can get a very nice house for a great price. Admittedly, there aren't a ton of rental options, but that's not to say there are none. When I first visited Alexandria after finishing college I went to a few local stores, including the Walmart, and I was able to get a few leads on apartments. This is the kind of town that you can ask for help and strangers will give it!

Now that I've mentioned shopping I should admit that's one of the downsides to Alexandria. Outside of Walmart and a few other stores you're not going to get much shopping in. I do most of my shopping online anyways, but it's a definite drawback.

The other bad part of Alexandria is the relatively limited population. With less than 10,000 people around you might struggle to finding other singles. I think I know every pretty girl in town already. :(

I like the quiet of Alexandria, and the cost of living is exceptional. Combined with extraordinary safety and a very welcoming community and you have a great place to live. But make sure you can handle the peace and quiet. It's not likely to suddenly become the world's most exciting place!