Jimels555

Benton is a small town, but it's still known for a few things that make it a lot of fun to visit, and if you really like the feel I'd suggest staying as this is a nice, welcoming town. The first time I visited Benton was for Tater Day, and I'm not the only person whose first, and possibly only experience, with Benton is Tater Day. It's a trade day, and maybe the oldest such day in the US. Basically, people come together to trade/sell all sorts of stuff, like guns and sweet potato slips. As this has become a tourist attraction, there are also rides and such in Benton for Tater Day, so it's a lot of fun for the whole family.

I'd say that's true of the town in general, as it seems very welcoming to families. The schools are also very nice, and while they're not the world's best or anything, they're above average and provide a quality education.

The other that brings in some folks to Benton is on the Fourth Sunday of May each year, as shape note singers come together to sing from the Southern Harmony, which is a song book. I've never actually enjoyed this event, but I've been meaning to and hope to make the trek over to Benton next May for it.

Benton has a fair bit going for it, and the average income is pretty decent, so homes are fairly nice, the town if overall quite clean, and it's very safe. There aren't a lot of restaurants or other activities of that sort of enjoy on a consistent basis, but the yearly events make Benton a good place to live and I recommend at least stopping by for a look!

Bardwell is a tiny little town of around 800 people that has very little going on overall. It's a ways South of me in Independence, and I can't say I'm a big fan.

There really aren't many reasons to visit Bardwell, and though I do consider the town friendly and safe, there's nothing to do, no restaurants to enjoy, no bars to hit up to meet someone, and few recreational activities to partake in. Bardwell is, quite simply, a tiny little town with nothing going on. I've been in some really small towns that have at least one or two places to eat, and Bardwell doesn't even have that. This town is just too small. Sorry.

It's safe, clean and friendly enough, but there just aren't enough things to do in Bardwell to tempt me to visit very often.

Vanceburg is a fairly small town a ways away from almost anything else going on in Kentucky. I live in Independence, which is pretty close to Cincinnati, and that feels somewhat out of the way at times. Vanceburg is WAY out there. It's about a 2 hour drive from me, and roughly the same distance from Lexington. So if you're hoping to get a little 'big city fun' on occasion, it's going to be a long drive.

On the plus side, Vanceburg has very little crime. I don't mean 'kinda little crime,' I mean VERY little crime. I had to look it up, and there are hardly ever any crimes here. It's also super cheap to live here. The cost of living is miniscule, and you can actually rent some places for around $380 a month. That's huge, and no doubt helps a lot, as there isn't a whole lot of economic opportunity here.

You also don't have much in the way of eating or getting a drink. I can't say I've ever had a meal in Vanceburg, but based on a quick Google search I did come up with Chigger's, but I can't really tell you anything about it. I really couldn't find anything as far as nightlife goes either, so there are some pretty slim pickings here. I don't recommend it for singles.

I actually don't really recommend Vanceburg for almost anyone. The schools are small, and while probably nice enough, they're nothing to write home about. There aren't really any tourist attractions that I can find either, so you're really a lot better off trying your luck somewhere else. I hate to be so down on a place, especially one as safe as Vanceburg, but it's too small and there's too little to do to bring very many people here. Try your luck somewhere else.

Taylorsville is a fairly small town about 30 minutes away from Louisville. It's nice enough, and you can certainly find a few things to do here, though for the most part I think you'll be heading over to Louisville for fun.

As far as those things to do go, I think you'll have the most luck with something like a local fun farmers market or outdoor activities. There aren't a ton of restaurants or other active life places like that in the area. That said, this is part of the charm of Taylorsville. It's a cool Southern-feeling town with a quality golf course and plenty of outdoor beauty to take in.

The golf course is Tanglewood, and as I've said in many reviews I'm not the biggest golfer, but I do think it's a nice enough course, and I read that it's USGA-rated. Not sure if that's a huge deal, but I do know it's a very pretty course that is quite the sight on a nice fall day.

There are a few places to eat, though not enough for me. This is a big downside to Taylorsville, and definitely lowers its rank in my eyes. The Tea Cup is okay I suppose, though nothing amazing, but Lynda's Grill is actually pretty good. It's a great looking place and has excellent breakfast and lunch. I've never had dinner here, but based on the breakfast and lunch I'd bet it's pretty darn good.

There's a B&B, a resort on Taylorsville Lake and a few other nice little places to check out, though I think if you live here you'll run out of places to see pretty quick. That said, you can never take in too much nature, and the natural beauty of Taylorsville is pretty good.

I recommend Taylorsville to those who want it quiet and beautiful. They're somewhat rare things these days, but I definitely like them.

I almost never get over to Maysville, and that's a shame because it's not a bad town. Oddly, it's not far from where I live, Independence, and yet I don't get here often. I suppose that says something about the quality of the town, as it's nice and all, but not terribly exciting to me. This is strange because there are actually a fair number of establishments to enjoy. For whatever reason I just don't get here often to enjoy them.

Tumbleweed is actually pretty good, but I prefer Gold Star Chili, and I'm not much of a chili fan personally. There's also Capronis if you want something more upscale, though I've never been even remotely impressed by it. Too expensive and the food isn't worth it.

I will say I agree with the other reviewer on the prettiness of Maysville. It really is quite picturesque, but I think that's true for so much of Kentucky, as it's a beautiful state. The setting might be a bit nicer than some towns, but for me the overall atmosphere is slow enough and without enough energy to make it worthwhile.

Maysville is safe, and the schools are said to be good, though I had to ask a few friends before writing this review to make sure that was true. You don't hear much about Maysville's schools, so I think they're quality but not exceptional.

Maybe that's what it is about Maysville in general. Quality but unexceptional. I'd rather try out something with a bit more exceptional in it. But perhaps that's just me. Perhaps.

Springfield is a small town a little ways south and west of Lexington that I don't get to very often. It's a boring little down. I'm not saying it's a bad place to live or visit, but outside of a few bed & breakfasts and a festival there's not much to bring you here. That's not to say there aren't a few charms in Springfield, but so much of Kentucky can be beautiful. The scenery alone doesn't bring in very many people.

I mentioned B&Bs. There are a few really cool looking ones in Springfield that I like. Maple Hill Manor is lovely, and somewhat historic. It's been around for over 160 years, and it's been kept up very well over the years. I read a review that claimed it's been very highly ranked as a B&B. I don't hit up many of these type of establishments, but this is a very nice one.

The other B&B I know of in Springfield is The Cinnamon House. I've never actually stayed here, but I've been by and it looks really nice. Very quaint and simple, and while I don't know the amenities very well, it certainly looks friendly, and that's pretty cool.

The festival I've been to in Springfield is the Kentucky Crossroads Harvest Fest. I went a while back (that's why I stayed at the B&B) and it was a lot of fun. It's very small town and friendly, and while you may not get a ton of excitement, you will get to have some fun, and that helps a lot.

The big problem with Springfield is there are few bars or restaurants to have a night out on the town in. I'm not saying you'll be super bored, but if you want to shop or get a bite to eat you'll run out of options quickly. You're better off trying somewhere else. The schools are also somewhat lacking if you're a parent. I don't have kids yet, but hopefully I will in a few years, and I would rather have more options for giving them an education.

I'm not the biggest fan of Springfield, and while I think it's a nice, safe town, you can do better somewhere else, with many of the same types of charms but a lot more to do!

Radcliff is a pretty big town considering it's a ways South of Louisville and pretty far from much the "action." Very interestingly it's right near Fort Knox. That's probably one of the main things people talk about when they come to this area. Yep, the Fort Knox is located right nearby. This adds a lot to the area and certainly brings in quite a bit of tourism.

One thing to note is that Fort Knox isn't just a place where they have a lot of gold. Yeah, they have much of the Treasury's reserves of gold bullion, but it's actually a very different place. It's a training camp for the US Armed Forces, and is therefore not nearly as open to the public as you might think. That doesn't mean there aren't things to do or people to see if you're a tourist, far from it, but it's not just some place you can head over to and grab a couple bars of gold on your way out. They actively train people here (at least, so far as I know.)

Because of the military ties to Fort Knox, Radcliff is a fairly hopping town. There are plenty of bars and restaurants to hit up on occasion. The fort also makes it certain that there will be a good chunk of sustained employment in the area, so long as you work for the Government. This leads to more chances to open your own business to serve these men and women, and this again serves to help make the town successful. That's a big thing if you're moving to Radcliff. It's pretty much guaranteed to either grow or stay about the same size.

For food, you should check out My Rosita for Mexican food, Jerry's for old fashioned diner-style food, and Autumn Gardens for Asian food. There are plenty of options to check out, so even if you don't love those you'll likely find something you do like!

The schools in and around Radcliff are also pretty good. The Government does a decent job of taking care of her soldiers, and Hardin County Schools are above average for Kentucky. There are a few private schools nearby as well, though I think the public options are the way to go.

All in all I'm a big fan of Radcliff. There are jobs, a pretty safe environment and a fair bit of stability to enjoy. All of those things add up to a good place to live.

Owenton is a nice but remote little town roughly halfway between Cincinnati and Louisville. The population is small, crime is nearly non-existent, and you can get a decent place for a bargain. There are some nice things about the quiet, but at the same time what gives Owenton a degree of charm also makes it difficult for me to recommend.

There are two big negatives about Owenton. First, with the small population you get less to do. You won't find many good restaurants or bars, or much else fun to do. Not that there's nothing, but your chances are limited.

This limitation is also very prevalent in the job opportunities. You will likely struggle to get a decent job in Owenton. Yeah, your rent might be super low (so insanely low that I looked it up: the median rent asked is $250!!!), but you could still struggle to pay your bills because you can't find a decent job. That's really too bad, but that's also how it goes. The good job markets are more popular and therefore the rent is higher.

I don't really get to Owenton very often, and that's because I never find much to do. I don't really have any friends in the area, so visiting seems pointless. The only restaurant I know of is Huddle House, which is a decent breakfast joint, but it's hardly a reason to drive out of my way. There are some nice small town things, like a good farmers market and a quality trail to go hiking on, but it just doesn't feel like enough in general. I'd prefer to have a bit more to do. I love the great outdoors, and I like peace and quiet most days, so if I had a good job in Owenton I'd probably be content with the occasional excursion to Cincinnati for nightlife, but that's still a struggle to me. I'm not the type to need crazy excitement, so when I say Owenton is too slow, know that it comes from someone who doesn't go out every night. Or even every week.

Newport is a Cincinnati suburb with quite a bit going on. Of course, with its super close location to Cincinnati, there are plenty of places to eat, good recreational opportunities and tons of people, so you'll never be bored. I'm a huge fan.

Let's start with the places to eat. Newport has quite a few good restaurants, and you're only a stone's throw away from more places in Cincinnati, so you're never go hungry! Dixie Chili and York Street Cafe are favorites of mine, but Mitchell's Fish Market is also really really cool. You can have some great seafood while looking out over the Ohio River. Very cool indeed.

There are also quite a few good schools in Newport, so that makes it great for families. You can find plenty of good private schools, and the public schools are, as a whole, pretty good. Being so close to Cincinnati allows you to put your kids in a number of different schools (as long as you're willing to pay for it of course). Not bad.

One of the cooler things about Newport is all the tourist attractions. Newport Aquarium is a very cool place to visit, it's right nearby (it actually might technically be in Cincinnati, but it's still close. You can actually pet a shark there, and there's a ton to learn and see. Very cool. I think for kids it's a real wonderland, but even adults can find a lot to do and see at the Newport Aquarium.

Newport on the Levee is also a favorite place of mine to visit in Newport, as I've had quite a few good days at the Newport on the Levee, watching movies and taking in an art gallery or showcase. It definitely adds to the town.

I could easily go on all day about how awesome Newport is, but I'll just end by saying I really like visiting here and would highly recommend you at least visit, if not choose to live here yourself!

New Castle is a tiny little town roughly equidistant from Louisville, Lexington and Cincinnati. There are less than a thousand residents, and you can feel this when you visit. New Castle is really small, and that's too bad because it's very pretty here.

That's probably the best thing about New Castle. It's a lovely looking place, and you can definitely enjoy the scenery. You may not enjoy the rest of the town, but you can certainly enjoy a very beautiful location. The two best reasons to visit New Castle both play into this pretty natural setting. Henry County Country Club has a nice golf course, and you can get in an above average game of golf here. It's not the best course in the state, but it's nicer than many of the other courses I've been to. I may not be the most enthusiastic golfer in the world, but I do like to play on occasion, and Henry County Country Club gives you a good opportunity.

The other fun thing to see in New Castle is the Smith-Berry Winery. It's somewhat small, but has a different winery feel than the others I've seen (full disclosure: I don't visit very many wineries, but I've been to a few and this one felt more Kentucky than the others somehow). You get more of a farm look and feel, and while the wine isn't the best in the world, it's a welcome change from visiting bourbon distilleries. I've always been happy with my visits.

Other than that you're not going to find much in New Castle. There are few restaurants, fewer bars, and not a ton of activities to partake in. You'll have to find a lot of your own fun in New Castle, and that's okay. I recommend the town for those looking for a very quiet life. There's only a little bit of crime, but nothing horrible, and you'll have plenty of time to think.

Well, oddly enough it's sorta tough to write a review about Louisville. It's a great city. The biggest in Kentucky I believe, and there's just so much to do and see here.

Of course, the first thing most people mention, and the first I'll mention, is the Kentucky Derby. Kentucky is known for our horses and bourbon, and the Kentucky Derby is pretty much as famous a horse race as there is in the world. I'm not a big horse racing fan, but I went to the derby once and it was insanely fun. I can honestly say my trip over to Louisville was one of the most fun I've ever had, and I will always recommend Louisville because of it.

Of course, with the large population in Louisville you get a ton of restaurants of pretty much all sorts to check out, and there are varying quality levels from awesome to mediocre, but you can certainly find something worth eating in Louisville. There are too many options to just make a few suggestions, but needless to say it's a great place for food.

The large population also makes for a lot of schools, which also vary in quality, but if your kid's education is a priority (which I hope it is) you can find the right area and the right school. If need be you can always find a good private school, of which there are many.

The large size also means there are good and bad areas of Louisville. For the most part I consider it a safe city, but there are certainly some rougher areas that are far more dangerous than the small towns across Kentucky.

There's just too much to say about Louisville for me to get it down to a few hundred words easily. Visit for sure. You'll be very happy you did, and you'd be wise to live here as well. There are bars, restaurants, job opportunities and plenty of chances for fun!

Shepherdsville is a unique town in Kentucky. It's about 20 miles south of Louisville, and while that helps the town quite a bit in terms of giving you plenty to do and see, and gives residents extra options for having fun, it's not just this close proximity that makes the town cool. While not actually in the town, the nearby Jim Beam Distillery brings a lot of visitors and makes Shepherdsville a place to see!

Jim Beam may be the most recognizable bourbon in the world, and as Kentucky is all about our bourbon, this is a big deal. The tour of the distillery is one of the better tours of a distillery, and you'll get to see the whole process they use to make the bourbon. I loved taking the tour a few years back, and how open Jim Beam is about telling you how they make their bourbon. It showed a lot of confidence, and I wish I could distill my own bourbon. I'm not into home distilling, but I think you'd have a lot of fun checking out how they do it!

But while Jim Beam gives Shepherdsville a cool attraction and no doubt employs many residents and brings money into the area, there's more going on here than simply bourbon. There are quite a few restaurants here. I've only visited a few times, as Shepherdsville is a bit of a drive from Independence, but I've always been impressed by the number of options. China 8 has some excellent Chinese food, and El Nopal is pretty good for Mexican food. I can't say I've eaten in any of the other local restaurants, but I think you'll be happy with the amount of options you have!

If you want to get outside, there are a few options for having some fun in Shepherdsville. Kart Kountry is a cool go-cart track, and the carts are faster than I'm used to. Loads of fun! There's also a golf course, but I've never actually golfed there so I can't attest to its quality, but there seems to be enough for everyone to have some fun!

I read that you can watch glass blowing here at a restaurant, but I've never tried this out. It's on my list of things to do the next time I visit.

Other than that, I'd say Shepherdsville is fairly safe, and while Louisville is a little bigger and cooler in some ways, it also has a bit more crime. You're just far enough away to enjoy all the fun without having too much of the negatives from a big city. I highly recommend the town for SURE!

Shelbyville is a cool town with a decent amount going on. It's about halfway between Lexington and Louisville, so it's not really close to either location. While Shelbyville is somewhat isolated because of this, the population is large enough and there's enough going on that Shelbyville doesn't feel boring or too small town. Sure, it's a bit quaint, and it bills itself as very "Southern Charm" which it does have I suppose, but Shelbyville is a great place nonetheless.

First, like I mentioned, there's a fair bit to do in Shelbyville. For food, you can choose from quality BBQ at Ken-Tex, which I've visited a few times over the last year and a half and I've always been happy with the results. For Mexican food you can try out Marimba or Fiesta Mexicana. I'm more of a Marimba fan. You'll find plenty of dining options in Shelbyville, and while there are any super fine dining type places here, you'll probably be pretty satisfied.

I'm separating this restaurant because of how cool it is, but you should also check out Claudia Sanders Dinner House. This is where Colonel Sanders had Kentucky Friend Chicken for years and years. When he sold the company it didn't become part of the new company. Claudia was the name of the Colonel's wife and they still have some incredible home cooking here. It's definitely a place to check out in the area.

Of course, there's more to Shelbyville than a few restaurants. As this is Kentucky, you can find a good bourbon distillery or two. I suggest the tour of Buffalo Trace Distillery in nearby Frankfort. You could do Heaven Hill in Bardstown too if you're a fan, but Buffalo Trace was more fun in my opinion. The Talon Winery has tours also, though I've never taken one there.

Shelbyville is a fun place with some cool history, but it's also a reasonably safe town with enough people to keep things interesting for a while. You're not really close to any bigger cities, but you're not far away if you want to make a short drive for a day trip to the city. Shelbyville is definitely worth a look for visiting or living!

I'm not the biggest fan of Leitchfield. It's a nice enough town, and there are a few restaurants, but I hear far too much about crime in the area for such a small town.

Geographically, it's located out in the sticks. There are a fair number of residents, but it still feels super isolated. Because of this I feel like it should be incredibly safe, but there's a fair bit of crime statistically. It's not horrible, and there are worse parts of Cincinnati and other big cities to be sure, so I don't want to scare people off by making them think this is a truly unsafe town. It's just that there's more crime than I'd like. And that's a shame.

As far as things to do in Leitchfield, you have a handful of restaurants that are decent enough, but outside of B&B Brothers for Italian food you don't have any really good restaurants. There are a few halfway good places like China King, but that's nothing really special, and the Subways and Pizza Huts are really nothing special.

The one thing that's actually pretty cool about Leitchfield is that there are two golf courses. If you're a golfer you'll be very happy to be able to hit the links on occasion at two above average courses. There's at least some chances for having fun in the sun in Leitchfield, and I appreciate that.

Lebanon is a quaint little small town that's fairly isolated from the rest of Kentucky. It's pretty safe, very cheap to live in, and while it's not exciting it's fun enough on occasion. There are a handful of decent restaurants, but not a ton, and while you won't find much nightlife, it's not as sleepy or boring as some areas.

The main reason I just though to write a review of Lebanon is because of Ham Days, which are starting next weekend. This festival is held at the end of every September, and it's a lot of fun. Not a ton of outsiders visit for it, but it definitely brings people together and adds a great community feeling to Lebanon. There's a ton of fun stuff to do, and the people put a lot of themselves into it! There's a antique tractor show, Country Ham Breakfast, Children's parade and live music to enjoy. It's a ton of fun, and I'd say it's my favorite part about visiting the town. I don't get here very often, but when I do I really like it.

If you want a good drink, check out Chasers. It's not the most exciting place ever, but you can get a good drink for a good price. It's definitely worth a look! You can get some food here as well, but I've almost always just stopped in for a few drinks. If you're looking for a good meal, check out Stillhouse. It's not only nice, but also super tasty, with some fantastic BBQ.

For schools, you can check out St. Augustine's or just the Marion County Schools, which are good but not great. I don't think you'll be particularly happy or unhappy. If you're super concerned with the highest quality of education for your kids you should try other towns.

I'm a fan of Lebanon, and though I'll probably never live here, I will continue to visit most years for the Ham Days and wonderful feel I get from the town!

Hodgenville is a very cool little town a ways south of Elizabethtown. I've a fan for sure. I don't get here very often, but when I do I always have fun.

First, there's a fair bit of history in Hodgenville. Yep, it's the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. The other reviewer mentioned this, but he didn't say how cool this is. The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Park is really beautiful. It's very beautiful, and there's a ton to learn if you're interested. One of my favorite parts about visiting the park is the wonderful hiking trails. It's hard to beat how beautiful they are! You can spend hours and hours wandering here and never get bored! I really love this park. I'd say it's my favorite in Kentucky. I don't care as much for the sporting activity-stuff (which I get is important to a lot of people) so it might not be as good if you're looking to play baseball, but if you're looking to be surrounded by lovely forestry, this is a great park for it!

Once you've walked your tail off you'll be hungry. I suggest eating at Paula's. It's actually sorta half-famous, having been on TV a few times, and it's quite cool. You get a phenomenal breakfast here! It's almost all made from local farm-grown products too! Such a good place to get something to eat. There are some other great options, like Laha's Red Castle Burgers and Ruthie's Lincoln Freese (they like talking about Lincoln!), but Paula's is my favorite!

Hodgenville is a very safe place too. I think all the tourism makes the police extra diligent to ensure people feel comfortable visiting. The town is so nice you should never have to worry about any crime.

Clearly, I like Hodgenville very much. I definitely suggest checking it out for a visit, and if you're into hiking and can find a job here, you might just find it to be the perfect place to live!

Stanford is a nice little town without a lot of amenities but a pleasant enough vibe. It's a ways south of Lexington, and that's probably one of the bigger downfalls. I looked into Stanford once upon a time, to see if I could live there, and there was too little for me to do. I don't mind a quieter town, but I like to be closer to some other towns, especially a bigger town when I start to get tired of the quiet I only need excitement on occasion, and you'll have a hard time finding it in Stanford. It's fairly isolated.

So what's good about Stanford? Well, it's super safe and very cheap. You can find a place here for a reasonable price. You won't be paying through the nose for a place here. That's a huge plus. I looked up the rental rate, and the median was $449. That's lower than the Kentucky average by a bit, and it's very nice to see. Most houses cost somewhere in the vicinity of $100,000, which is also not half bad.

On the negative side, the homes are cheap because people don't make a ton of money here. There aren't a ton of job opportunities, and that's tough. In addition to the lack of restaurants (I'm not a chef, so I'd either live on frozen dinners or starve here), the lack of employment opportunities was a challenge.

You're definitely safe though, and I believe most residents like that quite a bit. The schools may be a bit below average, but at least your kids will be safe. Definitely a huge plus.

I don't like being so negative about Stanford. It's a nice place and you can certainly make a good home here, but I think you'll need to have already found your significant other, and you'll have to be a homebody to really make the most of it here.

I'm only writing a review of Mount Olivet because I recently drove through the town and have a few things to say. I should say "very few" things because it is a tiny little town with almost nothing to see. I don't mean to be too down on the place, but wowza.

It's not a ghost town, as I did see a few people walking around (it was a nice day), but I couldn't hardly find a restaurant. It's just so small and there's next to nothing to do. I see another reviewer looked up the population. I'm surprised to see there are almost 300 people here. I'd have guessed closer to 30 than 300.

The things I saw are very limited. There was a photography studio, which seems like an odd place for a photo place, but maybe they get a fair amount of business from out of town. Perhaps they travel a lot.

There was also The Old Barn. This is the only place I remember where you could eat. I asked around a bit amongst some friends, and a buddy said he remembered there being good ice cream, but I can't verify.

Sorry. That's about it. Mount Olivet is a truly tiny town. I don't think there are many kids around, and I'm sure the schools are suffering because of this. Unless you're retired and want a crazy quiet place to sit and watch the paint dry, I'd suggest going elsewhere.

To be perfectly honest, I haven't been to Midway a whole lot in the last couple years. It's a very nice town a little North of Lexington, and I have overall very good things to say about it, but I don't visit all that often, since when I'm in this area I tend to gravitate to Lexington. I think this is because I'm a younger guy and Lexington has more for me to do. Midway doesn't have a lot of bars or restaurants that I'm fond of, so while it's nice enough, I don't see a lot of younger people really enjoying it.

That said, there are some fun things to do in Midway. One of them is actually going on right now! The Midway Fall Festival is a really cool yearly festival that brings in a fair number of people and has a lot of entertainment, shopping and more activities to keep you busy. This year it's on September 15 and 16th, so today and tomorrow. I won't be going this year, which stinks, but I've gone before and it's quite a bit of fun!

The best things about Midway are the safety and cost of living, both of which are very good. You never hear about crime here, and you can get a very nice place for a real bargain. Tie this in with the friendly nature of the town and you have a fantastic place for young families to raise their kids. Younger couples might not like it as much, but with kids it gets pushed up a couple notches.

There are also some very good schools in Midway, such as Northside Elementary. It's not a terribly old school, but it's supposed to be pretty good.

I'm a fan of Midway, though I don't presently visit very often and I don't see myself living here any time soon. It's a nice place, and it's quiet is good for a lot of things, but if you're after excitement you should look elsewhere.

Lancaster is a nice little town that I think I've only been to a couple of times over the years. It's not particularly small, with around 4000 people living here, but at the same time it's not exciting. One thing I do remember about Lancaster is Camp Dick Robinson, which was a Civil War training base and then was later memorialized with an elementary school. It's not the best school in the state by any means, but Camp Dick Robinson is decent enough and will give your kids an education.

Governor William Owsley House is located in Lancaster as well, and it's one of the few things that really brings people to Lancaster. Aka Pleasant Retreat, the house is now a museum and it's kinda cool. I'm not the biggest fan of stiff museums, but the fact that this is a historic site in its own right is pretty cool. The museum was renovated a few years back and is quite nice now. I'm a fan.

You're not going to find a lot of restaurants in Lancaster and hardly any shopping, but it is a safe town that's quiet and friendly. You'd be hard pressed to find a place this quiet and safe anywhere else in the United States. That's a big deal for residents I think. I don't think you even need to lock your doors. It's just that safe.

I recommend Lancaster for those looking for a quiet, serene life. Maybe not so much for those looking for a lot to keep them occupied.

Nicholasville is a fairly large, very cool town just south of Lexington. It's really a suburb of its larger neighbor, and that's a big plus I think. I really like Nicholasville, for it's wealth of fun options and cool vibe.

First, you have plenty of places to eat and get a drink in Nicholasville. If you ever run out you have Lexington a stone's throw away. This is a big plus for the town. For good eats, you can try Asuka for some awesome sushi, or the Copper River Grill for more traditional fare. My favorite though is Mi Pequena Hacienda, which is a fantastic Mexican joint. I'm not normally a really big fan of Mexican food, but Mi Pequena is excellent.

For drinks, you're in luck in Nicholasville with a few decent options. Yeah, you can make the trip to Lexington, but nobody wants to drive very far to get a drink (it's not a really long drive, but I'd rather walk to a bar and not have problems with finding a cab or getting a designated driver). Jake's Cigar Bar is actually really cool, though I don't smoke, and while it's not a place to meet someone it is a lot of fun. JD Legends is probably the most fun though, as there's karaoke and plenty of fun folks around. I've had a blast here on more than one occasion. I need to go back soon! It's been too long.

The Kentucky Wine & Vine Fest is one of the more fun activities in Nicholasville. It took place this last May, and I think it's every May, but it's so much fun that you'll wish it was all the time! You can try a lot of nice wines, and there's a grape stomp and loads of fun stuff to try.

You have some good schools, plenty of safety and a fairly low cost of living in Nicholasville. It's definitely one of my higher recommended towns in Kentucky!

I don't have a ton of experience with Harrodsburg, but from the times I've visited I can say it's a friendly place. I'd also say it's one of the safest places in Kentucky. I'm not basing that on crime statistics, as I generally take those with a grain of salt. This isn't to say the statistics are high, it's just that I've been through Harrodsburg only a few times, but when I have been here I've felt extremely safe. I think even if I were a single lady I'd still feel fairly safe, especially on the main street.

Speaking of, the main street and downtown area of Harrodsburg are absolutely stunning. The town has done a great job of maintaining a simple, pretty feel to their physical location. The consistency of one building to another makes it quite clear that the town has done a lot of planning to ensure everything has a specific look. This isn't to say that there's no variety, but rather that the town square has a nice feel that flows together well. I really like that about Harrodsburg, and I get the impression that's something they're proud of here.

As far as schools are concerned, maybe it's because Harrodsburg is small, but you don't hear much about their schools. I don't know if they have any particularly good schools, but what they do have is halfway decent. Mercer County High School, Kenneth D. King Middle School and Harlow Elementary all serve Harrodsburg, but I can't say I hear much about any of them.

One last thing I know about Harrodsburg is that the town is very reliant on Hitachi. Their automotive products are largely made here I believe, and while the whole economy is not based on this one company, it does bring a lot of life blood into Harrodsburg and I think this is a big deal for residents.

All in all, I really like Harrodsburg. It's a pretty little town with some wonderful architecture (not fancy, but small town and enjoyable). The safety is a big selling point, and there's just enough to do to keep people entertained.

La Grange is a nice, remarkably busy town about half an hour from Louisville. I say remarkably busy because there's more going on here than you might expect from a town this size. The population is a little under 10,000, and there are quite a few local businesses and restaurants to keep people occupied.

But the most interesting part of the town is the train tracks. La Grange is the only town I've ever been in that has train tracks that run down the length of the street. Not across the street perpendicular. Not parallel with the street. DOWN the street. Cars park on either side of the tracks. Pretty much everything stops, at least traffic-wise, when a train comes through. In my experience the trains don't come through all that regularly, and they have to move fairly slowly, only about 10 mph, to keep them safe. The trains definitely give La Grange an interesting feel. It's not like every other town in sight, and the train tracks are a big part of that.

But outside of that, there's a lot going on in La Grange. Of course for anyone moving here your ability to eat out regularly is going to be important. La Grange has quite a few restaurants. Start with One Nineteen West Main. The name of the joint is also its address, but just because they have a simple name doesn't mean their food isn't good! One Nineteen West Main has some excellent Southern cooking, with a decent selection of dishes and plenty of friendly service. Highly recommended.

Of course, there's a Waffle House in La Grange, but Big R's is fantastic for ribs and BBQ and The Irish Rover is exceptional for some simple food made well.

There are also a fair number of places to shop in La Grange. I wouldn't call it a shopping destination, but you can get your basics at Walmart, TVs at HHGregg and plenty of wonderful old-fashioned toys at The Treasured Child. Not a huge number of options, but enough to keep you satisfied.

If you want to get outdoors there are a handful of parks and Eagle Creek Golf Course. Eagle Creek isn't the prettiest course in the world, but it's more than adequate for a day in the sunshine whacking at that evil little golf ball!

Falling Rock Park is just a bit North of La Grange and it's also a nice place to get outdoors. There's a nice quarry there, so enjoy!

I'm a fan of La Grange, though I don't get over here as much as I'd like. It's pretty far West, but I'm sure residents love all there is to do, the safety, low cost of living and how close it is to Louisville.

I looked at Paris a bit when considering various towns I might live in in Kentucky. Ultimately I couldn't find a job here, which is a big part of why I didn't end up living here, and I think that might be why the town isn't bigger than it is.

This isn't to say that Paris is super small. It's nice, it's comfortable, and there are a fair number of people, but whenever I visit Paris I think it feels smaller than it is. I could have commuted to Lexington, but I didn't want to drive that far every day (it's not a super long drive, but it's an extra half hour that I don't want to spend in my car). I suppose if you're cool with driving a bit this wouldn't be a big problem, but I don't love it.

The things that I was interested in with Paris is that it's pretty safe, quiet, and there are a fair number of places to eat. I really like the Rock Cafe. It's a really good small town breakfast place, and the prices are super reasonable. Don't expect to eat healthy (there may be healthy options on the menu, but I don't bother. The unhealthy stuff is too good.) but you can reasonably expect to eat well and not spend a ton. I love eggs with biscuits and gravy. You can get it here for next to nothing. It's genuinely awesome.

You can also find some fun things to do in Paris. You can go golfing at Houston Oaks, learn to kick some butt at Masterson's Martial Arts or just get in shape at Curves or Snap Fitness. I haven't spent much time in Bourbon Country Park, but it has looked nice enough the times I've been by. You can certainly get a bit of exercise in a few different ways in Paris.

I also don't know the most about the schools in Paris, though Paris Elementary is supposedly nice, and I think St. Marys is also good, but I don't hear a lot about them. Nothing exceptional, but I think they're okay.

Walton is a nice small town that's actually not that small yet also not a big, loud, crazy town. It's a friendly place with more than its share of restaurants and businesses. I'm always surprised by Walton when I drive through, and that's a great thing!

First, you have a fair number of restaurants in Walton. From good Mexican food at El Toro Bravo to some of the best waffles I've ever had at The Waffle House, you won't be hungry in Walton. There aren't really a ton of super fine dining options, but there's plenty of variety for me. Be sure to check out Raymond's Hong Kong Cafe if you're looking for some good Crab Rangoon.

If you have kids the schools are in a shared district with Verona, and while they're not exactly spectacular, you do have some options to give your kids an education. The Little Red School House has a good reputation amongst some friends in the area, and St Joseph is a good private school.

Walton is a friendly place, and I'm sure most of the residents are connected in some way or other. They seem to know one another. That's a nice thing to see, and while it's not totally unique in Kentucky (GO Kentucky!), it's still nice to see.

You have almost no crime, a very reasonable cost of living and plenty of places to get a bite to eat in Walton. If you're looking for excitement you can do better, but if you want to relax in a friendly town that's super safe, Walton is a good choice.

I wrote a little while back about Carrollton, and one of the big things about that town, much like it's a big thing for Sparta, is that it's so close to the Kentucky Speedway. Well, as much as Carrollton gets a lot of life from the Speedway, Sparta's only real thing is racing. This is a tiny little town. I looked up the population and it's less than 300 people. It's just that tiny. There would likely be nothing here if not for the Speedway, but fortunately that is right here, so there are a few things worth noting.

First, if you're a big racing fan (I'm not) you will no doubt visit Sparta at some point in your life. There's a Ramada Inn and a Speedway Inn to accommodate travelers heading to the races.

There aren't many restaurants, but you can try Hog Wild for some above average BBQ. It's not fancy, but it's good and hits the spot when you're preparing for or recovering from a day at the races. It is honestly the only thing I've ever done in Sparta other than check out the Speedway. I think there's a strip club nearby, but that's not my thing.

I assume there are schools here, but the population is so small that I can't imagine they're very big or very good. I hate to be so down on a town, and it's mostly due to my boredom with racing, but Sparta has so little to offer. I'd rather check out almost any other town. It's probably pretty safe, but then there's hardly anyone in town to commit crimes. It's just a little too small and boring to make much difference.

Man, I hardly know anything about Hardinsburg. It's a boring little town. Seriously, I'm not going to have a ton to say here, for which I'm sorry. There are about 2,500 people in Hardinsburg, and I get the impression it's a fairly close community, but I can't think of any reason to visit. It's a ways from Louisville, and farther from Lexington.

You can drive to Louisville for a Saturday in a bigger city, but I can't imagine anyone makes the commute, as it's too far, and it's not like you'll drive up there just for a bite to eat.

On the subject of food, good luck. There aren't really any restaurants of note in Hardinsburg. I did a quick Google search and came up with China King, which is a hole-in-the-wall Chinese place, and the world's smallest McDonalds. Wow. I don't want to get too sarcastic here, but that's a fairly limited selection. Too bad.

You won't find much shopping and almost no nightlife options either. This is a true small town. I don't really know people here, so I can't say that they're friendly or not. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on that one, but there's just no way to say. I don't visit Hardinsburg, and while I have no reason to speak ill of it (no bad experiences or anything) I can't really say there's much to do to entertain yourself. If you're looking for a place to visit, you can find better. If you want a super small, quiet town to live in, I think you could do better there as well, but Hardinsburg would suffice.

Williamstown is a fun little town about halfway between Lexington and Cincinnati. It's not super close to either town, with about 45 miles to travel to either city, but this isn't too bad, so that if you really wanted to you could probably make the commute (I doubt many people do, but it's a possibility), and if you want to have some fun on the weekend you certainly have that chance.

I've only been through Williamstown a handful of times, but I've always enjoyed it. I may have a slightly skewed idea of the town though as when I visit it's for Heritage Days, which is early every fall. This is a lot of fun, and no doubt Williamstown doe a lot to show their best during this fair. The next Heritage Days is in just a few weeks on September 15. It's hosted at the Northern Kentucky Fairgrounds, and there are lots of vendors and plenty of people showcasing some of the great things Kentucky has to offer, like antiques and crafts. There's also a tractor show and an antique car show. I'm not terribly knowledgeable about cars, but I love to check out the classic models. I also don't have kids yet, but I know a lot of people bring their kids for the fair. It's a lot of fun and really makes Williamstown seem like a fun, family-friendly place to live.

On the subject of family, Williamstown is a very safe place, with some good educational opportunities. Nothern Kentucky University has some classes held in Williamstown, though the actual campus is located in Highland Heights. So while you're not necessarily going to find a lot of adult education in Williamstown, you can still take some classes. Other than this, there are a few smaller schools, but you don't hear much about them. I'm not saying they're bad, but you don't hear much.

You don't have a lot of restaurants in Williamstown, though there is Ming Moon for Chinese food and a few pizza places and a McDonald's. It's really too bad, but this is a pretty small town. On the plus side, if you really want to try something different you can drive up to Cincinnati or down to Lexington for their larger selection of quality restaurants.

I like Williamstown quite a bit. It's a friendly little town with a wonderful fair every year and it's super safe. I don't know that I'd ever choose to live here, but I definitely enjoying stopping by on occasion.

Florence is an exceptional Kentucky town. It's just south of Cincinnati, and this gives residents a ton that they can do, and provides a lot of job opportunities for those who don't wish to live in the city but still want to enjoy the benefits.

People make pretty good money in Florence, with the average household income a little over $50,000 a year, and I'm sure most of this comes from the fact that both people in the house can find a job either in Florence itself or in nearby Cincinnati. And just because I keep mentioning its closeness to Cincinnati, that doesn't mean this town is small or has little going on.

There are around 30,000 residents in Florence, and these 30,000 have helped sustain a fair number of local businesses and restaurants. I'm a big fan of sushi. Try Mai Thai. You'll get some excellent sushi for a fair price. I know the other reviewer mentioned Mad Mike's, and he's right to recommend it. Really, really good burgers.

More interested in having drinks and meeting girls? You could try Hooters, but they're going to be nice to you anyways, so check out Freedom Bar and Grill, Turfway Park or, my favorite, Muggbees. Whichever option, you'll be sure to find a good drink, friendly service and a fair crowd without it being packed most nights. There are way more bars and options for nightlife in Florence than in much of Kentucky. And if you want you can head over to Cincinnati for even more fun!

I don't know too much about the schools, but there are a fair number of them, and you can no doubt find a decent public or private school for your kids. I won't give any particular school a recommendation, but they're all supposed to be pretty good. Solid choices all around.

Florence is a fantastic town. You are close to an airport, a major city and there's plenty to do and see. Get a bite to eat, have a drink and enjoy yourself!

Danville is an old town, and I don't just mean it was founded a long time ago. That's true of most of Kentucky. I visited the town website just to see what they have to say about themselves, and it's about the same as 99% of Kentucky, with historic sites all over that are meant to bring in tourists but hardly do. They're proud of things like being the site of Kentucky's first courthouse, which I can't really call an impressive feat.

It's not the history that I care about. That's too common. It's the fact that Danville has a lot of older homes and people have been living in the same places for a long time. People find a place and make it their home. This speaks to the quality of the housing, and the kind of people you find in Danville. They're loyal and work hard to make things better. Most of the homes are fairly well taken care of, as are the yards. I think this shows how nice the town is.

Once you find your nice home, you'll no doubt want to put your kids in school, and I believe there are 6 elementary schools and a couple middle schools and high schools that all get high ratings. If you're an adult looking to continue your education I'd suggest checking out Centre College, which is a well-regarded liberal arts school that's very nice while not being a truly exceptional option. It's not too expensive, but you'll still be able to get a good education.

There aren't a ton of bars in Danville, but I'm a fan of Mermaid's Bistro, which is a bit small but super friendly, and the Beer Engine is a great place to get a drink. You may not meet someone special every night, but you can certainly have a good time.

So you get a lot in this 'city of firsts.' Danville is clean, friendly and has a fair number of schools and restaurants to enjoy.

I'm going to be extra honest about Cynthiana. It's a perfectly nice town, but I don't like it all that much. I haven't had any really bad experiences here, but it's just not the place I'd like to be. You don't get a lot of restaurants, bars or much to do at all. I like quiet towns, and though Cynthiana isn't a terribly small town, as the population is sorta middle ground for small towns in Kentucky with somewhere in the area of 6-7 thousand residents, it's just not a terribly 'happening' place and there's little to do.

Looking for nightlife? The only bar I know of is Toaster's, and while it's a moderately adequate option, it's nothing to write home about. Seriously, boring. I've been there on a few occasions and I'm surprised I remembered it when writing this review. The drinks were cheap enough, and maybe I was just there on the dead nights, but it was slow. I did not get a good impression. Not dangerous or rough or any of that, but it was boring.

Food and shopping is essentially the same story. Like a few other Kentucky towns, there's a Don Senor for mediocre Mexican food. I'll agree with the other reviewer that Biankes is pretty good, but it's so basic. It's just another mom and pop place.

I've been through Cynthiana on a few occasions, and I still had to call a friend of mine from the area to give me some info. The schools are fine, and it's safe enough, but neither of those things help it stand out from much of Kentucky. I did some online research too just to see if there's something worth noting. Well, there is one thing. For about 30 years Cynthiana was where post-it notes were made. Well, if I could put a post-it note here I'd say look somewhere else for a fun time or to live. I don't hate Cynthiana (I realize it must come across that way) but I just don't have positive things to say. I don't have really negative things to say, but there's just too little to take note of.

The other reviewer mostly got it right when talking about Brandenburg. There isn't a whole lot going on here. With only about 2000 people living in Brandenburg you don't get a lot of quality restaurants, and there are few local attractions.

That said, I don't agree with the other guy that Brandenburg is dangerous. I suppose there are a few crimes, but it's overall very safe, like much of Northern Kentucky. There are more crimes in Lexington and Louisville. Little crime. I wouldn't feel the least bit uncomfortable walking around on my own in Brandenburg.

Another that he didn't mention is Meade Olin Park. It's not the biggest or nicest park in the world, but Meade Olin is a fun place. There are a couple baseball diamonds, and residents use them regularly enough. I'm not in Brandenburg all that often, but when I've been by Meade Olin seems like a big part of the town. I've seen multiple ball games going on at the same time. That's a big deal to me. I like to see a town that's interested in local sports, especially for kids. I think it creates a good atmosphere for kids to grow up in. I don't have kids yet, but I feel like I'd want them to have that kind of environment.

The slight downside for parents is that the schools aren't exactly stellar in Brandenburg. They're not horrible or anything, but you don't hear much about Stuart Pepper Middle School or Meade County High School. They aren't standouts, with either good or bad things.

There really aren't many places to get a bite to eat in Brandenburg and essentially no nightlife options, so that is a huge downside. I don't suggest this small town for singles. The only thing it has going for it in this regard is its close proximity to Louisville.

I like Brandenburg, but I'm not ready to live here yet. Maybe when I settle down with a family.

It'd be impossible to write a review of Bardstown without mentioning Bourbon. Heaven Hill Distilleries, Rowans Creek, the list goes on and on. There is so much Bourbon that you'd think everyone in Bardstown would be constantly trashed. That would be cool, but it's not the case. Bardstown is certainly the Bourbon Capitol of the World, but it's also a very religious, old fashioned southern community.

I think it's this religious spirit that really gives the town its atmosphere. Bourbon makes people a bit friendlier, but the warm welcome you'll find in Bardstown doesn't come from a drunken stupor. It comes from people who genuinely want you in their lives. I can't help but be impressed by the people here. They don't come across as preachy or fervent missionaries or anything like that, but I also think they would love to get you to come to Church with them on Sundays.

Once you've gotten to know a few people you'll want to share a meal with them, and while I suspect you won't struggle to find someone who'll give you a home cooked meal, you can always repay the favor by treating them at one of the many restaurants in the area. It's not the biggest town, and there are definitely more restaurants in Louisville, but Circa is very good for American food, while Okina Sushi has been outstanding the few times I've gone for a little sushi. This is a Southern town, so if you'd like to try out a good steakhouse try Bourbon City Bistro. It's exceptional.

I don't have many friends with kids in Bardstown, but Bardstown Middle School and Nelson County High School are supposed to be decent. I don't get the impression the level of education is terribly high here, but it's not supposed to be terrible either. The atmosphere of the schools mirrors the town, with friendliness being paramount.

You're pretty much guaranteed to like Bardstown if you like quieter Southern towns and Bourbon. There is plenty to do and see, and while it may not be the best place to raise a scholar if your kids grow up here I think they'll turn out to be good people. And that's more important than how much college they complete.

I feel the other reviewer sorta stole my thunder here, but the number one thing to mention about Winchester has to be the Beer Cheese Festival. I don't think I've ever had as much fun at a festival as I have at the Beer Cheese. The food is incredible, and there's so much fun stuff to do. Add in the fact that it's incredibly unhealthy (which I like just to spite healthy people) and it's amazing.

Winchester benefits from being roughly 60 miles from Lexington, so it's not really nearby, yet at the same time it's not so far as to struggle to get there for a day trip if you feel like it. The town also isn't terribly small, with around 20 thousand residents, and this helps provide for more dining options than you might find in other towns.

Don Senor is a great little Mexican restaurant, Stinky and Coco is a superb diner, and my favorite, Engine House Deli, is really something special. They make the River Rat Beer Cheese, and their subs are really really good. You don't have a ton of truly fine dining options, but you will have no problems finding something good to eat.

I really enjoy Winchester. I don't get here nearly enough, but every time I visit I find more than enough to do. It's a fun place to check out, especially for the festival, and there are some really good places to eat. The schools aren't supposed to be great, and I've actually heard less than good things about George Rogers Clark High School, though I know they've won some sporting championships, so maybe what I've heard was exaggerated. Still, it's a fun town for a day trip. I don't necessarily suggest living here, but definitely give it a look!

I wish I could say the same for the nightlife. Not great.

Well, I wrote up a review of Lawrenceburg yesterday, and one of the main selling points of that town was how close it is to Lexington. Today I write about the little town in between. It's smaller than both Lawrenceburg and Lexington, yet it's not truly small like some of the towns of around 2-3 thousand. There are around 10 thousand people in Versailles, and while it's not quite as prosperous as the towns directly East and West, it's still doing quite well.

Versailles has a fair number of local businesses, and as this is true bluegrass region, there are a lot of horses nearby. No doubt people from Lexington come to Versailles quite a bit to check out new horses, or possibly even stable their horses here.

The big benefit of Versailles is that it's a bit more scenic than many other towns. There's plenty to see here, but most of the beauty comes from the countryside, of which there is plenty. To complement this you can check out the small town trappings like the Olde Towne Antique Mall, which brings in some visitors from nearby towns, and The Gallery is a nice little art gallery if you're interested. There's more to do here than you might expect from a small town.

In addition to the above average shopping, Versailles has a fair number of restaurants. For some good Southern cooking check out Callie's Homestyle Restaurant. It's not good for you, with a majority of the menu deep fried, but the onion rings and fish sticks are excellent. For more authentic home cooking, try out the Silver Spoon. They have good food made by good people. Very friendly and delicious.

There are a few schools in Versailles, and while they're friendly I don't think they get the best test scores. Woodford Community Church is a nice private school, as is St. Leo's. Again, not the best for education, but they're safe and clean.

You may not find the hippest bars in Versailles, but you will find a fair number of quality restaurants, fewer big chains and plenty of horses and farms. If you're looking for a nice small town that's not too far from a bigger city, Versailles is a good choice.

Lawrenceburg is a little small town that really benefits from its close proximity to Lexington and Louisville. It's a bit closer to Lexington, but the drive isn't too bad to either big city, so you don't have to go terribly far for a bit more fun.

But Lawrenceburg isn't just some small town that has nothing going on. While I wouldn't call it the world's most exciting place, it does have one thing that makes it fairly well known - the Wild Turkey Distillery. Wild Turkey is a pretty famous brand of bourbon. A lot of people visit Lawrenceburg specifically to tour the plant, and it's really quite cool. I've done the tour and it's interesting. There are a few of these types of tours in various parts of Kentucky, but Wild Turkey is still very cool. Seeing the big tanks processing yeast and much of their process, and you get to try out some bourbon at the end. It's quite a cool way to spend an afternoon.

The distillery employs a lot of people in the area and makes the average income higher than usual. This translates to more dining options. The Heavens to Betsy Bakery is a standout for me. They have excellent hot sandwiches, and they don't skimp on the portions. I really love to stop by here when I'm in the area (which isn't all that often, but on occasion I'll stop by).

I'd also suggest checking out Tony's BBQ Barn. It's hard to actually take part in a Kentucky town without getting bourbon and BBQ. Tony's doesn't disappoint.

There are a fair number of schools in Lawrenceburg, though none of them really standout to me. The Christian Academy of Lawrenceburg is supposed to be decent, and Bluegrass Community and Technical College is a good place to continue your education as an adult. Maybe not the best, but the option is at least there.

I really like Lawrenceburg, and while I don't think I'll ever live there I can absolutely see it being a wonderful place to live for a time. High marks overall.

Georgetown is constantly growing, with not only an ever-increasing population, but also an ever increasing amount of things to do, from restaurants and bars to gyms and jobs.

There's actually quite a bit to say about Georgetown, so I'll break it down into sections.

First, there are plenty of jobs in the area. The most obvious place you can get a job is the Toyota Manufacturing facility. This is a HUGE part of Georgetown, though it's technically in an annexed part of the town. Many residents are employed by the manufacturing plant, and I can't imagine Georgetown without it. I have cousins who lived in Detroit for a long time, and while Georgetown is nowhere near as big as Detroit I feel if the plant closed it would have a similar effect on the town. The current growth is due to Toyota, and with so many people getting their wages there it floods into the town, enabling more local businesses to thrive. And it's not just for giving locals jobs either. The Toyota plant also serves as a tourist attraction, and many jobs are created by the people who visit as well.

Now, the businesses outside of Toyota. There are plenty of restaurants in Georgetown, and this helps immensely with the quality of the town. The Asian Royal Buffet is pretty good, especially for a Chinese buffet (I generally assume buffets give lower quality food but you'd never guess that here), and for a delicious simple sandwich I suggest Fava's Restaurant. Nothing fancy in Fava's, but it's good.

This is a bit of a 'down home cooking' type of town though, and you can't have that without BBQ, and Fat Boy's BBQ is really good and totally worth a trip. Perfect blend of food and price. I highly recommend it.

Outside of restaurants there are still plenty of places to go in Georgetown. Maybe not a ton of bars, but there is Equus Run Vineyard if you want to get a little wine, and not too far away in Lexington (only about 10 miles) you have the Kentucky Horse Park and Museum. There are a lot of fun options in town to choose from.

If you're a parent you'll of course be interested in the schools, and Georgetown's schools aren't half bad. They continue a similar tradition to many other places in Kentucky of being welcoming and historic. There are a fair number of elementary schools and middle schools, though last time I checked there was just one high school. Of the elementary schools I'd say Garth is the best. It is listed on the National Historic Places list, and it's been around since 1925. A little history and culture to go along with schooling.

The only real downside to Georgetown is there's a bit more crime than many other Kentucky towns. I went to school in Chicago, so I know it's not exactly bad, but it's not as good as other towns and cities in Kentucky and that is a drawback for those looking for exceptional safety.

Still, with only a little downside Georgetown is one of the better towns around, with plenty of chances to get a job, start a business, start a family or just have a nice life. I've always really liked it here.

Frankfort is the state capital of of Kentucky and a fairly historic town. I love all the local history, and the fact that so many landmarks remain is a testament to how cool this town can be.

First, the town is super old, having started in the late 1700s, and it's so old the name comes from an attack on early settlers in the area by Native Americans. But it's not just the name that makes Frankfort a cool place as there's history all over the place. You have really old churches like First Baptist Church, which has been around for something like 200 years, and the Church of the Ascension is also incredibly old and beautiful. It's hard to not be impressed by all the local history.

But for those of us living in the here and now there's still plenty to do and see in Frankfort. The town is still home to a fair number of distilleries of bourbon, so if you like to drink and find alcohol distilling interesting it's more than worthwhile to check out the Buffalo Trace Distillery. It's the oldest distillery in the US, and it's pretty cool to see how they make their bourbon. I went there once a few years back and it was interesting. This, along with Frankfort's status as state capital, helps bring in some tourism which brings in extra money and makes Frankfort more successful.

When you want to get something to eat I'd suggest a few different places, dependent on what you're in the mood for. Adelia's Bakery is great for a cup of coffee and a sandwich, Casa Fiesta is fantastic for Mexican food, and Ginza is great for sushi. You won't go hungry or have to look very hard to find a good place to take a date in Frankfort.

As the state capital, Frankfort has a lot of help from the state government, and this equates to better educational opportunities. Frankfort High School has good facilities and dedicated teachers, and I know a lot of parents are happy with it, as they are with Frankfort Christian Academy, which is a private school with fairly high test scores.

When you want to get outdoors, check out Leslie Morris Park. It's not as much fun for activities, but there's quite a bit of history here, and you can see old buildings and landmarks as you go for a walk. I like that there's so much history everywhere you go in Frankfort. It makes for a fun town.

Frankfort is a nice place. It's safe, clean, historic and you'll have plenty to do. Parents can trust the schools to properly teach their kids and there are plenty of places to get a bite to eat. I like it here and would love to move here some day if I can find a job in the area.

Covington is a great city, and one of the larger ones in this part of Kentucky. Sure, it doesn't quite compare to Lexington for sheer size, but it's still bigger than most other towns, and this works in its favor. You have way more to do in Covington than most small towns, and there are quite a few job opportunities.

For food, you shouldn't run out of things to eat for a little while. Riverside Korean is a great place to get some Korean food, and it's usually not terribly busy, so you shouldn't have to wait very long if at all. Another good place for Asian cuisine is Amerasia. If you're in the mood for more traditional American fare, you can try out Otto's, but Anchor Grill has to be my favorite. It's a good old fashioned burger joint, and while I can't call the food terribly healthy (it's definitely NOT healthy), it sure is good. Tough to beat Covington for food quality.

There are also quite a few schools, from Holy Cross High School to Gateway Community College, so if you're a parent or looking to extend your own education there are more than a few options. Private schools, public, you've got the choices you need.

I've been through Covington quite a few times and I'd love to live here at some point. It's very nice and clean, and fairly safe, with few dangerous spots. You really shouldn't run into many problems and should be able to find a decent place to live without too much trouble. I don't want to compare it to Cincinnati or Lexington because it's smaller, but it's still a really cool area that you can have a lot of fun in. Highly recommended.

Lexington is a really cool city, and it's definitely a horse-lover's dream place. But even if you're not much into horseback riding it's a great place to live.

First, this is one of the largest cities in Kentucky, and the surrounding area brings a lot of people into the mix as well. If you're a single guy or gal and looking to meet someone, this is definitely a place to check out. This large population also brings a lot more job opportunities. While I ended up in Alexandria, I did a bunch of interviews in Lexington and looked into living here. It's too bad I didn't get a job here because it's such a cool place.

There are plenty of places to eat or go out and have drinks, so you should never have to worry about getting bored, and the area has so many things to see and do that it's hard not to get excited sometimes. Keeneland Race Course gets a lot of people excited, and though I'm not really into horses it's a lot of fun to head over and check it out.

Lexington is also a pretty old city with a fair number of historic landmarks, like the Mary Todd Lincoln House and Latrobe's Pope Villa. All very cool stuff.

The cost of living isn't too bad in Lexington, though I have never rented here I think you will have a relatively easy time finding a place. No worries there.

The one real downside to Lexington comes from its size. It's not the safest city. It's not bad like some parts of New York or LA, but there's far more crime in Lexington than many of the smaller towns in Northern Kentucky. This is too bad, but it's one of the pitfalls of living in a bigger city.

Lexington is a great place that pretty much everyone should check out if they get the chance.

Flemingsburg is an old and pretty town. Not big, with just a few people shy of 3000 residents, but still historic and well kept up. That would be the main thing I noticed about Flemingsburg. I haven't been there a whole lot, and that's because there isn't a whole lot to do here.

For food, you have a handful of fast food and chain-type restaurants. Subway, McDonald's, Pizza Hut. That sort of thing. Lee's is a decent deli, and pretty much the only place that's actually unique to Flemingsburg. You won't go hungry, but you'll get bored of eating at Arby's and getting Dairy Queen afterward pretty quick.

The same thing is true for nightlife. Don't trick yourself into thinking Flemingsburg has any real bars to meet someone. For me, though I don't go out drinking a whole lot, this is unbearable. Even if you like to occasionally go out you'll be out of options before you begin. Not a good sign.

Now on to the good stuff. Flemingsburg has a fair amount of historic buildings. Because of this the city is very clean and nice to walk around in. The aesthetic of Flemingsburg, while not terribly unique, is beautiful and very American. That's the number one thing I like about it. Yeah, there are a lot of fast food restaurants to break up the traditional vibe, but you still have this old fashioned look and feel.

And that's about the long and short of it. I wish I had more to say about Flemingsburg. It's safe and has a low cost of living, like most towns around here, but it's super slow and doesn't have a lot going on. At least it's pretty.

There isn't a whole lot for me to say about Falmouth, but that doesn't mean it isn't a nice city. Yeah, it's small, and there aren't a ton of local businesses, but it's still a nice locale, and it's not too far from other cities with a bit more going on like Independence and Cincinnati. This helps Falmouth a whole lot. The fact that there aren't a ton of bars or restaurants is mitigated by the close proximity to areas that have much more going on. It's not too far a drive to get to a good bar. You'll thank your lucky stars for that!

And just because there aren't a LOT of restaurants doesn't mean there aren't one or two decent ones. My favorite has to be Ming Moon. It's a little Chinese restaurant that is shockingly good. I'm not going to pretend I know all that much about genuine Chinese food, but I do know when I like something, and I like Ming Moon. There's great Lo Mein, and the vibe is good. I've ordered out from here on more than one occasion. I'm always happy to have a new Chinese place to get dinner from.

Falmouth is also super safe. As a small town of only about 2000 people, most people know each other, and even if they're not terribly well-acquianted, most everyone here is so friendly that you feel like you know one another. I've been through a lot of big cities with millions of people and no one knows anyone. This is a definite change of pace, and a welcome one at that.

The schools are also supposed to be pretty good, with a solid student to teacher ratio, though I also don't think the schools are the best in the world. It's good enough that you'll get an education, but only the standout students will get a great education. As an interesting side note, I read that Dr. Phillip Allen Sharp, a Nobel Prize Winner, is from Falmouth. I suppose if he can get that smart, so can your kid!

Falmouth is a bit slow, and there aren't a ton of restaurants or bars to hang out in, but it's a great small town with a friendly feel and outstanding Chinese food!

Elizabethtown is an old town that is best known outside of Kentucky as the site of the film Elizabethtown. It's the one with Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst. It's an interesting thing to have had the film take place here, as it's first a very good representation of the town, with the friendly locals and laid back lifestyle, as well as having brought in a lot of business and tourism since the film came out. Elizabethtown has had a bit of an economic boom since then, though it's not a massive change. Still it helped the local economy and brought some much needed money into the town.

Though money has come into Elizabethtown recently, it remains a cheap place to live, and it's still pretty darn safe and clean. You won't find many people complaining about the safety or relaxing vibe from the town.

Though it's not a giant city or anything, Elizabeth has a pretty decent population, and this makes it a bit more fun than most places in Kentucky. It retains all the charm, but has enough people that you don't get bored as easily as other places. There are more restaurants and bars than other towns, and this is really great for a young guy like me. I get frustrated by some towns that have nothing to do at night or on the weekend. El Tapatio has some good Mexican food, and Stone Hearth is a good old fashioned American restaurant. Plenty of good eats in Elizabethtown!

I haven't had a ton of chances to get drinks in Elizabethtown, but Winkerb's is a really cool grill and bar that has great drinks for a decent price, and there are usually some people there to talk to. You can do a heck of a lot worse in most parts of Kentucky.

People make pretty good money in Elizabethtown, and though I wouldn't call it a rich area or anything, you can find jobs and get decent pay here. Big bonus points for that!

For parents, Elizabethtown High School gets decent marks from people I've talked to, and I had to ask around a bit, but Bluegrass Middle School also gets decent marks. I don't have kids yet, but my friends with little ones think of Elizabethtown as a perfect place to raise their kids.

I don't have anything bad to say about Elizabethtown. It gets really high marks from me and is a place I'd love to live someday!

I have one main experience with Carrollton that has forever put the town in my good graces. At the suggestion of a friend, a group of buddies and I rented a cabin in General Butler Resort State Park. It's super cheap, and you can actually really relax here with a very simple sort of vacation. You may not find all the amenities, but the park itself is extraordinarily beautiful, and I've never had a bad time here. I think for residents it's a HUGE plus that takes the whole park to another level. I can't be 100% certain of that, but it's a really great park and I wouldn't trade my experience there for the world.

Outside of the park, Carrollton is a quiet, cozy town like many small towns in Kentucky. It's pretty safe and clean, the neighbors are friendly, and you can be sure you'll get to know everyone in short order. Also like some of the other towns in the area, the economy isn't exactly great, so you may struggle to find a job unless you're opening a business of your own.

I'm not personally a huge fan of racing, but the Kentucky Speedway is just down the road about 20 miles or so, and I know a lot of folks around here are fans, so that's another big benefit to living in Carrollton.

For families, I don't think of Carrollton as the best place, as the schools aren't supposed to be terribly great, and the average level of education isn't terribly high. That said, the safety and friendliness of the community make it a good place to give kids values, if not an education.

Carlisle is a nice rural town that benefits greatly from its close proximity to Lexington, and it's not too distant from Louisville either, so there's this feeling that you can get to more exciting places while at the same time enjoying the quieter, more peaceful life of the country.

This really gives Carlisle an awesome blend and makes it quite popular with the locals. As a small town, it's certainly quiet, but it's also super safe. I can't remember ever hearing about a crime around here. That doesn't mean it never happens, but it's rare.

The cost of living in Carlisle is also very low, and I can't imagine many people struggling to pay their bills, though the tine population and lack of a large number of businesses will limit your job opportunities. Still, you can find nice homes for extremely reasonable prices, most in the $100K range, though there are a few decent spots cheaper than that. Try beating that in many places!

It's actually a huge blessing that Carlisle is so close to Lexington, as there isn't a ton to do here. There are a few decent restaurants, like Ladobees Steak House and EZ Riders Pizza, but you'll be fairly limited in selection and will most likely head over to Lexington to find more to eat.

I'd say it's this nice balance of country life with the not-too-far-a-drive excitement of a bigger city that gives Carlisle much of its charm. It's very beautiful here, and you can always visit the Kentucky Doll Museum (seriously) if you want to try something different!

Berea is another older Kentucky town, though you'll find a more artistic group here than in many other areas of the state. To be sure, it's a different form of artistry than you might find in big cities, with less of the woe is me boring stuff and more of a hardworking, old-fashioned and steeped in tradition type of arts and crafts.

This artistic feel definitely gives the town a peaceful feeling, with a lot of residents who seem more interested in taking things slow and calm than fast paced.

Though I call Berea artistic, I would not call it young. It has an old feeling. Like I said, there's a lot of tradition here, but there's also just a feeling of less going on. You can certainly get outside for some fun, such as at Berea Country Club for a bit of golf, but I don't see this is a place for younger golfers to have some fun. Again, it's an older place for golfers. It's a pretty course, and a nice, relaxing place to play nine holes, but with only nine holes it gets old pretty fast and I don't think many people would want to be here if they're younger.

With this older feeling comes safety though, and the cost of living in Berea is very reasonable. You won't find a ton of jobs, but there are some options available, which helps a lot, and there are some decent medical facilities in the area. Saint Joseph Hospital is supposedly very good, though I've never had the pleasure (or displeasure) of visiting it.

I give Berea an average score, but it's way above average if you're a little older and still very active.

I have to admit I'm not the biggest fan of Bedford. It's an extremely small town, with I believe less than a thousand residents, and there are very few places to eat, shop, have a drink or have any real fun. I suppose it has a bit of small town charm, but not nearly enough in my opinion.

One thing Bedford DOES have is the Little Kentucky River Winery, which is a decent place to get a drink if you're so inclined, though it's hardly a good place to meet people. Still, it's a stunning places I've been to and is a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I think if you lived here you'd enjoy this a lot less, but for what it's worth you can get a drink here.

The other main benefit of living in Bedford is the lack of crime. It's a very safe place. This is no doubt due to the extremely low population, but you don't hear about a lot of crimes around these parts.

Other than this, there's just not much to say about Bedford. It's sorta boring. If you have kids you won't love the lack of educational choices. There are few schools in the area, and while they're not the worst, if you don't like them good luck finding another option.

I hate being so negative about a town, but Bedford is just too small and too slow for me.

Augusta is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. It's truly picturesque, and this is a major selling point, both for residents and for tourists. There aren't a whole lot of tourists from what I gather, as this is a pretty small, quiet town, but that's also part of its appeal. People come to Augusta to get away from the big city. So it's super quiet, clean and just lovely to spend a day wandering through.

Of course, many people know of Augusta as the home town of George Clooney. That's a kinda cool fact for many, though I wouldn't say it plays a big part of the city in general. It's interesting to note that Clooney attended Augusta High School, which is actually more than just a high school, but also the elementary and middle school. It's a very small school with a good teacher to student ratio, though Augusta in general doesn't have the highest education levels amongst its residents.

Probably the biggest downside of Augusta is employment. There aren't a ton of jobs available here, and I know the average income level is pretty low. This makes it difficult for many people to move here, even if they fall in love with the area on a vacation.

Still, it's tough to beat Augusta for it's absolute beauty, safety and friendly people. It's too bad the economy here is so limited, but that small town feel is part of its charm.

Wow! Independence is one of the best cities in Kentucky. It's absolutely a safe, clean and friendly city. There are a few issues, especially for a younger guy like me, but you get an awful lot living here.

I'll start with the good stuff. Actually, I'll call it the GREAT stuff. Crime. Nearly nonexistent in Independence. You hear about very little crime here, and while there is the occasional break-in or violent crime, it's extremely rare. I actually had to look it up to see if there's even been many crimes. There's 63% less violent crime in Independence than in Kentucky in general, and this is a pretty safe state. That's a big selling point, especially for the many families who live here. This is the kind of place you can relax and feel perfectly safe.

Independence is also extremely affordable. From the low cost of housing to cheaper goods and services, you can get by on a lot less in Independence. This is good, because of the the negatives of the area is employment. You can find a job, but not necessarily a super high-paying one. This is the reason I don't live here and live in Alexandria instead. You could struggle to find a job in Independence.

Another negative of living here is the limited population. I don't mind being able to know my neighbors and much of a town, but you don't really have the dating options or people to hang out with in Independence, and there are few bars or restaurants to take a date anyways. If you prefer staying in with only the occasional trip out this might not be so bad for you, but it can be awfully slow in Independence.

Otherwise, the schools are supposed to be pretty good and Independence Park is very nice and clean, so you'll have a bit of greenery in the city to enjoy. I'm a fan of Independence in general, though I think I'll need to get a few years older and start a family before I'd consider moving here.

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!