With the Appalachian Mountains to the east and the Mississippi River to the west, Kentucky is a picturesque state with stunning landscapes.
Best Places to Live in Kentucky: Home to Daniel Boone National Forest and Mammoth Cave National Park, the state offers ample outdoor adventure for families who love an active lifestyle. It is the birthplace of the famous Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and is also known for horse racing, bourbon, and bluegrass music.
Along with its rich history and culture, Kentucky also has a great education system, excellent universities, and an affordable cost of living, making it a great place to raise a family.
Planning to move to this beautiful state?
We’ve got you covered with our ultimate list of the best places to live in Kentucky State for families:-
Fort Thomas
Perched on the southern bank of the Ohio River, Fort Thomas is a picturesque suburb.
You can enjoy jogging on the numerous sidewalks, play a game at the 187-acre Tower Park, soak up some history at the Fort Thomas Military and Community Museum, make a splash at Coney Island, or catch a show at the Village Players of Fort Thomas, there is no dearth of family-friendly activities to enjoy here.
The place is also home to a welcoming community and has a vibrant nightlife & entertainment scene.
You’ll also find numerous top-rated schools and affordable housing options here, making it one of the best places to live in Kentucky.
Anchorage
Wish to enjoy a tranquil lifestyle?
Anchorage may be the place for you.
Located 15 miles east of downtown Louisville, this scenic suburb features plenty of tree-shaded parks, horse paths, and walking trails, offering a host of kid-friendly outdoor activities.
This is one of the more affluent places in the state and is considered quite safe.
The top-rated schools here attract a lot of families to move to this beautiful place. Housing is quite expensive but if budget is not a constraint, go for it.
Lexington
Wish to enjoy big city amenities within a charming college town? Lexington may be the place for you. Known as the “horse capital of the world”, and famous for its bourbon, this vibrant town has plenty of unique offerings.
It features numerous horse farms, parks, fields, and plenty of open spaces, offering various outdoor recreation activities. It also has a solid University of Kentucky Basketball Team fan base.
From placing your bets at Keeneland Race Course, stepping back in time at Shaker Village, going on a shopping spree at Greyline Station, or exploring historic homes, there are endless activities to enjoy here.
What’s more?
The town also offers a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, geared towards supporting new businesses. You can enjoy all these offerings at an affordable price.
Elizabethtown
As a site of a Civil War Battle in 1862, the town features many historic sites, one of which is a wall downtown with a cannonball embedded.
It is also the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln’s older sister Sarah.
From strolling in the historic downtown area, catching a show at the Historic State Theatre Complex, exploring the Brown-Pusey House, and soaking in some history at The Hardin County History Museum, there are plenty of kid-friendly activities to enjoy here.
The town is also home to the vast Freeman Lake Park, and American Legion Park and provides easy access to Buffalo Lake Trail System offering an array of outdoor recreational activities.
Couple that with numerous A-rated schools, easy access to Louisville, and affordable housing options and you get a great place to settle down.
Owensboro
Also known as the “Barbecue Capital of the World”, Owensboro is a vibrant town that hosts the International Barbecue Festival every second weekend in May.
Home to three colleges and numerous A-rated schools, the place draws many families to put down their roots.
From enjoying your favourite drinks at numerous distilleries, shopping in the downtown area, exploring the history of the genre at Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, relaxing at Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, or playing in the riverfront Smothers Park, there is a plethora of activities to enjoy here.
What’s more?
You can enjoy all this without breaking the bank.
Wilmore
Located on the Norfolk Southern Railroad Line near the historic High Bridge in Jessamine County, Wilmore is a vibrant small town.
It is home to a tight-knit community and features plenty of farms, fields, and parks, offering a host of outdoor activities.
The town also hosts Highbridge Film Festival and is the place of origin for the Ichthus Music Festival. Home to Asbury University, it offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and college-town amenities.
What’s more?
It is also home to decent schools and offers affordable housing options, making it a great choice for young families just starting out.
Bellevue
Just across the Ohio river from Cincinnati lies this beautiful suburb, which exudes a small-town vibe with access to big-city amenities.
Featuring plenty of restaurants, bars, and breweries, it offers plenty of options for a lively evening.
The place is home to a tight-knit community and hosts various events and festivals held throughout the year. Its excellent schools and low crime rate are significant draws for families looking to settle down.
What’s more? You can find housing options well below the national average.
With so much to offer, it’s one of the best places for families in the state.
Bowling Green
Located in southern Kentucky, Bowling Green is a vibrant university city. Home to Western Kentucky University, it features numerous family-friendly attractions.
From picnicking at Fountain Square Park, exploring the city’s historic districts, taking a swing at one of the six golf courses, or appreciating the collection at the National Corvette Museum, there is no dearth of activities to indulge in here.
If you love to enjoy an adventurous outing with the family, the city offers underground tours of the Lost River Cave and easy access to Mammoth Cave National Park.
Couple that with excellent schools. Housing options can be pricey here but the amenities make it worth every penny.
Berea
Love spending time amidst nature?
Berea may be the place for you.
Nestled amidst the foothills of the Appalachians, this picturesque town is also home to Berea College Forest and Daniel Boone National Forest.
From hiking, camping, birding, and ziplining to skiing in winter, there are ample outdoor recreational activities to enjoy here.
Being home to Berea College’s student population, the town also has a hip arts and culture scene with plenty of theatres, galleries, pubs, and historic sites.
There are numerous great schools in the area along with affordable housing options.
Frankfort
Love to be in the centre of all the action?
Head to the state capital.
Nestled on the banks of the Kentucky river, it is a picturesque city with a rich history and cultural heritage.
Home to a historic downtown, the new and old Capitol buildings, the Thomas D. Clark Center, the Liberty Hall Historic Site, and many other family-friendly attractions, the vibrant city offers a host of activities for a fun family outing.
What’s more?
You’ll also find decent schools and affordable housing options here.
So, pick the one that speaks to you and get ready to move into your new home.
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FAQs:
Q. What is the most family-friendly city in Kentucky?
Lexington is one of the most family-friendly cities in Kentucky.
Q. Does it snow in Kentucky?
Kentucky usually receives snow between late November and early March.
Q. Is Kentucky expensive to live in?
Kentucky is generally considered to be one of the most affordable states to live in.