4.4 out of 10

Lexington-Fayette

Ranked 2nd best city in Kentucky
37.9843247467928 -84.3764083603797
Great for
  • Public Transport
  • Internet Access
  • Medical Facilities
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Cost of Living
Not great for
  • Parking
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Singles
  • Professionals
  • Retirees
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists

Reviews

1/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 1/5
  • Safe & Sound 1/5
  • Clean & Green 1/5
  • Pest Free 1/5
  • Peace & Quiet 1/5
  • Eating Out 1/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 1/5
  • Shopping Options 1/5
  • Gym & Fitness 1/5
  • Internet Access 1/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 1/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 1/5
  • Public Transport 1/5
  • Medical Facilities 1/5
  • Schools 1/5
  • Childcare 1/5
2yrs+

"Overgrown college town"

Having lived in various parts of Kentucky, including most of its bigger cities, I can tell you for a fact the Lexington is definitely my least favorite city in Kentucky. Pretty much, just to sum it all up, it is basically just an overgrown college town. If you are looking for a big city with lots of amenities and stuff to do, then do yourself a favor and move to a bigger city like Louisville. If you are looking for countryside then do yourself a favor and move to the actual country side of Kentucky. I don't know what it is, but the vibe just feels totally off in lexington. The downtown is mediocre at best and being a big foodie that likes festivals, there really aren't that many local independently owned creative establishments and you can forget about good festivals. If you like horses and college basketball (which I do) then lexington will entertain you for about 2 weeks, after that it just really gets old. Horses and college basketball really aren't major selling points for a city, in my opinion. If you want horses and college basketball along with a major thriving metropolitan city, then move to Louisville.
Cons
  • Small city
  • Not much to do
  • No real history like other Kentucky cities
  • Kinda loud in the city sometimes
  • Not enough parks in the city
  • Not as safe as other parts of Kentucky
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 2/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 2/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Give Lexington a look, there's jobs, people and fun everywhere!"

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.
Pros
  • Clean
  • Plenty of history
Cons
  • Not as safe as other parts of Kentucky
  • Kinda loud in the city sometimes
  • Not enough parks in the city
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Perfect for families, singles, professionals and horse-enthusiasts!"

I'm a longtime resident of Lexington, and I love it here. It's a great place to raise kids (I've raised three young ones here myself) and while every life and every city has it's share of problems, Lexington is certainly a step above the rest.

First, it's not a small thing that Lexington is often referred to as "Thoroughbred City." I have three daughters who all love horses and have since they were very young. You will find horse stables a plenty around Lexington. I don't love the animals as much myself, but my girls have never missed an opportunity to ride. This is really great in my opinion for families, because it teaches kids a lot about respecting nature, animals and being careful. It's also a smart way to teach them discipline, as horseback riding is not easy.

The safety and quality of schools in Lexington is also very high, with some very good schools and a lot of well educated people in the area. I'm the first of my family to go to college, but all three of my girls have gone to university and I know many parents around me are proud to say the same. Education is important here, and receives a great deal of attention from both parents and the government.

There's a fair bit of history to see in Lexington as well, so if you're inclined you can see buildings and monuments that have been around since the early days pre-1800. I'm proud of the history, and I think it adds to the focus many have on keeping the city clean, which it most certainly is. I wish there were more parks in the city itself, but it's not like you have to go far to a stable to get some nature.

The cost of living here isn't too bad, so anyone looking to find a reasonable apartment or house shouldn't have much trouble, and there are plenty of places to eat, drink and be merry, so young single guys and girls needn't worry about finding someone special and having a good time.

I've seen crime come and go over the years, but overall Lexington has remained a pretty safe place. I've never worried for my kids safety, and I've always found plenty of employment opportunities, so I've never had to worry too much about supporting them.

I highly recommend the place I call home. We'll be glad to have you if you decide to stop by for a short visit or a long stay.
Pros
  • Lots of horses
  • Safe and clean
  • Plenty of history
Cons
  • Kinda loud in the city sometimes
  • Not enough parks in the city
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • Country Lovers

Travelling to Lexington-Fayette?

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Best Neighborhoods in Lexington-Fayette

"Old houses, close to university"
38.0381092720165 -84.4885514144595

Unranked Neighborhoods in Lexington-Fayette

"Busy street, a little run-down in areas. "
38.0200379692625 -84.566473742521
"Two miles from Main Street"
38.0324854914418 -84.5240749449418
"Student housing--noisy but fun"
38.0292563615715 -84.5042748250454
"Fairly quiet neighborhood near retail centers"
37.9861858044678 -84.5117258614905

Collonade

3.5/5
"Family Friendly Neighborhood"
37.9701562425886 -84.4709199960244
"Great Place for Visitors"
38.0675809703294 -84.5047945647688

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