LEXINGTON, Ky. — The results are in: People love living in Lexington.
What You Need To Know
- Lexington at No. 33 on list of 150 Best Places to Live
- Cost of living and job market among most desirable factors
- We talked to some residents about what they love
- Shops, restaurants and recreation also important to residents
U.S. News & World Report put the Lexington-Fayette County Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) at No. 33 on its list of 150 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2021-2022. U.S. News analyzed 150 metro areas in the United States to find the best places to live based on the quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people’s desire to live there.
Lexington ranked behind Tampa, Florida, at No. 32, and ahead of Grand Rapids, Michigan, at No. 34. Boulder, Colorado, was atop the list, edging out Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
Lexington-based freelance journalist Megan Larkin provided U.S. News & World Report with an article about her hometown. She said some of Lexington’s popularity stems from its offering a “blend of the South and Midwest” and the University of Kentucky providing a “constant influx of young, educated people into the culture and economy.”
College basketball, restaurants, outdoor recreation, bourbon and a temperate climate have contributed to Lexington’s population growth. At the same time, the cost of living remains relatively low compared to similar markets, Larkin said.
“Combined with a diverse job market and a stable economy, this makes Lexington an ideal place for young professionals, families and retirees,” Larkin said.
U.S. News & World Report also ranked Lexington at No. 102 on its list of “Best Places to Retire” and No. 19 on its list of “Cheapest Places to Live.” Danny Mitchell likes Lexington’s low cost of living. He said he has lived in many places, such as Cincinnati and Texas, but likes Lexington the most, his home for the past two years.
“I love it here because it’s cheap to live,” he said. “Lexington is cheaper than anywhere else I’ve lived.”
Lexington was also relatively high on the list because its violent-crime rate was lower than the national average in 2020. However, the city’s rate of property crime was slightly higher than the national rate. The low rate of violent crime is endearing to many people, such as Norman Williams, a lifelong resident of Lexington who said he likes the small-town feel while being a big city.
“It's always so peaceful here,” he said. “Everyone's really kind and always willing to lend a helping hand.”
The prevalence of locally owned businesses also adds to Lexington’s allure. Kendrick Eubanks, 21, is a lifelong Lexington resident who said he loves the stores he has been shopping in most of his life.
“I love CD Central, The Album, sQecial Media and places like that,” he said. “I like all these types of shops we have around the city.”
Lexington’s place on the list was aided by its multiple parks, the Legacy Trail, the Kentucky Horse Park, and proximity to nearby areas such as the Red River Gorge and Cumberland Falls. Kurt Anderson lives in Maysville, but often makes the 90-minute drive to Lexington with his grandchildren to spend the day and enjoy the big-city amenities.
“I bring the grandkids here a lot,” he said. “We love the restaurants and a lot of the specialty shops. It’s a great place to hang out and a really safe place to bring my grandkids.”
U.S. News & World Report's Best Places to Live rankings are determined using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Labor and internal resources. Data were categorized into the job market, crime rates, the results of a desirability survey and net migration.