Living in Louisville
Metro Louisville is the nation’s 29th largest city. The city has grown to include such rich cultural assets as historic Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack and home to the most exciting two minutes in sports, the incomparable Kentucky Derby; one of the largest municipally-owned urban forests in the country, the Jefferson Memorial Forest; and one of the oldest free public library systems in existence.
UPS, Humana, Ford Motor Company and GE are among the area’s largest public employers. (Baptist Hospital East is in the top 10, based on the number of persons employed.)
Louisville is one of the 50 best large cities for relocating families, according to a study conducted by Worldwide ERC, Primacy Relocation and Bert Sperling of Sperling’s BestPlaces. Louisville was ranked at No. 5 for 2005. Cities were rated on factors including cost of living, taxes, home costs/appreciation, schools, climate and commute times as well as elder-care and assisted-living.
Louisville is home to such signature products as the Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat, Louisville Stoneware and, even KFC, formerly Kentucky Fried Chicken and part of YUM! Brands, Inc.
On the food front, Louisville boasts such local delicacies as the Hot Brown, Benedictine, Derby Pie®, Modjeskas candies and plenty of fine and eclectic dining choices.
The quality of life index is high. Louisville is one of only a dozen U.S. cities with a professional orchestra, ballet, opera, theater and children’s theater.
Louisville neighborhoods maintain their character. from Butchertown to Anchorage, Fern Creek to Fairdale, Louisville offers distinct choices in housing, from steep bluffs with Ohio River views to verdant golf course lots.
Downtown Louisville is enjoying a rebirth, with creation of the Great Lawn (a prime spot for viewing the world’s largest fireworks show, Thunder Over Louisville), opening of Fourth Street Live, Glassworks and Friday evening Trolley Hops to local art galleries and exhibits.
Celebrating the great boxer’s life and achievements, The Muhammad Ali Center is now open on the downtown riverfront. The riverfront and Main Street area is also home to the Louisville Science Center and the Frazier Historical Museum.
*The Louisville MSA (metropolitan statistical area) includes Jefferson, Bullitt, Henry, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Spencer, Shelby and Trimble in Kentucky, and Clark, Floyd, Harrison, and Washington counties in Indiana.
