Louisville, Kentucky certainly holds a place in American culture. After all, it's brought us the Kentucky Derby, the Louisville Slugger, Colonel Sanders and the mint julep to name just a few. With its good breeding and modern sensibility, Louisville has led a charmed life that is poised to continue into the next century and beyond.

Located on the Ohio River, Louisville was named for French King Louis XVI. During the Civil War, the town was a military headquarters for Union forces. The nineteenth century saw Louisville's expansion as an important river port. Today, the city is a thriving metropolis with a population of around 1,400,000, making it the largest city in Kentucky and the sixteenth largest in the United States. The median age for residents here is 37, with a average household income of $30,000. Housing is evenly split between renting and owning, with rents ranging from $375 to $1000. The median home value here is $195,000.

This family-friendly community has a lot to offer its residents to fill their free time. For those who wish to begin or continue their education, Louisville has some fine colleges and universities. With such well-regarded schools such as the University of Louisville, Spalding University, Bellarmine College and Sullivan University, it's not surprising that Louisville is ranked number eight on America's Most Literate Cities list.

If you prefer a little sightseeing, you might enjoy spending a day experiencing the grandeur of a bygone era in one of the town's many museums or historical homes. Theater buffs will delight in the fact that Louisville is one of only nine cities in the U.S. with a professional ballet, opera, theater, orchestra, and children's theater. The Actors Theater of Louisville produces the renowned Humana Festival of New American Plays each year and art aficionados can attend the St. James Court Art Show. Louisville recently added another artistic showcase to its roster. Called Glassworks, this gallery space is designed to house and show the work of 50 glass artists.

Warmer weather brings The Belle of Louisville and Spirit of Jefferson, the city's two riverboats, to the Ohio River waterfront for daily excursions. You could also take a dinner cruise aboard the Star, a larger cruising boat. Or spend a day with your favorite Little Leaguer visiting the Louisville Slugger Museum, followed by a game watching the Louisville Bats win a minor league game. Race fans, of course, know the importance of horse racing here, and may enjoy a trip to the Kentucky Derby Museum or Churchill Downs.

Now, about those juleps...while they seem to go hand-in-hand with the Derby, some say they're an acquired taste. But this might just fall into the category of something to try at least once. If this is your first, it's probably better to settle in and order in one of Louisville's finer establishments. Your bartender will mix bourbon, simple syrup and fresh mint over crushed ice. The rest is up to your palate. If it's race day, you'll be a full participant in a gentile legacy unique to Louisville alone.

Locals enjoy weeks of celebration surrounding the race itself. The Kentucky Derby Festival in April and May kicks off with the Thunder Over Louisville and ends with the "Run for the Roses". Of course, there are year-round community festivals such as the Kentucky State Fair in August, the Great Steamboat Race in April and the Lewis and Clark Ohio River Festival in October. Music fans enjoy the IBMA Bluegrass Fan Fest, and car lovers abound at the Street Rod Nationals.

Impressively, Louisville contains so many restaurants that, if you dined out every night, it would take you nearly nine years to sample each of the city's 2,500 restaurants. The variety and quality of these establishments provide stellar fare to visitors from around the globe. Chefs here have mastered regional cuisine and elevated it to a world-class level. Take your pick from fine dining, causal bistros, little cafes and coffee houses.


Louisville provides the energy, excitement and unlimited options of an urban center, while maintaining its culture, grace, and history. If you're thinking of moving to Louisville, Kentucky, our relocation packet is yours for the asking.