Top 5 Reasons To Move to Lexington, Kentucky in 2025

By Bob Sophiea

Founder and CEO of New Home Collective, established the company in 2014 with a mission to revolutionize the real estate industry.

Have you been thinking about making a move? Maybe you’re looking for a city that actually feels like home but still has a spark to it, a place where you can build a future, enjoy your weekends, and not feel like you’re just getting by.

That’s exactly what I found here in Lexington after 14 years of calling it home. And honestly, I think now is one of the best times to make the move. Here are the top five reasons to move into Lexington right now:

1. Affordable housing market. Everyone wants to know if they can afford to live here, right? The good news is that Lexington still offers real value for your money.

While home prices have gone up like everywhere else, the median home price here is around $350,000, about 9% lower than the national average. Compare that to Nashville at $450,000 or Austin at $530,000.

If you’re renting in a bigger city right now, you could likely buy here for the same monthly payment or less. If you’re currently renting in a bigger city, you might be able to buy a home here and enjoy a more comfortable mortgage payment. Imagine owning a three-bedroom house with a yard instead of cramming into a one-bedroom apartment.

Plus, Lexington’s housing market is steady. We don’t see the wild highs and lows other cities do, making it a smart long-term investment.

2. A balanced city life. One of the best parts about Lexington is that you don’t have to choose between city living and space to breathe. We’ve got over 100 parks and 6,000 acres of green space right inside the city.

The Legacy Trail gives you 12 miles of biking and walking paths that run from downtown to the Kentucky Horse Park. Jacobson Park is perfect for kayaking or fishing, while Raven Run Nature Sanctuary has 700 acres of hiking trails, all within 20 minutes of downtown.

You can spend the morning at the playground, brunch downtown at Della’s, then drive through horse country in the afternoon, all without fighting traffic or spending your weekend in the car.

3. Cost of living. Lexington gives you financial breathing room. The overall cost of living is about 8% to 10% lower than the national average, with housing costs roughly 25% lower. Utilities come in about 15% below average, and groceries are slightly cheaper.

That means more freedom in your budget, whether that’s saving for retirement, signing your kids up for sports, or finally taking that weekend trip you’ve been putting off. Living here means you get to enjoy life and not just live for survival.

4. A community that feels like home. You can have the nicest house in the world, but if you don’t feel like you belong, it doesn’t matter. Lexington shines in this area. Despite being a city of about 320,000 people, it feels like a small town. You’ll find friendly neighbors who stop to chat, and events that bring everyone together, like the local farmers’ market.

With the University of Kentucky in the heart of the city, Lexington also has youthful energy and cultural diversity. You’ll find concerts, festivals, and sports events that bring everyone together, from horse races at Keeneland to the Crave Food and Music Festival.

It’s that mix of tradition, friendliness, and vibrancy that makes Lexington feel like home from day one.

5. The life you get to live here. Lexington isn’t just a great place to live; it’s surrounded by endless outdoor adventure. Within an hour, you can hike at Red River Gorge, explore the Daniel Boone National Forest, or visit Cumberland Falls to see the rare “moonbow.” Locally, you can kayak the Kentucky River Palisades or wander through historic downtown neighborhoods.

Lexington’s strong economy offers career opportunities with major employers like Toyota, Amazon, and Baptist Health. So whether you’re seeking better work-life balance, career growth, or a slower pace that still has excitement, Lexington puts it all within reach.

Lexington offers something rare: affordability, community, nature, and opportunity, all in one place.

It’s not perfect, but it’s a city where you can still plant roots, build a future, and enjoy the life you’re working for.

If that sounds like the kind of balance you’ve been searching for, don’t wait too long. I’d love to help you explore what moving to Lexington could look like for you. Book a call with us through this link: callnhc.com. You can also contact us directly at (859) 721-2200 or bob@nhc.com.

You can also join my Living in Lexington, Kentucky Facebook group called Living in Lexington, KY, to ask questions and see what real life here is like.