9 Of The Best Affordable Towns To Retire In Kentucky
For retirees who want friendly communities with affordable housing, Kentucky delivers, along with rolling Bluegrass hills and Appalachian views. With a state average home value of around $225,00 (according to Zillow), places like Middlesboro and Ashland stand out for especially low home prices (often near $100,000). For more variety, Paducah adds riverfront charm at the meeting point of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers. If lake life is more your speed, Somerset puts you close to Lake Cumberland and General Burnside Island State Park for easy boating, hiking, and sunny days outside. These 9 picks below are the best budget-friendly options to retire in Kentucky!
Middlesboro
In the southeastern corner of Kentucky, Middlesboro is situated in a very convenient location. It's located near the Cumberland Gap and is uniquely positioned where Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia meet. Best of all, you don't have to drive far to enjoy metropolitan amenities. This is in addition to homes in Middlesboro being valued at roughly $100,000 (according to Zillow), making it highly affordable for the investment retirees get.
Middlesboro is home to an assortment of activities and iconic establishments. The first of which is the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. With the area being minutes from the downtown area, this national treasure has miles of hiking trails, beautiful views, and tours of Gap Cave. There is also the Middlesboro Country Club, which is touted as one of the oldest continuously played golf courses in the United States. The golf course itself has several scenic views, which is likely the biggest factor for members. And for a hit of nostalgia for car enthusiasts, the Cruisin' the Crater Car Show is a town favorite event that features classic cars, multiple draws, JukeBox Bingo, and a car show every third Saturday in May through September.
Mayfield
In western Kentucky, there is Mayfield, a charming town with the typical small-town hospitality, alongside modern amenities. Much like Middlesboro, Mayfield is also strategically located near denser and more populated areas. In Mayfield's case, it is near Paducah in the north and Nashville, Tennessee, to the southeast. Despite the location, Mayfield is affordable to live in, with the average home value being typically about $152,000.
The scenery of Mayfield is a big appeal for residents, as residents are near the Ohio River to the north, the Mississippi River to the west, and Kentucky Lake in the east. This beauty is also passed down to its parks and recreational facilities. The Kess Creek Park is a local favorite with peaceful picnic spots, a playground, and plenty of walking trails. It is also near the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area for more outdoor adventures like fishing, hiking, and wildlife observation.
Mayfield also has a strong sense of historical pride and community connectivity. Part of the town's heritage is on display through the display of the Wooldridge Monuments. A series of stone figures showing an eccentric aristocrat and Civil War soldier, the monuments are referred to as "The Strange Procession That Never Moves." Beyond the history, the Mayfield-Graves County Senior Citizens Center is an all-around good spot for community connectivity for retirees, as the center hosts social activities, fitness classes, and educational programs.
Paducah
At the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio rivers, Paducah's identity sets it apart from surrounding towns. For starters, the average cost of a home here is affordable, with the average home value being roughly $185,000. In addition, the town is one of the handful to be designated a UNESCO Creative City in the United States, a designation that is offered to cities that connect culture through creativity.
That creativity is on full display in places like The National Quilt Museum, which attracts a global audience to view the assortment of quilts and showcase the artistry and innovation of contemporary quilting. Paducah goes one step further with its passion for quilting with AQS QuiltWeek, an event on a grand scale each April featuring vibrant exhibits, competitions, hands-on workshops, and a proud display of the town's heritage and history through quilts.
Outside of quilts, the landscape as a whole is stunning. Several golf courses dot the landscape, giving retirees ample opportunity to practice their swing surrounded by beautiful scenery. The Rolling Hills Country Club is one option, with the private country club offering tennis courts, a pro shop, an accommodating clubhouse, and an Olympic-size swimming pool.
Somerset
Somerset, on the shores of the Cumberland River and easily accessible to Lexington and Louisville, is a great place to live. Strategically located near those two cities, Somerset's unique draw is the man-made reservoir nearby. Lake Cumberland is one of the largest in the United States. In addition to that, Somerset is also quite affordable, with the average home values being around $188,000.
Retirees will have no trouble staying active, with various state parks and Lake Cumberland itself offering gorgeous scenery alongside recreational activities. The General Burnside Island State Park is a prominent one with a lush river island that has boating, swimming, and hiking opportunities. The community also hosts several community gatherings. Chief among them is the Master Musicians Festival, which brings in all kinds of talent during midsummer. It also has an arts and crafts fair, food vendors, and children's activities. And with Somerset being near several local and regional waterways, kayaking and canoeing through the various water trails is a possibility. Some good spots are the Buck Creek Blue Water Trail and Cumberland Falls themselves.
Ashland
Ashland offers a slower pace of life, reflected in home values, with the average home value being roughly $118,000. Digging into the cultural scene, the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center offers history, heritage, and entertainment. Through interactive exhibits and events, the staff provides education about the past, present, and future in addition to displaying heritage artifacts and providing interpretations. In addition, the Paramount Arts Center is a cultural hotspot, with the building being the first transitional theater built for "talking pictures." Today, the performances are to inspire, educate, and entertain attendees while providing a diverse cultural experience and preserving the unique history of the theater. And should you travel outdoors, the countryside has much to offer with rolling hills, sparkling lakes, the nearby Ohio River, and dense forests.
Henderson
Often viewed as a river town retreat, Henderson could be a possible retirement spot for anyone who wants to soak up a variety of sights. Near the Ohio River, the fresh air, dynamic culinary scene, and historical downtown are prime spots to discover nature. It's even quite affordable ,with the average home values hovering around $194,000.
Henderson is home to the world-famous John James Audubon, a wildlife artist who lived in Henderson and operated there. His work and his name continue to remain a key part of the town, with a state park being named after him, the John James Audubon State Park. The park has a museum and preserves the woodlands that the famed naturalist used to study birds in the early to late 1810s. There are also hiking trails that people can participate in, though they don't allow pets on the trails themselves. Gallery 101 features a rotating display of art but also serves as a creative and community hub with year-round events, workshops, and hands-on art experiences, with some of those experiences and exhibits being free to attend. And for a unique experience, the nearby Boucherie Winery can offer a small slice of visiting a winery with a more personal touch and gorgeous views of the vineyard and hills.
Covington
One of the more populated towns in the state, Covington is ideal for those looking for an exciting urban retirement spot while still keeping the small-town vibe and peace. Looking at the town's history, there is a rich architectural heritage and plenty of stories of riverboat gamblers and titans of industry residing here. Living in Covington is affordable, with the average home value hovering around $213,000. The higher-than-usual price is well worth it given the proximity to Cincinnati, a metropolitan area with high-quality amenities and healthcare services.
There is a lot to take note of in Covington, but in light of healthcare, St. Elizabeth Healthcare serves as a testament to the high-quality care in the area, as it serves as a regional leader in numerous forms of care, including primary, cancer, surgery, heart and vascular care, and more. Staying active in Covington is also easy to do, with the town nestled right against the Ohio River. That alone gives ready access to residents to kayak, fish, or relax.
The town as a whole is an architectural sight to behold, but some places that go into detail and show it off are spots like the St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, a cathedral that's largely inspired by Notre Dame in Paris and is over 100 years old. Alternatively, the Behringer-Crawford Museum is another hotspot for unique arts, heritage, and culture.
Hopkinsville
Living in a rural area while staying moderately active is one of the perks that Hopkinsville has on offer. Affordability is another with the typical home value being roughly $190,000. That aside, retirees will want to stay active as the town is also known for the production of several iconic batters like the Ghirardelli brownie mix, Cracker Barrel biscuit mix, SunFlower cornmeal, and more.
For the active-oriented, the nearby Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, with a variety of other experiences such as a beach, a lake that can be explored via canoe, kayak, or pedal boat, and a dam that you can fish at or stroll along. The museums in the area are small, but they are no less impactful, with spots like the Woody Winfree Fire-Transportation Museum housing classic cars and antique fire trucks, along with details of how the Hopkinsville Fire Department handled its most iconic fires. And for those who prefer staying active indoors, the Planters Bank-Jennie Stuart Health Sportsplex is one of the best spots. It has 54,000 square feet of climate-controlled multipurpose space that is used for competitive leagues, regional and statewide tournaments, and public recreation.
Glasgow
Seen as a retiree's paradise, Glasgow continues to live up to those expectations with a welcoming community, great affordability, and plenty of outdoor adventure to keep retirees moving and engaged. The retiree population is respectable, with about 21% of the population being seniors (65+). In addition, the average home values hover around $206,000, making it easy to focus on other expenditures.
The Mammoth Cave National Park is a culmination of nature and historical beauty, with the area serving as home to thousands of years of human history alongside plant and animal life. It is one of the areas that's been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Region. The Plaza Theatre is another community hub spot to consider with live events, plays, and the occasional regional and national artists performing there. Alternatively, the South Central Kentucky Cultural Center can provide another glimpse into the history, with the center serving as a local resource to educate and enlighten through outreach events and exhibits.
Whether you are hoping to connect with more people, stretch your savings, or dive into new outdoor adventures, Kentucky’s small towns deliver all of that, and then some. The natural wonders resting in towns like Hopkinsville, Ashland, and Paducah are great for those looking to enjoy the greenery and beautiful scenery. Meanwhile, Covington can make urban living more affordable and offer an abundance of unique and enticing experiences. Regardless, there is bound to be a small town in Kentucky that could hit the right spot. So why wait? Take a leap and check out the charming towns here that have caught your eye. Who knows, it could very well be the spot you spend your golden years at.
