If you are looking forward to the Kentucky Derby with more excitement than March Madness then you’ll love learning more about living and working in Louisville in this edition of city guides.
Some Background Stats:
Population: 597,337
Unemployment Rate: 7.3%
Cost of living index: 83/100
Major industries: Tourism, government agencies, food, lumber
Climate: Winter— ~25-41 degrees, Summer— ~69-88 degrees
Professional Sports: University of Kentucky/University of Louisville (basketball)
Closing Time: 4 AM
Best known for: Best city for small business growth, where Kentucky Fried Chicken headquartered
Best Dish: Fried catfish, hush-puppies, fried chicken, country fried steak, green beans, cornbread, grits
Why We Chose It:
I wanted to explore a southern city for one of my final city guides, as it would be very different from what we are used to up here in Lewisburg! I know that as time has passed, I really crave a change of scenery post-grad. Just a little history for all of you all, Louisville was named after King Louis XVI of France in appreciation for his assistance during the Revolutionary War in 1778. The city is home to and or played a role in the life of many prominent figures, such as President Zachary Taylor, Louis D. Brandeis, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Muhammad Ali. Moreover, in a time where many people seek out green initiatives and alternatives, it is important to note that Louisville is famous for its park system. Thousands of acres of park land and protected green space all contribute to Louisville’s “green print”, which allows for not only beautiful scenery but a dedication to the environment. Some notable parks you should visit would be Cherokee Park, Iroquois Park, and Shawnee Park! If you want to immerse yourself in this lovely town, you should consider visiting the Louisville Mega Cavern, which offers underground ziplines! The Louisville Slugger Museum, Big Four Bridge, Renaissance Fun Park, Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville Slugger Field, Historic Frankfort Avenue, and the Kentucky Center and Brown Theater are just a few exciting touristy attractions that you will have at your disposal. Also, there are City Taste tours, Mint Julep tours, the Louisville Quest, a Trolley de Ville, the Louisville Food tour, and classic Biplane tours to help fully immerse yourself in the southern culture as well as in the homely town.
Why You’ll Love It:
There are many cool events that attract fun-loving people! So, even if you are breaking out of your comfort zone in committing to such a far-away location, do not worry! For example, the annual Kentucky Derby is a horse-racing event that brings together people of all ages. Many college and post-grads attend this and are decked out in preppy attire to enjoy the race! Furthermore, seeing as University of Louisville and University of Kentucky are the faces of professional sports, you will have ample opportunity to attend exciting sporting events and to connect with people of similar age demographics there too!
Not ready to leave Bucknell? We didn’t think so!
Check out the Alumni App to find out more about the 100 alumni in the area. We found several alumni on LinkedIn employed at Humana, BAE Systems, Brown-Forman, University of Louisville; working in Entrepreneurship, Media & Communication, Legal, Higher Education, and Healthcare.
This post was written and researched by Sophie Hattery ’16.
Our city guides were started in an effort to highlight various cities across the U.S. to help you discover and learn about a city you may not have considered but could make a great spot for your first job or internship. See past city guides