Considering a move to Lexington, KY? The Horse Capital of the World—surrounded by more than 450 horse farms and home to the famous Keeneland Racecourse—offers an affordable cost of living, plenty of outdoor recreation, unique local cuisine, and fun activities for young adults. Take a look at the five best neighborhoods in Lexington for singles and young professionals!
- Chevy Chase-Ashland Park
- Downtown Lexington
- Fairway-Liberty Heights
- Georgetown
- Mount Vernon-Hollywood-Montclair
Chevy Chase-Ashland Park
- Home Price: $448,371 median purchase price; $685 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 95% of Kentucky cities
Looking to live in an area with tree-lined streets and plenty of historic Lexington, KY charm? With picturesque residence areas, affordable Lexington rent prices, and a connection to American history—Chevy Chase-Ashland Park may be the area for you! Originally part of the 600-acre estate of Statesmen Henry Clay, this neighborhood was further developed by his descendant Henry Clay Simpson in the 1920s. However, this Lexington area isn’t all about the past—in fact, Chevy Chase-Ashland Park is now recognized as one of the most popular neighborhoods in the country! From the thriving Chevy Chase Shops district providing all things shopping in Lexington to the abundance of unique local restaurants to choose from, you’ll find plenty of reasons to settle down in this Lexington city.
Things to Do in Chevy Chase-Ashland Park
Take a step back in time with a public or self-guided tour, explore informative exhibits, and check out the Arboretum at the Henry Clay Estate. Buy your next pair of running shoes or join a local running group at John’s Run/Walk Shop. Get a unique gift for a friend or enroll in cooking classes at Stuarto’s Olive Oil Company. Catch up with friends or listen to live music in Lexington over a great selection of alcoholic beverages at Chevy Chase Inn, the oldest continuously-operating bar in Lexington. Find breakfast in Lexington with made-from-scratch Southern favorites like The Meathead Omelette, Chevy Chase Special, or the Two Stack of Pancakes at Josie’s. Indulge your tastebuds with locally sourced ingredients and dishes like the Braised Pork Tostadas, Greek Salad, and Kobe Burger at Coles 735 Main. Immerse yourself in authentic Mediterranean cuisine like the Spinach Pie, Oasis Dish, Boneless Chicken, and more at Oasis Mediterranean Restaurant. Or elevate your tastebuds with Cajun and Creole spices with the Jambalaya, Chicken Creole, or Gumbo at Bourbon n’ Toulouse.
Downtown Lexington
- Home Price: $272,014 median purchase price; $643 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 0% of Kentucky cities
If you want to live in the heart of the city, check out Downtown Lexington! Not only are there a variety of Lexington housing options to choose from here—including townhomes, apartments, and ranch homes—but it’s also one of the most walkable and bikeable districts in the area. Downtown provides residents with convenient access to a thriving art scene and trendy Lexington restaurants. College students and those working in academia will especially love the neighborhood’s proximity to both Transylvania University and fun things to do in Lexington. Young adults in this Lexington neighborhood often frequent the unique mixture of shops, bars, galleries, and other entertainment spots found at The Square. Meanwhile, Triangle Park is a prime location for events that bring the community together, including wine tastings, seasonal ice skating, and more!
Things to Do in Downtown Lexington
Venture out to support local vendors, buy fresh produce, and more at the Saturday Lexington Farmers Market. Complete the Mural Challenge by discovering a variety of Lexington street art like The Night Watchers and Mother of Us All as you stroll the neighborhood. Enjoy the best in Lexington entertainment with live music performances from acts like Daughtry, The Robert Cray Band, and Andy Summers at the Lexington Opera House. Catch classic films like The Princess Bride, enjoy the latest blockbuster movies, or support international films during the Twelve Lions Film Festival at The Kentucky Theatre. Wake up with organic roasted coffee, or an Americano, Cherry Cordial, or Italian Soda while admiring artwork at Third Street Stuff. Treat yourself to modern, Latin-inspired cuisine like Queso Blanco, Tamales, and Crispy Shrimp at Corto Lima. Fill up on traditional Japanese ingredients in modern dishes like the Fatty Tuna, Fluke, and Squid Rolls at School Sushi. Or unlock a vault of flavors with the Baked Goat Cheese, Bone-In Ribeye, and Pasta Dudley at Dudley’s On Short, a historical Downtown Lexington restaurant.
Fairway-Liberty Heights
- Home Price: $223,562 median purchase price; $754 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 49% of Kentucky cities
Singles moving to Lexington will feel right at home in Fairway-Liberty Heights thanks to its friendly, peaceful neighborhood atmosphere. This safe, affordable Lexington neighborhood draws residents in with its wide variety of charming Cape Cod, Colonial, and Neocolonial ranch homes. Offering plenty of relaxing green spaces like Johnson Heights Park, Fairway-Liberty Heights is a great spot for young adults who want to live in a calm area without having to sacrifice proximity to the action of Lexington nightlife. Plus, young professionals can easily commute to the rest of the city with convenient Lexington public transportation options, including Lextran routes 9 and 10.
Things to Do in Fairway-Liberty Heights
Stay active by lifting weights, or relax by playing games and doing arts and crafts at the Kenwick Community Center. Learn to grapple, practice yoga, or discover the art of Jiu-Jitsu at Lexington Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness. Hit the baseball out of the park or enjoy a picnic with a date at Johnson Heights Park. Shop for retro clothing, repurposed furniture, and vintage memorabilia at Lexington Peddler’s Mall. For a great place to eat in Lexington, chow down comfort foods like the Buffalo Chicken Wrap, Italian Sub, or Superfood Salad at Liberty Road Cafe. Experience a taste of Hawaiian culture with Spam and Eggs, Grilled Tofu, or a Katsu Sandwich at Big Kahuna Hawaiian BBQ. Order seafood in Lexington like the Tuna Roll, Shrimp Fried Rice, and Salmon Bento at Sakura 12 Japanese Restaurant. Or watch your meal get cooked right in front of your eyes before diving in to Italian street food-inspired dishes like Lasagna or Chicken Alfredo at Pasta Garage Italian Cafe.
Georgetown
- Home Price: $151,700 median purchase price; $786 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 24% of Kentucky cities
Trying to find somewhere affordable to live in Lexington? Check out Georgetown, a suburb just north of Lexington! With a classic small-town feel, Georgetown’s Historic Downtown is filled to the brim with unique boutiques, quaint art galleries, and several breweries at Royal Spring Park—the possible birthplace of bourbon! This town in the heart of “Horse Country Kentucky” also offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities, giving you ways to wind down after spending the day out on the town. Not to mention—Georgetown College is in the heart of the city, offering easy commutes for students and faculty living near this Lexington suburb. With Federal, Greek Revival, and Victorian-styled single-family homes at budget-friendly prices, Georgetown is a great area for singles and young professionals moving to Lexington.
Things to Do in Georgetown
Practice your golf swing and grab something to eat at Tee Times Indoor Golf. Embrace nature in Kentucky when you embark on guided trail horseback rides, take horsemanship classes, and swing by for special events like Wild West Weekend at Whispering Woods Riding Stables. Create your own bottle of bourbon from more than 40 different barrels of handcrafted bourbons, ryes, and whiskies at J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery. Enjoy a variety of local and national touring musical acts while you play cornhole or hit the pool tables at the Tipsy Cow Bar. Fill up on Southern breakfast foods like the Sausage Hash, Benedict, and Bluegrass Breakfast at Local Feed. Try out award-winning pizza and other Italian-inspired fare like Baked Spaghetti, The Italian Fat Kat Sub, and the Cheezinator Pizza at FatKats Pizzeria. Fill up on Lexington diner classics like the Fava Beer Cheeseburger, Patty Melt, and Roast Beef Po Boy at Fava’s 1910 Diner. Or experience succulent, freshly prepared dishes like the Baked Artichoke Dip, Prime Sirloin, and Lamb Chops at Rodney’s on Broadway.
Mount Vernon-Hollywood-Montclair
- Home Price: $219,329 median purchase price; $698 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 82% of Kentucky cities
If you’re wanting to settle down in one of the top Lexington, KY neighborhoods, consider making Mount Vernon-Hollywood-Montclair your new home! This Lexington community is perfect for singles and young professionals, especially because it directly borders the University of Kentucky (UK)—bringing educational opportunities, jobs, and the college atmosphere right to your doorstep. When you’re not busy attending adrenaline-filled college sports games, you can enjoy peaceful strolls to more laid-back hangout spots and green spaces in this walkable neighborhood. Mount Vernon-Hollywood-Montclair provides a plethora of budget-friendly housing options suited for young adults, including apartments, bungalows, and ranch-style homes.
Things to Do in Mount Vernon-Hollywood-Montclair
Become part of the “Big Blue Nation” and cheer on the Kentucky Wildcats (NCAA D-1) as they score touchdowns and block kicks at Kroger Field. Enroll in a Beer School class, sample more than 500 unique bottles from around the world, and enjoy tasting events at The Beer Trappe. Explore the Fragrance Garden and other native plants at the nearby Arboretum State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, a 100-acre public garden. Get some fresh air, duke it out on the tennis courts, and attend events like the Big Band & Jazz Series at Ecton Park. Savor farm-to-table ingredients that produce memorable meals like the Garlic Bagel, Healthy Sprout Breakfast Sandwich, or any of the daily pastries at the Great Bagel & Bakery. Expand your tastebuds with authentic Greek classics like Falafel, Greek Sausage, and the Greek Garden Salad at Athenian Grill. Experience elevated everyday favorite foods like Chicken Wings, a Cafe Burger, and Tiramisu in a relaxed setting at Bella Cafe and Grille. Or chill out on the outdoor patio and enjoy unique rotating cocktails like the Ruby Red or Sage Bee’s Knees while munching on the Dreamy Mac & Cheese at The Sage Rabbit, a great bar in Lexington.
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Neighborhood & suburb statistics from AreaVibes