Kentucky
7 Towns Perfect for Retirement in Kentucky
Among the gentle slopes and lush scenery of the Bluegrass State, Kentucky grants retirees an extensive culturally rich area, friendly communities, and hospitable neighborhoods. Kentucky has a tempting range of choices for retirees looking for a happy retirement. The options for retirees wishing to settle down are infinite, ranging from quaint little communities rich in history to booming metropolitan hubs furnished with modern conveniences.
Whether retirees like the quiet tranquility of rural life or the excitement of city living, retirees should be able to have the chance to explore activities such as taste-testing local foods, getting active at a well-maintained park, or even shopping at high-quality markets. These seven towns are perfect places to live and have enough to offer anyone throughout retirement.
Bardstown
Bardstown is an inviting town rich in history. It is also a cost-effective choice for retirees, given the median house listing price of only $299,900. Retirees cannot compromise on their healthcare needs, and Bardstown meets this demand. The town is home to the respected CHI Saint Joseph Health—Flaget Memorial Hospital, which grants locals convenient access to the majority of medical needs. There is no question why Bardstown is referred to as the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” At the Bardstown Bourbon Company, retirees can learn about the town’s rich history of bourbon-making, which dates back generations. Dive into the world of bourbon through guided tours and tastings.
A must-see place in Bardstown for anyone wishing to indulge in retail therapy is Mammys General Store. The store has a range of products to browse and buy, from furniture and clothes to flowers and gifts. Retirees can also relax and mingle at the Bardstown Swim Club, which offers an outdoor courtyard and a pool, an ideal environment for fun and relaxation.
Shelbyville
Located conveniently less than an hour’s drive from Lexington and Louisville, Shelbyville is an ideal town for retirement. With a median house listing price of $350,000, the town has fairly priced property.
Locals will always have quick access to healthcare because of the extensive medical services provided by UofL Health Shelbyville Hospital, conveniently located within the town.
Gallrein Farms is the perfect place for retirees to spend time with their families. Produce, flowers, and a petting zoo enhance the farm’s natural beauty, offering something enjoyable for all. For outdoor fun, retirees can tee off at the Shelbyville Country Club, which has an extensive golf course. Additionally, the club welcomes events, and is a venue for celebratory occasions.
Mayfield
Mayfield is a great option for seniors seeking reasonably priced housing with many facilities and a welcoming community. One of the most prominent features of Mayfield is its property market, with a median home listing price of approximately $199,300.
In addition, the Jackson Purchase Medical Center in Mayfield provides highly appreciated healthcare to enhance safety. This healthcare facility has the required medical services and treatments to guarantee that the population can access immediate medical care.
In Mayfield, the Mayfield Graves County YMCA makes it simple to maintain an active lifestyle. Residents enjoy the year-round health and wellness benefits of living in a friendly community with exercise equipment, classes, and an indoor pool.
Not far from Mayfield’s downtown Honey Hill Farms is a lovely You-Pick Flower Market, a tranquil escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Retirees can browse the gift shop and select colorful flowers and products to liven up their homes.
Berea
Berea is a town with a deep history and meaningful artwork. This appealing slice of Kentucky offers attractive home options with a median house listing price of $259,900 for individuals about to retire. As another enticing feature that comes with affordable housing, the leading medical facility in the community, Saint Joseph Berea stands apart because of its two consecutive Outstanding Patient Experience AwardsTM, which it received in 2024 and 2023. The Berea Pinnacles have lovely walking routes, making them an excellent option for retirees who enjoy being outside.
Berea also offers an abundance of cultural and entertainment activities. The Spotlight Playhouse hosts events in its two performing venues nearly every week of the year. Retirees can visit the Berea Farmer’s Market for tasty cuisine, artisan goods, and more outdoor entertainment.
Lancaster
Despite its modest size in comparison to other cities, Lancaster offers a wide range of attractions, such as dining options, retail establishments, parks, and more. Living here is less expensive than in many other towns, with a median home listing price of approximately $300,000, and residents enjoy slower living styles and an abundance of beautiful natural surroundings.
With easily accessible medical services, the North Garrard Family Medical Center is a vital component of the Ephraim McDowell Fort Logan Hospital network.
Herrington Lake provides boating and fishing so that retirees won’t be deficient in vitamin D. It’s a great area to unwind and enjoy leisure activities.
Golf aficionados will appreciate the expansive grounds of the Peninsula Golf Resort-Golf Course, where friendly regulars gather for a game on the green. Culture and entertainment thrive at the Lancaster Grand Theatre, where captivating theater productions await, promising delightful experiences for theater lovers.
Prestonsburg
Coined “The Star City of Eastern Kentucky,” Prestonsburg, Kentucky, is fitting for a place to retire. The median house listing price is budget-friendly at $237,500.
But affordability isn’t the only perk of living in Prestonsburg. Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center ensures residents’ healthcare requirements are satisfied by giving them access to top-notch medical services.
The Mountain Arts Center, a center for Appalachian arts, represents the town’s cultural heritage well. This creative gallery hosts interesting events, including engaging displays, educational programs, and live performances.
Retirees can visit the Mountain Muse to find one-of-a-kind items and handcrafted jewels. This downtown Prestonsburg store sells various items, including handmade and vintage gifts. It also holds painting lessons and live music events.
Retirees in the mood for classic fun can visit Bowl Rite Lanes, the perfect spot for bowling with friends and family.
Paintsville
Situated in the middle of the Country Music Highway, Paintsville is a top choice for retirees. Among the other towns in Kentucky, it is the most economical choice, with a median property listing price of $169,900. Paintsville’s allure, though, goes beyond its affordability. At the Paintsville ARH Hospital, locals receive first-rate healthcare without the hassle of leaving the town. The town is rich in culture and history, and attractions like the nearby Mountain HomePlace offer locals and visitors an up-close look at the area’s past.
It is a privilege that Paintsville was Loretta Lynn’s early home in the country music scene. Known for its role in the classic movie “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Butcher Holler continues to be one of Eastern Kentucky’s most prominent attractions, bringing people from all over the region to honor the Queen of Country. For a night on the town, retirees can check out the Historical Sipp Theatre. This gorgeously restored theater has entertainment for both locals and visitors.
Among the many towns in Kentucky, these seven communities are particularly fitting for retirement. Each community unquestionably provides retirees with recreational opportunities, affordability, and safety to enable them to have comfortable, secure, and pleasurable lives. In these Kentucky retirement communities, retirees can enjoy activities such as taking a leisurely stroll through the Berea Pinnacles, entertaining the family at Gallrein Farms, or just relaxing in the security of the surrounding neighborhoods. These seven towns are ideal for retirees to explore and have a laid-back everyday lifestyle because of their recreational possibilities and reasonable cost of living.
Kentucky
Northern Kentucky Education Council honors NKY educators with 2026 Excellence in Education Awards
Sadiqa Reynolds was removed from the University of Louisville board of trustees last week, as the Kentucky Senate did not confirm her appointment before they adjourned the 2026 legislative session.
Reynolds, the former president of the Louisville Urban League, was appointed to a six-year term on the board last April by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.
Under state law, gubernatorial appointees to boards must be confirmed by the state Senate during the subsequent legislative session in order to stay in that position. While the Republican supermajority filed and passed more than 50 resolutions to confirm appointees, none were filed to confirm Reynolds.
Reynolds told Kentucky Public Radio this week that she was not given any reason for why the Senate failed to confirm her, but suspected Republicans wanted her out due to her open criticism of the attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in education by President Donald Trump and the legislature.
“Attacks on education are attacks on our democracy,” Reynolds said. “There is no honor in following the lead of Kentucky Republicans when they are hellbent on destroying any gains we have made in this country.”
Reynolds added that it was “a badge of honor” to be rejected by Senate Republicans.
“Fascists refused to confirm me,” she said. “One little woman with one voice. I have never felt more powerful.”
Asked why Republican leadership did not confirm Reynolds, a Senate GOP spokesperson replied that “there was no resolution filed by a Democrat or Republican for the Senate to consider.”
Republican senators — who make up 84% of the chamber — filed all of the 50-plus resolutions to confirm Beshear appointees. Only one Senate bill filed by a Democrat was passed into law this session.
Senate Democrats did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the chamber not confirming Reynolds.
Scottie Ellis, the spokesperson for Gov. Beshear, replied in a statement that Reynolds “is an accomplished leader and University of Louisville alumna who cares about the direction of the school and served on its Board of Trustees with pride and integrity. Her removal is the latest politically motivated move by the Republican-led General Assembly, who are ultimately hurting UofL and its students with this baseless action.”
Asked to comment on Reynolds’ removal from the board of trustees, U of L spokesman John Karman said it was “not our decision,” adding that “the university is appreciative of Trustee Reynolds for her service and grateful for her contributions as a member of the Board of Trustees.”
Reynolds was critical not just of the Trump administration’s actions targeting DEI initiatives, but legislation passed into law by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2025 to ban all DEI initiatives at public colleges. She added that she pushed the university not to “overcomply” with such efforts and challenge them legally, or “at least explain the impact of compliance to the legislators and to the public.”
“People are so afraid to ask questions and challenge them, and I was not afraid,” she said. “Republicans have heard what I said and didn’t like it.”
Reynolds was not the only Beshear appointee to not be confirmed by the Senate. Though Republicans filed a resolution to confirm Michael Abell to the Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission, they did not vote on it before the legislature adjourned.
Responding to Abell’s removal last week, Ellis said the Senate GOP “once again refused to confirm a commissioner nominated by the Kentucky sportsmen and appointed by the Governor. This is now the eighth time they have done so. Kentuckians should be very worried about the operations at Fish & Wildlife.”
Reynolds was formerly a judge and top aide to former Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, until she was named CEO of the Louisville Urban League in 2015. She left that position in 2022 to become CEO of the Perception Institute, a New York City think tank that counters bias and discrimination. Reynolds stepped down from that position last fall to focus fully on the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center, a West End sports complex she pushed for while at the Urban League.
The Louisville Urban League president that succeeded Reynolds in 2022 was fired after four months, then filed a lawsuit against the nonprofit alleging she was wrongfully terminated for airing concerns about its finances and allegations of conflicts of interest involving the sports complex. A mistrial was declared in that case, and a new trial was granted last month.
Collin Chandler’s arrival at BYU was a long time coming, and left fans in suspense for over four years. The highest-rated recruit in program history at the time, Chandler first committed to BYU basketball four years ago before departing on his two-year missionary service. The timing of his return couldn’t have been worse, as he arrived soon after the news that head coach Mark Pope would be leaving Provo for the same position at a blue blood and his alma mater, Kentucky.
Deny it and fight it as much as you can, but there was no avoiding the truth: Collin Chandler would be out the door in Provo before ever suiting up for the Cougars.
But now in the present day, two years through his collegiate career, Collin Chandler is back in Provo. Now under a new regime, Chandler hopes to fill the void left by Richie Saunders’ departure, and assume a leadership role with the program he left years ago.
All is forgiven for the prodigal son, but hearing why Chandler jumped ship from Lexington for a spot back in the Beehive State makes his decision to transfer from UK all the more fascinating. In a radio interview with ESPN The Fan, the blonde blur opened up about his choice to return home.
“There are a lot of great things about BYU off the court. But basketball-wise, I’m most excited about development,” the junior guard shared. “Coach [Kevin] Young’s NBA experience is unique. I want to play at the next level, and learning from someone with that background is huge.”
“I’ve talked to players who’ve worked with him, and they all say development is his strength. That’s what really stood out to me.”
Chandler continued, sharing the relationships that helped him confirm his decision to take another shot at BYU.
“I talked to Richie Saunders,” Chandler noted. “I also have a good relationship with [former BYU player] Trevin Knell since we had the same high school coach. They both gave me great insight and helped me think through everything.”
Collin went a bit further on the Saunders comparisons, acknowledging where their skill sets overlap.
“First off, being compared to Richie Saunders is an honor. He’s left an incredible legacy at BYU. With new rosters come new styles, but I think this year’s team will play fast, share the ball, and make plays for each other. We’ve got a lot of guys who can handle the ball, so I see myself as part of that—making plays, playing fast, and being part of a fun system.”
On the topic of players Chandler would be teaming up with at his new program, he noted some teammates he had already shared the floor with as well as others who he looked forward to familiarizing himself with.
“Experience is huge,” Chandler noted. “That’s something I learned at Kentucky; having guys who know the system makes a big difference. Having someone like Rob Wright back is big. […] Jake Wahlin [former Timpview alumni and Clemson transfer] is someone I know really well. We played AAU together and faced off in high school. I’m excited to play with him again.”
Finally, on the topic of his return to BYU, Chandler’s off-court priorities paired with Kevin Young’s unique on-court capabilities made the Cougars the obvious favorites.
“Utah has a great staff and is building something strong, but I love the culture at BYU. I love what Coach Young is building and the foundation that’s already there.”
“It just felt like home.”
Chandler will be a junior at BYU this season, and hopes to build an NBA portfolio strong enough to carry the Farmington, Utah, native to the highest level of professional hoops. If Kevin Young’s NBA bootcamp is as good as Chandler believes it to be, you’ll see him taking great strides this season.
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