Whether it’s for a new job, the delightful aroma of barbecue, or the low cost of living, Owensboro is the perfect place to settle down. Here in Owensboro, individuals can start a career with the help of workforce programs and families can enjoy exciting activities around town in an inviting atmosphere all while the pleasant townsfolk wave “hi!” Here are 10 reasons that moving to Owensboro, KY might be the right decision for you.
1. It has a low cost of living.
Living in Owensboro is inexpensive! The cost is lower than the national average and lower than most Kentucky cities. Its cost of living index is 84.9, putting it 15.1 percent lower than the U.S. average.
2. It has scenic views of the Ohio River and a lively downtown.
The riverfront and downtown area offer a walkable way to go shopping, dine out, and see the sights. Make your way along the river and find various events that are hosted each year such as Owensboro Symphony Orchestra concerts at the RiverPark Center and the Kraftucky Arts and Crafts Expo at the Owensboro Convention Center. Other notable attractions close by the riverfront include Smothers Park and Kentucky’s second-largest art museum the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art.
3. There’s plenty of outdoor recreation.
Aside from the riverfront and Smothers Park, Owensboro is full of outdoor activities. It’ll be easy to stay occupied when you’re surrounded by Panther Creek Park, Yellow Creek Park, Legion Park, Jack C. Fisher Park, Adkisson Greenbelt Park, and Reid’s Orchard to name a few. Plus, gardening enthusiasts have an opportunity to visit the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden.
4. The friendly atmosphere will put you in a great mood.
Everybody in Owensboro is welcoming and stops to say “hello.” What’s better than living in a community where each individual makes it a goal to help their neighbors?
5. There’s ample entertainment.
Friday After 5 is a free series of outdoor concerts held every Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight from May to September on the riverfront. Not only does the festival includes live bands, but it also features family and kid-friendly events, food trucks, and more forms of entertainment.
6. It’s home to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
Speaking of music, Owensboro is the place to be for bluegrass fans. At the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, visitors can experience instrument demos and interactive exhibits. The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum also produced the annual ROMP Festival which takes place in Yellow Creek Park.
7. It’s overflowing with top-rated barbecue eateries!
In 2014 an article from Bustle named Owensboro one of the best places for barbecue in the U.S. and in 2017 an article from National Geographic named Owensboro one of the best places to find barbecue in America, specifically mutton. The article listed Old Hickory Bar-B-Q and Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn in Owensboro as important barbecue spots to try.
In fact, the city holds the annual Bar-B-Q Block Party in Downtown Owensboro. The 2022 event included a carnival, a 5K, live music, the Backyard Cooking Competition presented by Kentucky Legend, and more!
8. It’s a wonderful place to start a family.
Many people move to Owensboro, KY with raising children in mind. You can feel confident knowing that you will be sending your kids to exceptional schools in the area. Compared to other U.S. cities, education in Owensboro ranks high nationally and statewide.
Owensboro schools have a low student-to-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. This low ratio indicates that students are able to receive individual attention more often than usual from their teachers, which points to an overall feeling of inclusiveness.
9. The workforce training programs available can help with skill building for your career.
Owensboro offers several training and certificate workforce programs, with health care, construction, and education being top employers. Job seekers in Owensboro can use this workforce training to become a medical or dental assistant, pilot, truck driver, or even an electrician.
10. It’s a quick drive to everywhere!
From Owensboro, it’s just a 40-minute drive to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. You can be sure to enjoy your summer when an exhilarating theme park and water park are so close by.
Owensboro is also not far from some major cities. It only takes a little over an hour to get to Bowling Green, KY, two hours to Nashville, TN and an hour and a half to Louisville, KY. With so many interesting things to do and a strong foundation for education and career, moving to Owensboro, KY could be one of the best choices you ever make!