The Best Place To Live In Kentucky

Fort Thomas is a blue ribbon city in the Bluegrass State of Kentucky. Dubbed the "city of beautiful homes" per the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and also cited on numerous Best Of lists, the city of 16,335 residents is a Kentucky jewel. Fort Thomas is situated in northeastern Kentucky alongside the Ohio River, and is actually considered a suburb of Cincinnati, OH, a mere 10 miles away. In 1887, the U.S. Army established a military base in the area, per the City of Fort Thomas Kentucky. The post and the town, are named after General George Henry Thomas, the Civil War's "Rock of Chickamauga."

If you're considering moving, you might like to know that Bell Moving & Storage describes Fort Thomas as a beauteous haven for families and young adults. You can also find it on Only In Your State's selection of Kentucky's most desirable small towns, ranked at No. 5. There are 160 homes that are at least 100 years old in Fort Thomas, and some of the classic residences are listed on the National Historic Register. A portion of the original fort (which closed in 1964) is now in the hands of the city, and is used for parks and athletic facilities. The tract also contains a nursing home, Veterans Administration hospital, and housing for its staff members. The iconic Stone Water Tower commemorating the Spanish-American War is also on-site.

The cost of living in Fort Thomas is 15% higher than Kentucky's average, mostly boosted by real estate prices. As reported by Best Places, it is still almost 3% below the U.S. standard. The site recognizes a positive job growth trend for the city, where unemployment hovers at a relatively low 4.4%. The median cost of a home in Fort Thomas is $282,900 (with home ownership at 71.3%), and rentals are available for an average of only $949 per month. Utility prices are lower than state and national rates, and transportation and miscellaneous costs are less than the rest of the nation. Healthcare is slightly more costly in Fort Thomas, but most residents have health insurance. The city's poverty rate is 5.35%.

Crime is relatively minimal in Fort Thomas, and Neighborhood Scout rates it as 80% safer than other U. S. cities. Fort Thomas' schools also get a good report card from Niche. Fort Thomas is situated in the #3 best school district in the state, which is considered #6 best for athletes. The district holds the #12 ranking for the state's top teachers, #13 best place to teach, and is ranked Cincinnati's 7th best school district. Incidentally, Fort Thomas is a home rule-class city, meaning it is capable of enacting and enforcing its own regulations unless precluded by state law.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is a highly recommended place to visit. The zoo's outstanding animal breeding efforts have earned it the nickname of Sexiest Zoo in America, according to Expedia. Yelp touts several other grade-A tourist attractions, including the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the Van Gogh Immersive Experience Art Tour, and Fort Thomas' own version of Coney Island Amusement and Water Park. The Newport Aquarium and the Cincinnati Ghost Tour are also on their to-do list. The Military and Community Museum is another popular tourist attraction. Fort Thomas residents enjoy searching for arrowheads and other artifacts associated with more than 500 graves unearthed in the town dating from an historic Cherokee battle. The Village Players of Fort Thomas have also provided 60 years of live theater entertainment to the area. 

A 15-minute drive from Fort Thomas to the center of Cincinnati brings you to a host of other things to do. Trip Advisor suggests stopping at the Cincinnati Art Museum or exploring the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge. The Cincinnati landmark was the world's longest prior to the construction of Roebling's Brooklyn Bridge. Another attraction is the 45-acre Smale Riverfront Park. Sports fans can also enjoy major league action at the Cincinnati Reds' Great American Ballpark and Paycor Stadium, the home of the NFL's Bengals.