UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
| liv score 616 How We Calculate Our Data |
|
|---|---|
| Civics | 47 |
| Demographics | 58 |
| Economy | 46 |
| Education | 65 |
| Health | 41 |
| Housing | 62 |
| Infrastructure | 59 |
#88. Bowling Green, KY
Located roughly an hour outside of Nashville, Bowling Green is one of the fastest growing cities in Kentucky and is home to the state’s second largest university, Western Kentucky University. But Bowling Green is more than your typical college town. Residents of Bowling Green enjoy a lively arts scene, great food (the city has one of the highest number of restaurants per capita in the country!) and plenty of space to spread out. What was once considered a sleepy farming town is now a thriving city that provides top-notch amenities. The city is nicknamed the ‘home of the Corvette’ and celebrates its roots as a hotspot for drag races and car shows. Due to massive growth over the past decade, Bowling Green is ripe with opportunities. Fun Fact: the Duncan Hines was born in Bowling Green, meaning that in this city you can have your cake and eat it too.
Top Industries and Employers: Education, healthcare and finance all contribute to Bowling Green’s economy.
Best Coffee Shop: Spencer’s Coffee
Must-Have Meal: Hickory & Oak’s menu is exceptional, from their selection of butcher’s favorites to the homemade focaccia; however, the real winner here is the restaurant’s impressive selection of bourbon — it is Kentucky after all!
Best Co-Working Space: Ment is more than just a great place to get work done. Located in the heart of downtown, Ment members work out of a completely remodeled building that boasts a variety of perks, including discounts to local businesses.
Best Meetup Spot (When Meeting Up Is a Thing Again): Leave one office to go to another … The Office at 912 is a cool downtown speakeasy serving up great drinks and good vibes.
Creative Hub: If you think Bowling Green is just bluegrass and bourbon, you’d be wrong. The city has a great arts scene that includes venues like the SKyPAC and The Capitol Arts Center, which hosts several performing arts and houses two galleries. Another spot you can’t miss is the famous Tidball’s.
Favorite Weekend Activity: Pay a visit to Chaney’s Dairy Farm, where you can take a tour of the farm, sample their delicious ice cream (made on site!) and enjoy seasonal events, like a corn maze.
Free Way to Have Fun: Explore Mammoth Cave National Park, home to parts of Mammoth Cave — the longest known cave system in the world.
Local Dream Job: Take your Chevy to the levy … for more than 30 years, Bowling Green Assembly has been the exclusive home to the production of Chevrolet Corvette.
Read More:
Bowling Green, KY is an Underrated Spot for Craft Beer Lovers
Best Places to Live in Kentucky
Why I Loved My College Town
– Cara Sanders