Why Young Professionals Love Living in The Fouridor
Young professionals seeking stable jobs and a secure place to live, learn and grow need look no further than Southern Indiana.
Jessica Sawyer, vice president and senior internal auditor at First Savings Bank, is a local young professional who came to the area when her family relocated here when she was in middle school. She says she found it easy to establish a life for herself in the region and can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Nicknamed The Fouridor for the region’s four R’s – river, rail, runways and roads – that support commerce and connect the area to other parts of the country, Southern Indiana has everything young professionals need to establish themselves in their careers and personal lives. Here are four reasons you should consider living in The Fouridor.
In This Article
1. Abundant Job Opportunities in Southern Indiana
Jessica Sawyer
Access to great jobs in fields like manufacturing, health care, education and technology is plentiful in and around Southern Indiana.
Many companies choose to grow here because of the four Rs, which creates even more opportunities for other companies to relocate or expand here.
This provides job seekers with a variety of options, including ones they might seek after their initial position in the region.
In addition to options in Southern Indiana, Louisville is just across the Ohio River, offering additional opportunities in medical specialties, sports entertainment and the arts. “Many of my friends left Southern Indiana for college but came back to establish roots because of the job opportunities that are always popping up in the area,” Sawyer says.
2. You Can Afford to Live Here
The cost of living in Southern Indiana makes it possible for young professionals to establish a stable foundation for their future.
“It’s a very affordable place to live, and you can get so much more land for your dollar here,” Sawyer says.
Beyond acreage, the average home value is $235,000 in New Albany, $251,000 in Jeffersonville and $203,000 in Clarksville (Zillow, August 2025). The region’s affordability allows young professionals to spend more of their money on things they love and invest more of their time in their communities.
“There are many other benefits that make the quality of life here amazing, like great education and safe communities,” she says.
3. Get Ready to Grow
Several area employers are interested in helping their employees grow professionally and personally through continuing education and training.
“Many of the businesses here are closely connected to the community and invest in their employees,” Sawyer says.
Ivy Tech Community College, the largest singly accredited community college in the nation, is a cornerstone of life and work in Southern Indiana, and its Sellersburg campus partners with local schools to prepare students for success in the workforce.
Other higher education institutions that ready students for success include Indiana University Southeast in New Albany and the University of Louisville.
In addition to skills, the region also equips young professionals with the necessary transportation assets to get in and out of the region. Examples include Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport and Interstates 64, 65 and 71.
4. Enjoy a Great Mix of Arts and Culture
Entertainment opportunities flourish in Southern Indiana and across the river in Louisville. “Many are tempted to see the river as a divide,” Sawyer says, “but I see it as an extension of culture, arts and community.”
The Ohio River has many amphitheaters lining its banks, which host a variety of live events throughout the year.
Southern Indiana is also home to Abbey Road on the River, the world’s largest Beatles tribute festival. It spans five days and represents the unity and community of these areas.
“Rural, suburban and big city do not clash here; they complement one another because each place has its unique events,” Sawyer says.
Some of the events include the Star Valley Strawberry Festival in Borden, Christmas in Charlestown, and Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond, two multiday music festivals in Louisville.
“All these things make Southern Indiana a place I’m happy to call home,” Sawyer says.
Get to Know Southern Indiana
Want to learn more about living and working in Southern Indiana? Check out the latest edition of Livability One Southern Indiana.