Northern Kentucky: A Home for All
In this beautiful gem just across the river from Cincinnati, you'll find cool places, friendly faces and green open spaces.
Folks, we’d like to introduce you to Northern Kentucky.
Home to the dynamic and diverse Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties, this region offers the perfect mix of tradition and innovation. It’s nestled between the rolling hills of Kentucky to the south and the scenic Ohio River to the north, and it is becoming quite the popular place to live, with people moving from all over to start a life here.
Your first question, we’re guessing, is “Why?”
That’s the real beauty of it, actually – every relocatee won’t give you the same answer. This region across the river from Cincinnati is chock full of so many unique amenities that people move to Northern Kentucky for different reasons. Let’s explore just a few!
In This Article
It’s Accessible, Affordable, Entertaining
Mark Ramler, co-founder of Mansion Hill Properties, a company that specializes in renovating and restoring properties in Northern Kentucky’s historic river cities, says he “absolutely loves” living in the historic East “Row neighborhood in Newport.
“Being a preservationist, finding a historic neighborhood and residence was top on my list,” he says. “Living in Northern Kentucky has much to offer. I can afford a beautiful house in a neighborhood with a small-town feel, within walking distance of a major city and the amenities it has to offer. From my front door, I can be at two major sports stadiums (MLB Cincinnati Reds and NFL Bengals), concert venues and world-class parks within minutes. And, compared to Cincinnati, the cost of living is less (the median home value in the area is $235,000) because of lower property tax rates.”
Also, locals love the area’s great dining and beverage offerings, as well as Newport Aquarium, the pedestrian-only Purple People Bridge, New Riff Distilling, and Newport on the Levee, a retail, entertainment and dining complex.
Plenty of Career Opportunities
In addition to its affordability and recreation, the region’s central location and cost-friendly environment bring plentiful career opportunities.
Major corporations include global bank Citi; Archer Daniels Midland Technical Center, which takes natural products and turns them into staple foods and sustainable, renewable industrial products; automotive interior systems supplier and filter manufacturer Toyota Boshoku America; Amazon; and the Castellini Group of Companies, a supply chain company that specializes in produce sourcing and delivery and transportation services.
Plus, Northern Kentucky offers those looking to start a business the necessary resources they need to excel.
Remote workers also find the area attractive, as it is home to coworking spaces, such as IMPACT Cowork and CovWorx. And working from home will soon get even easier, as Cincinnati Bell is making a $181 million investment to deliver fiber-based gigabit internet to the region.
A Welcoming Region
After a decade of working in New York City and Peru, Northern Kentucky native Jill Schneider returned home during the pandemic. Unemployed, Schneider initially wondered while job hunting, “‘How can I utilize hybrid and remote work environments?’ and (I) was surprised in the most positive way. I see a lot of economic change and really like being a part of the self-starter, creative, thinking-out-of-the-box attitude here,” she says.
These days, Schneider is the entrepreneurship program manager for Renaissance Covington, a nonprofit focused on revitalizing the urban core of Covington, NKY’s largest municipality and one of the first Kentucky cities to pass a fairness ordinance prohibiting LGBTQ discrimination.
“We are increasingly seeing Northern Kentucky as a permanent destination for immigrants, particularly Latinx populations,” she says. “They are positively contributing to the vibrancy of the region through education, small businesses and much more.”
“Our goal with the work we do in Covington is ensuring that every population, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender, feels welcome and can thrive living and working in the area.”
Jill Schneider | Renaissance Covington
Friendly, Recreation, Great Location
Also quite the fan of Northern Kentucky is Nick Wade, the executive director of Renaissance Covington who relocated to the region in 2019.
“Northern Kentucky is super friendly! Just start hanging out at a local bar or restaurant, and soon, you will start making friends,” Wade says. “My husband and I are foodies, so we love getting out and exploring the amazing food options. Beyond that, we love going for walks in Devou Park (don’t miss Memorial Overlook for a panoramic view) or along the Licking River Greenway Trail.”
Wade also notes that one of the region’s biggest selling points is its location. “We are across the river from Cincinnati,” he says. “Most major cities along the eastern and southern coast are a 12-hour drive, or (you can) hop on a plane at our incredible Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.”
