Richmond vs. Winchester (Lexington: home, school, colleges)

[Mindysub]

We will be moving to the area in the next year or so. We have done some research and like both Richmond and Winchester. I know Winchester is much smaller, but what is your opinion of both and which would you recommend? We are in our late 60s but have a young grandson that lives with us. Affordability is a big factor.

[Crazee Cat Lady]

Hi!

Welcome to the Kentucky threads here at City Data!





https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=SbwJHIcM5fo



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlRSsfZTH9I


Live in Lexington, near both but never lived in either.
Maybe the video's will help a little.

[Oldhag1]

Both are nice and certainly more affordable to Lexington. Both are conveniently located to Lexington if you need to get a big city fix. Richmond, home to EKU (one of the state’s regional colleges), is very much a college dominated town, which means there is more to do but it comes with headaches associated with that college and having a large number of young people compared to the general population. Winchester, primarily a combination of factory town and hub for surrounding rural/agricultural populations, is more affordable and has a small town feel to it. Both have decent to good school systems, so I would not really consider that a factor. Both are generally very safe but like everywhere there are pockets of less desirable areas. Richmond, being larger and having the college, has a greater variety of shopping and food options.

Keep in mind that while a smaller town with less commerce will have cheaper housing, the slightly bigger town with more grocery stores and gas stations is likely to have cheaper groceries and gas because of greater competition and more supplier options.

[stephenMM]

Oldhad1 pretty much summed it up. The only thing I could add is that Kentucky is still The South. People are outspoken in the South, so if you see something that bothers you, speak up. I have seen a LOT of things that didn't square up where I am in Little Rock, and the thing is, you can express yourself. If you see something that seems off the wall, say so. It's OK to express yourself, and probably things will change. Either way, people will know where you stand. Sometimes people get used to doing things a certain way, and don't understand that it isn't a one size fits all kind of thing.