Actress Ciara Bravo, a star on the Nickelodeon hit show "Big Time Rush," hails from Alexandria, Kentucky.
Alexandria is a city in Campbell County in the Bluegrass State
Actress Ciara Bravo, a star on the Nickelodeon hit show "Big Time Rush," hails from Alexandria, Kentucky.
Alexandria is a city in Campbell County in the Bluegrass State. The city shares the title of county seat with neighboring city Newport, and its population at the 2010 census was 8,477. With close proximity to Cincinnati, Ohio, the city is perfect for those who want a mix of fast-paced urban living and rural relaxation.
Moving to Alexandria
Alexandria is a city with much to offer, including rental properties that will surely fit your needs. You will need to plan ahead, however, in order to secure that ideal place to call home. Let's get things in order, shall we?
"Where the City Meets the Country"
The town's motto is right on the mark. Situated only 30 minutes away from downtown Cincinnati, Alexandria offers the best of both worlds: peaceful Kentucky charm nestled beside a thriving big city atmosphere. Whether you choose to work in the Cincinnati metropolitan area or just visit for fun, the convenience of its proximity can't be beat.
Cost of Living
Life in Alexandria costs 14 percent less than the national cost of living average, so you can actually put money into your savings -- or take it to the mall, whichever you prefer. The median rental rates are also 12 percent lower here than the national average.
Attack of the Owners
An overwhelming majority of properties here are owner-occupied, which leaves only a fraction of these lovely places up grabs to potential tenants. You know what that means... no, you won't have to physically fight someone over the property of your dreams. You will, however, have to get all of your ducks in a neat and tidy row. Prepare your information and documents ahead of time, including W-2s, pay stubs, references and credit reports. You'll want to show what a prized renter you would make, which is another reason not to fight someone right there on the lawn.
Traveling around the City
Locals in Alexandria rely heavily on their cars, with a whopping 85 percent of people driving themselves to work. A slim 9 percent choose to carpool instead, and 5 percent either walk, bike or use public transit to get from point A to point B. The average one-way commute time is 31 minutes, which is 19 percent greater than the national average due to many locals commuting in and out of nearby Cincinnati for work. The Queen City also offers locals an Amtrak Station and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, so arranging for longer travel plans doesn't have to prove stressful. The AA Highway runs along the city's northern edge, while Alexandria Pike runs north to south along the western portion of the city. Both routes connect to Interstate 275, which meets Interstate 471 and provides easy access into Cincinnati for commuters.
Neighborhoods in Alexandria
Finding places to rent in Alexandria is a bit challenging given the high owner occupancy, but fear not. This city has neighborhoods that provide a wide range of rental apartment options with a primary focus on mid-sized two-bedroom apartments for rent to larger rental homes. Most of the homes in Alexandria's neighborhoods were constructed between 1970 and 1999, although some older properties date back to the 1940s.
City Center: The City Center neighborhood consists mainly of larger homes with three-bedrooms or more, as well as apartment complexes and high-rise apartments for rent. If it's a studio apartment or one-bedroom apartment for rent that you seek, this is the best area to search within the city limits.
Ross/Oneonta: The Ross/Oneonta section of the city is also comprised of larger homes with 3-5 bedroom homes, as well as mobile homes for rent. Hickory Sticks Golf Club is in this area.
Stonegate Drive/Old State Highway 2: The Stonegate Drive and Old State Highway 2 area features similarly sized homes with high bedroom counts, along with mobile home selections. This area also sits conveniently close to Alexandria Pike.
Living in Alexandria
Is your stomach growling? Alexandria's restaurant selection will help remedy your hunger with local favorites such as Rio Bravo Restaurant, Empress Chili, Tokyo Dragon and City Brew Coffee for all you caffeine addicts out there. The Agricultural Society of Campbell County has organized the annual Alexandria Fair and Horse Show since 1856. The fair, which is held over Labor Day weekend, features a parade, beauty pageants, family fun and rides, and it draws crowds from all over the world due to its horse show tradition.
If you yearn to escape the city chaos and be one with nature, a visit to the Alexandria Community Park may just be in order. Built in 1997, the 80-acre park provides locals with a 9-acre fishing lake, a playground area, two baseball fields, a soccer field, basketball courts, a fishing pier, walking and hiking nature trails, picnic tables, and grilling amenities with shelters for friendly get-togethers and cook-outs. The city enjoys its annual Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween activities, a Christmas Tree Lighting and even a Fishing Derby at this recreational hotspot. The city's farmers market provides Alexandria's residents with all the locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables they can handle in the summer months. The market is held beside the Southern Bowling Lanes off of Alexandria Pike, another spot in the area to kick back and have some fun.
Shopping fanatics will delight in the selection of stores at Village Green Shopping Center, which is located right off of Alexandria Pike, as well. The city also enjoys close proximity to Newport, which sits only 13 miles outside of the area. This fellow co-seat of Campbell County offers its own entertainment, shopping and dining venue: Newport on the Levee. You can grab food here at dozens of restaurants, see a comedy show or catch the latest movie, peruse an art gallery, take in regular entertainment and musical performances, visit the aquarium and enjoy a "penguin encounter," or simply stroll along the levee and take in its river views. Alexandria is a wonderful place that lives up to its promise of a country-rooted city life existence.
