A New Jersey connection all the way down in Kentucky? It's true. Somerset gets its name from Somerset County, NJ, where many of the original settlers lived before moving to Kentucky in the late 1700s.
What was once a small sleepy town in southern Kentucky was practically transformed overnight into a slightly-less sleepy resort town when Lake Cumberland was completed in 1950
A New Jersey connection all the way down in Kentucky? It's true. Somerset gets its name from Somerset County, NJ, where many of the original settlers lived before moving to Kentucky in the late 1700s.
What was once a small sleepy town in southern Kentucky was practically transformed overnight into a slightly-less sleepy resort town when Lake Cumberland was completed in 1950. More than a million visitors trek to the lake -- one of the largest man-made lakes in the world -- each summer, bringing much-needed tourism money to the region. Today more than 11,000 people call Somerset home, and most of them are employed by one of the town's many recreational or tourist attractions. The town has also began making inroads to become a major medical city with the construction of a new medical park and the expansion of the local hospital.
Moving to Somerset
Before you move, consider if you want to live in the city or by the lake. The city will offer you more apartment rental options, while the lake will allow you to have more land while limiting you to homes and townhouses for rent. Most of the new construction has been around the lake and along the Fishing Creek area just west of the city limits, where homes rent more often than other housing types. If you want to live in this area, contact a local realtor about two months before your move. If you would rather choose a rental apt, keep in mind that rents increase the closer you get to the center of town. The good thing about Somerset is that there is a housing option for every need, whether you'd like plenty of land for growing crops or raising livestock, or you prefer a more urban dwelling.
Neighborhoods in Somerset
Now that you're convince that Somerset is the place for you, check out the following neighborhoods to see which one suits your needs best.
Mount Victory: A large portion of this neighborhood on Somerset's east side lies within the Daniel Boone National Forest, so residents here have plenty of recreational options. You're also close to Laurel River Lake. Most of the homes here are older, smaller homes, so rents are cheaper than in other areas close to the center of town.
Cedar Grove: The southern border of this community follows the winding bends of the Cumberland River as it heads towards the lake. The closer to the water you get, the higher the rent. If condo rentals are what you desire, the Villas at Woodson Bend are an ideal, albeit luxury, option with boat docking, lakefront walking trails and community events to keep you distracted from the large portion of your budget that's going towards rent! More modestly-priced options can be found in the area.
Ringgold: Wide open spaces are the primary draw of this neighborhood. What you gain in vast acreage you do lose in conveniences like a quick drive to the store or bank!
Oak Hill: Plenty of new construction is happening in this community just southwest of downtown Somerset. A good mix of renters and owners, this area is ideal if you're looking for newer one- or two-bedroom apartments for rent in Somerset.
Downtown: In addition to sidewalks, charming local shops and restaurants, the downtown area also has historic apartments overflowing with character. Lofts, restored duplexes and home rentals can all be found here.
Living in Somerset
If boating on the lake or hiking through a forest is your way of spending your weekends, then plan your move to Somerset immediately! Just know that you won't be the only one in the woods or on the lake since tourism is a huge part of what makes Somerset run. Nearby Cumberland Falls is also a popular tourist attraction that's a local favorite as well.
While plenty of people come to town to spend time in nature, there are also visitors who flock to the area to attend the popular monthly car show known as the Somernites Cruise. It's one of the largest car show in the southeast, so you'll see many more people than classic cars each month from April through October! The event is so popular -- more than 1,000 cars are on display during each event -- that the Kentucky government has dubbed Somerset the "Car Cruise Capital" of the state.
Historians will want to visit the site of the Battle of Mill Springs. The Civil War battlefield has a museum where you can learn about the battle, or be one of the many to view the annual reenactment. Who knows, once you've been a resident for a few years you might even want to participate in the reenactment yourself!
