Moving to Derby City? Check Out These 12 Charming Louisville Neighborhoods

Louisville has a lot going for it. Not only is it the largest city in Kentucky, but it has a thriving food and sports scene, plenty of job opportunities, and affordable housing. Not to mention it’s where you can find Churchill Downs — home of the world famous Kentucky Derby.

Better yet, Louisville’s cost of living is lower than the national average — and that includes its housing prices. The national average home value comes in at $346,300, while Louisville’s average is $235,800. And rentals are considerably cheaper, as well. The national average for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,700, while Louisville’s average for the same size is $1,200.

There are plenty of reasons folks are moving to this prime city in the Bluegrass State, and the variety of places to live is one of them. When you want to move to a new place, though, it’s essential to ensure you enjoy the community, and that’s exactly what we’re here to help you figure out. Whether you want to raise a family, start a new job, or finally retire, you can do it all in these top Louisville neighborhoods.

Q: What's the nicest part of Louisville?
A: Some of the nicest areas of Louisville include Bonnycastle, Crescent Hill, and the Highlands.

Best Neighborhoods in Louisville, KY

There are plenty of Louisville neighborhoods worth mentioning, but we narrowed our list down to 12 (in no particular order) that families, young professionals, and retirees alike will love.

 

1. Highlands

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,400
Average home value: $296,000
Great for: Young professionals, outdoor activities, commute, nightlife

Ranked as one of the best neighborhoods to live in Louisville by Niche, Highlands, Louisville, KY, is a great choice for anyone looking for an eclectic atmosphere, walkability, and a great nightlife scene. Known as the original “Restaurant Row,” there are plenty of bars and restaurants to explore in the area — The Black Italian and J. Gumbo’s, to name a couple. 

Residents love festivals, like the holiday-themed Bardstown Road Aglow, as well as live music available both indoors and outdoors at local venues. And if you have furry friends, you can take them over to PG&J’s Dog Park Bar. While they run around, you can sip on brews and get to know your neighbors!

 

Q: What is the richest neighborhood in Louisville?
A: Some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Louisville include Glenview, Cherokee Gardens, and Bonnycastle.

2. Belknap 

Average rent (one bedroom): $975
Median home sale price: $415,000
Great for: Outdoor activities, young professionals, families

If you’re looking for a family-friendly Louisville neighborhood, Belknap is perfect. In fact, it earned the first place spot on Niche’s list for “Best Neighborhoods to Raise a Family in Louisville.” It’s close enough to commute to downtown but far enough away to have standalone houses and subdivisions.

There are plenty of events that encourage residents to get outside with the kiddos, like the weekly Joe Creason parkrun. With easy access to Warheim Park, though, you don’t have to wait for the fun. Once you’ve used up all your energy, stop by Dundee Tavern to refuel with a bite and a brew.

 

3. Deer Park 

Average rent (one bedroom): $975
Average home value: $328,400
Great for: Outdoor activities, nightlife, families, young professionals, retirees

Deer Park is Niche’s #1 neighborhood to live in Louisville. It’s great for families, young professionals, and even retirees alike. It also has a walk score of 74, making it the 10th most walkable neighborhood in the city.

The houses and apartments in this neighborhood are affordable, and the community is welcoming. As a resident, you'll enjoy walking to Shenanigan’s Irish Grille or grabbing a coffee at Sunergos Coffee! And if you want to enjoy the beauty of the area, check out Tyler Park and Cherokee Park.

Q: What are the neighborhoods in Louisville, KY?
A: There are a lot of Louisville, Kentucky, neighborhoods to choose from, but our favorites include:
Highlands
Belknap
Deer Park
Germantown
Rockcreek Lexington Road
Brownsboro Zorn
Shelby Park
Bowman
Bonnycastle
Crescent Hill
Clifton
Poplar Level

4. Germantown

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,475
Average home value: $159,500
Great for: Nightlife, commute, outdoor activities, young professionals

Germantown, Louisville, KY, is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. And not only is this one of the best neighborhoods in Louisville to live in, but it’s also a vibrant area close to the city — perfect for young professionals and students attending the University of Louisville and looking to explore. This lively and artsy neighborhood is also a great place to go antiquing!

When you’re ready to explore the restaurants in the area, you must try North of Bourbon and Kaiju. 

5. Rockcreek Lexington Road

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,300
Average home value: $451,900
Great for: Outdoor activities, cost of living, families, young professionals

Ranked #1 on Niche’s list of “Best Neighborhoods to Buy a House in Louisville,” Rockcreek Lexington Road is a great place for families and young professionals to settle down. You’ll have easy access to beautiful Seneca Park, where you can enjoy walking, biking, and even golfing. Residents also love walking around the soccer/football fields, but there are tennis courts and a playground to take advantage of, as well.

When you need a bite, stop into one of the neighborhood favorites, like Saints Pizza or The Fishery.

6. Brownsboro Zorn

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,250
Median home sale price: $248,700
Great for: Parks, housing, safety, young professionals, families

Close to Crescent Hill and Clifton is Brownsboro Zorn. This neighborhood is a great place to find different architecture styles, including a nice mix of ranch style, mid-century modern, and contemporary designs. It’s also a great neighborhood to live in if you’re working in the city, with a few bus stops to make an easy commute on Zorn Avenue. The Louisville VA Medical Center is also located nearby, which is a large employer in this part of Louisville. 

If you’re looking to grab a bite after hitting the nine at Crescent Hill Golf Course (or just walking around the neighborhood), you’ve got to stop by local favorite Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken.

7. Shelby Park

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,500
Average home value: $180,700
Great for: Commuting, outdoor activities, artists, young professionals

This artsy, historic neighborhood was named after Kentucky’s first governor. It’s a great spot for commuters, which is why young professionals tend to call Shelby Park home. And while the area boasts of plenty of cultural attractions, galleries, shops, and eateries, the heart of the community is the 16-acre park. Here, you can enjoy walks, bike rides, and picnics with friends. Nearby, you’ll also find the Idlewild Butterfly Farm and Insectarium, which is always worth exploring!

If you’d rather explore the local eateries, head over to Toasty’s Tavern for a bite or the Canary Club for a cocktail.

8. Bowman

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,275
Average home value: $365,600
Great for: Families, affordable housing, jobs, safety

If you want a safe Louisville neighborhood to call home, Bowman is a great place to consider. This neighborhood might be quaint, but it’s a welcoming one that’s convenient to the city. It’s not as densely packed as many neighborhoods, thanks to Bowman Field — a small planes airfield. Residents like to sit outside and watch the planes fly by — or explore nearby Seneca Park. 

You can find plenty of outdoor activities at Big Spring Country Club, along with plenty of places to eat, like Jaggers or Rafferty’s Restaurant and Bar. 

9. Bonnycastle

Average rent (one bedroom): $975
Average home value: $417,900
Great for: Outdoor activities, commute, nightlife, families, young professionals

Ranked by Niche as one of the nicest neighborhoods in Louisville, Bonnycastle is a small and welcoming community near Cherokee Triangle, Deer Park, and Highlands Douglass. Residents have easy access to Cherokee Park, which is full of must-see locations like Baringer Hill, Hogan’s Fountain, and Middle Fork Beargrass Creek. It’s also worth it to check out the archery area and frisbee field.

When you’re done in the park, you can fill up at the Hideaway Saloon or River City Drafthouse.

10. Crescent Hill 

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,250
Median home price: $480,500
Great for: Young professionals, commute, nightlife, housing

One of the more popular neighborhoods for professionals who commute to work in the city is Crescent Hill, Louisville, KY. Families also love living in this area, thanks to its small-town appeal and safe, walkable streets. There’s a mix of older historic houses, apartments, condos, and modern real estate, perfect for anyone to call home. 

Frankfurt Avenue is filled with all kinds of vintage stores, resale shops, cafes, and restaurants. Residents especially love walking or jogging around the Crescent Hill Reservoir and Gatehouse and filling up at local BBQ joints like the FABD Smokehouse.

Q: Is Louisville better than Lexington?
A: While both are great cities, Lexington has a higher quality of life in different aspects. It’s important to consider yourself when answering this question, though. Lexington has its perks, but Louisville has a larger downtown with more opportunities than Lexington. For instance, if you’re looking for an urban center with career opportunities in finance and tech, Louisville is a better contender.

11. Clifton

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,200
Average home value: $239,300
Great for: Commute, nightlife, walkability, young professionals, students

If you’re a young professional or have a job in downtown Louisville, you’re going to appreciate the affordable housing, walkability, and quick commute times that come with living in Clifton. With its close proximity to the University of Louisville, you’ll also find plenty of students in the area.

When you want to get outside, head over to Bingham Park. If you’re in the mood to check out galleries and exhibits, Mellwood Art Center is a great place to peruse. And when you’re ready for happy hour, head over to The Irish Rover or The Silver Dollar for a fun time!

12. Poplar Level

Average rent (one bedroom): $1,150
Average home value: $244,000
Great for: Jobs, outdoor activities, cost of living

Rounding out our list is the Poplar Level neighborhood. Residents of this neighborhood love the convenient location — especially if they commute to work. You’re close to the Louisville Zoo and Joe Creason Park, which is perfect for a day out with friends or family. 

When you live in Poplar Level, you’ll also have the chance to explore Cyril Allgeier Park, the German-American Club, and the Louisville Mega Cavern. Where else can you enjoy ziplining, biking, and tackling a ropes course in a former quarry?

Let PODS Help You Move to Your New Louisville Home

If you’re ready to make the move, PODS is ready to help you get to your new Louisville neighborhood. A portable storage container will be delivered straight to your current address, so you can pack it up on your own time. And when you’re ready, PODS will pick it up and take it to your new home. From there, you can unpack it on your schedule or choose to store it. The best part? One month’s storage is included in every move!

Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.