London, KY Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in London, KY: What You Need to Know

London in southeastern Kentucky is the gateway to the Daniel Boone National Forest. It’s also known for its special connection with Colonel Sanders of KFC fame. 

Tourist Attractions

The Daniel Boone National Forest is a popular destination for hiking, camping, rock climbing, fishing, and hunting. It consists of 708,000 acres of rugged terrain, spread across 21 counties in Kentucky. The forest has three big lakes: Cave Run Lake, Laurel River Lake, and Lake Cumberland. Visitors from far and wide attend the World Chicken Festival, a celebration held on the last full weekend of every September. It’s the city’s homage to Harland Sanders, an honorary colonel, who founded Kentucky Fried Chicken and built the original restaurant in nearby North Corbin in the 1930s. The festival features free music and entertainment, carnival rides, and vendors from across the country.

Local History

Laurel County was established in 1825. John Jackson and his son Jarvis donated the land that became London, the county seat. The city was named after the capital of Great Britain, in honor of the Jacksons’ English heritage. During the Civil War, the Battle of Camp Wildcat was fought just outside of London on Oct. 21, 1861. It was the first major engagement in Kentucky between Union and Confederate forces.

Cost of Living in London, KY

Communing with nature is easy in a place like London, located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It’s known as the Cycling Capital of Kentucky for its many paths and trails. Aside from outdoor recreation, affordability is London’s biggest perk. Its cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 8.6%, 25.1%, and 34.8% lower than the national average respectively. The median gross rent in London is $635. Kentucky imposes a 5% income tax rate and a sales tax of 6%. 

Know Your Neighborhoods

London may be small (population: 8,068), but it boasts of excellent amenities and good schools. Lexington isn’t too far for people who are hankering for more entertainment. North Corbin and East Bernstadt, both in Laurel County, are even smaller than London, but they offer idyllic country living. East Bernstadt’s schools are highly ranked. 

Shopping Local

Shoppers love the downtown for its unique clothing boutiques and artisanal shops, while bargain hunters and antique collectors frequent the Flea Land Flea Market, Wildcat Flea Market, and Scavenger Hunt. In the fall, the London-Laurel County Farmer’s Market is a popular shopping destination. During the holidays, the market becomes a yuletide extravaganza showcasing locally made crafts and personalized gifts. For a traditional shopping-mall experience, head over to London Shopping Center or London Marketplace.