London’s large, rural properties are a short drive from amenities
Many homebuyers come to London from larger cities, seeking spacious properties in the small Kentucky city that borders Daniel Boone National Forest. “They say, ‘I want 25 acres where I don’t see anybody,’” says Connie Hunt, a Realtor at Century 21 Advantage Realty who has lived in London for 20 years. While country living is easy to come by, the community of 7,600 people is big enough that residents don’t have to leave town to shop or go out to eat. A highly rated school district and proximity to Interstate 75 are additional benefits that draw house hunters to London, Hunt says.
Homebuyers look for large parcels in Laurel County
Many of the homebuyers Hunt works with have recently sold homes in pricier cities and come to London ready to buy bigger properties. “They usually make money from where they’re coming from and are putting [the money] into land,” Hunt says. Hundreds of homes across the community come with more than 10 acres, and there are dozens of vacant lots measuring the same size. Bigger properties are more common among the hills and woodlands outside the city limits. In town, ranch-style houses and minimal traditional homes stand on smaller lots but are closer to stores and restaurants. Turnkey houses with three or fewer bedrooms typically cost between $115,000 and $400,000. Four- and five-bedroom homes are more likely to sell from $400,000 to $570,000. Large custom homes on multiple acres of land have sold from $650,000 to $1 million.
Community rebuilds after destructive tornado
A 2025 tornado killed 17 people and destroyed nearly 300 homes across Laurel County, with most of the deaths and damage in London. Some residents continue to rebuild their homes, while others have moved away. Local churches played a major role in helping locals affected by the storm. For example, Victory Baptist Church established a distribution center for clothes, water and food, while Corinth Baptist Church housed volunteers from across the state while they assisted in the cleanup. Tornadoes of that severity are uncommon in the area, according to National Weather Service archives. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes in Laurel County as “relatively moderate.”
High ratings for Laurel County Public Schools campuses
London is home to some of the best-rated schools in the Laurel County Public Schools district. Niche gives London Elementary an A grade, while North Laurel Middle receives an A-minus. B-minus-rated North Laurel High has more than 20 sports teams, including archery and fishing teams. The district itself earns a B-plus.
Getting outdoors in the Cycling Capital of Kentucky
London claims the title of Cycling Capital of Kentucky due to the abundance of bike routes around the city and Laurel County. Cyclists can tear through narrow forested trails, pedal down gravel paths and ride along scenic highways. The latter is the setting for the annual Redbud Ride in April. “It brings in bikers from all over the country,” Hunt says. “It’s when the redbuds are blooming, and they have designated trails where they bring their bikes and do a ride on Saturday.” Cyclists can also ride the pump track at the Scott Rose Foundation Playground & Musical Park. Abandoned coal silos on the park’s property were turned into pavilions, and a sensory-friendly playground with musical instruments was installed in 2023. Locals can head directly south of London to boat, swim and fish at Laurel River Lake, which borders the 700,008-acre Daniel Boone National Forest.
The World Chicken Festival has been a tradition since 1990
London hosts the annual World Chicken Festival in September to honor Laurel County’s role in fried chicken history. Colonel Harland Sanders and his nephew, Lee Cummings, began selling fried chicken in nearby Corbin in the ‘40s; Sanders later created the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise, and Cummings co-founded Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken. The four-day event includes a Colonel Sanders look-alike contest, a chicken cook-off and two stages where bands and musicians play. For food, festival workers fry 600 chicken quarters at a time in a 700-pound skillet.
Chain restaurants, local cuisine and big-box shopping
Many of London’s most popular restaurants are chains such as Texas Roadhouse and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Hunt says. Still, the community has several locally owned eateries, including Local Honey, a farm-to-table restaurant. Residents can do much of their shopping along Highway 192; Walmart, Kroger, Kohl’s and Lowe’s Home Improvement are packed into a 1-mile stretch of the road. CHI St. Joseph Health - St. Joseph London provides medical care for the community.
Location alongside I-75 speeds up drive to Lexington
Interstate 75 runs along London’s west side, connecting the city to Lexington, about 80 miles away. Travelers can head to Blue Grass Airport in Lexington to take direct flights to cities such as Chicago, Orlando and Las Vegas. Laurel County residents can schedule shuttle rides for doctor appointments, shopping trips and commutes through Rural Transit Enterprises Coordinated Inc.
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Alex Soderstrom
