Is it worth moving to Kentucky? What a Cuban from Louisville has to say

Moving to Louisville, Kentucky, was a leap into the unknown for Sheila, a Cuban who had not heard much about the state before her arrival. However, almost two years later, she already has a clear understanding of what it means to live there, far from the crowds of Miami or the warmth of Cuba.

In her account, Sheila explains that she arrived in March 2022, right at the beginning of spring. “At first, when I got here, there weren’t as many Cubans as there are today. Over the past year, the number of migrants has increased significantly. Jobs were plentiful, but nowadays they have decreased a bit, and rents have gone up, although never as high as in Florida,” she detailed. She currently lives in a one-bedroom apartment near the Saint Matthews shopping center and pays $1,050 a month, a figure that, while it rises every year, she finds much more manageable compared to the costs in Miami.

Sheila also highlighted something important: in Louisville, Spanish alone is not enough. "Here, English is important. You might not have perfect English, but you need it because you arrive at many places where no one speaks Spanish," she stated. Regarding traffic, she described it as a luxury compared to Florida, while leisure activities, in her view, are "a bit complicated." She warned that nightlife is limited, as most places close early, even on weekends.

Regarding the weather, she describes it as tolerable, although she acknowledges that January and February are the coldest months, with temperatures that can drop to -8 degrees. “Snow isn’t consistent, but there are indeed days of intense cold,” she noted. Sheila concluded her video by inviting other Cubans to ask her any questions about Louisville and her lifestyle.

Her post, shared on TikTok as @sheilaperezcuba, sparked a variety of reactions. Some Cubans living in the area suggested that there are more options for leaving than she mentioned, while others agreed with her account. One user commented, “I also arrived in March of last year, and you are absolutely right.” Another congratulated her on her experience, adding, “I love it here; I arrived a few months ago and feel very good here.”

But not everyone was supportive. Some criticized her return to Louisville after recently traveling to Cuba. Sheila responded with her characteristic humor: “I understand that not everyone knows how airplanes work, but let me explain: you get on, go wherever you want, and come back.”

Amid laughter, criticism, and support, Sheila's video reflects a reality that many immigrants experience as they adapt to new places, particularly in less populated areas like Kentucky, where opportunities and challenges arise in equal measure.

Frequently Asked Questions about Moving to Louisville, Kentucky