A Day in the Life of Joseph MacDonald

Joseph MacDonald is a man who believes in omens. So he thought it prophetic when he arrived in Louisville in June, 2007 to interview for the Executive Director position at Waterfront Park Place, and the first thing he noticed as he approached downtown from the airport was the luxury high rise itself. The coincidence was enough to convince MacDonald that he had made the right decision to consider leaving New York City, because the edifice standing before him rivaled anything in that storied metropolis.

Growing a Family Downtown

Gergana Dinkova has lived in various cities in both Europe and South America. Three years ago, the 30-year-old native of Bulgaria and her Ghanaian boyfriend were living in New York City when they decided to move to a less hectic environment. Dinkova's boyfriend suggested Louisville because he'd visited once and found it beautiful. Dinkova agreed, but with one condition—they had to live downtown.

Moving In

Cultural diversity is not the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of Louisville. Yet, as the world in which we live becomes an increasingly global society, Louisville is keeping pace, becoming more diverse in its population than it was just one decade ago.

Characteristics of the Foreign-born Living in Louisville

In 2004, the foreign-born share of Louisville metropolitan area's population (4.5%) was 53,000, which was well below the national average (12%). However, the metropolitan area's immigrant population is quickly increasing, having experienced a 93% increase between 2000 and 2004.

Louisville's immigrants are diverse in their origins, with more immigrants coming from different parts of the world than is the national norm. In 2000, at least 77 languages were spoken in Louisville homes.

The Bohemian Way

Louisville's Attraction for the Artistic Lifestyle

Mitchell and Matthew Bradley are not musicians, but they live like rock stars. Since they returned to Louisville after receiving art degrees from Murray State University in the late '90s, the 6-foot-4-inch twins have shown a knack for being at the most happening parties and befriending the most talented people in Louisville's art and indie rock scenes.

Dr. Said Abusalem, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing University of Louisville

I come from Gaza City, the occupied territories, which is a very troubled area with war going on years before I was even born. Gaza is southwest of Jerusalem and the largest city under the control of the Palestinian National Authority. Living here in Louisville, in such a beautiful city, is very hard while your family in Gaza is under fire and enduring a shortage of basic needs such as gas, power and food.