Definitely Louisville! I love to visit Cincy but live in Louisville. There is usually plenty to do here, easy to get around town without getting lost, and people are really nice (I know, I am one of the people here. lol). We have good schools, a safe city, some nice places to shop.... the 2 East End malls are great and there are lots of independent shops and boutiques in both The Highlands & Crescent Hill....and if you like spots we have amazing venues to catch a game. Our baseball may be minor league BUT at least it's Triple A (to quote an old song)....& the Bats home at Sluggerfield is gorgeous w/ a great view for the frequent fireworks shows on the river front and they are often better than the major league affiliate Cincy Reds. We have a brand new 240 million dollar arena being built downtown along the river which will be home to Louisville Cardinals Mens & Womens basketball as well as hosting NCAA championship events in various sports, concerts, and conventions. Our football stadium is as nice as alot of pro stadiums if a bit smaller and is currently undergoing an expansion project which will add an additional 20,000 plus seats and several new luxury suites. There has been a recent influx of more upscale returaunts and clubs in the city and we have one of the best park systems in the country including Riverfront Park and several Olmsted Parks such as Cherokee, Seneca, Shawnee, and Iroquois.
We're also only 2 hrs away from both Ciny & Indy and both are straight shots up either I-71 or I-65 so access to amenities in those cities is pretty easily accessible as well in case you want to catch a NFL, NBA, or MLB game.
Anyway, I am a bit biased I know BUT while I love to visit Cincy for things like Reds games or the coasters at King's Island which is just north of the city I LOVE living in Louisville.
................and it is Lou-a-vil or Lou-a-vul....or just simplify it and call it "The Ville". The city may be named for King Louis but we're not in France so....