Union/Independence, KY area? (Warren, Kent: house, neighborhoods, to buy)

[VTSluggo]

Anyone know about these areas? Family in their 30s with 3 kids (6,6, and 2). Planing on Catholic schools. Would like a neighborhood with a pool. Looking to spend under $350K.

[franke01]

Originally Posted by VTSluggo

Anyone know about these areas? Family in their 30s with 3 kids (6,6, and 2). Planing on Catholic schools. Would like a neighborhood with a pool. Looking to spend under $350K.

Are you looking for a development with a community pool or would a subdivision close to a private swim club be ok?

There are areas which are similar to Union and Independence that are close to Catholic schools and have access to pools and swim clubs. Would they work, also?

I know quite a bit about the area and would be glad to give you what information I have.

[VTSluggo]

My wife has been looking in the Union, Florence, Erlanger, Independence areas. She wants to be close to the airport (for family visits) and the mall in Florence. I will be working over the river in the Camp Washington area. She also wants a newer home (less than 10 years old - newer the better).

I appreciate your help.

[psm0110]

350K will get you a huge huge place in these neighborhoods. If by community pool you mean neighborhood YMCA, then Independence. If you mean subdivision, there are a couple like that in Union.

The primary difference between those communities is that Independence has a long established main street, city center, and quick access to county services, but whose farms have been swapped for subdivisions over the past decade. Major road developments have given it better access to the highways. The city council is very aware of over-development problems in northern counties (Warren, Butler) and Boone, and seems to be managing the fast growth well. Union, I'm not as familiar with, but is basically a newer community from scratch. You pretty much have to drive through Florence to it, or come in via Mt. Zion road. Boone county has a bad record for managing growth and tends to let anything go. On the plus side, Union is more "affluent" has it has those expensive subdivisions. You might also look into Hebron, where CVG is located. Air traffic is worse in Boone county than Kenton. The example I give: I can ID a plane's model & airline in Kenton County. I can ID it's landing gear in Boone. I never have to stop talking for overhead planes, although it's noticable. At my mother in-laws in south Florence, we have to pause every 20 minutes.

When shopping for any house in N.Ky. (or Delhi for that matter); you should stand around outside for an hour or so to gauge the flight patterns. I bought my house before a new runway was built a couple years back.. at least they aren't planning anymore that I'm aware of.

[franke01]

I agree that 350K will buy a very nice house in any of these areas. To give you some idea of what is available in the 300-350 range, there are currently 8 listings in Independence, 14 in Erlanger, 18 in Florence and 37 in Union.

As mentioned, other locations like Hebron, Burlington, Walton and Taylor Mill would offer similar housing.

Some suburbs that are older such as Edgewood and Villa Hills would also provide what you are looking for with easy access to the interstate, pools and parochial schools. Edgewood, partially because of the hospital, is a high demand location.

The airport can be an issue. Oakbrook has always had problems - I've been to swim meets there in the past when they had to suspend the competition when planes went over. Hebron is also located at the end of runways. Edgewood and Erlanger are, I believe, on one of the approach patterns but at that distance it is not too much of a problem.

The above description of Florence vs. Independence is a good one. Florence, like Independence, does have a city center but development has long since expanded beyond it and it no longer has the feel of the city center of Independence. It's likely, though, with the new divided 17 bypassing downtown Independence that the same thing will happen there over time. There is, however, a "master plan" for the development of Independence which seeks to retain the "small town" feel of the city center.

I think it's a good time to buy in your price range. Prices have dropped since their peak of a couple of years ago in many subdivisions and you should be able to find a very nice house in any of the areas without much problem.

[VTSluggo]

Thanks for all the input. We are definitely looking for a home with a pool in the neighborhood (as part of the HOA).

[VTSluggo]

I have seen a home or two in that neighborhood. Maybe the timing would work out. I am awaiting my paperwork so I can get over that way and start looking.

[VTSluggo]

Thanks for the info.

[cincyUK]

great advice all around - for once I have nothing to add...

you will certainly have no problem finding a "newer" home in your range - many developments in this area are very new if not brand new.