Lovin' the Life in Lexington

I will be moving if I get my house sold and was looking at Nicholasville as I am partial to small town atmosphere. Is there a way to find homes for sale by owners as I haven't had much luck with the realtor sites or bigbrick or craigslist. I need a ranch house but must have a basement and an attached garage and not a garage in the basement. I am retired have a dog and college age son. Would like to rent the house for a year with option to buy to make sure I like the area. I may be coming to the area around the end of Jan and would like to be able to look at some homes up to $130,000 Would love to have it next to a horse pasture or something pastoral. If not I at least don't want in a housing development where you can hear the neighbors tv and can look our your window into their living room Any suggestions about crime in the Nicholasville area and which places are safer?

moving to lexington ky area not sure of bigger city been looking at harrodsburg, nicholasville and wilmore. Pointers on better areas to live