which is better Lexington or Lousiville?? (Louisville, Bardstown: universities, organic, diversity)

[TheBeesKnees]

I was just wondering which area people liked more.. The criteria I would be looking for is...
-cultural diversity
-lots of locally owned shops/resturants (organic shopping)
-entertainment options (parks, nightlife, things to do)
-safe "older" neighborhoods

I would be looking for a very relaxed but "nice" area where you can walk to the local bookstore or coffee shop..

So which is better Lexington or Lousiville?

[MichaelBNA]

Well, in your criteria they are about the same. Lexington has areas like Gratz Park and around Transylvania University that are old and established neighborhoods with good value and decent wealth. Both have Universities so diversity and organics shouldn't be an issue.

Louisville has the Highlands area with it's eclectic vibes and old neighborhoods.

[Toria]

you will find all of that in both cities, but Louisville (being much larger) will have more of each category.

[cincyUK]

Cultural diversity is much much greater in Louisville than Lex... FYI

[nlschr0]

Originally Posted by Toria

you will find all of that in both cities, but Louisville (being much larger) will have more of each category.

Ditto that.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by TheBeesKnees

I was just wondering which area people liked more.. The criteria I would be looking for is...
-cultural diversity
-lots of locally owned shops/resturants (organic shopping)
-entertainment options (parks, nightlife, things to do)
-safe "older" neighborhoods

I would be looking for a very relaxed but "nice" area where you can walk to the local bookstore or coffee shop..

So which is better Lexington or Lousiville?

louisville has about 5 times more of every thing you mentioned than Lexington. It also feels like a much larger city...because it is. Lexington has a little bit of an eclectic vibe around UK, but nothing like the Highlands of Louisville nor will Lexington have diverse historic areas like Old Louisville. Lexington is really nice downtown and all around UK, however. It just depends on how large of a city you want.

[watchmanonthewall]

I vote for Louisville. I like Lexington but Louisville is a million + metro and if I go to a city I want to get all the city amenities. Louisville has much more of the big city vibe.

[goldenmom7500]

Hi,

I don't want to vote here because I like both cities, but what you may not see from afar is that Louisville is a very large city - something like the 14th or 16th largest in the U.S. according to the announcement in the Louisville airport.

So ... when commenting on Louisville, I am thinking to myself "ah, I can see that in the Highlands ...", etc. In Louisville, I enjoy being in specific neighborhoods, and then once I exit I'm on these big roads in a big city and my blood pressure starts to rise ... and then I'm back in a lovely sedate established neighborhood.

Lexington is not tiny by any means. It's just a lot smaller than Louisville and you never quite feel like you're in a "big city".

So, if you were to visit and compare, the size issue might become more relevant in your mind.

I hope I didn't sound "pro-Lexington" because I really am neutral and like both, just trying to bring out some differences that weren't evident to me from a distance ...

[watchmanonthewall]

Bardstown road on Friday night in the summer, some alfresco dining on the sidewalk, people watching, now thats what big city life is all about.

[missymomof3]

My family and I all went to kasmir to eat and walked up and down Bardstown road. Even my kids enjoy it!