What's Murray like? (Paducah, Paris, Jackson: real estate, 2009, house)

[kygman]

Originally Posted by InLondon

Alcohol sales are only allowed in restaurants seating at least 100 people in Murray.

...and probably still in fraternity houses! lol Back in the 70s when I was at MSU one frat house had a drink machine that served Coke, Pepsi, Doctor Pepper, Budweiser, and Pabst.

[InLondon]

Originally Posted by kygman

...and probably still in fraternity houses! lol Back in the 70s when I was at MSU one frat house had a drink machine that served Coke, Pepsi, Doctor Pepper, Budweiser, and Pabst.

Yeah and there too.

[Angie47]

KentuckyDad95,

Greetings! I found your post interesting. Thank you for taking the time to type it out for us. We have found ourselves in a similar town on occasion as well, and it almost sounds the same. You pinpoint some things so exactly, I see an honest post, just laying down the facts as you have come to know them. I also agree that each place one lives, one must make the most of it and it does have alot to do with how you deal with it and what you make of it, "although", I also realize (having moved so many times as we have, we are retired military) that the government of that particular town, the churches, the people, (mostly seniors trying to keep things the way they are, no place for children, college students that get a degree and leave to use it), only sounds "too familiar"... and there are many small towns just like what you have described. Although, living in a small town now, at 5,000 pop. I would not mind 16,000 in the future. lol

We are to move in a month's time to the Western Kentucky area. My husband has been offered a job in that area. I've been knocking myself out researching on the internet and I'm thinking I am wasting time to some degree. I have found out alot of information so far though...... but want to make the most of the time I am on here. I just came to these forums today and thought I would take a shot to see what people have to say about the area.

Being so familiar with Murray, I am hoping you are also somewhat familar with Benton as well? Mayfield? Paducah? Calvert City and Gillbertsville, Kuttawah? Right now I am leaning on Paducah and Benton (Benton seems so very nice for small town) or Mayfield. I wasn't very happy about the Uranium Plant in Paducah and when I was researching it, came upon some very alarming articles written over a period of time from 1999 to 2008. Probably spent too much time obsessing about toxic water and land? (gulp, wince, gasp). I would love to move to the outskirts of Paducah, like EAST outskirts. LOL

Would you, or anyone else who is reading this post, please consider replying and possibly giving us a head's up on the areas I've asked about? Also we are wanting to find a good, quiet, crime free area........ a good Christian school for my 11 year old daughter is on my most important list as well. She is in a very family like Christian school now and I don't want the transition for her to be too difficult. I also have a 22 year old son that was going to go into SIU college and now needs to consider Murray college or Western Kentucky I suppose? Any information would be so appreciated.

I can't believe we will be moving so quickly. The company that has given my husband his new job will be moving us, so that is not too bad. Also, has anyone heard anything about modular homes and how comparative they are to built on site homes? We own now and will be selling after we move........ so that as well just adds to the complicated situation. We basically have 2 months to make a decision and or find a new home, etc.

Sincerely,
Angie

[kentuckydad95]

Angie, while what I said about Murray is all true, I have come to realize that there are area's in the Jackson Purchase that are worse places in which to live. I can run down each place you mentioned one by one.

Calvert City- If you didn't like the thoughts of the Uranium plant in Paducah, you will HATE Clavert City. It is one chemical plant after another after another. They do have a drive-in-movie theatre which is wonderful, but that is about it.

Benton- Very small town. Local-yokel politics at it's worst. They have little to no zoning laws it seems, so you could have a $400K home sitting next to a 40-year old trailer. For example, they have a chemical plant, a Wal-Mart, a bank, a McDonalds, and a funeral home all next to each other. Income tax as well. Steer clear. Oh and don't drink the water.

Mayfield- It is town, which is a bit smaller than Murray, but not by much. They have a very large hispanic population which some people hate around here, but there is nothing wrong with the area from what I can tell.

Kuttawa/Gilberstsville- I am not sure about these two area's, so it wouldn't be fair to comment on them.

Paducah- Is the regional shopping hub. Has a mall and alot of big box stores around the mall. Has a nice downtown area that has numerous events for families. They have a small community college that is affiliated with UK and two hospitals. However, with a larger area, you get more crime then the rest of the area cities/towns. Not a bad little city, but the local politics are maddening and they have a 2% income tax, which is why alot of folks are vacating the city of Paducah.

Murray- I live here. You have read about the negatives, let me tell you about the positives. They have three great school systems (city, county, private Baptist) and score some of the highest test scores in the state. Murray State University has over 10,000 students and is a good place to get a degree. The city does have several big box stores and several chain restaurants. There are other new stores and restaurants slated to be built also. Crime is low, but it is there in spurts. It is the fastest growing town/city in the Jackson Purchase. They have strict zoning laws to make the city more appealing to the eye. With any place, you have your low class area's, middle, and high-roller neighborhoods. Eastwood Christian Academy is a great school. I went there myself for one school year.

Please let me know if you have a specific question about Murray that I can answer.

[kygman]

Angie, I was born and raised in Mayfield and my parents still live there. Also my dad retired from the Gaseous Diffusion plant in Paducah over 20 years ago after working there for 35 years. No ill effects from there.
Mayfield hasn't grown as much as some other towns but it is growing. Read about a construction "spurt" going on. There is also a Christian school there. Yes, there's a larger than normal Hispanic population there with the Seaboard Farms chicken processing plant. I've heard that there's not really any more trouble with them than with the locals.
I now live in Cadiz. It's a nice small town. If you like antiques, Main Street in Cadiz has 6! You didn't say but it sounds like you'll be living and working west of the lakes. Cadiz would be a good drive every day. We're about 35 miles from Murray and around 50 to Mayfield.
I have lived in Murray and wouldn't mind moving back. One thing about a college town is there is something going on for non-students too. My wife and I have been checking out some non credit classes. The town is nice too.
One thing I like about this part of western Kentucky is the small town feel. I have always lived in small towns and that how we raised our kids. Hope you find it as friendly as we do. Sorry for rambling on! lol

[brian21]

I don't want to jack this thread but I was wondering if I could get some info on murray. .

Does anyone know how difficult it is to gain residency at Murray? I'm originally from Lexington but my parents moved away when I was a child so I no longer qualify for in-state tuition. I attended Murray for a few days about a year ago but didn't stay over the thought of going into more debt. That and I registered two weeks late. I'd really love to attend the school. The people I met while I was there were all extremely friendly which was a totally different experience from the one I had at an Alabama university.

Is it possible to get a decent job in the area? I know you have a Briggs & Stratton and Pella. Is there any chance of getting a job with these companies? Will they work with students? There was a ton of openings for little piddly jobs during the summer when I visited but I didn't see anything substantial that I could support myself on.

[Davart]

Originally Posted by brian21

I don't want to jack this thread but I was wondering if I could get some info on murray. .

Does anyone know how difficult it is to gain residency at Murray? I'm originally from Lexington but my parents moved away when I was a child so I no longer qualify for in-state tuition. I attended Murray for a few days about a year ago but didn't stay over the thought of going into more debt. That and I registered two weeks late. I'd really love to attend the school. The people I met while I was there were all extremely friendly which was a totally different experience from the one I had at an Alabama university.

Is it possible to get a decent job in the area? I know you have a Briggs & Stratton and Pella. Is there any chance of getting a job with these companies? Will they work with students? There was a ton of openings for little piddly jobs during the summer when I visited but I didn't see anything substantial that I could support myself on.

I believe you have to live in the state, have a Driver's License and in state mailing address by a state tax payer and all that stuff for I believe 6 months.

[Angie47]

Hi KY Dad95,

Thank you SO much for your post! It is very helpful. Murray sounds like a nice small town to live in, on the pro's side.

Since I wrote the last post, we took a visit to the area. We never did get to see Murray; I think my husband wasn't interested because of the longer drive to his work in Calvert City. He did become interested in Paducah though and we even contacted an agent and looked at 6 houses there. Now, I realize though, that Paducah is about the same distance to Calvert City as Murray is. Well............ head is still spinning as we only had 2 months notice (officially only 1 month really) for this move, which is WAY too fast for me!! We have to pick up and sell our home, the only home my daughter has ever known and make such a move to an area we know nothing about. It's exciting, but very stressful as well.

Well, seems like my husband has already found a house he is interested in and we are going back up again on Friday to look at it and some others. I am interested in the Community Christian Academy in Paducah then. Now that I realize that Murray is as far away from his work as Paducah is, I wish we had looked into it more. Then again, that would mean another drive to Paducah when we wanted to get out somewhere or shop in different places, etc. On the othe hand, LOL, it looks like Murray has ALOT to offer!! I found a brochure and they have many attractions and restaurants and museums, things to do, and of course the events the college has to offer. Talk about head spinning!

Now the medical care is of great important to us as well, as I have some health concerns that I need good doctors for, so that being said, maybe Paducah is the best place for us.

We live in a small town of 4,000 now and my daughter has not seen alot of what larger cities have in them. So that will be a wake up call of sorts. Its good for her to become knowledgeable of what is out there in the world though, now that the basics of her growth have been instilled in her, so she will be prepared how to handle herself in situations of course.

I thought I was more along in what I have seen and learned, but guess not. Still confused and head spinning and just not knowing where to live or what school to go to. Guess this is just going to be one of those major leap of faith things!!

Paducach was FUN! Wasn't as large as St. Louis, MO, but had a fun and pleasant, up beat atmosphere!

I was so happy to realize that everyone, I mean "everyone" that we met and spoke to was SO friendly!! I did not met one person (maybe we were lucky?) that had a bad attitude or unpleasant personality. Everyone was very friendly and happy, helpful, encouraging, just a real pleasant and refreshing time we had while we were there. I chatted with anyone I bumped into also, from the agent to hotel managers and workers, to people in stores and gas stations, standing in line waiting for seats in restaurants, etc. Maybe it was just the weather? lol I found it contagious!

Well, just wanted to reply and thank you very much for your comments on the area and you are very helpful.

Angie

[Angie47]

Hi kygman,

Thanks for your post. That's comforting to hear about how your Dad has no ill effects from the Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Paducah after working there for 35 years! I heard from a few people how the articles on the whole situation were overrated and blown way out of proportion. I'm glad to hear that your Dad wasn't effected by where he worked, and after all those years being there as well.

Mayfield seemed more of a ride to Calvert City (where hubby is working) as well. I did find 2 Chrisitan schools there though, and it does seems like a nice town to be in. Cadiz seems like such a wonderful place to retire! I looked around there on the internet the best I could, houses are nice, well priced (I thought) and very pretty what I saw. Yes it would be way too far to drive, especially with the gas prices like they are these days.
It does seem like Paducah is the best deal for us all the way around. Just got used to a small town and I am a bit leary now of going into a bigger city. I guess Paducah is not "that" big though.
Does Paducah have much crime? Adult entertainment stuff? yuck!! I guess it's not a dry city or is it? They served alcohol in the restaurants anyhow.

KYDAD95 mentioned 2% tax? What is that for?

I sure don't like purchasing a home right away before I become aquainted with the neighborhoods and areas of a place, but we don't have a choice really. I couldn't find any apartments with 3 bedrooms for under 935.00 per month........... was I missing something? The company is moving us, so it would be more costly to wait to find a home if we did move into an apartment first to "feel things out". Decisions, decisions. :-)

Do you know or does anyone else reading this post know anything about the different areas in Paducah? Is Avondale Heights a good area to live in? What areas are good and which are less desirable?

Thanks!

Angie

[kygman]

Don't know about rental prices. You mentioned the drive from Mayfield to Calvert City. Hubby will have 4 lane all the way there on the Purchase Parkway.