Louisville vs Lexington (Frankfort: condo, good schools, college)

[Topo]

Please compare the two for me if u can? This is what I am looking for!

Historical
Near water
cool artsy downtown with lots of coffee shops/bookstores
good place to meet singles
walkable/bikeable
affordable housing, can still get nice housing for under $100,000 or so

[sodtanders]

I "grew up" (age 10-18, familiy still in Louisivlle) there. I am in military, and have been away since 1994, officially. As my time in the service comes to a close, my wife and I are looking to find a place to settle. I can't believe I am seriously considering KY...

But why not? After travelling the world, living all over, I realize that both towns are some of the best places:

All of your "modern" amenities (Starbucks, Malls, etc.) with remarkably few 'necks. (Trust me, I live in SW Georgia right now...let me tell you, these people make KY'ians look like freaking royalty!)

Good schools (public and private).

MILD CLIMATE!!! Man, I never thouht I would miss a Louisville summer, but spend one in SW Gerogia!!!!

Louisville is on the river. GREAT new downtown riverfront development, getting better. Lexington has more of a college town vibe (U of K). There are great "Seatle-esk", "Chicago-esk" areas of both that accomodate biking, etc. Tons of parks and the like.

Singles...what you make of it I guess. Of course, Miss USA is from KY...and in rehab.

Housing is getting higher...100K...could be hard. Are you a starter? new wave in Louisivlle are these "all-inclusive" type condo communities. Might be the way to go.

Anyway, I have been all over and now find myself seriously looking to both cities. They are constantly growing towards one another, so soon it will be a giant metro area!

[dougcain]

Thank you for your honest assesnent of Louisville and Lexington. I lived in Houton for many years and may go back there, but I now live in Mississippi, a state just ahead of Georgia in necks. I am retired and want to live where it is reasonably good weather with plenty of good restaurants. Louisville seems to fit. I would prefer something a little larger. I really wanted to live in Portland Or but I have heard the winters are dismal, rainy and cold.

[K. Dunn]

Wow, now that would be one giant metro area to think of Lexington merging with Louisville!! If that does happen your probably talking about another 50 years! There is a lot open country still between those two, plus Frankfort might have something to say about that! Hah. I agree, can't go wrong either way. Personally with kids involved, I say Oldham County east Louisville, but no kids, no worries! Good luck.

p.s. If you want to be depressed all the time, move to Portland!