Feelings on this (Lexington, Louisville, Covington: sales, renting, crime)

[TiredOfChicago]

Is it going to be possible to find a job while located in the Chicago burbs in the Kentucky area? Or should we move to KY first and then look for employment? We believe we would have enough money saved up to be able to do that but don't know if I would be going the proper way.

Also, what areas do you all recommend as we are looking for an area that has that "southern feel", above average to excellent schools for children (I have 3 children ages 5, 3, and 1).

[rpb502]

If it was me, I would look first before I moved, unless your just absolutely unhappy in Chicago and ready to leave. I recommend the Louisville area. You should be able to find a job fairly easily, just depends on what field you are in. Oldham County, northeast of the city, has a GREAT school system. The Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area would be my 2nd choice, but it doesn't really have a "southern" feel to it, whereas Louisville has a little bit of everything (midwestern, southern, and even some nothern). Louisville is a beautiful city, I definitely think you will love it here.

Louisville Metro has an awesome website with all sorts of helpful information.

http://www.louisvilleky.gov

[censusdata]

The best areas economically are basically along I-64 from the East Side of Louisville to Lexington. My personal favorites are the NorthEast suburbs of Louisville (esp. the Lyndon & Jeffersontown areas), and Woodford, Jessamine, and Scott counties outside of Lexington. Louisville has some really nice urban neighborhoods, but that may not be what you're looking for.

Personally, I am not a big fan of any of the counties outside Louisville (very little shopping/ restaurants) or the city of Lexington (terrible traffic congestion)

Northern KY is very nice with great schools and shopping, but it culturally it isn't very Southern.

BTW, Louisville and Lexington are two of the safest cities in the US. Each has an avearge murder rate that is comparable to many Canadian cities.

[TiredOfChicago]

Well I've been in Sales for 7+ years in various different industries so I should be able to locate something of the like.

My wife wants to pursue her passion of becoming a pre-school teacher because she can't do that in Chicago and us still have a roof over our head.

Is the area in Lexington or Lousville "beautiful" my wife really wants the look and feel of the southern area and housing or renting a home be not too expensive.

[rpb502]

Yes, Louisville and Lexington are both gorgeous cities. A lot of stuff to do outdoors in Louisville, if you are interested in that. Not 100% sure about Lexington.

My favorite: Jefferson Memorial Forest
Jefferson Memorial Forest

Louisville has MUCH better shopping and restaurants as well.

The Eastern/Northeastern suburbs of Louisville sounds like what you are looking for.

[TiredOfChicago]

What are some of the 'burbs in that area? What is the cost of living in those areas?

[rpb502]

St. Matthews is probably my personal favorite in that area, but the cost of living MAY be a little to high for your liking. You also have two major shopping malls (Mall St. Matthews, and Oxmoor) right in that area.

Jeffersontown/Hurstbourne is likely a cheaper option, and its still very nice. You definitely want to heavily consider that area.

The Lyndon are is also quite nice. Some really good schools in this area. Censusdata can tell you more about Lyndon.

If your looking to move a little more out into the country, I would check out Oldham County, which is Northeast of Louisville/Jefferson County. Oldham has one of, if not the best school system in the entire state. You will be roughly 10-20 minutes away from major shopping if you choose to go this route, depends on which part of the county you choose to live in.

When it all comes down to it, Louisville's cost of living really isn't that bad. Gas is more expensive here then a lot of places though. If im not mistaking, our gas is the most expensive in the region.

[cobolt]

Hey TiredOfChicago,

I'm originally from Chicago, currently living on the west coast, and trying to get to Louisville. It's a great city. I would try to have a job lined up before the move. At least that's what I'm trying to do. The problem is that many employers are turned off by an out of state address, thus the catch-22. I just don't think moving without a job is a smart thing and I havent gotten that risky yet, but I might in time. Best of luck to you.

[TiredOfChicago]

Originally Posted by cobolt

Hey TiredOfChicago,

I'm originally from Chicago, currently living on the west coast, and trying to get to Louisville. It's a great city. I would try to have a job lined up before the move. At least that's what I'm trying to do. The problem is that many employers are turned off by an out of state address, thus the catch-22. I just don't think moving without a job is a smart thing and I havent gotten that risky yet, but I might in time. Best of luck to you.

I'm trying to figure out that I listed myself as relocatable why they would be scared but I am getting the same feeling. Although I must say I have been inundated with job interviews in Chicago (blah)

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by TiredOfChicago

Is it going to be possible to find a job while located in the Chicago burbs in the Kentucky area? Or should we move to KY first and then look for employment?

Also, what areas do you all recommend as we are looking for an area that has that "southern feel", above average to excellent schools for children (I have 3 children ages 5, 3, and 1).

1. Find a job in Kentucky first before moving. Try lining up a series of interviews--say, for example, a cluster of interviews in Louisville one day, another cluster in Lexington the next, and ending with another cluster in northern Kentucky. These are the only three substantial job markets in the state.

2. In terms of public schools, gravitate towards Louisville or northern Ky.

(a) Louisville/Jefferson Co. has traditional and magnet schools and some east suburban schools (east of Breckenridge Lane and Bardstown Road) that are excellent. Keep in mind that all of Jeff. Co., except for Anchorage, falls under the umbrella of Jeff. Co. Public Schools, so do your neighborhood research and, when looking at houses, be sure to check for school districts.

Suburban and exurban school systems such as Anchorage (PS-8 only, but possibly the best suburban system in the state,) Oldham County, Hardin County, and Elizabethtown are all great.

Whatever you do, DO NOT enroll your kids in Bullitt, Spencer, or Shelby Counties' schools, as these systems consistently rank among the worst in the state.

(b) "Northern Kentucky" as it's called consists of Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties. The strongest systems there are Walton-Verona, Erlanger-Elsmere, Beechwood, Boone County, and Ft. Thomas.

I would steer clear of the Covington, Newport, Dayton, Bellevue, and Campbell County systems.

(c) Lexington has a couple of strong magnet schools for the kiddos. As a rule, though, Fayette County Public Schools suck. The ONLY even moderately decent systems (based on test scores, anyway) within 45 minutes of Lexington are Frankfort Independent and Woodford County.

Whatever you do, stay away from Anderson, Clark, Scott, and Madison Counties' schools!

Want private schools? All three regions have great private schools.

Originally Posted by rpb502

If it was me, I would look first before I moved, unless your just absolutely unhappy in Chicago and ready to leave. I recommend the Louisville area. You should be able to find a job fairly easily, just depends on what field you are in. Oldham County, northeast of the city, has a GREAT school system. The Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area would be my 2nd choice, but it doesn't really have a "southern" feel to it, whereas Louisville has a little bit of everything (midwestern, southern, and even some nothern).

Spot on.

Originally Posted by censusdata

The best areas economically are basically along I-64 from the East Side of Louisville to Lexington.

True.

Louisville has some really nice urban neighborhoods, but that may not be what you're looking for.

Louisville and Fort Thomas offer the most colorful, beautiful urban neighborhoods in Kentucky. Covington and Newport have excellent urban neighborhoods, also, but then again you said you care about public schools...

Personally, I am not a big fan of any of the counties outside Louisville (very little shopping/ restaurants) or the city of Lexington (terrible traffic congestion)

Well, Oldham County is close to the growing shopping, dining, recreation, and healthcare options of E and NE Jefferson County.

I'd argue that E/NE Jeff. (i.e.: Lyndon, Middletown, Eastwood, Jeffersontown, Springhurst, Indian Hills, St. Matthews) and Oldham are my two favorite suburban areas in the entire state.

Anywhere in NKY that you live, you're always 20-25 minutes away from incredible shopping, dining, healthcare, recreation, nightlife, arts, culture, education, and other options...whatever it is that you're looking for.

I don't like any of the suburban communities around Lexington. They have a large contingent of, uhmmmm...scroungy white trash (hate to break it.) So what if Versailles and Nicholasville are 15-20 minutes from Fayette Mall, it seems like every other vehicle I see there has a loud muffler, a confederate flag, "Git 'R Dun," "Dodge It or Ram It," or some such. I'm not talking just plain country people, they are different. I really do mean scrounge. An exception: Wilmore is actually pretty nice.

BTW, Louisville and Lexington are two of the safest cities in the US. Each has an avearge murder rate that is comparable to many Canadian cities.

I wouldn't go that far. The only two American large cities as comparably safe as the average Canadian city are San Jose and Austin. However, I've never felt scared out of my mind in Lou. or Lex. Just use basic urban common sense precautions and you'll be fine.

90% of Louisville's crime is concentrated in select areas in the "west end" (mostly inside I-264 and west of I-65 and along the river,) Shively, Butchertown/Russell (just east of downtown,) and Okolona.

Most of Lexington's crime is concentrated along Versailles, Russell Cave, Georgetown, and NE New Circle Roads, but serious crime occurrences are more spread throughout than they are in Louisville.

Originally Posted by rpb502

Yes, Louisville and Lexington are both gorgeous cities. A lot of stuff to do outdoors in Louisville, if you are interested in that. Not 100% sure about Lexington.

My favorite: Jefferson Memorial Forest
Jefferson Memorial Forest

Louisville has MUCH better shopping and restaurants as well.

The Eastern/Northeastern suburbs of Louisville sounds like what you are looking for.

Right on on all points. Louisville is one of America's most park-filled cities. Let's not forget the extensive Olmstead park system, also.

Lexington does have Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, though, which offers a majestic view of the Kentucky River and its palisades. That's gorgeous!