My family and I are considering a move to Kentucky from Florida... NEED MAJOR ADVICE... (Lexington: apartment complex, for rent)

[timelesschild]

I personally would not be concerned about the New Madrid Fault. I'm not a seismologist, but my understanding is that it is more in Western Kentucky than Central Kentucky. The only earthquake I have ever personally experienced from the New Madrid, was in 1987, and it was shaking in both Western Kentucky and St. Louis, Missouri at the same time (just enough to sort of rattle the windows). It didn't shake Lexington, though.

[rpb502]

Originally Posted by llgator

Factually correct, but the Tampa Bay area MSA is over 2 million according to Wikipedia. Louisville is nowhere near that size. By the same token, the population within the city limits for Bowling Green is around 55,000 but Bowling Green/Warren County is actually a little over 100,000 and grows by another 10-15,000 when WKU is in session.

Anyway, I'll stick to my original assertion that moving from the Tampa area to "anywhere" in Kentucky will be a substantial reduction in the size of the city and all that goes with it, for good or bad.

Beyond that, I wish the OP the best of luck in sorting out all the factors that are important to he and his family and figuring out which would be the best place for them! And if he has questions, he's already figured out all he has to do is ask.

Louisville is larger then Tampa, Tampa Bay is larger then Kentuckiana.

Louisville is just as urban and offers just as much as Tampa, with the exception of pro sports (which could change soon with Louisville's new arena under contruction), Sak's Fifth Avenue, and the beach.

[censusdata]

1. How does Louisville compare to Lexington in terms of potential danger due to the fault?

Both recieved only moderate damage in the 1811 quake



2. Is it easier to get Louisville Cardinals tickets than it is to get them for the Kentucky Wilcats (football primarily)?

Tickets are moderatly diffecult for both. U of L's stadium is 1/3 smaller (42,000 to 70,000) so every game has sold out since 2003. If you book in advance there are $10 tickets at the top of the end zone with great views. When stadium expansion is complete in 2 years most games should be easy to get tickets for except the UK & WVU games.

UK will sell out all early season games & ones against the more popular teams like UT, UFL. There are usually several thousand empty seats at games later in the year against lesser competition.

Basketball tickets... the waiting list for season tickets is so long at both schools you actually have to list someone who would get the tickets if you meet your demise before that season

3. Between Louisville & Lexington, which would you recommend?

More historic areas, local restaurants, parks, better traffic flow--> Louisville

Better economy, very low crime rate, highly educated population, a Kroger or McDonalds at every intersection, horse farms--> Lexington

[kygman]

Originally Posted by timelesschild

I personally would not be concerned about the New Madrid Fault. I'm not a seismologist, but my understanding is that it is more in Western Kentucky than Central Kentucky. The only earthquake I have ever personally experienced from the New Madrid, was in 1987, and it was shaking in both Western Kentucky and St. Louis, Missouri at the same time (just enough to sort of rattle the windows). It didn't shake Lexington, though.

Timeless, you didn't see my earlier post. If there ever is the "big one" from the New Madrid Fault. It will be felt as far away as Washington, D.C. and Chicago. A few months ago when there were earthquakes from a fault in southern Illinois, it was felt all the way from Chicago to down in Alabama. Even Louisville felt it!

I'm not trying to put a scare out there on this, just making sure you know there is always the chance of an earthquake. Just a whole lotta shakin' goin' on!

[censusdata]

Here is a 2007 murder map for Lexington
2007 Homicides at On the Beat in the Bluegrass

Here is a 2007 murder map for Louisville
courier-journal.com » Jefferson County homicide database

[timelesschild]

Originally Posted by kygman

Timeless, you didn't see my earlier post. If there ever is the "big one" from the New Madrid Fault. It will be felt as far away as Washington, D.C. and Chicago. A few months ago when there were earthquakes from a fault in southern Illinois, it was felt all the way from Chicago to down in Alabama. Even Louisville felt it!

I'm not trying to put a scare out there on this, just making sure you know there is always the chance of an earthquake. Just a whole lotta shakin' goin' on!

LOL - you're right, I forgot the one from this summer. I had already moved to California by then. I did see your earlier post but have to say, earthquakes - as a risk factor - would not deter me from moving to Kentucky. The economy in my husband's career field is the only thing that moved us.

[CivilLibertarian]

Seems Lexington's homicide rate is more domestic violence related. Louisville seems to have more random (or perhaps gang related) shootings. Either way, I'll still bet that coming from Tampa, both Lexington & Louisville are safer (especially Lexington). I'm sure that many of these shootings are lifestyle related anyway.

The police here are really doing a lot of advertising about how they are working hard to deal with gang-related issues. I live in Hillsborough County in what is known as South Tampa. It is not one of the more troublesome areas here in terms of violent crime, but watching the local news every night makes me sick to my stomach. It really makes me hope that we can find a spot in Kentucky that is slower, safer, and a bit more family-friendly then where we are currently at here in Tampa. We have had our mini-van broken into and had the steering column cracked in an attempt to steal it, and it's only a matter of time before the violent crime spreads our way. At Sperling's best places, I've watched as Tampa has gone from an already high 7 (on a scale from 1-10) to an 8 just this past year in violent crime. We're just ready to get out of here! Lack of crime and our family's safety is priority #1 for us in this move above and beyond all other considerations.

[rpb502]

How exactly does Lexington have a better economy?

[censusdata]

Originally Posted by rpb502

How exactly does Lexington have a better economy?

Unemployment: Lex MSA 5.4%, Lou MSA 6.4%, Etown MSA 6.5%

Unemployment by County:
Fayette 5.2%
Woodford 5%
Jessamine 5.6%
Madison 5.8%
Clark 6.3%
Bourban 5.8%
Scott 5.8%

Louisville unemployment:
Jefferson 6.3%
Bullitt 6.5%
Spencer 7.6%
Shelby 5.7%
Oldham 6.2%

http://workforce.ky.gov/June08charts.pdf

[rpb502]

Originally Posted by censusdata

Unemployment: Lex MSA 5.4%, Lou MSA 6.4%, Etown MSA 6.5%

Unemployment by County:
Fayette 5.2%
Woodford 5%
Jessamine 5.6%
Madison 5.8%
Clark 6.3%
Bourban 5.8%
Scott 5.8%

Louisville unemployment:
Jefferson 6.3%
Bullitt 6.5%
Spencer 7.6%
Shelby 5.7%
Oldham 6.2%

http://workforce.ky.gov/June08charts.pdf

I don't doubt those numbers but dude you are comparing 1.4 Million people to 450,000 people. Percentages can be misleading...

Louisville has Humana, PharMerica, Yum Brands, UPS Air, Hilliard Lyons, Papa Johns, Texas Roadhouse, Kindred Healthcare, Hillerich & Bradsby, Brown-Forman, etc.

Lexington has Lexmark...and what else?