Owensboro -My One Concern (Louisville: 2009, airport, distance)

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by dakota79

Hello,

I have been searching many cities for a place to relocate to. I have many options because I can transfer with job in retail to almost any city.

I am mainly looking for a smaller city, with a southern feel, low crime, low rents, some shopping, and a college of some sort for sports and culture. I have an eye condition that prevents me from driving, and so I rely on walking, biking, public transit, and occasional cabs.

Owensboro has: pseudo-Southern feel, low crime, low rents (avg. $500/mo for 1 BR), decent shopping for its size, some "culture" (as in arts and music).

Not much in the way of sports. Not great for pedestrian- and bike-friendliness, but there is a small bus system that covers the main thoroughfares. I'm sure a cab company does operate, but probably only in the city of Owensboro.

And I say pseudo-Southern b/c of the tremendous Midwestern influence from just across the river in Evansville and Indiana. Not to mention, there are a lot of German Catholic descendants in the Owensboro area, and many of the traditional settling patterns of Southern states are people of English and Scots-Irish descent.

Owensboro appears to have a lot of what I am looking for. I have one main concern though, and that is regarding an airport. I know Owensboro's air service comes and goes, and I have read it is coming again with service to St Louis. But I know that I cannot solely rely on that.

OWB air service has practically been non-existent since the early 2000s. There used to be some commuter service from there. But for now, you'll still have to drive to somewhat expensive but close-by Evansville, or less expensive but farther away Louisville, Nashville, Indianapolis, St. Louis, or Lexington.

My question is: Does anybody know of any shuttle services that go to other regional airports?

I also think the next closest airport is in Evansville, IN. Does anyone have an idea of how much cab fare would be to that airport?

I'd estimate that the cab fare would be $60-80. EVV airport is a good 45-50 miles or so from the westside of Owensboro.

I would hate for this one thing to keep me from being able to move there. But I do fly several times a year.

Any information or advice will be greatly appreciated.

All answers above in red.

[Cav Scout wife]

If you need an airport, and want lower rent with a smaller town feel, try Henderson, KY.

It's right across the river from Evansville (about a $20 cab ride from downtown to the airport), and lots of bike/walk friendly areas throughout the town.

Lower rent, I pay $400/month for a 1500sq ft 2 bed apt downtown, and the utilities are cheap as well.

[dakota79]

Originally Posted by Cav Scout wife

If you need an airport, and want lower rent with a smaller town feel, try Henderson, KY.

It's right across the river from Evansville (about a $20 cab ride from downtown to the airport), and lots of bike/walk friendly areas throughout the town.

Lower rent, I pay $400/month for a 1500sq ft 2 bed apt downtown, and the utilities are cheap as well.

I really wish Henderson was an option for me, because of all the things you mentioned. Unfortunately, my company does not have a store in Henderson, and since I am unable to drive, I need to live in the same city where I work.

At least Owensboro is resuming an air service of some sort in the near future. I think Allegiant starts flights to Orlando next month, and Great Lakes is supposed to start service to St. Louis in March. I know it's not much, but at least its something better than what they have now, which is nothing!

[Cav Scout wife]

Originally Posted by dakota79

I really wish Henderson was an option for me, because of all the things you mentioned. Unfortunately, my company does not have a store in Henderson, and since I am unable to drive, I need to live in the same city where I work.

At least Owensboro is resuming an air service of some sort in the near future. I think Allegiant starts flights to Orlando next month, and Great Lakes is supposed to start service to St. Louis in March. I know it's not much, but at least its something better than what they have now, which is nothing!

Well that sucks!

I think you would really like Henderson, I have grown to love it actually. It's big enough to have stuff to do, but still with a small town feel, and great cost of living. (my current utility bill was less than $70, and that was for electric, water, sewer, trash and recycling)

Another thing about this area is how nice people are, like when you move and make friends with your neighbours, I would be willing to bet that if you paid them $20 or so, they would be more than happy to drive you to the E-ville airport and pick you up. I know I have done that before for friends and neighbours; w/o being paid, but it doesn't hurt if they offer, ya know?

Either way, O-boro is a nice town. Just stay away from the west side of downtown if you can, it's considered a not so nice side of town, and even then, it's better than average/nice areas in big cities (Chi town, Dallas, LA, NYC, etc...)

Either way, whatever Kentucky city you choose; good luck and welcome to G-d's country!

[kygman]

Earlier you mentioned $150 round trip from Owensboro to the Evansville airport. In your job have you made some friends? I would imagine, for some gas in the car, you could find somebody at work who could drive you to the airport for cheaper than $75. And meet you when you get back.

[dakota79]

I'm not there yet, so I don't know any co-workers. But you're right. In time, I will likely have some friends who would gladly take me to the airport and make a little quick cash.

[chrysalnix]

I thought I heard on the news that Greyhound might be re-opening their bus station in Owensboro. I don't know what the routes would be though.

[dakota79]

Originally Posted by chrysalnix

I thought I heard on the news that Greyhound might be re-opening their bus station in Owensboro. I don't know what the routes would be though.

Thanks for this news. It is encouraging. I just did a search for this story and here's what I found.

A Louisville company called Miller Transportation wants to start east-west bus service across Kentucky, hitting several places Greyhound is not interested in serving. The route would start in Evansville and serve many cities including Henderson, Owensboro, Fort Knox, Harrodsburg, Richmond, and end in Ashland to connect with Amtrak service. There is also interest in providing service that conncects Owensboro to Louisville to Lexington. An idea of fares was estimated that an Owensboro to Louisville ticket might cost $20-$25 each way.

They are looking for letters from the publuc to show support and interest to present their case for government funding. I will definitely write a letter to support this.

[chrysalnix]

Thank you, dakota; that is great news!

I will be writing a letter to them as well.

[one_particular_one]

hi. I've Lived in Owensboro many times.
Thanks for the info on the Owensboro-Evansville taxi service (thats what i was looking for).

Owensboro does get alot of rain and thunderstorms sure (thank God!), but for various reasons i really would not say that it has had a 'problem' flooding. I was there in the flood of 1997 [2nd to the slightly infamous 1937 flood] but there was a WHOLE lot of wonderfull rain(and hail) that week.
The flooding areas though was---- ofcourse the Ohio rose up but just pretty much to first street,...... and really the only other alarming flood water that i got to notice (i was going all over town too) was actually where i was , just west of DuganBest park on the west side of crabtree ave.
But anyway, ive been in many places that if it had recieved that much rain it would have been terrible.