Now, I'm wondering if most of the families in Lexington and Louisville...

[deb12]

Pardon my ignorance on rural KY-but would Oldham Co. be considered rural?

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by ic-epi

gimme it --- I can't speak for Louisville (I only saw a little of Louisville when driving to Lexington so only formed a visual opinion of the city which was probably biased given the small part I saw) -- but, I would think both Louisville and Lexington (given their size) would have both ends of the spectrum.

Lexington, because of the university, almost by definition attracts a diverse population. Also both cities would certainly attract some people from other parts of the state -- and overall, KY is ultra conservative. But in the short time I was there I thought the city was very diversified and I saw evidence of people from many different cultural, ethnic, social, and political backgrounds. I definitely agree with the "polite and proper" but not just polite -- everyone was friendly in Lexington. With almost no exception, people we encountered in restaurants, stores, etc. would speak first, initiate conversations with us, etc. It was a very nice experience.

Currently I live in a very conservative state but Iowa City (the town I live in) is very liberal because it has a state university which draws all types of people from all walks of life. Iowa City is very different from the rest of the state. From what I've read, and from what I've seen (albeit briefly), the same is true for Lexington. I would be surprised if a relatively (stress "relatively") large population of "ultra conservatives" from other parts of KY settled in Lexington, simply because of the diversity of the population and because it's a more expensive place to live than the rest of the KY. I don't know that for a fact (and I don't mean to refute stx who said the opposite -- she might have facts I'm not aware of), but it's true of Iowa City and it makes sense to me.

I also think everyone has their own definition of "conservative". I think you will find soccer type moms who shop at chains dominating every city suburb. What you really want to know, I think, is the prevailing attitude about such things as women's rights, etc. And I think you will find both ends of the spectrum in both cities. From what I experienced of Lexington, I would not call the city "ultra conservative". I think there is a mix.

There are some VERY liberal people in Lexington. The ones I have met have been all associated with UK in one form or another. From what I have seen, any town the size of Lexington with a university will have a decent amount of liberal people. My only point was that in general, the overall vibe in Louisville gives me a bit more of an accepting feel.

Ic-pei, I have read that Iowa City is the same way....but, how can you compare a town that size to the state capitol of Des Moines? Just trying to give you an analogy but that is sort of the difference between Louisville and Lexington (even though Lexington is about the size of Des Moines and Louisville is 2.5 times bigger).

Gimmeit, the Louisville suburbs you are looking at are conservative in a Republican way, but I don't think they would look down at your views. Someone made a good point that Southeast Christian is a mega church locaced at Blankenbaker and I-64 near Middletown and has been known to be super conservative.

Maybe the most scientific way to compare liberalness is to look at 2004 election results. This method goes on several assumptions like that people who voted for John Kerry were more likely to be urban liberals, pro choice, womens rights, gay rights, etc. Yes, I know this is not the most scientific way to compare surveys but it proves a couple intriguing points:

Jefferson
Kerry
170,158 50% 100% of precincts reporting
Bush
(Incumbent)
164,566 49%
Nader
1,784 1%
Badnarik
585 0%
Peroutka
257 0%

Fayette
Bush
(Incumbent)
66,406 53% 100% of precincts reporting
Kerry
57,994 46%
Nader
750 1%
Badnarik
300 0%
Peroutka
126 0%

Louisville is the only urban area in Ky to vote for John Kerry, but the difference over Lexington is not too statistically significant. HOWEVER, because Louisville is so much bigger than Lexington, substantially more people voted for John Kerry than even VOTED AT ALL (for any candidate) in Lexington! I cannot find a map, but most of the people in Louisville who voted for Kerry live in urban areas...places like downtown, Old Louisville, Highlands, and yes, the minority laden west end.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politic.../countymap.htm

Counties in rural eastern KY vote democratic simply out of long standing tradition, much like most of the rural south. They are also pro union and labor but much more conservative than their urban counterparts who vote democratic.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by deb12

Pardon my ignorance on rural KY-but would Oldham Co. be considered rural?

No, definitely not in the traditional KY sense of "rural." Oldham is a bedroom community to Louisville, a suburb or exurb depending on how you define it. It is one of the most populous counties in the Louisville Metropolitan Statistical Area. Oldham still has lots of undeveloped land, but that does not make it "rural."

[gimme it]

Very interesting to learn about who voted for who. I wasn't crazy about either major candidate I am happy to see that so many people voted for a democrat.

[ic-epi]

stx - thanks for your reply! To answer your question ("how can I compare Iowa City to Des Moines")... I have never compared Iowa City to Des Moines in any of my posts. (But if I were to do so, Des Moines would be much more conservative as a city than is Iowa City. Others have already established this via several different methods).

Your voting results look statistically the same but are interesting. Even if statistically significant, I would not use these small differences as any kind of indication of a difference in political stance between these areas. But it's interesting data, thanks!

My original opinion still holds. I'll bet that both Louisville and Lexington have a variety of social and political climates. I'll bet that anyone who wants to live in either place, regardless of how conservative or liberal they are, will find a place to fit in and be part of a "community". I'll bet that Lexington and Louisville both are not overall "ultra conservative". I'll bet that both cities, in this way, differ from the rest of the state. Louisville because it's a large city, and Lexington because of the University influence.

I think you will be fine in either place, Gimme It.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by ic-epi

stx - thanks for your reply! To answer your question ("how can I compare Iowa City to Des Moines")... I have never compared Iowa City to Des Moines in any of my posts. (But if I were to do so, Des Moines would be much more conservative as a city than is Iowa City. Others have already established this via several different methods).

Your voting results look statistically the same but are interesting. Even if statistically significant, I would not use these small differences as any kind of indication of a difference in political stance between these areas. But it's interesting data, thanks!

My original opinion still holds. I'll bet that both Louisville and Lexington have a variety of social and political climates. I'll bet that anyone who wants to live in either place, regardless of how conservative or liberal they are, will find a place to fit in and be part of a "community". I'll bet that Lexington and Louisville both are not overall "ultra conservative". I'll bet that both cities, in this way, differ from the rest of the state. Louisville because it's a large city, and Lexington because of the University influence.

I think you will be fine in either place, Gimme It.

Thanks! That is a good perspective from an "outsider" (for now ). I never said you compared Iowa City to Des Moines. I simply gave you an analogy to try to show you why it is almost impossible to compare Louisville and Lexington. Even though Louisville lacks national recognition (we are working on it!), it is so much bigger and different than Lexington that it is hard to give a fair comparison. That is all I was trying to say.


You are right. You can find a liberal attitude in almost any metro over 250k people. However, you will be much more likely to run into democratic, liberal minded people in Louisville. According to the voting record, that is a fact!

[Kichenwich]

Okay, I gotta jump in here, feet first! I believe that there are many misconceptions out there about being the head of household. I have to say, in this area, it seems to be a shared responsibility. Considering the number of single moms raising kids, how could it be otherwise?

In my home, I have a hubby, 3 kids (ages 19, 16, 10), and a 17 year old that I have custody of. I am in my final semester of college, obtaining a Social Work degree. Although I work part-time as a substitute teacher, my hubby pretty much financially supports the family. However, we make all the decisions together, as well as splitting the responsibilities of housework/child rearing. He actually washes more dishes than I do! To us, it seems ridiculous to think one person "runs" the family, when it takes us all to get through a typical day. I guess if a person considered income only, the hubby would be the head. Plus, when we file taxes, it lists him as head of household. Now, ask who's the boss and we'll all tell you we share that.

This seems to be the norm in this area-but I am sure that there are people that still believe the man runs it all. It is really sad that in this day and age women are still treated like second-class citizens. It has changed greatly over the last few decades, and women are now more of equals in the family.

Ah, progression.......... ~joanna~

[Miss Blue]

Originally Posted by Vagus

That's for sure. Once you get out of the cities, if you ain't Baptist, you ain't nothin'. Try to even find a non-Baptist church in rural KY . . .

In Eastern,(Rural) Ky. You will find quite a few non-baptist churches. We are methodist, presbyterian, catholic, nondenominational, etc. I have never heard of the saying "If you aint baptist, you aint nothin" Must be another of those stereotype slurs .

[ic-epi]

Originally Posted by stx12499

Even though Louisville lacks national recognition (we are working on it!), it is so much bigger and different than Lexington that it is hard to give a fair comparison.

That's very true. I'm sure I will love both cities! I am really looking forward to this move. (Despite all the stress!)

Originally Posted by stx12499

However, you will be much more likely to run into democratic, liberal minded people in Louisville. According to the voting record, that is a fact!

I'm not sure I follow this, since according to the numbers you posted, one would be just about as likely to meet a Bush supporter as a Kerry supporter in either city. Not to mention that these are data from only one election, so it's a stretch to make any generalizations at all about it.

It doesn't matter to me either way, however, since I know we'll find our place in the community when we get there. I like hearing the info about KY though. At this point I am soaking up info like a sponge and I know others here are also. Thank you!

[nalabama]

Well Kichenwich, down here in North Alabama, all us husbands are the Boss around our house...now when we go inside the house, it's an entirely different matter!