Thinking of moving to Lexington- What is it like? (Louisville: middle-class, hotel)

[bluegrassgirl]

I am not a bike rider, but I cannot imagine any one that is would think Lexington is a great town to get around in on a bike. That is surprising because we're such a large college town. The bikes will fit on the bus' racks. As far as what's planned for bike riders, I honestly don't know. IMO, you have to be pretty brave to ride a bike around our roads.... although I've never seen anyone be nearly as rude as you talk about with throwing things and blowing horns!

[lexingtongal]

There are some roads that are better than others for biking. Bike paths are a high priority and our current city leadership will make it happen. I bike to downtown on the weekends and just take back streets. Richmond Rd/Main St has bike paths but I feel safer on the side streets. Our family regularly bikes and if you use common sense you will have no trouble. We've never encountered anyone giving us a hard time; honking or throwing things.

[Zoe51]

Originally Posted by Cprompt

Of course Lexington isn't...and it's surely not only in the south...it's just a heads up on what to expect.

When it comes to infrastructure...i wonder where all my tax money goes...I really feel that it isn't the roads here! I feel it went into the horse industry instead...hahaha...YEAH KY I SAID IT.

Even tho' VaBeach can be viewed as "church central"..(e.g. regent university)...i never got the impression that I did here in KY about how religious/conservative a place can be! Again, I feel that it has to do with the diversity factor that KY lacks. 757 had diversity stirring all the time...with people coming in and out of the military bases, and large super companies that stir international business. I guarantee that you will run into people that won't hesitate to feel prejudice or even express their feelings about something that's different from what they know...i have first hand experience!

My dad was in the Navy, at Little Creek, and left it about the time I was born. I grew up in Virginia when it was 100% segregated. The grocery stores all had two water fountains, one for whites, one for "coloreds," and other indignities. When integration was forced in the sixties I got involved in the civil rights movement which got me put out of all the public schools in Virginia.
Oh, and I remember the neighbors who thought we were "heathens" because my folks were athiests and remember how it took the supreme court to back my right to choose my religion. I recall too vividly being called "****** lover" and taunted in school for supporting integration. Equally vivid, is the memory of the few other folks who stood up for freedom and equality and let their consciences guide them.
And the military was segregated too. I remember a classmate whose father was a navel officer. At her home I recall talking to their "house boy." he had a BS in science, but his race, Fillipino, determined his rank in the Navy. My classmate and her siblings were legally classified as illegitimate in Virginia; her father was in the Navy, her mother from Okinawa. So whose freedom was her father defending?
I won't know 'til I get there how religiously conservative, and racist, Lexington may be. But I skipped Kansas after a major city school board voted to have creationism taught in public schools, similar findings in other places.
But is is sounding like Lexington is somewhat more balanced in terms of racial conflicts, than in some other places.
My main concern in asking my question about racism was to see if it is safe to live in Lexington if I don't color code my friends. If I do settle in Lexington, I'll likely check out the NAACP and join that chapter. I was a member in Oregon. Racism didn't end with integration, we have to keep working on it, confronting it and doing what is needed to contend with racism in our society.
I don't want to go somewhere that puts my life in danger or where looks as though I wouldn't make any friends due religious and racial prejudice. So far, Lexington is coming up with more pluses than a lot of places I've checked out.

[Zoe51]

Originally Posted by bluegrassgirl

Zoe51 - Thanks for sharing those reviews. Perhaps the complaints about management are true? I did not ask either of the people that I know. However, I did stop there a couple nights ago when I was walking to take a break - extreme heat going on here! I sat outside and talked to my two friends that live there - one single girl, one with three teenage daughters and found out the one with kids has her mother living in another apt there. I did kinda watch the residents when we sat outside and talked. Seems like quite a mix of folks.... UK students, older persons (like my friend's mom), to families. I was by there last Friday evening and the pool consisted of a mom with three boys. The pool is small. I was in the club house a few years ago and it was VERY nice and also VERY cheap to rent for get togethers. The parking does not seem in abundance... especially if you have a lot of visitors. Again, I would think location would be a huge plus for Shillito... mall, park, grocery, etc. all within 2-5 minutes.

Keep us posted on your journey.

Thanks Blue,
I'm keeping it on my list of places to check out.

Zoe

[Zoe51]

Originally Posted by whoabuck

Hey, Y'all

I haven't been on here in awhile, so I missed the whole christian/religion-crime smack-down. What a shame... I think Easy handled it pretty well, and frankly it's an argument I'm tired of having with religious fundamentalists of any ilk. Meanwhile, here we come, and there goes the neighborhood!

Anyway...back to Lexington. I'll be living outside of Fayette Co (much to ol' Tomocox's relief, I'm sure), but commuting in every day. Ideally, I'd like to park and ride (bus or bike) once I get within a reasonable distance. I did notice on the Bluegrass bike riders' website Bluegrass Cycling Club - Lexington, Kentuckythat there seems to be a large number of unsafe roads for bicyclists in the city. Are they being conservative, or would I be risking life and limb every time I go out? Are drivers openly hostile to bike riders (as they can be here - throwing trash as they drive by, bumping, blasting horns, etc.)? The city website BIKE -- PLANNING -- Lexington-Fayette Urban County Governmentsuggests that creating bike paths is a priority. Is there any truth to it? (We had a similar proposal here about, oh, 10 years ago...nothing has been done, in spite of receiving federal money for the project.) Will a regular commuter bike fit onto the bus racks?

Great input on this thread. I'm pretty excited about moving up there. (but Virginia Beach sounds nice, too.)

Did you see me biting my tongue on those side trips? I don't ride a bike but lived in Seattle where a lot of people used them. The bike racks on the buses were great, well designed and easy to use. That could help a lot of people combine bus transportation and bike riding.

[easydoesit]

Biking IMO, depends on distance and time of day. The bus + bike rack is great. If you want to commute to work and it is a decent distance, a combination of bus + bike is very doable and pretty safe.

[Zoe51]

I had a bike in Oregon and really like it. In Corvallis, I could ride all over town and never need the bus. But then I rediscovered walking! It got to be so enjoyable, in all seasons, I gave up the bike and was walking 3 or 4 miles a day. It's hard to do this when working though because of the time involved.

[lorax55]

zoe-

we visited lexington twice before moving here and it seemed nice. however, if you are not religious, conservative, into college sports or horses, you're likely to have difficulty finding people to spent time with.

southerners may think this is a liberal town, but i've lived in the east and midwest, and from my perspective, this it still very much part of the bible belt. religious people will tell you there are other non-religious people, but the people who are not religious (like myself) know how church-oriented this town really is.

the weather here is decent and the surrounding landscape is beautiful. there are some nice hiking areas 20-40 minutes away. downtown lexington really doesn't have much to offer. there are a few blocks of shops, restaurants and hotels. you can find a few other pockets of shops near the universities and then of course the looming big box stores outside the circle.

as far as people caring about the environment or health, you'll be an extreme minority. the farmer's market has very few organics, although there is a food co-op and a wild oats market here. when i talk to neighbors about healthy or organic food (and i don't mean sprouts, supplements or tofu) they look at me like i have two heads. they just spray toxic chemicals on their lawns and talk about their latest church activities.

we're actually moving out of lexington this year (only been here less than one year and can't take much more...)

anyway, other than small (and very expensive) pockets here and there, near downtown and the universities, lexington is conservative middle america. if that's what you're looking for, welcome home.

[Zoe51]

Thanks Lora,
This is very useful feedback. I'm likely going to visit some places before deciding where to move next. So all the feedback from others helps get a sense of what a place is like before visiting and where to find housing, etc.
Some of your comments, like about environmentalists, sounds like folks here in rural New Mexico. Speaking of being in minorities; about thirty years ago, I went from the south to a college in a rural area of New Hampshire. Those folks had never heard a southern accent except on "Hee Haw" and would often start laughing if I launched into a dialogue. The folks in the grocery store just about doubled over when I asked if they could get black eyed peas, feed for cattle in those parts.
Overall, I loved the New England area. It would be my first choice were the cost of living [and winter heating!]not so high.
Dodging the religious fundamentalists is getting difficult. Which way are you headed in your move?

[Cprompt]

Originally Posted by lorax55

zoe-

we visited lexington twice before moving here and it seemed nice. however, if you are not religious, conservative, into college sports or horses, you're likely to have difficulty finding people to spent time with.

southerners may think this is a liberal town, but i've lived in the east and midwest, and from my perspective, this it still very much part of the bible belt. religious people will tell you there are other non-religious people, but the people who are not religious (like myself) know how church-oriented this town really is.

the weather here is decent and the surrounding landscape is beautiful. there are some nice hiking areas 20-40 minutes away. downtown lexington really doesn't have much to offer. there are a few blocks of shops, restaurants and hotels. you can find a few other pockets of shops near the universities and then of course the looming big box stores outside the circle.

as far as people caring about the environment or health, you'll be an extreme minority. the farmer's market has very few organics, although there is a food co-op and a wild oats market here. when i talk to neighbors about healthy or organic food (and i don't mean sprouts, supplements or tofu) they look at me like i have two heads. they just spray toxic chemicals on their lawns and talk about their latest church activities.

we're actually moving out of lexington this year (only been here less than one year and can't take much more...)

anyway, other than small (and very expensive) pockets here and there, near downtown and the universities, lexington is conservative middle america. if that's what you're looking for, welcome home.

WHOA!!

I can't believe someone else feels this way about Lexington! you're really on point with your comment LORAX("i speak for the trees!")

I've felt so alone when it comes to this area...sports and horses really rule this area. And unfortunately, I don't care for both, especially UK sports. (say that to someone here...talk about someone looking at you like you have two heads!)

I'll be living here for 4years come October...again career is what keeps me here till I can hop to another place. I'm surprised how long i've been able to endure the place. But have fun moving Lorax...and good luck in the new place! hopefully, I'll be following along in your footsteps.