Thinking of moving to Lexington- What is it like?

[SkipChurch]

I had pretty much the same questions as Zoe! I thought to retire to Lexington, because I can't afford Charlottesville, and am getting tired of shoveling snow near Princeton NJ where I now live. I work for a university as an administrator, and want a warmer, and slightly cheaper, college town to retire to. Now I grew up in the segregated South (VA), and flatter myself that Dixie has few surprises for me. But-- he acknowledges ruefully!-- I was not prepared for being asked quite frequently if I know Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. This was not in Kentucky actually, but in that mecca of Longhorn Liberalism, Austin, Texas, where I spent two years working for UT. It doesn't bother me much, but it seems weird and intrusive and, well...just weird!

So the religion thing is kind of funny to me. No one, ever, in New York or New Jersey has asked me where I go to church, or if I go to church, or anything of the kind. But I don't suppose it would deter me from moving to a place I thought was a nice place.

[SkipChurch]

Now hold on one dang minute!! If anyone is still reading this thread...which I doubt!!...I just read all the posts and wonder : What is up with the non-religious former Virginians moving back to Dixie??

Is it some sort of TREND??

Zoe: I was born in Charlottesville, grew up in Williamsburg, had a father in the Navy reserve ... went to a Catholic school because my (atheist) father preferred the Sisters of Mercy to the segregated and lousy local schools...

My gosh. Are you my long lost sibling?? Plus: my daughter is named Zoe. She's 17, a senior in a Quaker school. Maybe I'll see you in Lex in about 8 years.

[RangerDuke08]

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.

Very interesting comment, where are you moving to if may ask? You might want to check out Fort Collins, CO where I currently live, a college town, very environmental friendly, bike anywhere, Northern front range Rockies right next door, more of a moderate middle-class white suburban town, no crime and ranked #1 best place to live this year by money magazine. I believe the wage is a lot higher here than Lexington but the housing prices are about the same.

As for myself I'm moving down South, to Knoxville, TN ... always been a Southern man at heart and as the author of this thread wrote, there's some amazing places out West I can attest to that, but once you live in a liberal-leaning (most of the West) or ultra-liberal place (ie, Boulder, CO) it can be a "twilight zone", you will miss that conservatism and certainly there's a saying "Why the left hasn't gotten it right and why the right has got it wrong", liberal places tend to lack out on that interaction, where people care for each other (yes, even your soul) and I can live anywhere but rather my kids grow up in one of those towns that people still say hi and watch out for each other.

[James Taylor]

Originally Posted by RangerDuke08

Very interesting comment, where are you moving to if may ask? You might want to check out Fort Collins, CO where I currently live, a college town, very environmental friendly, bike anywhere, Northern front range Rockies right next door, more of a moderate middle-class white suburban town, no crime and ranked #1 best place to live this year by money magazine. I believe the wage is a lot higher here than Lexington but the housing prices are about the same.

Wow... quite a lot of misinformation there concerning Fort Collins. Maybe there was no crime there in 1978, but there certainly is today. In fact, just about every city along Colorado's Front Range sucks very badly now and are not worth recommending to anyone... including Fort Collins.

[Karen Hilton]

Everything seems to be from last year?
My husband and I are from Okla. thinking about moving to KY. If Lexington isn't THE place. Where do you suggest for those in their mid 50s, conservative, christian, and hate the humidity. I'm coming from horrid summer wheather and don't want more of the same.

We'd like four seasons. Some snow, low humidity, want mountains and cool clear lakes. My husband is a hot-shotter so we can find work anywhere. We'd like a smaller town but not podunk either. I live in a podunk town and have a 10 minute commute just to get to the freeway!

The streets here in Ok are atrocious. How bout there?
Thinking about moving in October - November.
Any suggestions?

[Irishtom29]

Well Karen I moved down here from Chciago two years ago and I find the place somewhat conservative but tolerant; you'll see Gay people and interracial couples around but nobody bothers them. I think many may disapprove but they have the good manners to mind their own business.

I'm very liberal, especially in economic terms and I find enough liberal people to talk to. And a conservative will too. Good blend here, moderate politics. People are civil and well mannered and many are quite bright.

I think Lexington is a nice size; big enough to have good bookstores and little cafes and such but not too big. If I ever want bigger than this I'll move back to Chicago, a place I visit several times a year anyway.

Weather is moderate with four seasons but neither winter or summer is severe, winter is pretty mild. Nice surrounding countryside, rolling and green, we bought a convertible down here and there's no end of nice country drives. An hour's drive will get you in the mountains and a good day's driving will get you to the ocean.

Cities within a day's drive are Chicago, Washington DC, Nashville, Atlanta, Pittsburg, Asheville----you can get around from here.