Move to Lexington or Georgetown? (apartments, rent, houses)

[javi.gutierrez]

Hi all,
I'm a college student and I'm going to be doing an internship with Toyota this coming spring. Being more of a city person, I was wondering if moving to Lexington instead of Georgetown was worth the longer commute? I would greatly appreciate suggestions in both towns. Thanks!

[InLondon]

Well it won't be a long commute if you live in Georgetown, traffic isn't too bad at all on the Northside of Lexington.

[CraigCreek]

It takes about fifteen minutes to reach Georgetown from much of Lexington - if you live in the southern or easternmost suburbs, it will take longer, but it's an easy drive up I-75 or alternatively, Georgetown Road (two lane, scenic, less traffic, slower than I-75 but a nice alternative at times). If you prefer cities, Lexington may suit you better, though it's quite possible to live in G'town and socialize in Lexington.

[javi.gutierrez]

Thanks for the responses!
Any suggestions on furnished apartments?

[CraigCreek]

You'll find more furnished apartments in Lexington than in G'town. Since you'll be here only briefly, look into efficiencies, more of which are furnished than are larger apartments. You can also rent furniture in Lexington (and probably could rent it in Lex and take it to Georgetown).

[beerlover]

many of my toyota buddies that don't want DUI's live near Kimble Square apts. on south limestone in lexington and just walk to the bars.

[javi.gutierrez]

Yea, from the brief research that I've done, I see that most furnished single apartments are around UK.. which makes sense. Being from Miami and having no true experience with snow, when selecting an apartment, how important is covered parking and apartment vs. house? What other criteria should I look for?

[CraigCreek]

Apartment vs. house re snow: no significant difference, though houses are more likely to have woodburning fireplaces, handy if power's out for more than a few hours. Location may be more important, as streets and roads are prioritized for snow treatment, with busy roads getting salted ahead of time and scraped when the snow stops falling (or before, in some cases) while residential roads that are deadends or receive little traffic seldom get treated at all. Residents are expected to clear the sidewalks in front of their houses within a few hours of the end of the snowfall.

Covered parking is nice to have, but get a good snowscraper/brush and 90% of the time, you'll be ready to drive in less than ten minutes if you've parked outside. Some folks invest in a blue tarp that can be tossed over their cars when significant snow or ice is forecast. Usuallly our first tracking snow arrives in mid to late December, but it's January and February when the big guys check in. Occasionally followed by a mid-March blizzard...but spring is here by the end of March and early signs are present by late February in most years.

Get your car tuned up and winterized, make sure you have enough antifreeze and that your tires are properly inflated, keep your windows clear, take it slow and easy on snow and ice, use your windshield wipers and lights, and learn how to brake on ice. Keep your scraper and a blanket in the car when you're away from home, in case of additional snow, and get a cell phone charger which can be charged from your car. A miniaturized snow shovel is handy to keep in your car in winter. Be sure to use turn signals, and keep a good distance between your car and the car ahead. Make sure your tank is filled when significant snow and/or ice is forecast.

Dress in layers: long johns, flannel shirt, sweater or sweater vest, jacket, scarf, hat, gloves, wool socks, maybe boots or hiking shoes for several inches of the white stuff. You'll be fine.

Snow is usually not too big a deal most of the time in the Bluegrass, but this year's forecast is for a severe winter - La Nina arrives shortly. And while snow's not too difficult, google "lexington ice storm" for accounts of the two legendary-but-all-too-real ice storms which struck in the last ten years.

Both ice storms shut down the area for well over a week: no power, trees and lines downed, tree branches through roofs of houses and car windows, roads impassable...Items which had proved their worth in the 19th century came in handy again: candles, oil lamps, blankets and quilts, woodburning stoves and fireplaces, cast iron cooking utensils for fireplace cookery - plus battery powered radios, gas stoves, camping lanterns, cell phones, flashlights, and generators for those fortunate enough to have them.

So be sure to have a battery powered weather radio, flashlights, candles (the fat ones in glass jars are safest), blankets, etc. on hand, plus canned or fresh food which can see you through a few days without power, just in case. Lexington's water is gravity operated, so at least we didn't have to melt ice during the storms (we did have to insulate pipes or leave faucets dripping in some cases, though).

It's not the frozen wastes of the far north around here, but we do get more than a taste of winter most years. Fortunately, it's not hard to prepare and enjoy the snow (if not the ice...) and the little breaks in routine it often brings with it.

[javi.gutierrez]

Wow!
We should call this "Craig's Beginners Guide To Snow"
Thanks a lot for the valuable information! Being used to the Miami weather, this is sure a bit scary. But I'll put all your tips in practice. Thanks again!