First Month in Lexington (work, house, crime)

[Zoe51]

After waffling for almost a year, I finally got it together and moved here about the first of May. I've lived all over the US and have gotten settled in and come to feel at home faster here than any of the cities I have ever lived in.
People are generally friendly and sincere all over the city. Its very easy to meet folks and start making friends here. If there is a resource I can't find, the reference librarians are very helpful. There is plenty to do here, lots of opportunities to volunteer and be involved in community activities.
This is looking to be one of the better moves I've made in my life. Great city!

[nlschr0]

Welcome!!! Glad you're enjoying it!

[Rapunzll]

Zoe, I hope you don't mind my asking, but I'm wondering what age group you fall into. I am selling my home and trying to decide between a few different states to move to. I am however, in my 50's and it can make a bit of a difference.

TIA

[shilo0854]

I'm glad to hear that since I'm planning on moving there. I also am curious about age frame cause I'm in my 50's.

[InLondon]

Originally Posted by Zoe51

After waffling for almost a year, I finally got it together and moved here about the first of May. I've lived all over the US and have gotten settled in and come to feel at home faster here than any of the cities I have ever lived in.
People are generally friendly and sincere all over the city. Its very easy to meet folks and start making friends here. If there is a resource I can't find, the reference librarians are very helpful. There is plenty to do here, lots of opportunities to volunteer and be involved in community activities.
This is looking to be one of the better moves I've made in my life. Great city!

Welcome, glad you like it!

[bluegrassgirl]

Zoe, I'm so happy to hear that things are going well for you! Your perspective will continue to be interesting - for those of us who have always been here and others that might want to come. We could have at least kept the temp down a bit for ya though!

[jcm1986]

Hope Lexington will continue to work out for you. It's just an okay city for me, I don't think people are very friendly compared to many other cities I've visited. I love the natural beauty around the city, though.

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by Zoe51

After waffling for almost a year, I finally got it together and moved here about the first of May. I've lived all over the US and have gotten settled in and come to feel at home faster here than any of the cities I have ever lived in.
People are generally friendly and sincere all over the city. Its very easy to meet folks and start making friends here. If there is a resource I can't find, the reference librarians are very helpful. There is plenty to do here, lots of opportunities to volunteer and be involved in community activities.
This is looking to be one of the better moves I've made in my life. Great city!

I am guessing you are a very friendly outgoing person yourself. Congratulations on your successful move!

[Zoe51]

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

Zoe, I hope you don't mind my asking, but I'm wondering what age group you fall into. I am selling my home and trying to decide between a few different states to move to. I am however, in my 50's and it can make a bit of a difference.

TIA

I'm in my mid fifties and am meeting folks my age, though most are somewhat younger. When I start getting more involved in volunteer and other community activities, it looks like there will be plenty of people in my age group too. I hope so, since I'm single!

[Zoe51]

Originally Posted by bluegrassgirl

Zoe, I'm so happy to hear that things are going well for you! Your perspective will continue to be interesting - for those of us who have always been here and others that might want to come. We could have at least kept the temp down a bit for ya though!

Hi Bluegrassgirl;
After two years in the high desert, this is quite a climate change but I'm adapting ok. What is so impressive is that people talk back when you strike up a conversation with them. Twice in restaurants, when I've spoken to another person they've come over and sat with me to tell me more about Lexington and themselves. My neighbors stop and say hello if we are outside at the same time. I have lived in cities where you could sit next to the same person every day on the bus or in a cafe and never be acknowledged with a hello, much less some real conversation.
The other thing that is so heartening is seeing so many signs that people care about the city and each other in general. Unlike other cities, the traffic lights give the walk signal just a second or two before the light changes for drivers. This gives pedestrians just enough time to start crossing where turning drivers will be more likely to see them. As with all cities now, the traffic is heavy, often bumper to bumper, but the engineering and traffic management really stands out in the way the traffic is managed so it flows as smoothly as possible. I have lived in St. Louis, Denver, Seattle, Norfolk, and Tucson, so do have some comparisons. Lexington does really well, especially with downtown traffic compared to other cities.
I was concerned to see the headlines about the greenhouse gas emissions here, and the high rate of cancer deaths in Kentucky. At the same time, the issues are out in the open, being dealt with, not being ignored.
There are plenty of resources here for seniors, for getting involved in the community and much less crime than I've experienced in other cities. While Lexington has its share of social problems, it doesn't feel as overwhelming or out of control as in some cities.