Possiblity of a Move to Lexington...need more info Please! (Richmond: appointed, for sale)

[mrspink]

My husband and I are looking to move from Ohio. One of our options is Maine and we are starting to look into Kentucky. We realize they are completely different in a lot of ways, but we are looking into all our options.

My husband has his degree in Early Child. Ed while I am persuing mine (my last year!) in Mid. Child. Ed. However, I am willing to work in a different area outside my major as long as the pay is good. How are job opportunities in the Lexington area? Will you get a good job with a BA? I was thinking something in high end retail...clothing or jewelry (not a dept. store). What are some higher end shops around the city? (if any) What do jobs look like in Early Child. Ed?

Cost of living...we aren't sure about renting or buying. If we rent we would probably not want to spend more than $1000...but if we are willing to pay that much it might be worth purchasing a home. What kind of home can you get outside the city for $75-$115,000? How much land (obviously not a lot) will you get for that? I know we can't afford it now, but eventually I would like a VERY small farm with a pasture big enough for one horse. (just so we have some goal clarity here of what we want in a couple years) What kind of money are we talking about with that?

Lastly we are young...early-mid 20s. What is life in the city like? Are there good restaurants, good shopping, any theater, concerts etc.? We like to stay busy and do things, when we can afford it, but also like the country-style setting (hence the wanting a small farm and horse). Maine and Kentucky both offer those, but in different ways.

Thank you in advance for the replies. We certainly appreciate it!

[timelesschild]

Last things first: Lexington has a good arts scene, good restaurants, and very decent shopping. Plenty of small boutiques, high-end retail. It is not a large city, but it's very well-appointed and has everything you are wanting.

I am not sure whether you would make more in high-end retail as opposed to teaching. Those are out of my field of exptertise.

I'll also leave the housing/farm question to one of the realtors on the board. I will say, though, I have seen very decent housing in the $80-$110k range, especially for young couples. A small 5- or 10-acre farm is very attainable if you save for it.

[mrspink]

Thank you for your reply. I will have to do some more research about the reality. In what locations of Lexington can you find small farms for around that price?

[nlschr0]

I think that finding 5-10 acres within that price range would require you to look at some of the outside towns and more rural areas, like Lawrenceburg, Cynthiana, etc.

You could probably find the acreage there with a residence on it, but most likely to get the higher acreage, you would be looking at lots with mobile homes or older farmhouses.

I know that a lot of undeveloped acreage in the Scott and Woodford counties seemed to be priced around $10,000 an acre when we looked recently, but then of course you have to add the cost of a residence plus adding utilities, etc.

[mrspink]

Ok. About how far out is Lawrenceburg? Living in outside towns doesn't bother us, as long as there is an easy commute to the city. Thanks for all the help so far!

[LEXpert]

In Lexington, $80-115,000 will get you an older house in a fair neighborhood or a decent starter home. The most popular price range is $120-160,000. You can rent more house than you can buy for $1000/month. I have a house that is worth roughly $165,000 (2200 square feet, nice area) and I get $1200/month for it. Check out our local MLS (The Lexington Bluegrass Multiple Listing Service) to see what is available in that price range. craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums seems to have a decent amount of rentals.

To get land in that price range, you will have to go way outside Lexington. Berea, in southern Madison County, is a neat little town with some cheap land. It is 45 interstate minutes away from Lexington, but only 15 minutes to Richmond. Richmond MAY have some retail jobs, but not as much as Lexington would. I sold a great 5 acre tract with utilities at the road in Berea for $35,000 a couple years back. Another option is Mount Sterling. It is 45 minutes from Lexington on I-64. Another neat little town.

IF you do buy land, find a local realtor that seems to know what they are doing. Ask them what an acre is going for. If they don't ask you to qualify that question with things like whether utilities are available, has a perk test been done, is the land pasture or wooded, then chances are they haven't done a land deal before. Residential real estate is what I really know about, so I wouldn't be the best in a land deal. If you look in either of the places I mentioned, I can put you in contact with agents that can help! Good Luck!

[timelesschild]

Berea would be a better idea than Lawrenceburg.

[LEXpert]

You ought to get on mapquest or some other map site and run a 30-40 mile radius around Lexington. I would think one of the towns off I-64, I-75, Bluegrass Parkway (I think it is also called The Martha Lane Collins Bluegrass Parkway) or Mountain Parkway (AKA Bert T. Combs Parkway) would serve your purpose too.

My money would be on Berea. It is a cool little town! BTW, we pronounce it Bur-long E-Long A around here!