Richmond or lexington? (Jackson: real estate, apartment, crime)

[lokicoyote1]

Hi folks ... I'm moving to Kentucky for a job in Richmond. I can get a place walking distance to work in Richmond, in a nice older home (I like old houses) off of Main Street. Or I can commute from Lexington, where I gather houses are more money but there are more cultural and leisure opportunities.

How is Richmond as a place to live? It seems like a small town. Are the neighborhoods near the campus bad from a crime or noise perspective? Is there anything to do? I don't mind commuting to social activities in Lexington, but is it stifling? Are the people friendly? I've never lived in the South (I won't get into the debate of whether Kentucky is South, let's just say its "souther" than anyplace I've lived).

Thanks!

[Wing Feathers]

Richmond. Yes it is small, but you will enjoy the lack of commute (which can be an hour from Lexington)... especially in the winter when the interstate is iced up & people slide into you. Drive into Lexington as needed.

[lexingtony]

I agree. As much as I love Lexington, if you have an opportunity to be walking distance to work and in an older house, which is your preference, then there's really no reason to move to Lexington -- especially considering that Richmond is only about a 20 minute drive to Lex (when weather isn't an issue).

[Packersnut21]

I lived in Richmond and now live in Hamburg in Lexington, that said I wish I was still in Richmond. It's small enough but has shopping and stores that make it nice. Plus if you ever wanted you could just shoot up 75 and go shopping at Hamburg. There is a nice park, and I would say alot to do in Richmond.

[Wing Feathers]

Sorry, yes the Hamburg area is only a 30 minute drive. The 1 hour time I mentioned is to get to downtown or the West side.

[copy queen]

Hi all,
Im looking to relocate to the Richmond or South Lexington area...currently living in Jackson, Tn. Wanting to move closer to family. Whats the economy look like there? I currently work at a print shop, over the copy department, customer service type thing. What areas are the safest to live in, apartment wise?

[LEXpert]

Here is the way I look at it. You will be needing to go to and from work 5 days a week and you probably won't be coming to Lex as much for activites. May as well be close to work! Plus, it is always more fun to be driving to do something fun than it would be to be stuck in traffic to or from work.

Richmond is a pleasant little town. Because of the interstate and EKU, it seems to have plenty of restaurants, etc. I think of almost like a little Lexington.

[Totohydra]

Richmond wants desperately to be like Lexington though anyone you ask would deny it. The latest case in point is a the new shopping center at the southern exit which is commonly referred to as "Hamburg South", Hamburg's mini-me. This closed down the mall and popular local eateries such as Banana's with the usual Logan's/Olive Garden drivel all of which are already in, surprise, Lexington. Real estate prices really aren't any better and you'll lose 1-2 hours of your life each time you make a round trip to Lexington. Richmond just had a student stabbing (in the face at that, ouch!) so it's tough to say the schools are less susceptible to violence.

[InLondon]

Originally Posted by Totohydra

Richmond wants desperately to be like Lexington though anyone you ask would deny it. The latest case in point is a the new shopping center at the southern exit which is commonly referred to as "Hamburg South", Hamburg's mini-me. This closed down the mall and popular local eateries such as Banana's with the usual Logan's/Olive Garden drivel all of which are already in, surprise, Lexington. Real estate prices really aren't any better and you'll lose 1-2 hours of your life each time you make a round trip to Lexington. Richmond just had a student stabbing (in the face at that, ouch!) so it's tough to say the schools are less susceptible to violence.

I like the Hamburg wannabe shopping center (Richmond Centre). Good location, good layout, good variety of restaurants and stores. So that's my opinion.

[EclecticEars]

Neither city is nothing special, but if I had (and I mean HAD, b/c it would take an act of the Supreme Court or God) to move back to Central Kentucky, it would be Lexington (or perhaps Frankfort, but that's not related to this thread.) Lexington, albeit a small city, is the arts, cultural and educational hub of Central KY and has some really good institutions with UK and Transylvania, as well as nearby Asbury and Berea Colleges. It has a large, comprehensive community college, the best shopping options in the entire state and some of the most beautiful and best manicured farming country around.

Lexington itself is mostly a big sprawling suburb of itself that has the attitude of a big city (b/c it is a regional hub for about 60-65 Kentucky counties) but mentality of a small town. That might explain why I've driven more easily in rush hour in Atlanta or even L.A. than in Lexington--or maybe it was just b/c Lexington's rush hour conditioned me well for those cities; Lexington's transportation infrastructure is designed for 150,000 people, not 350,000.

I don't miss Central KY one bit and only return to visit family, but the vast majority of people I know there love their home community/region and intend to stay. Their choice. And I must say that Lexington is far better than Richmond, which is frankly a perennial, worthless dump.