Greater Lexington - places to live (Frankfort, Georgetown: property taxes, housing, condo)

[whoabuck]

Howdy, y'all

We're contemplating a move from College Station, TX to the Lexington area for a variety of personal and professional reasons. While I'm planning a trip to scope out the territory, I figured I'd get some feedback from those in the know first...

My perfect place would have about 8 - 15 acres, part wooded, part pasture, with places to trail ride and hike within riding distance from our property. My job would be in Lexington, on the northern outskirts and I'd prefer not to have a hellacious commute (keep it under 30 minutes).

I also have a young son who will start kindergarten in the fall of 2008. I would consider public or private school for him.

I ALSO have a moderately active but aging mom who will be moving up there with us, not necessarily in the same house (but maybe...if they put me AND her on horse tranquilizers), but relatively nearby in a place where she can easily access basic services and find something to do.

I know, it's A LOT of stuff to consider - and that's why I'm here!

HELP!!!

(Thanks.)

[lovintexas]

Well, for such a small area as Greater Lexington, there are a lot of communities to consider. I'll keep it to within 20 minutes of I-75 rather than 30 minutes, since gas prices are also about to become hellacious. (I use I-75 as the measure of standard because that is the main thoroughfare that divides the Lexington metro into relatively geographic halves. Also, the area considered "north Lexington" is mostly tilted in a northeasterly direction.)

First off, if you are going to put your child through school in Lexington or the surrounding communities--DON'T put them through public school. Unless, you were to consider Anne Mason Elementary in Scott County or Huntertown Elementary in Woodford County.

But, let's talk about rush hour. During rush hour, it takes 20 minutes to even get to New Circle Road from eastern Woodford Co. (where Huntertown is.) That, coupled with the fact that Versailles is vehemently anti-growth and you have to do nearly all of your shopping in ANOTHER town anyway, I think Anne Mason in Scott Co. is your best choice. Southwest and central Scott County are become suburbia, but in most places in Scott Co. you can still find nice tracts (5-10 acres) of rural land with 2000-2500 sq. ft. homes for under $300,000.

If you do enroll your child in a Lexington school, make it a private school. Some of the better elementary private schools in the city include Assembly Christian, Bluegrass Baptist, Christ the King, Lexington Christian Academy, The Lexington School, and Sayre.

There are other areas within twenty minutes of north Lexington (I-75): Winchester/Clark County, Paris/Bourbon County, and far east Frankfort/Franklin County. I wouldn't recommend any of these areas, though, because you won't be as close to your job--actually, it might take more like 25-35 minutes during rush hour. And, the school systems in these cities and counties suck, frankly. If I had a child, I wouldn't trust him/her to ANY of them.

So, in a nutshell, consider:
1. Scott County (south of US 460 and within a five mile radius of I-75,)
2. New developments in southeast Lexington/Fayette County around Man O' War Blvd. at I-75 (exit 108) and Sir Barton Way (which runs parallel to I-75 between exits 108 and 110).

These are your best bets when it comes to nice, clean, safe neighborhoods with low crime, affordable housing, and access to nice schools.

Good luck! By the way, I really want to move to Texas. In fact, I don't see why anybody would WANT to move to Kentucky, but to each their own. I do like to help in facilitating the process by using this forum. Maybe you can help me with Texas.

[nlschr0]

Originally Posted by whoabuck

Howdy, y'all

We're contemplating a move from College Station, TX to the Lexington area for a variety of personal and professional reasons. While I'm planning a trip to scope out the territory, I figured I'd get some feedback from those in the know first...

My perfect place would have about 8 - 15 acres, part wooded, part pasture, with places to trail ride and hike within riding distance from our property. My job would be in Lexington, on the northern outskirts and I'd prefer not to have a hellacious commute (keep it under 30 minutes).

I also have a young son who will start kindergarten in the fall of 2008. I would consider public or private school for him.

I ALSO have a moderately active but aging mom who will be moving up there with us, not necessarily in the same house (but maybe...if they put me AND her on horse tranquilizers), but relatively nearby in a place where she can easily access basic services and find something to do.

I know, it's A LOT of stuff to consider - and that's why I'm here!

HELP!!!

(Thanks.)

One area you might consider is Scott County. Outside of the Georgetown area, there are quite a few large tracts of land with affordable prices, and many are the pasture/wooded blend that you're seeking. The terrain does have a lot of small hills, especially in the northern part of the county. The schools are decent, especially Anne Mason Elementary in Georgetown (which ranks in the top of the state). It is an easy commute to northern Lexington via I-75. The town of Georgetown is decent, there is a hospital, Wal-mart, Lowe's, Senior Center, historic downtown area with antique shops and cafes, several apartment complexes and some parks. Lexington is an easy drive, especially the northern suburbs and Hamburg retail area.

Bourbon County, outside of Paris, also offers some nice land. The town of Paris is smaller than Georgetown, and it is farther from the interstate, but the commute isn't bad via highways.

Woodford County is also nice, but I don't think that acreage is as available now, especially closer to Lexington, without paying a higher premium.

Perhaps you might also the Winchester area, although I am not very familiar with it. I would avoid the areas south of Lexington simply for the commuting aspect to the north side of town.

If you are willing to go farther out from Lexington, land will become more available and more affordable.

[desiree253]

Nice post Nlschr0..

The only thing I wonder regarding the Paris area is the commute.. IF they have widened the road from Paris to Lexington, then that is where I might concentrate looking too... but IF they haven't widened the highway, it might still be dangerous.

I remember when living in Lexington just a few years back, there were a LOT of head on collisions on that stretch of highway between Paris and Lex. due to narrow roads and commuters driving like bats outta hell trying to get to work on time... Just a thought.. maybe someone in that area knows if the widening ever got initiated/finished? I think the haggling point of the widening was it would destroy the slave-made rock wall bordering the highway, if I'm not mistaken....

[gimme it]

LovinTexas,
I'm confused. I was told that Cassidy, Glendover, Veteran's Park and Rosa Parks were great elementary schools. I was told that Beaumont and Morton were good for middle school , and I was told that Henry Clay and Dunbar were good for HS. Is this information incorrect? Do you have children in the school system? Thanks.

[whoabuck]

I did have my eye on the Georgetown area, so it's good to hear that it may suit our needs.

Thanks for the information so far...

[whoabuck]

Originally Posted by lovintexas

By the way, I really want to move to Texas. In fact, I don't see why anybody would WANT to move to Kentucky, but to each their own. I do like to help in facilitating the process by using this forum. Maybe you can help me with Texas.

Why consider leaving Texas? There are some beautiful places in Texas, and the people are generally wonderful. I love Austin, Houston, Ft Worth (could live without Dallas), and the Hill Country. Some people actually love College Station (where I have lived for the last 16 years)...though most of them are Aggies, so their opinion is suspect. Part of my frustration is based on corrupt city and state governments (particularly the city), which is basically run by developers. Texas ranks 49th out of 50 states in the percent of public land, and what little public land there is, is grossly underfunded. State parks are closing campgrounds, and facilities are not maintained. There is absolutely no initiative to acquire more open space for public use, and in fact some areas of state parks have been put up for sale to private developers. You can't ride a bike on the road without risking life and limb - small county roads often have 70 mph speed limits and no shoulder. The schools are funded largely by property taxes, which have a state mandated maximum, therefore the schools are underfunded and quality is highly dependent on the value of the surrounding neighborhood, which is fine if you're rich... Social services in Texas are abysmal - by god, don't be poor in Texas, or you're done for.... Politics are entertaining - I voted for Kinky Friedman for governor. Alas, he didn't win...or else I might stay.

[Toria]

Originally Posted by desiree253

Nice post Nlschr0..

The only thing I wonder regarding the Paris area is the commute.. IF they have widened the road from Paris to Lexington, then that is where I might concentrate looking too... but IF they haven't widened the highway, it might still be dangerous.

I remember when living in Lexington just a few years back, there were a LOT of head on collisions on that stretch of highway between Paris and Lex. due to narrow roads and commuters driving like bats outta hell trying to get to work on time... Just a thought.. maybe someone in that area knows if the widening ever got initiated/finished? I think the haggling point of the widening was it would destroy the slave-made rock wall bordering the highway, if I'm not mistaken....

How long have you been away? It was widened to a gorgeous four lane road about four or five years ago.... The road project has won national awards for it's scenic beauty, in fact. The beautiful stone walls were meticulously taken apart and rebuilt, and entrances to the famous horse farms were rebuilt as well. You can now zip into Lexington from Paris in about 15 minutes.
The next phase (which has been funded and should be implemented within five years) is to do the same kind of widening (4 lanes) from Paris all the way up to Carlisle, including a new bypass around Millersburg. Not only will it make Rt. 68 much safer, but will cut commuting time from Nicholas County to Lexington down to about 30-40 minutes, so that area may see some growth as well.

[desiree253]

Originally Posted by Toria

How long have you been away? It was widened to a gorgeous four lane road about four or five years ago.... The road project has won national awards for it's scenic beauty, in fact. The beautiful stone walls were meticulously taken apart and rebuilt, and entrances to the famous horse farms were rebuilt as well. You can now zip into Lexington from Paris in about 15 minutes.
The next phase (which has been funded and should be implemented within five years) is to do the same kind of widening (4 lanes) from Paris all the way up to Carlisle, including a new bypass around Millersburg. Not only will it make Rt. 68 much safer, but will cut commuting time from Nicholas County to Lexington down to about 30-40 minutes, so that area may see some growth as well.

I am so glad to hear about the expansion of 68 to Paris. I actually moved out of Lexington in 2001, so I was on my out apparently, as the widening was starting to take place it seems. What a great thing to get to Paris that quickly now! Thanks for the info!

[lovintexas]

Originally Posted by gimme it

LovinTexas,
I'm confused. I was told that Cassidy, Glendover, Veteran's Park and Rosa Parks were great elementary schools. I was told that Beaumont and Morton were good for middle school , and I was told that Henry Clay and Dunbar were good for HS. Is this information incorrect? Do you have children in the school system? Thanks.

Honestly, I do NOT have kids in the school system. However, I have seen the products that have come out of today's public schools. Many of them are nice kids, but also can't do basic math in their heads (even 10x10, 8x8, 8x7, even 6/3, etc.) Hardly anybody in my generation knows who the Vice-President even is (Dick Cheney,) much less the Secretary of State (Condoleeza Rice,) the Mayors of their own cities (in the case of Lexington, Jim Newberry, and I don't even live there,) or the Governors of their states (in the case of Kentucky, it's Ernie Fletcher.) Heck, I'm a product of public schools, and I'm dissatisfied with the education I was given.

I've basically had to learn these things myself, because the public school system I attended was more interested in stressing the importance of condom use in eighth grade rather than preparing students for the next stage of life. High school for me was a breeze (and a joke,) but I was very poorly prepared for college. I'm now making it in college (UofL,) but it was an uphill struggle for the first three semesters.

I've noticed in my university classes that the students who receive the best grades on exams and papers, participate the most in class, and show up to class the most are private school products. Consequently, they carry the best grade point averages.

My brother and I are both products of Kentucky's public schools, and they failed us. Both of my parents have worked in the schools; one of them is now convinced that they're a miserable failure, also. Of course, I guess public SKREWLS (as Rush Limbaugh calls them,) or government schools (as Neal Boortz calls them,) are dismal nationwide.