Considering KY from NJ (Lexington) (Louisville, Winchester: house, income, lease)

[Kichenwich]

Originally Posted by KentuckyBlue10

I don't live in Lexington, but live close to it.

Lexington is a beautiful city and a decent amount of things to do. It has a great hospital (UK) and a great college too.

I actually prefer Frankfort. It's the Capitol, yet still quiet and nice. It's not a sleepy, depressed place. There are things to do, a Starbucks, and lots of friendly people.

I took my last trip to Louisville in 2004 and enjoyed it. The economy there is tremendous. I also like the downtown part.

I think Lexington is a good place to go to!

I agree! If I weren't such a small-town girl, Lex would definitely be on the top of my list. Just remember that there are plenty of smaller towns convenient to Lexington or Louisville, if you don't want to live in the midst of it all. What I like about my area is that I can jump on I-75, and be in Lex in a very short time (it's only 24 miles from here). Happy home hunting!

[Angry Aspie]

If you think people in Lexington are friendly, the people in NJ must be psychopaths. Lexington is the most snobby, rude, and materialistic place I have ever been or lived. People there think the meaning of life is buying another Mercedes and getting a 12 bed room house.

The traffic is terrible (since the red lights last 5 minutes even if nothing is coming) and their is nothing to do unless you enjoy Wal Mart and McDonalds. You had better be in the 'in' crowd if you want to fit in. Contrary to popular belief, the economy isn't that good either, as Fayette County's average income has declined since 2000 while Louisville's has increased. Lexington's park system is a joke, I think there are two miles of walking trails in the whole county.

SOURCE: Lived in Lexington from ages 11-18

[Kichenwich]

Originally Posted by Angry Aspie

If you think people in Lexington are friendly, the people in NJ must be psychopaths. Lexington is the most snobby, rude, and materialistic place I have ever been or lived. People there think the meaning of life is buying another Mercedes and getting a 12 bed room house.

The traffic is terrible (since the red lights last 5 minutes even if nothing is coming) and their is nothing to do unless you enjoy Wal Mart and McDonalds. You had better be in the 'in' crowd if you want to fit in. Contrary to popular belief, the economy isn't that good either, as Fayette County's average income has declined since 2000 while Louisville's has increased. Lexington's park system is a joke, I think there are two miles of walking trails in the whole county.

SOURCE: Lived in Lexington from ages 11-18

Then apparently you've been gone awhile! There are art museums, a wonderful children's museum, concerts, gallerias, and I could go on and on! Rupp Arena holds the BEST concerts and sporting events, the antiques show and sell is held from April thru October in the Angliana tobacco warehouses, and the shopping is AMAZING! There is some of the best restaurants and fine dining around (I personally like De Sha's). Plus, the "run of the mill" shopping, including Wal Mart, Target, Meyers, and many many more. I am sure that the town is what you make of it, just like anywhere else. If you set in your home and do nothing, that is exactly what you will find. When we go to Lex, we make a full day of it, and believe me, there's plenty to do. We are even hoping this fall to do a tour of all the 1800's era churches! Please don't let one person's negative opinion sway you. PM Lexingtongal, she can point out lots of things I've missed. Plus, do a search on "Lexington activities". This town even sponsers Friday Nights at the Park, where they set up a movie screen in the park, and show FREE MOVIES! All you bring is your blanket or chair. Does that sound like a boring town? ~joanna~

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by Kichenwich

Boy, from the sound of it, you have something against MOST of KY! I am not from Lexington, but have found that in my "neck of the woods" people are quite open minded, honest, helpful, and friendly. And, as towns go, Richmond is growing rapidly, has low traffic, low crime, and you still have people offer to help if you are broke down or need help! If I broke down in parts of Lex, I'd roll the windows up and lock the doors.

Please don't judge EVERYONE by a few people. I gaurentee that there are small-minded, bad driving, rude people in Lexington, Louisville and all the towns you have mentioned. In fact, I have met several up there.

Come on down to KY, visit all the areas before you make a choice. I promise you we are NOT the red-neck, small minded, mean people we have been made out to be.

No, I understand, I didn't mean to offend anyone. I've been to many lovely, small towns in the whole state of KY! There are good people everywhere. Just a few "bad apples" can taint a place's image, sadly. Just as NYC gets a bad rap (and wrong) for being rude, it's actually exactly the opposite. So I do understand what you are saying. You can't make sweeping generalizations about areas. KY is a beautiful place!

[Angry Aspie]

I moved away 5 years ago, but visit family there once a week... and it still takes 15 minutes to drive 1 mile in rush hour

[lovintexas]

Consider Louisville:
-The Highlands, Crescent Hill, and Clifton are all quirky neighborhoods (with smaller neighborhoods within) that have great dining (ethnic and speciality,) nightlife, and are just clean, beautiful, and well-kept. Especially in the Highlands, there is a lot of live music, weird music stores, and just quirky people to be had that really contribute (in a positive way) to the atmosphere.
-Old Louisville is the largest remaining victorian-era neighborhood in America; it was Louisville's first "suburb."
-The University of Louisville is a school on the rise. Although Kentucky schools are pretty expensive for out-of-state tuition, its schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Business, and Engineering are respected worldwide. Senator (and Senate Minority Leader) Mitch McConnell graduated from UofL (I think only with his B.A., though.) The President and CEO of Home Depot, as well as the Chief Information Officer for Microsoft both graduated from UofL. The UofL College of Business ranks in the top 125 nationwide, and it's entrepreneurship program has ranked as high as 15th in the nation (ahead of Harvard, North Carolina, and Texas.)
-Downtown is coming right along. The new 61-story Museum Plaza is about to be built in west downtown. New condominiums and hotels are being built all the time, and at very little expense of the rich history and gorgeous architecture that greets visitors and residents alike. Waterfront Park (along the Ohio River from the Belvedere and along River Road) is currently being expanded about 3/4-1 mile east of its current ending point. A new Kennedy Bridge is about to be built to accomodate 12 lanes of traffic across the Ohio River from Indiana. Did I mention the new basketball arena where the Louisville Cardinals will begin playing ball in 2010? Also, the possibility of widening I-64 to 14-lanes and relocating (and modernizing) Spaghetti Junction. The University of Louisville College of Medicine is in the process of completely modernizing their campus by 2020. What will ALL this cost by 2020? When you factor in inflation, probably $15 billion. Many of these projects are and will continue to be privately subsidized, so you won't be jumping out of your wits worrying about overwhelming taxes!

As you can see, Louisville is in the upward move. For a medium-sized midwestern city, many of its residents are friendly and easy-going. The east end (north of Taylorsville Road and east of the Watterson X'way) has some more pretentious communities and some of your snooty "yuppy" times that, God forbid, should NEVER have their hands on $80,000 Lexus and $400,000 house. (I like most rich people, don't get me wrong, but a FEW of them tend to let it get to their heads; also, some middle-class dwellers think they're "rich" and possess a "rich" attitude.)

[Angry Aspie]

The plan to widen I-64 to 14 lanes downtown was scrapped, instead the 3rd Street exit will be removed and a downtown access exit added at Frankfort Ave, with the same amount of lanes currently present over Waterfront Park

[lovintexas]

Originally Posted by Angry Aspie

The plan to widen I-64 to 14 lanes downtown was scrapped, instead the 3rd Street exit will be removed and a downtown access exit added at Frankfort Ave, with the same amount of lanes currently present over Waterfront Park

That might be a better plan, anyway.

Although, I would not be opposed to an I-64 widening project to 6-8 lanes from Spaghetti Junction to the Watterson (reconstructing the Cochran Hill tunnels would be messy,) and 8-10 lane I-64 from Watterson to the Snyder. Heck, even east of that, have you driven out to Shelby County lately? It could use six-laning from the Snyder all the way to the first Frankfort exit.

I don't know a lot about the 86-64 deal, except that it would completely remove I-64 from downtown and most of Portland (and, if I'm not mistaken, from downtown east to the Watterson.) I know it would add a lot more traffic congestion on I-264 and I-65 as people try to get around and to downtown, respectively. Just because of that, I don't like it.

But, I digress. I don't want this whole forum to become an 86-64 discussion.

[tgodon]

I am considering getting out of NJ as well, Taxes, Corruption, crowds. Looking into Louisville & Lexington. I am in the IT field and was wondering what the IT market was like in KY? Network Engineer, & IT Management specifically.

Thanks..Tom

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by tgodon

I am considering getting out of NJ as well, Taxes, Corruption, crowds. Looking into Louisville & Lexington. I am in the IT field and was wondering what the IT market was like in KY? Network Engineer, & IT Management specifically.

Thanks..Tom

I don't think KY has as many tech jobs as the NE, but if you are well qualified I bet you can find something. I wish you luck. Louisville is a larger city, and Lexington is a great town too.