Louisville perception (Lexington, Owensboro, Bowling Green: appointed, crime rate, how much)

[melisann]

I am an "outsider". I live in Northern Kentucky and work across the river in downtown Cincinnati. I have lived in NKY/worked in Cincy for 10 years now. I grew up in Southeast Indiana on a family farm for the 23 years prior to that, on which my family still lives.

I had been to Louisville maybe 2 or 3 times in my life prior to meeting my boyfriend last summer. I met my boyfriend via an online match making service . He has lived in Louisville his entire life. We switch off weekends...one weekend he comes up here to the Cincy area and then the next weekend I go down to Louisville.

I know that everyone's experiences are different so I can only give my side and perception of your city. I like Louisville, but in my opinion it is VERY different than NKY or even Cincinnati. I know that a big part of that is that I am not very familiar with the area and don't know a lot of people, but I have found that the people (in general) do not seem as friendly or open as they do in the Cincinnati area. The people we hang out with in Louisville are nice of course, but I feel very out of place at times. It's funny that you all have mentioned the "where did you go to high school" line, because some of the people asked me that when we were introduced and then realized that, of course, I am not from the Louisville area so they just stopped that part of the conversation. It was almost comical because they didn't know what else to say to me. Then I have sat through the many times of hearing about the Cardinals and Papa John's stadium. But when I talked about our area's teams...the Reds, Bengals, UC Bearcats, Xavier Musketeers...I got more silence and they went back to talking about the Cardinals.

PLEASE don't get me wrong...they are nice, it's just that I got the feeling that they felt that they couldn't connect with me on their favorite things, so they didn't know what to do. I am a very open and chatty person, so everything was fine and we all still hang out. It's just that I still feel "lost" at times when chat always drifts back to certain things.

I do understand that this will happen anywhere and anytime you bring people with different backgrounds together. However, my boyfriend has admitted that he doesn't feel any of that up here. He has lived in Louisville all his life and has had to travel all over the Louisville area daily for his job, and he has said that he is so amazed and impressed with how much nicer people are up here vs. down in the Louisville area. We have also noticed that while comparing things to do and see in each of our cities, it always seems that there is more to do, see and eat in the Cincy area.

If our relationship progresses further, I may end up moving down there (as he has a child from a previous marriage). However, he always says that he would rather live up here because he just likes it so much better. We'll have to see what happens. However, I will say that I am slightly apprehensive about moving down to Louisville away from my family and friends because it seems like it will be a struggle to fit in there and make friends.

Like I said, I am making generalizations and this is only based upon my and my boyfriend's experiences. I just thought I would throw in my 2 cents.

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by melisann

I am an "outsider". I live in Northern Kentucky and work across the river in downtown Cincinnati. I have lived in NKY/worked in Cincy for 10 years now. I grew up in Southeast Indiana on a family farm for the 23 years prior to that, on which my family still lives.

I had been to Louisville maybe 2 or 3 times in my life prior to meeting my boyfriend last summer. I met my boyfriend via an online match making service . He has lived in Louisville his entire life. We switch off weekends...one weekend he comes up here to the Cincy area and then the next weekend I go down to Louisville.

I know that everyone's experiences are different so I can only give my side and perception of your city. I like Louisville, but in my opinion it is VERY different than NKY or even Cincinnati. I know that a big part of that is that I am not very familiar with the area and don't know a lot of people, but I have found that the people (in general) do not seem as friendly or open as they do in the Cincinnati area. The people we hang out with in Louisville are nice of course, but I feel very out of place at times. It's funny that you all have mentioned the "where did you go to high school" line, because some of the people asked me that when we were introduced and then realized that, of course, I am not from the Louisville area so they just stopped that part of the conversation. It was almost comical because they didn't know what else to say to me. Then I have sat through the many times of hearing about the Cardinals and Papa John's stadium. But when I talked about our area's teams...the Reds, Bengals, UC Bearcats, Xavier Musketeers...I got more silence and they went back to talking about the Cardinals.

PLEASE don't get me wrong...they are nice, it's just that I got the feeling that they felt that they couldn't connect with me on their favorite things, so they didn't know what to do. I am a very open and chatty person, so everything was fine and we all still hang out. It's just that I still feel "lost" at times when chat always drifts back to certain things.

I do understand that this will happen anywhere and anytime you bring people with different backgrounds together. However, my boyfriend has admitted that he doesn't feel any of that up here. He has lived in Louisville all his life and has had to travel all over the Louisville area daily for his job, and he has said that he is so amazed and impressed with how much nicer people are up here vs. down in the Louisville area. We have also noticed that while comparing things to do and see in each of our cities, it always seems that there is more to do, see and eat in the Cincy area.

If our relationship progresses further, I may end up moving down there (as he has a child from a previous marriage). However, he always says that he would rather live up here because he just likes it so much better. We'll have to see what happens. However, I will say that I am slightly apprehensive about moving down to Louisville away from my family and friends because it seems like it will be a struggle to fit in there and make friends.

Like I said, I am making generalizations and this is only based upon my and my boyfriend's experiences. I just thought I would throw in my 2 cents.

It makes a BIG difference what part of Louisville you are in. Where have you frequented?

[melisann]

My boyfriend lives in the PRP area. We have also frequented areas downtown, east (he goes to church in that area), and places like Okolona and the Highlands. We also have done things in Indiana (New Albany, etc).

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by melisann

My boyfriend lives in the PRP area. We have also frequented areas downtown, east (he goes to church in that area), and places like Okolona and the Highlands. We also have done things in Indiana (New Albany, etc).

I am sorry to hear that you had problems here. I am also suprised about the areas you were in were unfriendly.

[Shesflipped!]

Thank you to all who have responded to a concern I had after reading a post about Louisville being a hard place to fit in to. We've always lived in Michigan, so, I really don't know what to expect. All I know is usually if you are kind to people, you will be treated kind in return. Kentucky looks like such a beautiful state, and from what I've learned, a great place to raise a family. I am so eager to visit~hopefully in the coming weeks! I also know that everyones experience is unique. I'm sorry about melisann's experience. I hope things turn around for you soon. Thank you so much for your honesty.

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by melisann

I know that everyone's experiences are different so I can only give my side and perception of your city. I like Louisville, but in my opinion it is VERY different than NKY or even Cincinnati. I know that a big part of that is that I am not very familiar with the area and don't know a lot of people, but I have found that the people (in general) do not seem as friendly or open as they do in the Cincinnati area.

You know, I was in NKY yesterday. I dined out at a restaurant in Crestview Hills (Turkeyfoot/I-275,) met a friend I haven't seen in a long time, and had a great time. The service was outstanding, the waitress was very nice, the food was great, and the atmosphere was nice. Everybody was in there just being themselves and having a good ol' time!

I went down Mall Road to Starbucks. I carried on about five minutes of small talk with two baristas about the new Towne Center there, as well as about other random crap. That small talk seldom happens in central Kentucky.

I met up w/ another friend at another restaurant in Florence. That was the first that I had really ever spent time in Florence, but I wasn't that impressed w/ it. Yes, I know it's only one time in one restaurant in one town, but the service was mediocre and most in the crowd acted like they were happy to be there. But, it was very nice to see people out and about in NKY despite the horribly dreary weather.

Also, I talked to a particular employer about a particular job last week and the rep I talked to was, well, very rude and uninterested in anything I had to say. I went on and submitted a very nice resume and cover letter, anyway, but limited the conversation to 45 seconds b/c I was taken so aback. Of course, I've met folks like that anywhere who are bitter b/c they obviously cannot function in the real world, so they find a "safe haven" where they land the only job they're capable of performing.

So, NKY is still generally nice, as I remember it, but I suspect that Boone County is a very mixed bag.

Originally Posted by melisann

The people we hang out with in Louisville are nice of course, but I feel very out of place at times. It's funny that you all have mentioned the "where did you go to high school" line, because some of the people asked me that when we were introduced and then realized that, of course, I am not from the Louisville area so they just stopped that part of the conversation. It was almost comical because they didn't know what else to say to me. Then I have sat through the many times of hearing about the Cardinals and Papa John's stadium. But when I talked about our area's teams...the Reds, Bengals, UC Bearcats, Xavier Musketeers...I got more silence and they went back to talking about the Cardinals.

That's just Louisvillian lingo for trying to get to know somebody. I don't take it personal and actually view it as a L'ville trademark, part of their own little culture. But, if you're not from there, chances are you'll never be one of "them." I wasn't.

Originally Posted by melisann

PLEASE don't get me wrong...they are nice, it's just that I got the feeling that they felt that they couldn't connect with me on their favorite things, so they didn't know what to do. I am a very open and chatty person, so everything was fine and we all still hang out. It's just that I still feel "lost" at times when chat always drifts back to certain things.

I do understand that this will happen anywhere and anytime you bring people with different backgrounds together. However, my boyfriend has admitted that he doesn't feel any of that up here. He has lived in Louisville all his life and has had to travel all over the Louisville area daily for his job, and he has said that he is so amazed and impressed with how much nicer people are up here vs. down in the Louisville area. We have also noticed that while comparing things to do and see in each of our cities, it always seems that there is more to do, see and eat in the Cincy area.

If our relationship progresses further, I may end up moving down there (as he has a child from a previous marriage). However, he always says that he would rather live up here because he just likes it so much better. We'll have to see what happens. However, I will say that I am slightly apprehensive about moving down to Louisville away from my family and friends because it seems like it will be a struggle to fit in there and make friends.

Like I said, I am making generalizations and this is only based upon my and my boyfriend's experiences. I just thought I would throw in my 2 cents.

Hopefully you and your b/f can live in the place where both of you are most satisfied, be it L'ville or NKY.

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by melisann

I know that everyone's experiences are different so I can only give my side and perception of your city. I like Louisville, but in my opinion it is VERY different than NKY or even Cincinnati. I know that a big part of that is that I am not very familiar with the area and don't know a lot of people, but I have found that the people (in general) do not seem as friendly or open as they do in the Cincinnati area. The people we hang out with in Louisville are nice of course, but I feel very out of place at times. It's funny that you all have mentioned the "where did you go to high school" line, because some of the people asked me that when we were introduced and then realized that, of course, I am not from the Louisville area so they just stopped that part of the conversation. It was almost comical because they didn't know what else to say to me. Then I have sat through the many times of hearing about the Cardinals and Papa John's stadium. But when I talked about our area's teams...the Reds, Bengals, UC Bearcats, Xavier Musketeers...I got more silence and they went back to talking about the Cardinals.

PLEASE don't get me wrong...they are nice, it's just that I got the feeling that they felt that they couldn't connect with me on their favorite things, so they didn't know what to do. I am a very open and chatty person, so everything was fine and we all still hang out. It's just that I still feel "lost" at times when chat always drifts back to certain things.

...Like I said, I am making generalizations and this is only based upon my and my boyfriend's experiences. I just thought I would throw in my 2 cents.

I'm now in a position to make a "day-to-day comparison," if you will. Yesterday, I was in NKY. Today, I just got back from socializing with an old friend in Louisville.

In my above post, I stated my opinions on NKY from yesterday. While it, like any place, isn't perfect, I at least wanted to stay up there for a few more hours and just "hang out." But I had to come home. Anyway, I decided for the heck of it to take a spin down I-75 from Florence north, down the "Cut-in-the-Hill" into Covington. I had forgotten how panoramic and picturesque the skyline and its approach are. Wow! Louisville can't even begin to touch that, and they're about to crucify their skyline with that ugly monstrosity Museum Plaza.

It was great to see my buddy in Louisville and may even be going back up there real soon to visit him again. Yes, it was great to see some familiar sights such as the downtown skyline, UofL campus, etc. But, I decided to leave early b/c the scene I was at just wasn't "clicking" with me. I went to a party and, while I tried to carry on start-up conversations with new folks I haven't met, it just wasn't clicking. The new people I met were merely polite but clearly uninterested in anything I had to say, even if it was for just five or ten seconds...so I ceased talking.

I love small talk with strangers, and I had that more in NKY yesterday than in Louisville today.

I just have a question for you Louisvillians: You all are quite sure that your city is so friendly. Why is it that most (not all, mind you) "newbies" or visitors to Louisville don't exactly feel the same way?

[censusdata]

If Cincinnati is so great, why is Louisville growing much faster (despite the fact the Cinci falsely claims Warren Co all to its own)?

From 2005 to 2006, Louisville's metro added 13,764, while Cinci's only added 7,377. That's barely more than tiny Lexington which added 6,795.

Which Cinci's metro mergers with Dayton's, it will be one of the slowest growing in the entire US.


Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metropolitan area - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As for the skyline, Cincinnati has one of the plainest and ugliest skylines I've ever seen. Louisville's skyline is much more colorful and modern looking.

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by censusdata

If Cincinnati is so great, why is Louisville growing much faster (despite the fact the Cinci falsely claims Warren Co all to its own)?

From 2005 to 2006, Louisville's metro added 13,764, while Cinci's only added 7,377. That's barely more than tiny Lexington which added 6,795.

Which Cinci's metro mergers with Dayton's, it will be one of the slowest growing in the entire US.


Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metropolitan area - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As for the skyline, Cincinnati has one of the plainest and ugliest skylines I've ever seen. Louisville's skyline is much more colorful and modern looking.

Well, these are night views of the two skylines:

Cincinnati:

(Link: http://www.thefastflush.com/images/c...ne-gem-med.jpg)

Cincinnati has the Carew Tower, the tallest building in this picture. Built in 1932 with Art Deco design, its top deck provides glamorous views of the developed valley of Cincinnati and Covington. It is just a gorgeous building on the inside. Its skyline provides diversity in both grand architecture and modern "corporatism" design. Oh yeah, that Roebling bridge on the left? Opened in 1865, it was the first bridge across the Ohio River into Kentucky; its cobblestone and suspension design complements Cincy's skyline better than if that bridge were in, say, Cleveland, Nashville, or...Louisville. Oh, if you look at the view from Cut-in-the-Hill in NKY after dark, it is very colorful and gorgeous!

Louisville:

(Link: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/30/41...7fcbc058f6.jpg)

No complaints, mate, about Louisville's skyline. It's beautiful in its own right, just not as historic and full of character. It is still architecturally diverse. Oh, wait...the Galt House structures are eu-u-u-u-gly. Everything else is fine.

Now this is what Louisville's skyline is supposed to look like after the completion of the new arena and Museum Plaza:

(Link: http://www.e-architect.co.uk/america...scom261007.jpg)


MAKES ME WANT TO PUKE! I can't believe there is so much support in Louisville behind this Museum Plaza. I guess I understand supporting the concept of it and continuing to revitalize downtown, but come on, it will look like an atrocious, "postmodern-in-a-past-era" ugly building in...2010, when it opens. It's about the ugliest thing I've seen since the MetLife building and Citibank tower in New York. Yuck!

Cincinnati's "The Banks":

(Link: http://www.cincinnatiport.org/bnks_2.jpg)

I'm sorry I could not find a better and virtual depiction of how The Banks will contribute to the Cincinnati skyline when it opens in 2010. However, while it will not add a massive "awe" factor to the skyline, it is essentially going south of Fort Washington Way and between Paul Brown Stadium and Great American Ballpark and building a brand new neighborhood in a former brownfield/parking lot conglomerate. This will add modern buildings with classic architecture to the forefront of Cincy's skyline, thereby making the view even more diverse from the Kentucky side.

Now, as for the metropolitan areas' growth, hmmmm...I didn't know Louisville was actually growing faster. I don't know if it's Humana, UPS, Citibank, or what. But, I guess the numbers are pretty accurate estimates. The urban service area, west of 7th St., is still pretty crime-ridden and losing population. The vast majority of the growth in Louisville proper (now all of Jefferson County) can be found in the eastern and southeastern suburbs and very concentrated downtown area. If the urban service area were still just the pre-merger City of Louisville, I'd be willing to wager that the population was down from 248,000 or so in 2000 to 235,000 or so today. Or, in other words...an inner-city population decline about as steep proportionally as Cincinnati's.

Cincinnati metro's growth is predominantly happening in Boone County, so you have that one county up there that's booming more than any other in Kentucky. Citibank has a huge calling center in Florence. CVG airport is one of the largest in the world in terms of passenger and cargo traffic and a huge industrial park has sprung up along KY 236 straddling the airport. Ashland Oil and (maybe) Vencor are based in Covington, Kenton Co. Newport in Campbell Co. is making a resurgence; the entire town has essentially cleaned up, revitalized itself, capitalized on its assets, and is building a large lifestyle center in a formerly dilapidated neighborhood. Cincy itself may be really struggling, but NKY is picking up the slack and then some.

Oh, and lastly:


(Credit: http://www.cincinnatiusa.com/Attract...tonSkyline.jpg)

The skyline of Covington, Kentucky. This includes a hotel, convention center, corporate headquarters, additional office space, and living quarters. All is adjacent to the Roebling Bridge and singles-friendly Mainstrasse. There's another 25-story-or-so office/condo complex going up near this cluster. I don't think you'll hear about any such project in Clarksville or Jeffersonville, IN anytime soon.

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by Shesflipped!

Thank you to all who have responded to a concern I had after reading a post about Louisville being a hard place to fit in to. We've always lived in Michigan, so, I really don't know what to expect. All I know is usually if you are kind to people, you will be treated kind in return. Kentucky looks like such a beautiful state, and from what I've learned, a great place to raise a family. I am so eager to visit~hopefully in the coming weeks! I also know that everyones experience is unique. I'm sorry about melisann's experience. I hope things turn around for you soon. Thank you so much for your honesty.

Hey, look, as much as my perception has been tainted about Louisville, I'll be happy to point you to some positive qualities and attractions of the city.

I'd probably never live there again, but I can't say that the place sucks or is terrible. It's quite nice, actually. It just wasn't my "cup of tea."