Louisville perception (Lexington, Bowling Green, Covington: 2009, hotels, closing)

[philruss]

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.

On quoting Melisann my girlfriend, I do agree that it does depend on the general area that you do live in Louisville on how friendly people are. In general if you are not from the ville like I am and if you are not familiar with UofL Basketball, Football or even UofK basketball which is more popular than the football team it is hard for them to carry on a conversation with someone from Louisville. I am not bashing Louisville people but sometimes we including myself are so one-sided when it comes to conversations.

I guess the reason that I like the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area is because the people just seem so friendly and down to earth, especially when I visit where she grew up in Rural Indiana west of Cincinnati and when we do go there everyone waves at you, and people will talk to you, kind of like visiting Cheers bar. And I guess as for things to do, Louisville does have some nice local chains of restaurants like Mike Linnings, KT's, O'bryans tavern, and I am sure there are several others. But as for the amount of things to do in the Greater Cincinnati compared to the Louisville Metro, I am sorry but I believe they win in that aspect, and it maybe because I have lived in Louisville all my life and I just like the new atmosphere of something different, but when I am up with just me, or my daughter and I, we both seem to like the atmosphere, the amount of stuff to do, and the overall attitude of the people that we have encountered.

And as for the population that someone mentioned, you have to take into the account the Greater Cincinnati area which includes Kentucky and Indiana some parts, there is over 2 million and over 1 million in the Greater Louisville area compared to the lastest census bureau. But please don't take this the wrong way, I do like living in Louisville and I am okay with living there, but I have/am considering moving up to here because of the overall feel, things to do, and I really don't feel like I am isolated because of where I am from or what team I pull for, I see Louisville sweatshirts/shirts, Kentucky sweatshirts/shirts, and other teams and they just accept them all, and after all the Louisville Bats are the franchise team of the Cincinnati Reds and each city, Greater Louisville and Greater Cincinnati both have their plus and minuses. I like both cities for different reasons and like both.

[EclecticEars]

http://www.city-data.com/forum/2911853-post10.html (the link)

I posted this in a thread I started in the Texas forum about two months ago. It pretty much sums up my Louisville college experience, in general.

"...I'm glad you should bring the "sour aura" point up. I learned this the hard way just in the 9 months I lived in Louisville, plus the 2.5 years I commuted to Louisville for college from my parents' house one hour outside of the city.

When I moved to Louisville, I moved there neither excited nor dreadful, to be honest. I went for the experience. What I found was three different churches; I found one I liked, but have since moved from Louisville and haven't been able to attend it. In the other two I found plenty of nasty, vile, snippy people who have little friendliess or courtesy for others. And many that were friendly were a very fake friendly. Examples include one college girl at church who I had never met just slammed a doughnut in my hand one day and told me to "hold it for her." No please, thank you, smile, anything. I was shocked, speechless, and later p*ssed. That was the last time I returned to that church (initials CCBC) after visiting plenty of times.

Before that, another example is the time I went on a trip to the Smokies with CCBC in their college group, and we were tubing in a river. Following the natural course of the water, I just drifted in to part of the group. No big deal, right? This one girl completely kicks my tube as hard as she could so as to not be in "her" little circle of 10 people or so. W-T-F? I never snubbed her. I was always polite, smiling, and pleasant toward and around her. I wish I was making this up, but I'm not. Once again, I was shocked, speechless, and later p*ssed.

As a student at the University of Louisville or a shopper out in the community at Oxmoor, St. Matthews, whereever, whenever I would hold a door for a lady, I'd only receive a "thanks" or something about 25% of the time. Sometimes, I just got cold stares or smart a** remarks.

The three worst service experiences I've ever received while dining out were not in NYC, Atlanta, Florida, Pennsylvania, or other northern or large urban locales. They were in Louisville.

I took my laptop, which was under warranty at Circuit City, to the store in St. Matthews. From the first second I dropped it off to the last second I spent picking it up, all I ever got from the customer service associates was ZERO personality. Now, I understand everywhere that people don't enjoy their jobs and that may be reflected in the way they treat other people. But, what cited was wrong with my computer was that a virus had gotten into it and the hard drive had to be completely cleared. No big deal under warranty, right? My warranty said it would cover that. NOBODY in the store would let me leave with my laptop until I paid a $30 "service" and "shipping and 'assessment'" fee. W-T-F? After some "polite" argumentation, I paid it. I never "showed myself." I asked for a receipt, and they even acted figety about that. No thank you, as you can imagine.

Now, I did not go up there looking for the "bad." I did not try to find "bad" people to hang around. I like to consider myself a friendly, outgoing, and (you might find this hard to believe) positive person. I know bad experiences can be found anywhere and that nice and mean people exist everywhere. I know no place is a perfect place to live. But in Louisville, bad experiences seemed to have found me. Sure, at first I made friends and good acquaintences, but they were not from Louisville. (Maybe this was God's way of telling me I should've attended college elsewhere, lol.) Now, I have friends from actual Louisville, but it took three years to find and/or make those friends.

I attended university functions and games, organizations, and searched for the right church. I didn't go there with a negative attitude. Louisville's not a "big, bad, mean city." It's not that big, the crime rate is not very high, and it's not a rushed or pushy city. I don't mind those traits at all. I really like many urban areas, what they have to offer, and the great contributions they make to their states' economies. But, I was sorely disappointed in my experience in Louisville. The unfriendliness itself is one half of it. The other half was the unfriendliness in spite of Louisville's banters that it's a charming, friendly, charitable city. For the positives, I love the historic neighborhoods and great, hole-in-the-wall restaurants. I love the fact that Louisville is not a cookie-cutter city. I love the beauty of the UofL Belknap campus. I like the fact that the quality of life there is much higher than most places in this rural hole that is Kentucky. I like the large arts scene there considering it's a small metropolitan area. So, this paragraph states why I have a "like-love-hate" relationship with Louisville, leaning more toward hate.

For the terminus ad quem of my ramble, I also find most of the state to have the "sour aura" thing going on, where if folks in communities don't know you, you'll just have a heck of a hard time finding a niche. I'm a Ky. native, but have lived in four different communities across the state, so I know what I'm talking about. Kentucky is not the state for me, except for horse farms, Ale-8-1 and mutton BBQ (which are things I'd miss.)"

[Shesflipped!]

jcm1986~Thank you so much for sharing your experience here. This site has been such a wonderful resourse and a wealth of helpful information. I do understand the not fitting in all to well, and it is probably why I have such an issue of moving my family when one is in high school and one is middle school~especially to a different state and region. My family moved during my junior year of high school. The move was within the state, but, it felt like it was across the world. I had a ton a friends, was involved in school activities and was a happy teenager before we moved. My last two years of high school were a living hell. I sat alone at lunch because no one wanted to sit by the new girl. People called me names, and made up vicious rumors about me. I tried to fit in but, sometimes, circles are too tight to break into. I was too embarrased to talk to anyone about it because it was so humiliating. I want to spare my kids this kind of pain, that's why I've asked so many questions about this.
One thing I would like to speak to is your experiences at church and at youth group. The actions of those who treated you in that way are deplorable! Church should be the one place that everyone feels at home. Our soft place to fall. It breaks my heart that you were treated so un-Christ like.
We should be hearing in the coming weeks about transferring to Louisville. I'll keep on praying for guidance, and looking for information here. Thanks to all of you again for your insight.

[emanresu]

First, and foremost, my wife is not from Louisville. She grew up near Pittsburgh. Not once has she ever commented on Louisville not being "socially" open to her. Not once has the fact she had no educational experience in Kentucky or Louisville effected her career. Additionally, my father moved to Louisville when he was in the middle high school in the late 60's. Not once has this effected his social life or career. To be frank, if you keep having such issue with a locale, you may want to look in the mirror. So far, you judge an entire city in a metro area with a population of over 1.25 million on a service desk at Circuit City, a girl at church who asked you to hold a doughnut, and a girl you went tubing with. I just can't believe, given the amount of people I know who live in Louisville who are not from Louisville, that your experiences are not unique to yourself.

[rnc76]

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.

I think you disproved your point with those pictures and making Louisville's pic twice as big (even though its skyline is less than half of Cincy's) didn't help your case. Cincy's skyline is really nice, the bridges are MUCH nice than Louisville's. The Purple People Bridge, the Roebling Bridge and the 471 bridge are all nice looking structures with character. The stadiums along the riverfront add a nice variety and I think the architecture of Cincy is a bit more impressive. Plus, the fact that the hills surrounding Cincy are much bigger, you have many more opportunities for great views.

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by emanresu

First, and foremost, my wife is not from Louisville. She grew up near Pittsburgh. Not once has she ever commented on Louisville not being "socially" open to her. Not once has the fact she had no educational experience in Kentucky or Louisville effected her career. Additionally, my father moved to Louisville when he was in the middle high school in the late 60's. Not once has this effected his social life or career. To be frank, if you keep having such issue with a locale, you may want to look in the mirror. So far, you judge an entire city in a metro area with a population of over 1.25 million on a service desk at Circuit City, a girl at church who asked you to hold a doughnut, and a girl you went tubing with. I just can't believe, given the amount of people I know who live in Louisville who are not from Louisville, that your experiences are not unique to yourself.

That's fine, and I'm glad your wife has been content and pleased (I assume, anyway) with the interpersonal dynamics of Louisville. It just wasn't for me. I'm not basing my experience solely on the experiences that I cited, but those are the strongest ones that came to mind. I think Louisville is a nice city, it just wasn't my cup of tea and no matter how much I have tried to really like and enjoy it, I just never seem to "jive" with it.

For me, there are much better cities than Louisville. For some, Louisville is the end-all-be-all.

[censusdata]

If you love the state of Kentucky, the Louisville should be the 'end all'. Indianapolis, Nashville, etc etc are all great cities - but they aren't in Kentucky. Their tax base doesn't pave roads in Pike County, fund schools in Owensboro, or give any money to UK, U of L etc. Louisville does.

Historically, Cincinnati has drained the best, brightest, and hardest working Kentuckians. My grandfather hoboed on trains to find work there in the 1930s. Everyone of my aunts and uncles on both sides of my family had to leave Kentucky to find work there. I am so proud that now not only can Kentuckians stay in state to find work, but now even people from other states are coming here to live in Louisville, Lexington, & Bowling Green.

Most people in the 3 counties across from Cincinnati are deeply ashamed to live in Kentucky. That is why everyone up there roots for Ohio State, Univ of Cincinnati, & even Xavier.

[melisann]

Originally Posted by censusdata

If you love the state of Kentucky, the Louisville should be the 'end all'. Indianapolis, Nashville, etc etc are all great cities - but they aren't in Kentucky. Their tax base doesn't pave roads in Pike County, fund schools in Owensboro, or give any money to UK, U of L etc. Louisville does.

Historically, Cincinnati has drained the best, brightest, and hardest working Kentuckians. My grandfather hoboed on trains to find work there in the 1930s. Everyone of my aunts and uncles on both sides of my family had to leave Kentucky to find work there. I am so proud that now not only can Kentuckians stay in state to find work, but now even people from other states are coming here to live in Louisville, Lexington, & Bowling Green.

Most people in the 3 counties across from Cincinnati are deeply ashamed to live in Kentucky. That is why everyone up there roots for Ohio State, Univ of Cincinnati, & even Xavier.

I take offense to your last paragraph. I live in one of the 3 counties across from Cincinnati (Boone). I have lived in the Florence/Union area and worked in downtown Cincinnati for 10 years.

I AM NOT "deeply ashamed" to be from Kentucky. I have many friends from Cincinnati that appreciate what Northern Kentucky has to offer and understand why I (and others) live here. It has great suburbs and Boone Co is one of the fastest growing counties in the country. I also appreciate what Cincinnati has to offer---pro sports, great universities/colleges, wonderful museums, etc. The reason we root for UC or Xavier is because Covington/Newport does not have universities, except for NKU. A lot of people go to NKU and it is well respected, but the sports are just "okay".

Also in response to rooting for Cincinnati teams.....that is what you do when you live 13 miles from the stadiums! You root for the Reds, Bengals, Bearcats, etc. It's no different than someone living in New Albany rooting for UofL. Who else am I going to root for? Someone that is 10-15 miles from me, or someone that is approx 100 miles????

[rnc76]

Originally Posted by censusdata

If you love the state of Kentucky, the Louisville should be the 'end all'. Indianapolis, Nashville, etc etc are all great cities - but they aren't in Kentucky. Their tax base doesn't pave roads in Pike County, fund schools in Owensboro, or give any money to UK, U of L etc. Louisville does.

Historically, Cincinnati has drained the best, brightest, and hardest working Kentuckians. My grandfather hoboed on trains to find work there in the 1930s. Everyone of my aunts and uncles on both sides of my family had to leave Kentucky to find work there. I am so proud that now not only can Kentuckians stay in state to find work, but now even people from other states are coming here to live in Louisville, Lexington, & Bowling Green.

Most people in the 3 counties across from Cincinnati are deeply ashamed to live in Kentucky. That is why everyone up there roots for Ohio State, Univ of Cincinnati, & even Xavier.

How about this, I will hold the state of Kentucky and its leadership accountable. For many years, the state has not properly educated its youth or provided jobs and opportunity for its citizens. It is not Cincinnati's fault that it provided something that KY didn't in the past. Young, talented people still leave KY in droves because there are not enough good jobs compared to other parts of the country. I went to engineering graduate school at UK and NOT ONE of the Kentuckians (including myself) that I went to school with stayed in the state after graduation. It wasn't because they didn't want to stay, it was because there is very little opportunity for the high tech sector compared to other regions. I love KY and it has beautiful landscapes and people, but I won't blindly beat the drum and believe that KY is the greatest place on earth. Thankfully, things have been changing in some parts of KY concerning economic opportunity, most notably Louisville, Lexington, NKY, Bowling Green...

I think you are VERY wrong concerning those that live on the southern side of the Cincy metro being ashamed of being from KY. I have found them to be among the most fiercely proud Kentuckians in the state. They routinely defend KY because many from the other side of the river spout stereotypes and look down upon KY. I think that has instilled a sense of solidarity among those that live in NKY. They are also by and large die hard UK fans up there. Being Reds and Bengals fans as well doesn't make you less of a Kentuckian.

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by Shesflipped!

jcm1986~Thank you so much for sharing your experience here. This site has been such a wonderful resourse and a wealth of helpful information. I do understand the not fitting in all to well, and it is probably why I have such an issue of moving my family when one is in high school and one is middle school~especially to a different state and region...

One thing I would like to speak to is your experiences at church and at youth group. The actions of those who treated you in that way are deplorable! Church should be the one place that everyone feels at home. Our soft place to fall. It breaks my heart that you were treated so un-Christ like.

We should be hearing in the coming weeks about transferring to Louisville. I'll keep on praying for guidance, and looking for information here. Thanks to all of you again for your insight.

God Bless on your potential transfer to Louisville, and if you do come down, may your experience be a good one. And, I hope you actually fit in. I was and am still a little bit (two years later now) disgusted with the folks in that particular church. It's shameful and un-Christlike, you're right.

Originally Posted by rnc76

The Purple People Bridge, the Roebling Bridge and the 471 bridge are all nice looking structures with character. The stadiums along the riverfront add a nice variety and I think the architecture of Cincy is a bit more impressive. Plus, the fact that the hills surrounding Cincy are much bigger, you have many more opportunities for great views.

Lest we not forget...the Purple People Bridge is the southern terminus of the Loveland Bike Trail, which goes all the way up to King's Island. Come down the hill on I-471 or US 27 from Fort Thomas and Woodlawn into Newport, and what do you see? Panorama! A very picturesque view of downtown Cincinnati in its full glory. Same thing, of course, with the I-75 Cut-in-the-Hill and Dixie Highway.

And, speaking of hills, take I-275 at the second exit west of I-75 and follow KY 20 east to Constance at KY 8. It is a VERY dangerous, curvy road, but you forget real quickly that you're in a fast-growing suburban county in the shadow of downtown Cincy. The skyline views suddenly open up, and WOW! It's as if you're in the middle of nowhere yet looking at the river and right at hustle and bustle. What a shot!

Originally Posted by censusdata

If you love the state of Kentucky, the Louisville should be the 'end all'. Indianapolis, Nashville, etc etc are all great cities - but they aren't in Kentucky. Their tax base doesn't pave roads in Pike County, fund schools in Owensboro, or give any money to UK, U of L etc. Louisville does.

Historically, Cincinnati has drained the best, brightest, and hardest working Kentuckians. My grandfather hoboed on trains to find work there in the 1930s. Everyone of my aunts and uncles on both sides of my family had to leave Kentucky to find work there. I am so proud that now not only can Kentuckians stay in state to find work, but now even people from other states are coming here to live in Louisville, Lexington, & Bowling Green.

Is it a shame that many in generations past have had to leave the state for St. Louis, Chicago, Nashville, Detroit, Columbus, Cincinnati, and other areas for jobs? Yes. Is it a shame that many of our young people still have to leave the state for a substantive job that pays more than $15.00/hr.? YES! Kentucky, you see, is very slowly improving its job market and desirability to prospective employers. But, very slowly...our personal and corporate income tax structure is quite abrasive.

Until Kentucky institutes something drastic like no personal and corporate income tax, our state will continue to be very...slow. In the meanwhile, we have to watch our high tax dollars drain from metropolitan NKY, Lou. and Lex. to Hee-Haw in Floyd County, Cornshuck in Crittenden County, and Lick Skillet Creek Holler in Wolfe County. In other words, for highway construction projects in nowhere counties that really don't contribute a lot to the state economically.

Originally Posted by rnc76

How about this, I will hold the state of Kentucky and its leadership accountable. For many years, the state has not properly educated its youth or provided jobs and opportunity for its citizens. It is not Cincinnati's fault that it provided something that KY didn't in the past. Young, talented people still leave KY in droves because there are not enough good jobs compared to other parts of the country. I went to engineering graduate school at UK and NOT ONE of the Kentuckians (including myself) that I went to school with stayed in the state after graduation. It wasn't because they didn't want to stay, it was because there is very little opportunity for the high tech sector compared to other regions. I love KY and it has beautiful landscapes and people, but I won't blindly beat the drum and believe that KY is the greatest place on earth. Thankfully, things have been changing in some parts of KY concerning economic opportunity, most notably Louisville, Lexington, NKY, Bowling Green...

Let's hope change continues to happen for the positive.