News from Oldham County (Louisville, La Grange: vacation, health, houses)

[tomocox]

Cat, I totally understand your issues, and I recognize the need for more "staple stores" in Oldham County. What I was arguing, and the only argument that I am voicing is that the average Jefferson Countian must drive the same distance as the average Oldham Countian for similar quality.

[Cattknap]

I agree Tom - don't get me wrong, I would hate to think about Oldham County being over-developed...part of the charm of Oldham is its miles of open beauty - I can't tell you how refreshing it is to visit and not see a strip mall on every corner....we probably will end up buying in Oldham - I'm awfully partial to Goshen & Old Taylor's Place - and of course, we will trade the convenience of lots of services for the trees and quiet and never complain.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by tomocox

Cat, I totally understand your issues, and I recognize the need for more "staple stores" in Oldham County. What I was arguing, and the only argument that I am voicing is that the average Jefferson Countian must drive the same distance as the average Oldham Countian for similar quality.

I totally disagree Tom. Your statement MAY only hold true for a small percentage of very poor in extreme western Louisville who are a bit further from retail across the bridge in Indiana. There are multiple power centers in every major neighborhood in Jefferson County with tons of retail close to everyone. Even here in downtown Louisville where there is no chain big box in sight, I am actually closer to a Target than 90% of Oldham County save for those RIGHT on the county line. Less than 4 miles across the bridge from downtown lies Veterans Parkway where walmart, lowes, best buy, costco, target, a movie theatre, hell even a small mall are all within reach on the same half mile street (it ironically may be the most convenient chain big box retail setup in the metro area). Now Clarksville, IN has all that, but why doesn't Oldham County? Tom, face it, it is a major drawback.

Here in downtown, we are young professionals, empty nesters, urban hipster, and maybe just a little bit nuts We sure as hell don't need Target (or want it and its , ugly chain facade, as we prefer theatres, ethnic eats, nightlife, jazz, and art galleries)..... yet we are closer to big box xhains than the "safe" soccer moms in Oldham County you are always hyping. So realistically, from a convenience standpoint, it would be much more desirable for these moms to live downtown ...and many of these young families move to the highlands for the convenience factor of being close to everything, both urban AND suburban.

It is no secret that for YEARS realtors have been pushing people to Oldham County and Eastern Jefferson becuase they can make more money. It continues today and I am glad I did not fall for it when I moved here. Oldham County has subdivisions that look like the upscale edge suburbs of most major metros, but the critical mass and certianly the roads are just not up to par yet.

[tomocox]

STX, what you keep harping on is a totally different demographic than who I am typically addressing. People with your urban-based lifestyle have no need for Oldham County, and I am totally in agreement that you don't.

As a Realtor, I first must listen to people and hear what they want. To suggest that you would be happy in Oldham County would be totally unprofessional on my part, but for a young couple looking to raise children in a nearly ideal setting considering quality of schools, value of homes, availability of services, low crime rate, and more, Oldham County just might be ideal.

It is simply a matter of listening to the buyer's and their entire spectrum of criteria. I would find it just as hard to direct a buyer working at Fort Knox to Oldham County as I would find trying to place you in Oldham County.

The thing I don't feel you understand about me is that I don't care whether it's Oldham County or Bullitt or Jefferson, so long as the buyer has the best place which meets their needs, budget, and lifestyle. Please stop trying to degrade Oldham County rather than lifting an area. I am not interesting in putting down Jefferson County, but as many people have also discussed here on this forum, Jefferson County Public Schools have some serious issues especially regarding student assignment that requires that people moving to the area must know. If they know and accept the situation, then more power to them, they at least got to choose.

[Cattknap]

Well, I've learned one thing on this forum today - I am unable to buy the practical things we use everyday at night clubs or art galleries so therefore, I am apparently not cool, hip or professional. Stx sometimes your smugness and disparaging remarks about people who don't live as you do are a bit too much.

[censusdata]

Veterans Parkway is the major shopping area for nearly all of Southern Indiana - it should have more than LaGrange, which only serves retail needs for parts of Oldham, Henry, & Trimble counties - an area which has less people than Valley Station & PRP combined.

I don't know why Sticks would be upset that Oldham lacks retail - that means more revenue for Jefferson County. Putting gigantic shopping centers right on the county line is one thing Louisville does much better than Lexington. L'ton actually filled up all of its land next to Jessamine County with houses, so Jessamine than put 2 HUGE shopping centers right next to Fayette Co - drawing lots of revenue from South Lexington.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by Cattknap

Well, I've learned one thing on this forum today - I am unable to buy the practical things we use everyday at night clubs or art galleries so therefore, I am apparently not cool, hip or professional. Stx sometimes your smugness and disparaging remarks about people who don't live as you do are a bit too much.

Haha, you have to know how to take my sarcasm. My point is exactly that...different strokes for different folks. You couldn't live my lifestyle and I could not live yours...thats why we are all different, and I certainly respect that, but sometimes I really do wonder if Tom sees that there is a different (and equally correct) way to live. Please reread my posts, Catt, as I am afraid you misintrepreted it...my point was mainly how is it that urban folks like myself are closer to the Targets, etc in downtown tnan actual moms who REALLY DO need the practical things in life in Oldham.


My point was a relative one, and Tom has put words in my mouth I have never stated that Tom believes urban type people in Oldham. We do disagree on families living in Louisville...I think it is a grand place for families, and Tom is not so sure. I don't deny the attractiveness of Oldham to families...HOWEVER, I do have a problem when people post misleading comments like it is the next Greenwich or Carmel. The reality is Oldham is VERY inconvenient if you like to do ANYTHING outside the home (even work as there are few office jobs in Oldham). Be prepared to drive to do virtually anything. Until recently, you had to drive 15-20 minutes just for a cup of Starbucks (maybe less now since the county has one location off the freeway). Oldham simply does not offer the amenities that many large edge suburbs of major metro areas do (and trust me, I have lived in 5 major metros and traveled to 90% of the top 50 for business). And that's fine, since that is part of it's country draw...it is just buyer beware IMO.

That said, Tom and I often go after each other tongue and cheek ...myself from an urban perspective, and Tom from a suburban perspective. I have recieved many compliments for my posts and have had many forumers note the valuable info Tom provides. Can't we have a healthy, civil disagreement here Catt ?

[tomocox]

I don't post misleading comments!!! Greenwich, Carmel, or similar upscale residential communities are the models Oldham County is following. It just takes time and demand. Supply must follow demand, not demand ahead of supply. Likewise, I assure you that if there is adequate demand, there will be appropriate supply.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by tomocox

I don't post misleading comments!!! Greenwich, Carmel, or similar upscale residential communities are the models Oldham County is following. It just takes time and demand. Supply must follow demand, not demand ahead of supply. Likewise, I assure you that if there is adequate demand, there will be appropriate supply.

First off, Carmel is no where in the league of Greenwich. As someone said, one person in Greenwich could literally buy all of Oldham County just for the hell of it. That said, Oldham is nowhere near Carmel/Hamilton County Indiana either. It is 4-6 times as populated, has better schools, shopping, and even manages to have a unique downtown with arts and culture. It has shopping as good as anything in metro Louisville, and has a concert venue that brings national acts that rarely stop in Louisville. It has one or two office buildings with more employees than ALL of Oldham and this doesn't count the thousands of other white collar jobs there. I say all this after living on Indy's northside, and it is no secret that I literally hate Indy, finding it very bland and cold and to have little culture compared to Louisville.

There is absolutely no comparison...it is like saying Louisville is trying to be Chicago...not going to happen! Sure, Louisville has some attributes of a mini Chicago, but even by trying to build a world class city and some of the initiative downtown like Museum Plaza Louisville would not aspire to be something it is not...why would its suburbs? That is how I believe your comment to be misleading....I wouldn't want anyone to think Oldham is even REMOTELY like Carmel or Greenwich because it is not (and that is not exactly a bad thing)

[K. Dunn]

I think we agree with both sides of this equation! Just got back a couple of days ago from staying near Crestwood and taking my girls all-around to show them all that Oldham offers! My wife and girls loved it all. I agree some central location like La Grange with a Target/Lowes would be even more ideal, but like Tom says, to live in the rural feel of Oldham County, I am willing to drive over the county line to shop. Might be a pain some times, but worth it too. I asked my wife being the lady like Catnap says, and she could see her point, especially if you lived farther out like La Grange or further. If someone is living though in Crestwood, Prospect, River Bluff, or Goshen, they have nothing to complain about with all the shopping and restaurants one could want just minutes away over the county line. We sampled a different restaurant every night while over there, ate at Martini's at your Summit, tried some of the chains that we don't have over here like Tumbleweed, Rafferty's, and a mexican food restaurant who's name escapes me. Also ate at the Irish Pub in La Grange for lunch one day too! Wouldn't mind seeing a few more state of the art movie theatres, but you have to have to population to support that like Tom says. Otherwise you have businesses going bust!

What Oldham needs to do is be really strict on the style and landscaping of any new big commercial development. Enforce all brick styles with that look that we love seeing in the east, with lots of landscaping and vegetation to go along with it. Not just another big square building with a parking lot next too it. Believe me if they want to come and set-up business, they will comply. Catnap is definately right though for the ladies, my girls felt better just knowing there was a Target, Micheal's, Old Navy, ect. nearby! We do get a bit spoiled over here in La La land. We also know there are some sacrifices to be made to live in a more rural area.

Now my one last comment that may anger some of you, but personally I think the "Summit" type modern shopping center [less original yes] is less than a "Dump" than the Bardstown Rd. shopping area, which I felt was no way as good as it was talked about and found it rather "dumpy". Sorry to say.