Moving from Colorado (Louisville, Frankfort, Bardstown: rentals, loft, credit)

[dmc1222]

Hello. My husband and I are looking at potentially relocating to Louisville from Fort Collins CO. We are wondering what neighborhoods/suburbs would be good to look at. My husband is an engineer, and he has not started to look for jobs yet. We are still in the research mode. He will probably work downtown though, unless we find an engineering firm somewhere outside of downtown Louisville. We can spend up to 250000 on our new home, and we don't mind something that we have to do work on if it is in a good location. We would like to stick to public schools. We don't want to live in a really urban environment. We would like the feel of an exciting but small city. Fort Collins has a lot of cool restaurants, shops, and bars. We would like a similar atmosphere without having to live in the city of Louisville. He doesn't mind a 20-25 min. commute. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[censusdata]

You'd want to look in Northeast Louisville (East of I-264, North of Bardstown Rd) and Oldham County

Bardstown Rd inside of I-264 and Frankfort Ave has lots of local shops and dinners

[sellinggreaterlouisville]

I'm curious what is bringing you to Louisville?

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by dmc1222

Hello. My husband and I are looking at potentially relocating to Louisville from Fort Collins CO. We are wondering what neighborhoods/suburbs would be good to look at. My husband is an engineer, and he has not started to look for jobs yet. We are still in the research mode. He will probably work downtown though, unless we find an engineering firm somewhere outside of downtown Louisville. We can spend up to 250000 on our new home, and we don't mind something that we have to do work on if it is in a good location. We would like to stick to public schools. We don't want to live in a really urban environment. We would like the feel of an exciting but small city. Fort Collins has a lot of cool restaurants, shops, and bars. We would like a similar atmosphere without having to live in the city of Louisville. He doesn't mind a 20-25 min. commute. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Louisville is a big city, but not a big city like Denver. The suburbs of Louisville will not offer you the quaint town feel like you have in Fort Collins. Believe it or not, that quaint yet urban feel can be found in the city in the Highlands and Crescent Hill. I would look there first, but if you must search more suburban, you will definitely like Oldham County and perhaps LaGrange, KY.

Also, you sound like a prime candidate for Welcome to Norton Commons, a Traditional Neighborhood Development in Prospect, Kentucky It is a new urbanism community in the burbs that is like its own small town that is developing a main street with shops and restaurants.

[lexingtony]

I have to agree - Norton Commons is a unique and beautiful new development and definitely worth checking out. Although, isn't NC in a little higher price range than $250k? On their web site there are a couple of duplexes right at $250k, but no single family detached houses. Still, an option worth looking in to.

[tomocox]

Originally Posted by lexingtony

I have to agree - Norton Commons is a unique and beautiful new development and definitely worth checking out. Although, isn't NC in a little higher price range than $250k? On their web site there are a couple of duplexes right at $250k, but no single family detached houses. Still, an option worth looking in to.

You will want Oldham County if public schools are important. Other posters will argue that I am biased. I am very biased. I like my money to buy the most bang for the buck, and I can prove my bias.

The main issue of JCPS is their school assignment plan. You may get your kids into a great JCPS school, but then again, you might not. In Oldham County, your child will attend one of nine nearly equal quality elementary schools (5 of which are in buildings 5 yrs old or less) There are four middle schools, one new building, one major remodel, and two just over 20 yrs old. The three high schools are all in modern (one new, one major remodel) and every school is 100% electronic. I can't speak for two of the schools, but Oldham County High offers students college 100 and 200 level courses which transfer to most major colleges. The ACT/SAT average scores for all three are top 15 in the state. Oldham County has one of, if not the highest, levels of Board Certified teaching staffs in Kentucky and within 200 miles.

Oldham County homes are 90% modern as most have been built since 1978. We live in a 1980 model home with 2300 sq, 1.1 acre lot, 2 1/2 car garage, and 6 minutes to I-71 or I-265. A home typical to ours is valued about 250-300k.

[missymomof3]

If you need Jefferson County I also agree with Norton Commons. It is so darn cute!

[goldilocks7]

What about rentals in this area?
In CA, we have rentals in almost every area, but they truly range.
thanks for your help

[kingcopper]

there are rentals in Norton Commons. there are generic complexes all over the place. the rentals in Norton Commons are loft style and look to be greater than $1250 per month.

[tomocox]

my opinion.... never rent more house than you absolutely must. There is no tax credit, no equity, no reason. Be comfortable, but never overly.