Looking for a Nice Condo or Loft (Louisville, Frankfort: for sale, real estate)

[ActuaryMan]

-Where you are working....In Downtown
-How much you are willing to spend on housing...I am looking for a one bedroom apt/condo/loft and will not spend more than $700-$1000 including utilities.
-How long of a commute you're willing to tolerate...Up to 10 minutes
-If you have kids: Private school or public school?...No kids
-What type of neighborhood environment you are looking for: small town feeling? small city excitement? suburbia delight?...small city excitement or suburbia delight
-Community amenities important to you...Just would like a safe area
-Pie or cake?...Cake baked with a liquor

I am moving to Louisville in September for a job, and I would like to find a nice place to live that is safe. I do not care if I am close to night life. I would like to live in a nice loft or condo, and I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations. Thank you very much

[censusdata]

LDMD - Living Downtown - Louisville, KY

[ActuaryMan]

I have seen that website many times. I was wondering if there were good recommendations of other apartments besides Downtown living, perhaps in the highlands?

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by ActuaryMan

I have seen that website many times. I was wondering if there were good recommendations of other apartments besides Downtown living, perhaps in the highlands?

You say loft, but do you mean actual loft style? Like vaulted ceilings, concrete floors, exposed brick, concrete floors, etc?

If you want that outside the downtown/Old Louisville area (where there are tons of options from warehouse lofts to more modern built ones), the options are not too many for a renter. Most the properties in the Highlands are rentable shotguns, Victorians, three flats, or other midrise or lowrise turn of the centrury, brick apartment abodes, built in the more traditional style. You may find some more lofty ones if you search craigslist. Craigslist will also show lots of other wonderful condos easily in your price range. 1000 dollars for an apartment in Louisville puts you in the luxury range, and you should expect granite countertops, higher end kitchens bathrooms, and a new remodel.

That said Renaissance Lofts is an excellent, modern complex built in the past 10 years that was marketed as condos, but also has many renters. Vaulted ceilings, exposed ducts, etc. Located in one of the safest zips in the metro in a parklike setting, yet close enough to walk to the shops of Frankfort Avenue in the Clifton and Crescent Hill areas, plus the suburban retail of St Matthews:

2 BR/2 BA unit in Crescent Hill 2745 Grinstead Drive Louisville, KY 40206 - Apartment for Rent

Renaissance Lofts is located on a residential part of Grinstead, just behind the Southern Baptist Seminary. The units have 10-12 foot vaulted ceilings, exposed ductwork (I think), modern bathrooms and kitchens, and polished concrete floors.

If that doesn't work, let me know, I may have a few more ideas for you, like this:

http://www.highlandloftscondos.com/photos.html

http://louisville.craigslist.org/apa/1004417015.html

Some of these may say for sale, but contact them anyways, as most condos that havent sold in this tough market will rent to you, often for a good deal. There are plenty more developments like this, which are rehabs of older buildings, and I have found the best place to find them is actually on Craigslist. An example of a whole, all renovated home you can get:
http://louisville.craigslist.org/apa/1011106682.html

An example of some of the beauties in pretty safe residential districts downtown:
http://louisville.craigslist.org/apa/1005850177.html

[censusdata]

Old Louisville has great architecture, but is also has the highest car insurance rates. I'd recommend Original Highlands, Deer Park, Bonnycastle, or Clifton/ Crescent Hill for safe urban living in Louisville

[enofile]

My wife and I spent 4 week-ends flying down to Louisville searching for a suitable one or two bedroom apartment. We started out wanting to spend around $700 using Craig's List and a real estate agent. To our dismay, much of what we saw in the Highlands, Frankfort Avenue Corridor, Downtown, and St Matthews were units more suitable to a college students first apartment. We are in our fifties and wanted something that would not make us pine for our home in Wisconsin. We ended up spending $1500.00 for a two bedroom apartment on Bonnycastle in the Highlands which includes one indoor parking spot, utilities, and condo dues. I hope you can find something more reasonable. Good luck.

[stevepax]

Hey, ActuaryMan. I myself am an Actuary (recent ASA), looking to get a job at Humana (which is where I assume you'll be going?). What department will you be working in?

[ActuaryMan]

Thank you for your help so far. I really appreciate it. I am not quite sure if I have found what I am looking for. What do you think of the glassworks lofts or the Henry Clay.

stevepax,
Due to trying to keep these posts confidential, I cannot disclose where I will be working. Sorry. If I were to provide advice on becoming an Actuary, I would just recommend being nice and personable and someone you can work with.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by ActuaryMan

Thank you for your help so far. I really appreciate it. I am not quite sure if I have found what I am looking for. What do you think of the glassworks lofts or the Henry Clay.

stevepax,
Due to trying to keep these posts confidential, I cannot disclose where I will be working. Sorry. If I were to provide advice on becoming an Actuary, I would just recommend being nice and personable and someone you can work with.

Both are EXCELLENT choices. Secure buildings downtown with keyless access, and very nice. I would choose the Henry Clay. It has underground parking, is two blocks from the nightlife of 4th st. A new boutique grocery is going in behind it, and its close to the Palace and other theatres for shows. If you work downtown, it is very safe to walk to work and many people do it. Living downtown, having attached parking is a big key though. The Henry Clay also has amazing ballrooms and lots of cool events throughout the year, including a small theatre group, Burnbury.

Downtown is still not as active on weeknights as say, Bardstown Rd, Frankfort Ave, or the heart of St Matthews strip, but the area around Henry Clay is very safe and up and coming.

[keepthefaith]

Hello City Data Compadres,

Planning a move to Louisville soon. Any opinion on Glassworks Lofts out there? I'm single.