Considering move to Louisville (Valley Station, Fern Creek: home, schools, quality of life)

[rppipa01]

I wanted to get all the meat and bones stuff out of the way first. Now for my personal opinion of the city. Having moved to Louisville for school (U of L) from a small rural city in Northern Kentucky, I can devinately tell you that Louisville is very different culturally and socially from the rest of the state (and Appalachia). It is a culture blend of Northern urbanization and southern style/hospitality. Some one once told me, Louisville is "the North's most southern city and the South's most northern city".

Often times, Louisville feels like a large city that still has a tint of small city about it. If you are looking for an expanding city, that is a mix of Urban culture/architecture, has a thriving arts/theater scene, but still has some aspects of small town life (great school system, low crime rate compared with other, larger midwestern cities, etc..), Louisville would be your choice.

Now, it terms of interracial relationships, I can't give you a straightforward answer. The reason is, I have never been in one nor am I a minority. However, I can offer to give you my perceptions. In terms of Kentucky and and Appalachia, Louisville would probably be the most tolerant in terms of interracial dating. I meant no offense to any Eastern Kentucky residents on this forum, but experience has taught me that racial issues in the more eastern regions of the state are still a very large problem. As a student at U of L, I commonly see interracial couples and wide array of racial diversity/tolerance. Over all, I think most people in this city are pretty relaxed when it comes to racial and interracial issues (though I'd like to hear the opinion of other minority groups). In terms of Kentucky, I think Louisville is probably one of the most diverse and tolerant cities in the state.

That being said, there are still some issues here that you won't be able to escape no matter where you go. Suburbs are mostly white while minorities are often sectioned into more urban regions. There are several mixed ethnicity neighborhood though, and racial division are not as strong as in other cities (remeber the riots in Cincinnati a few years ago?).



There is a map of what is commonly considered "appalachia". As one final thought, Louisville is not considered part of the Appalachian region, but is more likely to be considered part of the Midwest region.

[daisy]

Thank you for your personal take on the matter.

[Jewels36]

I live about 30-45 minutes SW of Louisville. I see a lot of interracial couples in the area I live and more as I go to Louisville. I do not know how the people involved in these relationships feel they are viewed by the local society but because the number of interracial relationships are growing I would venture to say they feel they are accepted. Perhaps one reason for the growing numbers are that FT. Knox sees a lot of people transfered in from other areas and interracial couples are very prominient in the military. I personally do not think anything negative about it and my daughter never thinks twice when she meets a friend whose parents are from different races. Of course, our former neighbors were interracial as well as several little girls in her dance school, so that may be why.

I'd have to say I have actually seen more interracial couples here then I did the entire time I lived in Texas.

[BSL63087]

I live just across the river in Southern Indiana about a 5-10 minute drive from downtown Louisville.

I will first off say that while it isnt a terrible place to live, I am currently looking to move out. One positive thing that comes with living here is pretty reasonable cost of living rates so I guess that could be good but anyways back to the point...

Personally I dont think anything of it or anything if I see an interracial couple. I personally know a couple of interracial families and it isn't really anything that would seem out of the ordinary or anything. I wouldn't say its a popular thing around here but honestly I don't think anyone would think anything of it around here they would just view you as just a normal couple I guess.

Hope that helps some.

[daisy]

These responses are incredibly helpful! Thank you all

[rppipa01]

I'd agree with BSL. I do see quite a few more interracial marriages in Louisville than my previous Kentucky residence. However, there would be some areas in and around Louisville that I would avoid (you won't get threaten or anything...more likely you just get stared at). Lake Forest on the outskirts of the city is upper-middle to lower wealthy class whites. Louisville's chief of Police lives in that neighborhood (he is black), but it is probably 99% white only. The highlands area is also predominantly white. Now, that doesn't mean people there aren't friendly or that you are going to get treated poorly (I'll admit, we do have a few ignorant folks down here) but you will probably get a lot of stares if you move into those areas. One area you might look into (don't know what type of neighborhood you are looking at) is Old Louisville. It is right next to downtown, has several beautiful old homes with tree lined parkways (most areas...not all), and has a pretty good mix in terms of ethnic, religion, etc... Only downside is a lot of students from UofL live there (not that that is bad, but some people don't like living around college kids).

Hope some of that helps and good luck to you and your husband wherever you choose to live.

[storey13]

I personally have lived in the Highlands and I disagree. Though I only lived in Louisville for a few months, I remember seeing lots of ethnic diversity in the highlands area. I guess it just depends on which part of the road you live on lol...

I am actually considering moving back to Louisville sometime in the next month and the highlands area is one of the areas I am considering.

[scjj]

A true native says Lou-a-vull not lu evel.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by rppipa01

I'd agree with BSL. I do see quite a few more interracial marriages in Louisville than my previous Kentucky residence. However, there would be some areas in and around Louisville that I would avoid (you won't get threaten or anything...more likely you just get stared at). Lake Forest on the outskirts of the city is upper-middle to lower wealthy class whites. Louisville's chief of Police lives in that neighborhood (he is black), but it is probably 99% white only. The highlands area is also predominantly white. Now, that doesn't mean people there aren't friendly or that you are going to get treated poorly (I'll admit, we do have a few ignorant folks down here) but you will probably get a lot of stares if you move into those areas. One area you might look into (don't know what type of neighborhood you are looking at) is Old Louisville. It is right next to downtown, has several beautiful old homes with tree lined parkways (most areas...not all), and has a pretty good mix in terms of ethnic, religion, etc... Only downside is a lot of students from UofL live there (not that that is bad, but some people don't like living around college kids).

Hope some of that helps and good luck to you and your husband wherever you choose to live.

Ah no way. The Highlands is the most liberal and accepting neighborhood in a 3 state region. No joke. It has gays, whites, blacks, hippies, stoners, yuppies, students, and more. It has great restuarants, nightlife, and architecture and parks. As you will see, the Highlands is a generic term that actually refers to several smaller neighborhoods and incorporates two zips: 40204 and 40205. 40204 would be the more diverse area and closer to downtown and electic shops, antiques, and restaurants. Cherokee Park is an urban gem in any city, too.

Old Louisville is great too and a bit more racially diverse but no more "accepting" of interracial relationships. Interracial relationships are common here, and you see them all the time even at suburban malls. Likewise, you see many gays and minorties everywhere. Most poorer blacks live in West Louisville, however.

Louisville is a great midsized metro of 1.2 million. It is in no way Appalachian. It is probably mostly southern with a good amount of Midwest urbanity and culture. Especially on the east side of the city and near downtown, not everyone will have a "southern" accent. However, southern is quite distinct from Appalachian, and the city is a god drive (maybe 2 hours) from anywhere that even seems Appalachian.

I would really reccomend one of the following in the city hoods:

Old Louisville, Highlands, downtown, Clifton, and Crescent Hill. All are great places to live and honestly no one would even think to judge you. The city is well known for its art, architecture, funky hoods, and laissez faire party attitude (Derby, Thunder, lazy summer days). It can move fast here, but not too fast, especially if you are from a very large metro. People are freindly, traffic is light, and its cheap. Did I mention the restaurants are insanely good, and its a fiercely independengt city?

Keep Louisville Weird.

[Kentuckywoman]

Louisville is racially diverse, biracial acouples are easily accepted but there is still quite a bit of racial tension in the community.