Artsy Towns OR Oldham County (Louisville, Bardstown: real estate, apartments, condos)

[WaldenGuys]

My partner and I are in early retirement (55 & 60), and we've been looking for a place to buy a house (around or less than $325,000) for several months. We currently live in Dallas. My sister has been sending us listings in the Louisville area. Corydon, Indiana, looks like a nice "New England" style town, and we really like Oldham County, big houses on a bit of land. My question: any more "artsy" style towns in and around Louisville, or other suggested areas to buy a house on small acreage within 30 minutes of Louisivlle.

Thanks! John

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by WaldenGuys

My partner and I are in early retirement (55 & 60), and we've been looking for a place to buy a house (around or less than $325,000) for several months. We currently live in Dallas. My sister has been sending us listings in the Louisville area. Corydon, Indiana, looks like a nice "New England" style town, and we really like Oldham County, big houses on a bit of land. My question: any more "artsy" style towns in and around Louisville, or other suggested areas to buy a house on small acreage within 30 minutes of Louisivlle.

Thanks! John

Why not live in the city itself? Do you have to have lots of land? The artsy neighborhoods are in the city. Other than that, the most artsy towns close to the city are likely La Grange and Bardstown.

[Girl From The Country]

Originally Posted by WaldenGuys

My partner and I are in early retirement (55 & 60), and we've been looking for a place to buy a house (around or less than $325,000) for several months. We currently live in Dallas. My sister has been sending us listings in the Louisville area. Corydon, Indiana, looks like a nice "New England" style town, and we really like Oldham County, big houses on a bit of land. My question: any more "artsy" style towns in and around Louisville, or other suggested areas to buy a house on small acreage within 30 minutes of Louisivlle.

Thanks! John

Louisville all the way.

There are two main areas that I think may interest you. But you won't find much acreage in either area. But artsy, yes.

Old Louisville.

The Highlands.

Old Louisville is made up up many blocks of quite old (1850's?) large 3 level houses/mansions. Big rooms and high ceilings. It is located near The University Of Louisville campus. Some of the homes are single-family and some have been split into several units that are rented as apartments. There are probably some bi or tri-level condos too. The area is occupied by students who live in the apartments, younger people, some rough types of all races, and presumably wealthy families that occupy homes that are single families.

I don't know what homes go for in that area but considering the home sizes probably pretty high. I imagine that with your budget you would have to get something that needs fixing and do some work on the property depending on your tastes and needs.

The Highlands is made up in good part of younger educated people, older liberals and wealthy people. There are plenty of "normal" or whatever folks too. There are many million dollar homes and greater. A road called Bardstown, which is the "hippest" road in the city if your into that, cuts through the middle of the area and is lined with independent restaurants, little shops/boutiques and nightlife spots like bars and clubs etc.

For the price you can get something absolutely killer in the Highlands. It's safer than Old Louisville and more is going on.

If you tell us a little more about what you want in a home and in an area then we can be more detailed.

[WaldenGuys]

You are both so kind to take the time to respond to my post. The Highlands does sound like a nice area, and we'll certainly check it out. Ideally, because of our two large dogs we want (maybe need) to be on a little acreage or very large lot as a buffer so we don't infringe upon our neighbors. The dogs can bark when they get excited. As for a house, we want something around 3000 sq feet I would guess as we have lots of family who come to visit OFTEN. I have half heartedly suggested we just buy a Motel 6 and be done with it. In checking real estate today, we found several things in La Grange which jives with your suggestion. That may be our first stop. Again, thanks so much. John

[tomocox]

Your investigation of the area is important. I wish more people would. I moved to Oldham County in 2002 and wished that I had 12 years before. While not perfect, its so close that I don't mind the few bloopers that the area has.

[WaldenGuys]

Originally Posted by tomocox

Your investigation of the area is important. I wish more people would. I moved to Oldham County in 2002 and wished that I had 12 years before. While not perfect, its so close that I don't mind the few bloopers that the area has.

Thanks, Tom, so you got there 12 years late. That's better than a lot of people who never find their place in life. We've spent the last day looking on the Internet and talking to famiily who live in Jeff. To a person the family thinks we are "La Grange and Goshen" people. I inquired as to what made up such a person, their only answer was that we would find out in time. I didn't press the issue....not sure I want to know.

Hope you're having a good weekend! John

[tomocox]

I have no clue what qualifies a stereotypical LaGrange or Goshen resident. LaGrange is a much older community, while Goshen didn't have a population of 200 prior to 1985. It is odd how people who only use hearsay are often the most heard.

[Girl From The Country]

Originally Posted by WaldenGuys

we are "La Grange and Goshen" people. I inquired as to what made up such a person, their only answer was that we would find out in time.

Hmm... Some people would take that as an insult. Maybe a few as a compliment.

That statement sort of doesn't make sense. Goshen and La Grange are very different!

And some might take offense to that assessment your family made of you - depending on how they meant it.

Both of those places are far from the city, far from anything interesting and are, from my admittedly limited experience, made up of douche baggy types that fantasize that they are wealthy living in their "McMansions" with their sheltered kids. There are a few middle class neighborhoods around but there are also great expensive homes around there but it's 95% McMansions and sheltered kids and soccer moms.

Least that's how EVERYONE I have everyone I have ever known has thought of Goshen, nearby Prospect and La Grange. I have had tons of friends from those places and they feel the same as well.

I would love to live in either of those towns as the opportunity for land is much more easy you come by. Land is awesome I do agree. But I really couldn't get into many of the people and the vibe in those cities. Besides, I'm a little too young still (and poor and not lame enough yet) to retire to the boring country so my kids (which I don't have yet) can go to "better" schools without black people.

Do a lot more research. Maybe make a few visits to the city and get someone to take you on a tour.

[tomocox]

Originally Posted by Girl From The Country

Hmm... Some people would take that as an insult. Maybe a few as a compliment.

..

Besides, I'm a little too young still (and poor and not lame enough yet) to retire to the boring country so my kids (which I don't have yet) can go to "better" schools without black people.

..

Just what are you trying to say here?

[bw87a]

yeah i don't really agree with girl from the country's comment at all, and i'm from the southwest part of louisville. while the eastern louisville suburbs are traditionally and well, contemporarily known as the wealthy areas of the city, that doesn't mean that they are snobby or pretentious. without exhibiting offense, i'm sure the original poster knows more about suburban wealth and middle class wars coming from dallas than anyone in louisville would probably know. which is a good thing, as they have an edge on what they really desire in their living choices.