clifton vs old louisville (Frankfort, Bardstown: crime, houses, neighborhood)

[johnnybc]

Dear Friends, We're moving to town and want a nice old brick house downtown for my wife to teach piano out of. We read about old Louisville being a little dangerous, and have seen some nice older homes in Clifton, is that any safer? thanks

[mdawg]

IMO Clifton is safer overall. Both have places where there is petty crime, but Old Louisville seems to me like there is more crime overall in the area. I would go with Clifton, that area is becoming very desirable, while Old Louisville isn't really experiencing that right now.

[TeamZissou]

My wife and I just moved to Louisville last summer. She's an architect, and we looked very heavily at the Old Louisville area because of the potential for some of the homes there. We also have a newborn baby, however, and now live in Clifton because it seems that much safer to raise a family in.

Safety is a relative concept to people and if it's your primary concern in choosing where to live I'd go to Crescent Hill. But if you can tolerate some late night activity on the streets and random encounters with people/drunks at 4 am when the bars get out, Clifton's great!

[johnnybc]

I guess I was thinking of the general reputation of the area, we want to invite families to drop their kids off for music lessons, and to not have anyone breakinging into the back yard or garage

[tomocox]

Problem with Clifton is there aren't that many old brick homes. Dime a dozen in Old Louisville, but Clifton has more camel-backs and frame homes.

[TeamZissou]

General reputation definitely says Clifton. The other advantage to this neighborhood is several dead end streets in between Frankfort and Brownsboro that eliminate thru traffic and would definitely help allay fears of break ins, etc.

[johnnybc]

Is Bingham Park dog friendly and good for daily walks? where does Cresent Hills end and St Mathews begin? I want a little yard and some in clifton seem to have some, whereas St M seems homes and yards are smaller. Many thanks for all your help. johnnybc

[tomocox]

Zorn Ave/Hillcrest/Cannons Lane would be a good eastern boundary for Crescent Hill although its certainly not a perfectly defined line. Can't help you with the Bingham Park/dog friendly...

[TeamZissou]

If by dog friendly you're asking do owners allow their dogs off leash to run around and play, the answer is yes. I walk through Bingham at least 3 times a week with my own, on-leash, dog-unfriendly akita. I would say 1/3 of the time I end up turning back around to avoid a confrontation with my dog.

The bottom end of the park next to the basketball court also has some pooper scooper plastic bags which definitely seem to be utilized and help make the place better for walking your dog. Oh, and the top end has a fountain spraying constantly in the summertime- more for kids than dogs, I guess, but don't tell that to mine!

[johnnybc]

Many thanks for all your help and info. The area seems nice from the internet ariel shots, and some of the houses seen to have good yards. I thought L'ville was pretty strict about dogs being on leashes. can you walk to Bardstown rd restaurants from there?