Looks like we're moving back to Louisville! (restaurant, pub)

[cinnamon girl]

Originally Posted by lovintexas

These are some neighborhoods/communities worth considering if you're looking for a nice home in a nice neighborhood (well-kept, nice yards, clean, very low crime, sense of community, close to good private schools, nice parks, etc. I know those are a lot of criteria to mention, but Louisville does offer some nice neighborhoods with all those amenities!)

As a previous poster said, anywhere near Cherokee and Seneca Parks or the Beargrass Creek Greenbelt is nice. The Highlands, Original Highlands, Crescent Hill, Cherokee Triangle, eastern half of Clifton, north Highlands (transition area along E. Broadway b/t Baxter Ave. and Downtown.) All of these are nice areas within the city.

Don't forget about St. Matthews, Lyndon, Indian Hills, Middletown, Jeffersontown, Hurstbourne, St. Regis Park, Fern Creek, and the eastern part of Okolona. These are all beautiful areas where I would feel safe at night; and, most of the houses here are well above than 2000 sq. ft. and still fall below $500K, even below $350K! And all are inside the Gene Snyder Frwy.

You might consider some areas just inside the Snyder in SW Jefferson County. Areas west of National Turnpike over to St. Andrews Church Rd. and down to the Snyder/Dixie interchange (a relatively pie-shaped area) are steadily growing with the cheapest new developments in Jefferson Co. Nice homes, close to Wal-Mart and Home Depot, and cheaper than the more prestigious east end neighborhoods. Plus, at that end of the county, you have Jefferson Memorial Forest right at your back door; at 6,500 acres, it's America's largest urban forest. You can go camping there at night--literally. But, if you want to leave the city, Otter Creek Park is situated in Meade Co. but maintained by Metro Louisville Parks; at 2,000 acres, you can get there from the Snyder/Dixie interchange in 20 minutes. Bernheim Forest is just to the south off I-65 in Clermont. Elizabethtown is emerging from a baby Louisville to a "toddler" Louisville; at only 45 minutes south, it makes for a great day trip without leaving the metro area. So, SW Jeff. is the hilliest and most forested part of Louisville, and you're still close to a hodge-podge of urban amenities there.

It's whatever you want to do. Good luck! And at all costs, avoid anywhere west of 7th St. and Taylor Blvd.

Thanks for the tips! I hadn't considered the SW areas. I did live in J-town, and definitely felt "safe" there. I always found myself driving down Taylorsville road, though, towards St. Matthews and the Highlands to get to the things I wanted to get to (friends, shops, restaurants, parks, etc.). It would be so nice to be close to those things this time around. I also want to think about the fact that in 10 years, the kids will be gone and it will just be my husband and me, inching closer to "retirement" stage (eeeeek!). That's one reason why I'm not so sure I want to buy a big house and lots of acreage way out. I've got that now and feel really isolated. I'm thinking this time around, I want to be part of a "neighborhood" community vs. a "subdivision" community if you know what I mean. It's very easy to get seduced by those big, brand new houses. I'm having to weigh in my mind the quality of life that I want for my family vs. the "big new house" .

[lovintexas]

Originally Posted by cinnamon girl

Thanks for the tips! I hadn't considered the SW areas. I did live in J-town, and definitely felt "safe" there. I always found myself driving down Taylorsville road, though, towards St. Matthews and the Highlands to get to the things I wanted to get to (friends, shops, restaurants, parks, etc.). It would be so nice to be close to those things this time around. I also want to think about the fact that in 10 years, the kids will be gone and it will just be my husband and me, inching closer to "retirement" stage (eeeeek!). That's one reason why I'm not so sure I want to buy a big house and lots of acreage way out. I've got that now and feel really isolated. I'm thinking this time around, I want to be part of a "neighborhood" community vs. a "subdivision" community if you know what I mean. It's very easy to get seduced by those big, brand new houses. I'm having to weigh in my mind the quality of life that I want for my family vs. the "big new house" .

Well, SW Jefferson is suburbia, but because of the hills and small unconglomerated communities there, you feel like you're in exurbia. You have urban and suburban amenities RIGHT THERE and the sticks is just "spittin'" distance away, and you pay suburban service taxes (don't worry, those aren't extra taxes or anything special,) but you feel like you're in a small town. (I know, it's confusing wording, but go there and you'll better understand what I'm talking about.)

How close is it to Downtown Louisville? 20 minutes, or 30-40 when traffic is bad. It is 0-7 minutes depending on where you live to Jefferson Forest. It is 20 minutes to Otter Creek and Bernheim. The Gold Vault and Patton Museum at Ft. Knox are less than half an hour away. In SW Jeff., you're close to Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Sam's Club, Home Depot, Applebee's, O'Charley's, Jefferson Mall, Target, etc. You're also closer to the airport than if you lived in J'Town or even St. Matthews.

It's your choice. You don't have to feel isolated. There are beautiful new townhome communities and subdivisions where 2000-3000 sq. ft. homes are still crammed onto 0.2-0.25 acre lots, so you're much closer to your neighbors.

Am I a proponent of SW Jefferson? Sounds like it, but I'm not. I'm just helping you look at other options since you're already pretty familiar with east/southeast Jefferson Co.

[Visvaldis]

It must surely be great to be shopping for houses in the 400 to 500k range.
I will be needing a car as well. I was wondering if you could recommend a good Maserati or Ferrari dealer.

[Davart]

Originally Posted by Visvaldis

It must surely be great to be shopping for houses in the 400 to 500k range.
I will be needing a car as well. I was wondering if you could recommend a good Maserati or Ferrari dealer.

No problem ...

Maserati of Cincinnati is good and Midwestern Auto Group in Dublin, OH for Ferrari ... both authorized dealers with factory trained techs.

[cinnamon girl]

Originally Posted by Visvaldis

It must surely be great to be shopping for houses in the 400 to 500k range.
I will be needing a car as well. I was wondering if you could recommend a good Maserati or Ferrari dealer.

We're coming from the Boston area where you don't get much in that price range. I'll still be driving my 5-year-old "Mom van" .

[LisaC]

My neighborhood is in Oldham Co. and is next door to East Oldham Middle School built about 2 years ago. They are starting the Elementary school on the same campus within the next 2 months to be finished for the 2008 school year. The neighborhood currently uses Centerfield Elementary, which I have heard is very good. The neighborhood is called North Ridge Farms 1 acre lots and actually homes are a little lower of your price range, but very nice. On Hwy 22. This is a deed restricted neighborhood but very close to the new shopping area "The Summit" about 13 miles taking I-71. We are located 4 miles from I 71 (Exit 18) on Hwy 22 or you can follow from Gene Synder Freeway exit 11 miles, The PeWee / Anchorage Exit towards Crestwood. We are 4 miles from shopping in LaGrange (Wal-mart/Kroger). There are currently several nice homes for sale in the neighborhood. If you need any more info let me know. I think you would like the area. Also regarding schools there are 2 Catholic in Oldham Co. LaGrange - Immaculate Conception which I heard is merging with a Louisville school and will have a new location in Eastern Jefferson Co. (Louisville) call them to find out more details 502-222-0671 or/and St. Aloysius in PeWee Valley/Anchorage area, I think they have a waiting list but the number (Church) 502-241-8452

Originally Posted by cinnamon girl

My husband just called me and it looks we'll be relocating back to Louisville. We lived there from '91 to 2000 but moved to the Boston area to be closer to his family (I'm originally from CA). He's got a great job opportunity with potential for growth back with his old company, so off we go again! I'm really excited because I loved living there and am happy to get back to an area with a reasonable cost of living.

I've heard the public schools in Oldham County are good, but I'm really feeling like I don't want to be that far out. I lived in J-town before, so we're targeting that area, St. Matthews (where we went to church) and the Highlands (because it's so darn cool). We'll look in Oldham County also to see what's there. I'd love to live near Seneca and Cherokee parks, and to be near a good school for the kids (elementary). I'm thinking we may put them in a parochial school. Does anyone have any info on schools in those areas (rankings, reputation, fee structure, etc.) ?

One thing we'll have to weigh is that it seems you get more house for your money the farther out you go from the city (like in many areas, the Boston area included! ) . I've been looking at houses online, and it seems like the bigger, newer houses are further out. I'd like to stay within the Gene Snyder freeway if possible. I would consider an older, smaller house, if the location was right and if it had been renovated. Our budget is fairly flexible, but we're looking to stay within the 400's - 500's if possible.

I welcome any and all comments! Thanks.

[cinnamon girl]

Originally Posted by LisaC

My neighborhood is in Oldham Co. and is next door to East Oldham Middle School built about 2 years ago. They are starting the Elementary school on the same campus within the next 2 months to be finished for the 2008 school year. The neighborhood currently uses Centerfield Elementary, which I have heard is very good. The neighborhood is called North Ridge Farms 1 acre lots and actually homes are a little lower of your price range, but very nice. On Hwy 22. This is a deed restricted neighborhood but very close to the new shopping area "The Summit" about 13 miles taking I-71. We are located 4 miles from I 71 (Exit 18) on Hwy 22 or you can follow from Gene Synder Freeway exit 11 miles, The PeWee / Anchorage Exit towards Crestwood. We are 4 miles from shopping in LaGrange (Wal-mart/Kroger). There are currently several nice homes for sale in the neighborhood. If you need any more info let me know. I think you would like the area. Also regarding schools there are 2 Catholic in Oldham Co. LaGrange - Immaculate Conception which I heard is merging with a Louisville school and will have a new location in Eastern Jefferson Co. (Louisville) call them to find out more details 502-222-0671 or/and St. Aloysius in PeWee Valley/Anchorage area, I think they have a waiting list but the number (Church) 502-241-8452

Thanks, Lisa, for all that great information. Although my initial thoughts were to live closer in, I don't want to rule out Oldham county because I've heard so many good things about it. We'll definitely be checking it out. Thanks again for the leads!

[jphillips]

Having in mind that you want to be close to the Gene Snyder and you also are thinking down the road into retirement years I bet you would love the growth going on off of Old Brownsboro Road. There is a new subdivision going in there that fits in your price range called Norton Commons. It is an amazing development made up of Larger homes, townhomes and in the middle is a section of buildings that look like a Downtown would have in the early 1900's! The people that own and operate the businesses live above their shops in very nice condos. The style of the community is unique..new homes built to look like older homes, from old New York style townhomes, Large farmhouse style homes, older cape cod style homes, huge Victorians, it is quite amazing. There is a community pool and I have heard they are planning an elementary school and an assisted living area. It is designed to be a place that you can grow old in but still take care of yourself with there being shops in the center of the little subdivision town, there are also parks to be scattered throughout the subdivision. It is located near the Summit Shopping Center, 2 min. from the Gene Snyder, and there is a new shopping center that is still growing even closer than that with nice restaurants, a Costco, Lowe's and they are starting construction on a hospital next year. In case you are not familiar with the area it is in east Jefferson County.

[cinnamon girl]

Originally Posted by jphillips

Having in mind that you want to be close to the Gene Snyder and you also are thinking down the road into retirement years I bet you would love the growth going on off of Old Brownsboro Road. There is a new subdivision going in there that fits in your price range called Norton Commons. It is an amazing development made up of Larger homes, townhomes and in the middle is a section of buildings that look like a Downtown would have in the early 1900's! The people that own and operate the businesses live above their shops in very nice condos. The style of the community is unique..new homes built to look like older homes, from old New York style townhomes, Large farmhouse style homes, older cape cod style homes, huge Victorians, it is quite amazing. There is a community pool and I have heard they are planning an elementary school and an assisted living area. It is designed to be a place that you can grow old in but still take care of yourself with there being shops in the center of the little subdivision town, there are also parks to be scattered throughout the subdivision. It is located near the Summit Shopping Center, 2 min. from the Gene Snyder, and there is a new shopping center that is still growing even closer than that with nice restaurants, a Costco, Lowe's and they are starting construction on a hospital next year. In case you are not familiar with the area it is in east Jefferson County.

That's actually on our list to check out! I looked it up online and it looks very interesting and different. It would be a whole new way of life for us. Currently, we live on a large wooded lot, but have to drive everywhere. I LOVE the idea of being able to walk places. Of course, you give up some privacy, but I'm starting to realize that privacy can sometimes be boring!

Thanks for your response!

[xraygrrl]

How is the social scene in the
city for a single 30 something young professional?
Best places to rent?