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Hello,
I have been reviewing some of the Lexington posts and have found alot of good info, thanks!
We are looking at Lexington as a relocation late this spring. (We are also looking at Cinncinnati, Cleveland, Richmond VA, Clarksburg WV, ..DC..but I think it will be way too $$$$$, and a few places in Florida).
My husband is a moderate Republican, Veteran, now retired who loves mountains, nature, and playing guitar. I'm a liberal Democrat with a good 20 more years to work looking for a dog friendly place that has a sense of community...volunteer opportunities, local fairs/farmers markets, artsy outings, agriculture, architechure, fun places to walk. We love to try mom and pop resturants and check out local music too. ...How can I forget..casinos?? we like to feed the slots now and then.
We are from Western New York and have been living in both the San Francisco and Sacramento areas for the last three years. We are looking to move back East very late spring this year to be closer to family in WNY, Pittsburgh PA, and Charlottesville VA, but avoid the Lake effect winters...i put in 40 of them. (Cold and some snow is OK...months of snow dumped 18 inches at a time...like to avoid)
We dont have to worry about school districts as the kids are all grown and out. We would be renting to start, anything from a pet friendly (2 small dogs) larger studio to a 1-2 bedroom works. We are use to paying 1200-1500 in Cali and I will take a cost of living pay cut to move so we are hoping for lower rents.
We are very friendly, laid back, comfortable in a diverse multi-cultural community just as well as a more country-fied neighborhood. Mostly just looking for nice people who are forward thinking.
Any info is appreciated...weather, traffic, (my job would be right in the city), relo-tips are welcomed!
Lexington is a great city. For what you're looking for, I'm sure you can find a place to fit in.
First off: politically, Lexington is a blue dot in a red state. While the mountains are a few hours east, the rolling bluegrass region is incredibly scenic. As for dog friendly? There's several wonderful, well-maintained dog parks around town. I used to live on the south side of town, and we'd take our dogs to Wellington Park. They actually have two separate fenced in yards -- a smaller one for small breeds, and a large yard for big dogs. The people are friendly, and most of the dogs play nice, too.
As for the sense of community -- it is what you make of it. There's a local farmers market downtown in the warmer months, several arts fairs, and more. There seems to always be SOMETHING going on downtown on the weekends. There's attractive architecture -- from older, turn of the 1900's houses and buildings close to downtown, to modern (see the courthouse!). Granted, you could just as easily live in the suburbs, and never experience any of this.
There's some great mom and pop restaurants in and around the area. One of the best ones, in my opinion, is Ramsey's. It's down Harrodsburg Road, south of town. Good southern food. As for casinos, you'd have to drive to Louisville (about an hour west), where you'll find some river boat casinos.
Winters usually aren't too bad. Usually you'll get 6-8" at most, which'll stick around a few days, then melt. The weather is bipolar -- it's not uncommon to see 70 degrees at the beginning of a week, and snow by the weekend. Every few years, there's either a small "blizzard" or an ice storm. The snow storms will dump around a foot, usually. Roads get cleared pretty quickly, and it's not too bad. The ice storms, while uncommon, are a little bit more serious. Trees will knock out powerlines, fall on roofs, or block roads. Just stay in, unless you absolutely have to go out. It rarely reaches "state of emergency" levels, though... and if you venture outside, it can be stunningly beautiful. Everything gets coated in a layer of ice. It's strange seeing a yard, where every single blade of grass is incased in ice.
Being an older couple in a college town, pay attention when you're apartment hunting. If it's low rent, close to the university, you'll probably be surrounded by college students. As with any city, rent is usually cheaper the farther out from town you go. I would avoid the north side of town, though. While it's not "dangerous" (when compared to truly dangerous parts of larger cities), it's not really the best side of town. If you want to be closer to the action, there's an apartment complex downtown, right next to the downtown Library, that's pretty nice and reasonably priced -- but for the life of me I can't remember the name!
Traffic is almost non-existant in Lexington. Sure, some streets will get backed up during rush hour, but between the main arteries and New Circle Road, you can generally get anywhere in town in 20 minutes. It's best to think of Lexington's layout as a wagon wheel. New Circle Road surrounds the city, with the major roads being the "spokes" out from downtown.
Granted, I haven't lived in Lexington for a couple of years now, but I hope some of this helps!
Thanks Cab! I really apprecitate your post
We have driven through parts of KY but never had the chance to spend any real time there. We really like what we have seen on line so far. I won't hear about any of the transfer bids until March-ish so that gives us more research time.
If your hubby is a nature lover, he will find a lot to love here....that is where Kentucky especially excels imo.
He will have to check out the Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge...and so much more.
Lexington is a very friendly town. I will have to disagree on the traffic though. Avoid three of the main roads during holiday shopping, peak rush hours and any time there is a Kentucky basketball or football game! lol And, yes...you will soon learn to bleed blue or at least pretend that you do.
BTW, there is another farmers market in town. The Bluegrass Farmers' Market out on Richmond Rd. is a guaranteed 100% homegrown/produced market. It is smaller but the parking is very convenient and the farmers are great! And, Jacobson Park has a great dog play area...you can exercise your pet and then stop at the market on the way home, it's just down the road a bit. Nine times out of ten you'll find a farmer with a treat for your most welcomed four-legged friend.
Lexington is a very friendly town. I will have to disagree on the traffic though. Avoid three of the main roads during holiday shopping, peak rush hours and any time there is a Kentucky basketball or football game! lol And, yes...you will soon learn to bleed blue or at least pretend that you do.
BTW, there is another farmers market in town. The Bluegrass Farmers' Market out on Richmond Rd. is a guaranteed 100% homegrown/produced market. It is smaller but the parking is very convenient and the farmers are great!
And, Jacobson Park has a great dog play area...you can exercise your pet and then stop at the market on the way home, it's just down the road a bit.
Nine times out of ten you'll find a farmer with a treat for your most welcomed four-legged friend.
CC: I agree with everything else herbgal posted - but please, folks, reconsider taking your dogs to the farmers' markets. I've seen dogs used as accessories, witnessed dogfights, heard lots of loud barking and growling, seen leashes tangling up kids and older folks who are not the dogs' owners, even a few legs lifted onto inappropriate targets.
The vendors may not express their true feelings to you, but believe me, they are not thrilled at the large number of people who bring their dogs to the Farmers' Markets. They have told me so, in private conversations.
Please, make the vendors, fellow shoppers, and your dogs happier by leaving them at home, no matter how much you love them and how cute they may be. You wouldn't take your dogs into a supermarket, would you? Why are the farmers' markets different, just due to their outdoor settings?
CraigCreek, I would agree with the dog problem at the downtown market but the Bluegrass Farmers' Market is not nearly as compacted...it has a wide aisle and plenty of room.
There should be no problems with "leg lifting" because farmers have to keep their products well above the target area...it's the law!
Thank you all for great posts and info! The videos were wonderful and I will share them with my husband. (We are not built for Rock Climbing..but definately pizza eating!)
Oh wait....I knew i forgot something. How are the allergies? I had seasonal allergies in Western New York and some in Northern NM but in south NM and in northern CA they haven't been so bad.
Thank you so much for the kind and gracious words.
I don't suffer from seasonal allergies, but it can be terrible here for people that do.
I mean, you see all the green, and that means...more things that can cause allergies!
You won't have trouble finding some place to rent for 1200 to 1500 ~ actually, you can find some nice apartments that except pets for half of that.
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...i put in 40 of them. (Cold and some snow is OK...months of snow dumped 18 inches at a time...like to avoid)
