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I am looking at a potential relocation to Lexington for work and would appreciate any advice on schools, neighborhoods, etc. I have never actually been to Lexington, so I have to admit significant ignorance on pretty much everything related to the city. Prior to this move, we have lived several years in Chicago and San Francisco and never in a city or metro area the size of Lexington. With that said, we are going in with an open mind and always eager and open to meeting new people and experiencing new things.
My wife and I are both working professionals and have a young family with kids in elementary school. By far the number one priority is excellent schools. My wife is Asian (but born a New Englander) and we would like to have our kids to be in a diverse school with excellent programs in academics and the arts. We are looking for a nice quiet, safe neighborhood and wouldn't mind some land (we are used to living with small yards in California) somewhere in the $500-700K range.
Land is going to be the hard part of finding what you want. We just don't have much of it in Fayette Co, especially at that price.
For $500-700k, you can get in a great house in top rated schools. The Cassidy/Morton/Henry Clay district is great if you want an older house closer into town. The Rosa Parks/Beaumont/Dunbar is the way to go if you want a newer house.
I've got some videos I have made of these areas on YouTube. Just google something like "Lexpert neighborhood Lexington Ky" and they should pop up. Hope they help.
In the Cassidy/Morton/Henry Clay district you can find homes on 1/2 acre (give or take) in the Lakeview area. On the Island there are some homes with large lots as well Easily within your budget.
In the Cassidy/Morton/Henry Clay district you can find homes on 1/2 acre (give or take) in the Lakeview area. On the Island there are some homes with large lots as well Easily within your budget.
I may be mistaken, but I think Lexgal may mean Lakewood rather than Lakeview (for larger lots).
Lakewood is a very nice older section which has sadly seen many tear-downs of perfectly nice, large 1950s houses, and newly constructed, costly, (and often ostentatious) McMansions. However, it's still a very attractive neighborhood with limited traffic, mature trees, and large lots.
The "Lake" is a small natural (?) pond surrounded by trees, in the middle of one of the older blocks and surrounded by houses whose back yards adjoin the lake. Old friends who once lived in one of those houses used to enjoy ice skating there back in the day...
The Lexington Reservoir is also close at hand. Lakewood is accessed from Tates Creek Road - turn right onto Lakewood Drive, and keep going until the road turns sharply right. Continue - you're in (as well as on) Lakewood.
Actually I do mean Lakeview. Off of Lakeshore Dr but before you get to the Island. Houses sit on 1/3 to over 1/2 acre lots. Some have been updated others have not. The neighborhood is turning over with many families moving into the area. It's quiet and there are several streets that end in courts so there is very little traffic. The courts end at the lake so there are ducks and geese that fly by.
Actually I do mean Lakeview. Off of Lakeshore Dr but before you get to the Island. Houses sit on 1/3 to over 1/2 acre lots. Some have been updated others have not. The neighborhood is turning over with many families moving into the area. It's quiet and there are several streets that end in courts so there is very little traffic. The courts end at the lake so there are ducks and geese that fly by.
Thanks for the clarification - my mistake! Both Lakeview and Lakewood share some of the characteristics the OP is seeking, it appears.
To me, the prettiest streets in Lexington are Fontaine Road, South Ashland Avenue & other streets near them. The north side of Lexington is less desirable. Richmond Road is the prettiest main thoroughfare in Lexington.
Lexington is not nearly as diverse as San Francisco, but it's more diverse than you might guess. The accent of eastern Kentucky, which is nearby, is very unsophisticated sounding at first to non-Kentuckians, but once you get to know Eastern Kentuckians, they are so very kind and bright.
Lexington has a gay mayor and is pretty open and liberal politically, but it's in Kentucky and Kentucky's US Senators are two of the most conservative and anti-gay in the US: Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell.
I've lived in cities of all sizes, from huge to small, and I found Lexington to be very pleasant: there's a lot to do there and life is a bit easier and cheaper than in large cities. It has some terrific restaurants and shopping for a city its size.
My favorite place in Lexington is the Henry Clay Home, which is in the middle of my favorite neighborhood and it has a lovely formal garden to walk around in & have some solitude. And driving around the country roads around Lexington, where the horse farms are, is pure heaven. I love driving up Russell Cave Rd to Iron Works Pike & Yarnallton Road just to gawk at the gorgeous horse farms.
Last edited by Atlanta1954; 06-30-2013 at 05:59 PM..
As previous persons have said, the Lakeview & Lakewood areas are very nice. Many homes there have huge lots. And many professionals and university folks live there. It is very pretty. Also, Chinoe Road, which is nearby, is awfully nice. This area is close-in, friendly, and has quick access to good groceries and other stores.
Of course, having a huge yard can be time-consuming and expensive, so if you prefer something nice but not so very huge, I'd try South Ashland & Fontaine Rd. areas, where houses are older & have smaller yards than Lakewood, and are architecturally very charming, with sidewalks and more neighborhood interaction. You can even walk to Starbucks and much shopping if you live in the Chevy Chase/Fontaine/South Ashland areas.
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