Lexington-would we fit in? (Richmond, Nicholasville: apartments, crime, affordable house)

[Superocean]

We are an odd assortment of demographics: nearing retirement age, a lesbian professional couple with 2 adopted school age Asian kids.

We are fairly traditional although liberal. We would like a nice affordable house- not in a new development [HOA, etc] but like a ranch and not right next to our neighbors.

We also want access to cultural activities, ethnic restaurants, bookstores,etc.
We are not glitzy, well off professionals but educated low key ones.

Are gay couples accepted in Lexington?

[timelesschild]

You are going to be best-off near one of the college campuses, for ALL of your reasons. You could look in the Kenwick area for post-WWI lovely bungalows and a good neighborhood feel, or Bell Court/Mentelle Park, or somewhere near Transylvania University.

What is your budget? I can think of several other areas but it will help if I know your housing budget.

[lexingtongal]

in 2007 (I think, could have been 2006) The Advocate named Lexington one of the top 10 "Best Places to Live" for Gays & Lesbians.
Really I can't imagine anyone giving your family a second thought as to being "different". While not totally common your situation is not unique either. I think you will find acceptance easily.
Our Vice-Mayor is openly gay as is one of our state representatives.
Here are some other accolades about our Lex:
http://commercelexington.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=35&url_subchannel_id=& url_article_id=186&change_well_id=2 (broken link)

[Superocean]

I saw the article mentioning Lexington and that is why I am checking it out. Also my parents were KY born and bred.
We are looking at a price range around $175,000 give or take and depending if the housing market rebounds and we sell our place in Connecticut. But we have not had it long and do not have much equity. Spent most of our earnings adopting and raising two children late in life.

[lexingtony]

Hi SuperOcean -

I am friends with several gay and lesbian couples, and none of them seems to encounter any problems living in Lexington. I agree with the areas that TimelessChild mentioned. For ranch-style houses, you might also consider Lansdowne, Gainesway, and Hollywood areas, all of which are older, more established neighborhoods, but generally well-kept. One of my couple friends lives in Kenwick and loves it there -- it's an older neighborhood with arts & crafts style houses. Very charming, but the houses are somewhat close and not a ton of yard space -- but seems to be liberal-minded, professional people.

Good luck as you ponder your move....

[lexingtongal]

An area that has a lot of ranches and large lots is Stonewall. Probably can find a smaller ranch in that price range.

[timelesschild]

I am not sure about Stonewall being a good fit socially, and it isn't as convenient to downtown and the arts. I would agree with Hollywood (cute early 1900's bungalows).

If you want mid-century single-story style with large lots, and still keep your open-minded neighborhood and convenience to the arts, you might look between Clays Mill Road and Nicholasville Road, generally between Lafayette High School and New Circle Road; OR between Nicholasville Road and Tates Creek Road, between Central Baptist Hospital and Malabu Drive.

There are pockets of nice areas on the Northside of Lexington, and all of those will generally be very open-minded and socially diverse. In addition, the northside is convenient to the arts/downtown, and you get more house for your money. However... Please get a very good realtor to help you sift the wheat from the chaff up that way, because the Northside is a mixed bag. I personally love it, but you have to be very careful where you buy.

[LEXpert]

I think Lexington is pretty open to the gay community. I really like Gainesway for you. You mentioned you didn't want to be right up against your neighbors and wanted to stay in the $175,000 range in a ranch. That is pretty much Gainesway! The cool thing about this neighborhood is that you are very close to downtown and UK. Gainesway started in the late 50's and was outside of town. It was one of those neighborhoods that was in the country, but the city grew out to it!

Kenwick is cool. I lived there twice before it became really trendy. The only draw back is that the houses are on 50 foot wide lots and it is hard to get into the more desirable 1st block for under $200,000. Also, most of the houses are bungalows.

A neighborhood that I think is becoming desirable is called Eastland. It is on the northeast side of Lex. It was built in the 60's and 70's. When new, it was kind of high end. The lots are big and there are a lot of ranches. Lexington started to grow on the south side, got all the new schools and retail, and left this neighborhood in the dust. Over the past few years the new growth has been on the northeast end. Right behind Eastland is a really high end neighborhood. Also, a giant retail center called Hamburg is just up the road. Eastland is 5 minutes to downtown and a couple miles from the Interstate. With all these benefits, I am seeing it start to be people's first choice rather than just attracting buyers based on a low price. $175,000 will put you in the game there. The only bad part to me is that in the front of the neighborhood is a bunch of looooow end apartments. You would have to drive by them, but if you bought more than a couple blocks away it wouldn't be a problem.

Check them out on google maps. Use the bird's eye view to see it all. Some street names to use in Gainesway are Spendthrift, Claiborne, Whitehall, Elmendorf. Streets in Kenwick are Sherman, Bassett, Preston, Lincoln, Owsley, Richmond Ave., and Victory. Eastland is pretty easy, just type in Eastland Parkway.

Also, you didn't mention the ages of your children, but checkout the schools at Fayette County Public Schools | Lexington, Kentucky | It's About Kids!. There is an elementary magnet school in Eastland. One of the best magnet schools is Maxwell Spanish Immersion. If you want a diverse multi-cultural experience for your kids this is the place to be! I have my boys in this school. It is awesome. We also have a good selection of private schools too.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Good luck!

[lexingtongal]

I grew up near Eastland. If you consider that area get as far away from Jennifer Rd as possible. A lot of crime in that area! Also I would only consider a street that is in Dixie Elementary district. You also have to consider the middle school. Crawford is not the best.
I think some of the other areas mentioned have a better school district.

[Superocean]

Thanks so much for all of your messages. We are still a couple of years from retiring but will come down this summer to take a look. My children from China and Cambodia will be in high school by the time we move.
I will google earth and go on realtor.com to check out your recommendations