relo from LI, NY to Louisville (Lancaster: HOA, house, neighborhoods)

[sick of NY]

We are in our 40's with three kids, ages 8, 12, and 14 yrs. We are looking for someplace with good schools access to culture and a friendly somewhat liberal vibe. We have been looking into Fla and Carolina's and Pa. Recently we saw a house in Barbour Manor. Could anyone tell us anything about the area?
Thanks for your help.

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by sick of NY

We are in our 40's with three kids, ages 8, 12, and 14 yrs. We are looking for someplace with good schools access to culture and a friendly somewhat liberal vibe. We have been looking into Fla and Carolina's and Pa. Recently we saw a house in Barbour Manor. Could anyone tell us anything about the area?
Thanks for your help.

I am not familiar woth Barbour Manour...could you please give an address?

[nlschr0]

It's off of Barbour Ln, not too far from Brownsboro and Springdale. It sits right up against I-71 - it has a lot of trees, but still some freeway noise/smells.

[schools]

Check out Oldham county-great schools for your kids!

[dutchiris]

Originally Posted by sick of NY

We are in our 40's with three kids, ages 8, 12, and 14 yrs. We are looking for someplace with good schools access to culture and a friendly somewhat liberal vibe. We have been looking into Fla and Carolina's and Pa. Recently we saw a house in Barbour Manor. Could anyone tell us anything about the area?
Thanks for your help.

I think the key word here for you may be liberal. I don't really think of the Carolinas or Florida as being liberal but, never having lived there I could be wrong.
Louisville is about 50/50 when it comes to being politically diversified. I consider myself a liberal and I love it here. It's a great place to raise kids. The cost of living is more than reasonable. We have an arts/entertainment atmosphere that is very progressive. Restaurants here extremely diverse, innovative, and best of all affordable.(Which is great when introducing your kids to more sophisticated dining than fast foods or family restaurants.)
Louisville is working on their outdoor recreational opportunities. We have great state, county parks for hiking, boating on the river but I find that winter sports activities are lacking.
Housing here is still pretty affordable. $300,000 or less will get you a nice 3-4 BR home in some of the nicest areas in town.

[CindyShannon]

I can tell you everything you would like to know about Barbour Manor in Louisville, Kentucky. I lived in this neighborhood for over 10 years and am a Realtor that knows this area of Louisville extremely well. It is a fabulous neighborhood w/ many wonderful features. Great schools, churches, minutes to downtown businesses, hospitals and the airport too. Barbour Manor is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in this quadrant of the east end of Louisville inside the Gene Snyder Freeway. The neighboring communities are priced between $280k - $375K. A new neighborhood across the street is from $600K to over a million. Neighborhoods behind this one is between $325K - $600K and then there is Barbour Manor $180k to $250K. Approx 300 homes range in age from 25-30 years. A newer section in the back w/ homes priced $300K - $375K and age around 8-12 years. There is only one way in and out of Barbour Manor, no through traffic and every street is a culdesac street. The homes that back to the interstate all have incredible yards because they are huge pie shaped lots. My home used to back to the interstate and it was not a bad thing at all. I am a native Floridian who has lived in Louisville for the last 22 years and I love the distinctive 4 seasons. Not too much cold or hot weather. It is a wonderful place to live. Barbour Manor has a very involved HOA too that really keeps the neighborhood looking nice. They have a parade on July 4th for the kids, a holiday lights contest around December and an annual yard sale. They also publish a newsletter to keep residents up to date on the happenings in the neighborhood.

[lisurfer]

Smithtown, here, let me know how you guys make out, I have three years to go and was thinking of Tennessee, North Carolina or Pa. Pa. to me is too depressing. No one really comes back to the state after their education because of the lack of jobs, unless you want to work in a gritty city like Philadelphia. I have heard many wonderful things about Kentucky, particularly Louisville area. They supposedly have a big education and medical business base there. Plenty of jobs, good living and great people. Let me know!!!

[luv4mykids]

I would check out any address for public schools before purchasing, or have your kids in private schools if staying in Jefferson County; they could get get bussed all over the county or end up in the worst school possible, however since they are older it may not be a big issue - but still check it out. [url=http://datacenter.courier-journal.com/schools/kentucky/desegregation/assignments]courier-journal.com » Jefferson County school assignment proposal map[/url]

We have 4 children ourselves and are in a bind with the schooling and considering purchasing in Oldham County. People are great here, price of living is reasonable (check the areas first!), and there is always something to do! Good luck with your move, and become a Cardinal or UK fan!

[Windwalker]

I live in PA now and want out. The taxes here are simply obscene with no real services to show for it--excpet some good schools. Note the word some. Parts of it are indeed beautiful, Pittsburgh is a beautiful but backward city in many ways, though with good arts. Some of us actually like Philly. But the joke here is: What's between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh? Alabama.

(Sorry, don't mean this as a slam to Alabama, which I also know and like.) But outside the cities, PA is just emerging from the 1960's in many ways and waking up to the reality that industry will not return as has been hoped since the 70's. Not all of this is bad. There is a love of family and care for community that is endearing. And some beautiful old little towns like Lititz near Lancaster that are the epitome of an It's a Wonderful Life set.

[tomocox]

I know everyone must be sick of my praise for Oldham County and the love I have for living here. It's a wonderful life! Great schools, great people, great place to operate a business. Perfect, heck no, but a great part of what I like about Oldham County is that it is so non-perfect. We fight for what we believe and enjoy each other afterwards. Ideal is my point.