NEWCOMERS please read before posting so we may assist you in your move (Louisville: extended stay, fit in)

[martine8]

Originally Posted by Peter1948

Highlands, Old Louisville, Butchertown, or Clifton for you. PM me if any questions. Welcome!

New2Lou

Thank you very much! I googled those places and they're all great!!! I have to visit and see all those places before I permanently move there.

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by martine8

Thank you very much! I googled those places and they're all great!!! I have to visit and see all those places before I permanently move there.

Great, join the new2lou.com site. You will like it. Beware that Louisville will not "jump out" at you. It is not teeming with activity, yet, it is such a cultural city that it will give you plenty to stay entertained. You just have to find it. The advantages are that it is warmer (mostly), super cheap, has virtually no traffic, and many of its suburban oriented residents do not realize what a gem its urban hoods are, so more urban stuff for you without all the big city hassle!

I think the secret on Louisville is out in the NY. I would say many of Louisvilles urban hoods have a smaller/southern take on the developing parts of Brooklyn. Think Fort Greene and the likes but yet, the place is very unique. Not south. Not midwest. Just Louisville. In my opinion it is one of the few "authentic" American cities remaining. My only qualms are the (sometimes) provincial thinking of some the old timers and the way the city "urban renewed" some of the historic buildings on the edge of downtown (you will notice a surprising number of surface parking lots downtown. Goole pics of Louisville's past and you will see what grand buildings were demolished) yet I must admit it has a very impressive collection of urban neighborhoods for a city its size, and therein lies the "action" in those areas, especially in the areas near the Highlands.

[mmmuggy]

We are not new to Louisville, but are looking to buy a house and we are realizing how little we know about the different parts of the metro area. We currently live in an apartment complex on Fern Valley Road next to 65, and have had no problems, but we want to own.

-Where you are working: He will be working downtown at S 5th St and Main. I am about to graduate with my MSSW and could be working anywhere in the city, but have a tentative job offer on Browns Lane.
-How much you are willing to spend on housing: We are looking for something under $100k.
-How long of a commute you're willing to tolerate: Preferably 20-30 minutes
-If you have kids: Private school or public school? No kids yet, planning on TTC in 2-3 years and they will attend public school
-What type of neighborhood environment you are looking for: Honestly, we keep to ourselves and tend to not notice a lot of issues. I would like somewhere where I could sit on my front porch and not be bothered. I know that drugs are everywhere, I work with addicts, but in general if you aren't looking for it you don't notice. I grew up in the country, surrounded by tobacco farmers and rednecks and liked it. I wouldn't feel comfortable in a very wealthy neighborhood because of my upbringing. I walk around in my pajamas too much.

Driving out of the area to shop and eat doesn't bother me. I'm trying to eat out less anyway.


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[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by mmmuggy

We are not new to Louisville, but are looking to buy a house and we are realizing how little we know about the different parts of the metro area. We currently live in an apartment complex on Fern Valley Road next to 65, and have had no problems, but we want to own.

-Where you are working: He will be working downtown at S 5th St and Main. I am about to graduate with my MSSW and could be working anywhere in the city, but have a tentative job offer on Browns Lane.
-How much you are willing to spend on housing: We are looking for something under $100k.
-How long of a commute you're willing to tolerate: Preferably 20-30 minutes
-If you have kids: Private school or public school? No kids yet, planning on TTC in 2-3 years and they will attend public school
-What type of neighborhood environment you are looking for: Honestly, we keep to ourselves and tend to not notice a lot of issues. I would like somewhere where I could sit on my front porch and not be bothered. I know that drugs are everywhere, I work with addicts, but in general if you aren't looking for it you don't notice. I grew up in the country, surrounded by tobacco farmers and rednecks and liked it. I wouldn't feel comfortable in a very wealthy neighborhood because of my upbringing. I walk around in my pajamas too much.

Driving out of the area to shop and eat doesn't bother me. I'm trying to eat out less anyway.


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I think Jeffersontown is a great fit for you. There are several patio home developments out that way near I-265 with patio homes close to your price range (do not expect much for under 100k, though). If you spend 150k, your options increase 10 fold, and there are some great buys.

[383122]

My boyfriend and I are looking for a place to live close to Louisville. We would like to stay on the Indiana side and live in a suburb but need to be close to Louisville. He just got a job as a district manager and will be traveling back and forth between Louisville, Clarksville, Owensboro, and Evansville. Therefore, we would like a place central to all those if we could. It needs to be a safe area with good schools as I have a young child. We would also like it to be a place with both family friendly activities and a decent nightlife scene. I've read conflicting articles regarding Clarksville an Jeffersonville (2 cities we were originally looking at) and I don't know what other places will be central to the cities he will be traveling too while offering everything we are looking for without being too small of a town. ANY help you can give is greatly appreciated!

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by 383122

My boyfriend and I are looking for a place to live close to Louisville. We would like to stay on the Indiana side and live in a suburb but need to be close to Louisville. He just got a job as a district manager and will be traveling back and forth between Louisville, Clarksville, Owensboro, and Evansville. Therefore, we would like a place central to all those if we could. It needs to be a safe area with good schools as I have a young child. We would also like it to be a place with both family friendly activities and a decent nightlife scene. I've read conflicting articles regarding Clarksville an Jeffersonville (2 cities we were originally looking at) and I don't know what other places will be central to the cities he will be traveling too while offering everything we are looking for without being too small of a town. ANY help you can give is greatly appreciated!

Given your criteria, your best bet is New Albany, and specifically, the Floyds Knobs section of that area. Floyds Knobs, IN has great schools, and is very close to Clarksville while providing easy free way access to Evansville and Owensboro, easily shaving off 20 minutes of commute time.

New Albany has seen a recent resurgence, with an increasing number of younger families moving in and a few decent bars and restaurants.

8 Downtown New Albany Restaurants Worth the Trip - Eater Maps - Eater Louisville

Any reason you are choosing to stay on the Indiana side.?

By far the best restaurants and nightlife are on the Louisville side of things. And Louisville is compact enough that it is easy and quick to get around.

New2Lou lists some of the best areas.

However, you can bank on the bar/nightlife concentrations being downtown along 4th and main/market

On Bardstown rd/Baxter Ave in the Highlands

and, the heart of St Matthews which is the area where Shelbyville road meets Frankfort Avenue.

Also keep in mind that Old Louisville, Germantown, and even Beechmont contain some nightlife and restaurant gems

[darcilew]

This forum is such a relief! Our family of 5 is moving to the Louisville area in August/September, and we need some info on where to move. We have 3 kids. Our 8 year old was recently diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, so schools that have strong special ed programs is a priority for us. Likewise, areas that have strong supports for kids with disabilities would be helpful. (Like pediatric therapy centers for occupational and physical therapy.)
We are open to living on the Indiana side as well, but we don't know much about the neighborhoods there. We did find a house near Utica we liked, but we want to make sure it fits our needs.


Where you are working: Downtown Louisville
-How much you are willing to spend on housing $250,000-$350,000
-How long of a commute you're willing to tolerate 20-30 minutes
-If you have kids: Private school or public school? great public schools
-What type of neighborhood environment you are looking for: small town feeling? small city excitement? suburbia delight? Probably closest to suburbia delight, but some city excitement and diversity would be good too.
-Community amenities important to you- Excellent schools with great special ed programs - we would probably like some land- maybe an acre or so. Close grocery shopping, stores are relatively important.
-Pie or cake?- 9/10 cake!

I appreciate your help

[palejuneday]

Given your criteria (and I am by no means an expert) if I were you I would start around Hurstbourne Lane at Shelbyville Rd and start heading East and go all the way out to Eastwood. Check out all those neighborhoods (Douglas Hills would be a great one to look at in particular). If none of those fit the bill. Start at 265 and Shelbyville Road and start working your way north til you get to Brownsboro. There are a lot of options in this area particularly in your price range. (and though many people decry the East/Northeast as nothing but McMansions, there is plenty of affordable housing there as well). Pretty much all the elementary schools in the area are top-notch. Everything that you need will be a 5-15 minute drive. The commute to downtown can sometimes be a little north of 30 minutes depending on the day, but overall not too bad (and of course that depends on how far out you go). Oh! and maybe check out the Whipps Mill Rd area as well. (though I think that the Middle School that is their resides is having some issues - Westport Middle)

Other areas that are pretty good include Jeffersontown and Fern Creek. The schools in these areas are just a slight dip below the East/Northeast ones but there are many that are very good. Plus the areas are starting to see some major investments. You can also get a lot more bang for your buck house-wise in these areas.

If you are interested in going out of county, then your commute may be a little longer, but Crestwood and Pewee Valley in Oldham County are nice and has great schools. Simpsonville in Shelby County is growing (but if all that retail development comes, it may become a nightmare). Mt. Washington in Bullitt County is nice and i hear good things about their schools anecdotally. Not sure about Indiana or Shephardsville (larger city in Bullitt County).

Really, with what you are looking for, you have PLENTY of options. It is probably just best to spend a couple of days driving around and seeing where you feel comfortable.

(St. Matthews and surrounding is very nice as well, but with your family size, I think that you would have difficulty finding a house that could fit your family comfortably in your price range)

[darcilew]

Thank you! We have heard great things about Oldham County schools as well. My husband just accepted the job, and he will be out there in two weeks.

[kdelaneypa]

What neighborhoods should i start looking in.


Where you are working: University of Louisville main campus
-How much you are willing to spend on housing will rent first, then buy. Willing to spend up to $1000 or so in rent. Would prefer a 2 BR apt, house or condo
-How long of a commute you're willing to tolerate the shorter the better. I would actually like to walk to work but willing to drive up to 20 minutes
-If you have kids: No school age kids, so no personal worry about finding school
-What type of neighborhood environment you are looking for: Urban. An "urban neighborhood feel" woul d be ideal.
-Community amenities important to you- Coffee shops, restaurants/bars. I am in my early 50s enjoy food and drink Don't mind living among younger or similar aged people
-Pie or cake?- Bourbon