Questions about living in Lexington, KY
May 24th, 2003, 01:17 PM
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Questions about living in Lexington, KY
My husband was just offered a job in Lexington. I have done some preliminary research on this area and it looks good. I used to live in another part of Kentucky so I am somewhat familiar with that part of the country.
The job would be local management, so he'd be in the city every day. Our income would be between $90K-$110K.
What I would like to know is:
1. What areas are the farthest you would consider living for a job in downtown Lexington? (we currently have a 40 minute commute near San Diego)
2. Which are the safest areas with the nicest shopping? (not designer necessarily, just clean and classy)
3. What are the taxes like in KY? Property tax? City taxes? (I think I read 6% sales tax).
4. Are there frequent tornadoes?
5. Which neighborhoods would have houses in the $250K range with decent sized lots? (I don't want to look out my window and see right into my neighbor's house!)
6. Do many houses in that range have swimming pools?
Thank you in advance for your answers or any assistance you can give.
The job would be local management, so he'd be in the city every day. Our income would be between $90K-$110K.
What I would like to know is:
1. What areas are the farthest you would consider living for a job in downtown Lexington? (we currently have a 40 minute commute near San Diego)
2. Which are the safest areas with the nicest shopping? (not designer necessarily, just clean and classy)
3. What are the taxes like in KY? Property tax? City taxes? (I think I read 6% sales tax).
4. Are there frequent tornadoes?
5. Which neighborhoods would have houses in the $250K range with decent sized lots? (I don't want to look out my window and see right into my neighbor's house!)
6. Do many houses in that range have swimming pools?
Thank you in advance for your answers or any assistance you can give.
May 24th, 2003, 01:54 PM
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One thing I noticed and forgot to mention is the air pollution.
The entire region seems to have a very high lead index (almost 5 times nat'l avg) and a high carbon monoxide level.
Anyone know why and how it affects people?
The entire region seems to have a very high lead index (almost 5 times nat'l avg) and a high carbon monoxide level.
Anyone know why and how it affects people?
May 24th, 2003, 02:34 PM
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JSRX2,
I have lived in Lexington since 1986. Most people feel like it is a safe and nice place to live. It certainly is beautiful and there are the advantage (if you'd call it one) that it has four distinct weather seasons.
That being said, there is no way to adequately answer your question, without knowing what type of neighborhood you'd like to live in. I'm getting the impression that you do not want to live in the city, but rather you'd like suburban living, with a little larger than average lot size, and a swimming pool. That is certainly possible in Lexington, in the $250K range for the house, within 40 minutes of downtown Lexington.
I would check out some of the older and newer developments in the Hamburg area, as well as out Tates Creek. Really, you need to hook up with a decent realtor and come take a look for yourself.
To answer you other questions, Lexington is not by any means a dangerous area. There are a few areas with high drug concentrations, however, you won't be living or shopping there so I wouldn't worry. The two major shopping areas are either Hamburg (which is new and booming) or Fayette Mall (out Nicholasville Road).
Taxes in Kentucky are not nearly as high as other areas of the U.S., except for the automobile tax. Having a new car can cost $200 per year in taxes. The flip side is, property taxes are pretty low. I pay a little more than $1000 per year for $170,000 worth of property.
I have never seen a tornado hit Lexington, although some of the surrounding communities have been hit. This is not tornado alley.
Swimming pools are quite common.
My wife and I live in the Chevy Chase area near downtown and U.K. I'm the wrong person to ask about which suburbs are the best, since we like living in the middle of the city.
I have lived in Lexington since 1986. Most people feel like it is a safe and nice place to live. It certainly is beautiful and there are the advantage (if you'd call it one) that it has four distinct weather seasons.
That being said, there is no way to adequately answer your question, without knowing what type of neighborhood you'd like to live in. I'm getting the impression that you do not want to live in the city, but rather you'd like suburban living, with a little larger than average lot size, and a swimming pool. That is certainly possible in Lexington, in the $250K range for the house, within 40 minutes of downtown Lexington.
I would check out some of the older and newer developments in the Hamburg area, as well as out Tates Creek. Really, you need to hook up with a decent realtor and come take a look for yourself.
To answer you other questions, Lexington is not by any means a dangerous area. There are a few areas with high drug concentrations, however, you won't be living or shopping there so I wouldn't worry. The two major shopping areas are either Hamburg (which is new and booming) or Fayette Mall (out Nicholasville Road).
Taxes in Kentucky are not nearly as high as other areas of the U.S., except for the automobile tax. Having a new car can cost $200 per year in taxes. The flip side is, property taxes are pretty low. I pay a little more than $1000 per year for $170,000 worth of property.
I have never seen a tornado hit Lexington, although some of the surrounding communities have been hit. This is not tornado alley.
Swimming pools are quite common.
My wife and I live in the Chevy Chase area near downtown and U.K. I'm the wrong person to ask about which suburbs are the best, since we like living in the middle of the city.
May 24th, 2003, 02:39 PM
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dfotravels
Thank you for the introduction to Lexington. It is a completely new development for us (in our lives) as the position my husband thought he would get was in Nashville, but they are offering him and even better one in Lexington (that offer just came in this morning).
Just so I know, what are the bad parts of town? It's always nice to have a feel for where to steer clear of.
You were exactly right about our housing preferences. In driving in from those outlying communities, is there a traffic problem? (I know you don't do it, but maybe you've heard).
Thanks again for sharing your point of view.
Thank you for the introduction to Lexington. It is a completely new development for us (in our lives) as the position my husband thought he would get was in Nashville, but they are offering him and even better one in Lexington (that offer just came in this morning).
Just so I know, what are the bad parts of town? It's always nice to have a feel for where to steer clear of.
You were exactly right about our housing preferences. In driving in from those outlying communities, is there a traffic problem? (I know you don't do it, but maybe you've heard).
Thanks again for sharing your point of view.
May 24th, 2003, 05:33 PM
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JSRX2,
There is no really bad part of Lexington, other than a couple of areas where some "projects" are. If your desire is to not live right downtown, than you have nothing to worry about, since any unseemly parts of town are downtown.
This is a town of about 250,000 people. It is primarily a big college town (University of Kentucky). There is no section of town anywhere near where you would buy a $250,000 house w/ a swimming pool.
People complain about driving and traffic here in Lexington, but that is really a joke if you're from any size city elsewhere. A 20 minute commute is bad for most people. You can live in any suburb in Lexington (talk to a realtor, there are several with swimming clubs and/or golf courses on them) and still be less than a 30 minute commute from downtown Lexington.
One of the best things about Lexington is its close proximity to airports. There are three (3) airports within 75 miles. Lexington's airport is less than 10 minutes from downtown. Louisville and Cincinnati are just 75 miles away each. 75 miles, which unlike some areas, you can easily travail within an hour and a half.
Sorry I can't be more help.
There is no really bad part of Lexington, other than a couple of areas where some "projects" are. If your desire is to not live right downtown, than you have nothing to worry about, since any unseemly parts of town are downtown.
This is a town of about 250,000 people. It is primarily a big college town (University of Kentucky). There is no section of town anywhere near where you would buy a $250,000 house w/ a swimming pool.
People complain about driving and traffic here in Lexington, but that is really a joke if you're from any size city elsewhere. A 20 minute commute is bad for most people. You can live in any suburb in Lexington (talk to a realtor, there are several with swimming clubs and/or golf courses on them) and still be less than a 30 minute commute from downtown Lexington.
One of the best things about Lexington is its close proximity to airports. There are three (3) airports within 75 miles. Lexington's airport is less than 10 minutes from downtown. Louisville and Cincinnati are just 75 miles away each. 75 miles, which unlike some areas, you can easily travail within an hour and a half.
Sorry I can't be more help.
May 24th, 2003, 08:50 PM
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Boy, I envy you. I have a sister who lives in Lexington and another who lives in nearby Danville. I LOVE visiting and think it would be a great town to live in. It's beautiful, cultural, loaded with southern charm, historic, and lots of "old money".
Lexington is where the world's best thoroughbred horses come from. I don't think air pollution has bothered them any!! Honestly, I've never noticed any air pollution.
Lexington is where the world's best thoroughbred horses come from. I don't think air pollution has bothered them any!! Honestly, I've never noticed any air pollution.
