want info about specific area in Louisvile (Louisville, Frankfort: real estate, condos)

[suzun]

Is anyone familiar with the areas of Germantown and the Original Highlands in Louisville and specifically an area called Butchertown? If so give me details of area. Is it safe, is there commercial activity, how far is it from downtown? thanks

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by suzun

Is anyone familiar with the areas of Germantown and the Original Highlands in Louisville and specifically an area called Butchertown? If so give me details of area. Is it safe, is there commercial activity, how far is it from downtown? thanks

Yes they are all safe. All are older, urban hoods that are largely filling with young professionals and some gays. All are distinct neighborhoods. Germantown is about 7 minutes south of downtown and is good for its cheaper housing, proximity to UofL's main campus, and plethora of corner bars that really define Louisville like Check's Cafe, Flabby's Schnitzelburg, and Come Back Inn Italian . Original Highlands is 5 minutes SE of downtown and has the densest commercial strip. It is also quite expensive by KY standards. The area around Baxter and Highland Ave is a great place to live if you are young and has tons of bars, unique restaurants, and even a nice park with a few highrise living options in Cherokee Triangle.

Butchertown is about 5 minutes east of downtown and has really gentrified and become quite trendy in recent years. There are a lot of rehabs and a lot of condos being built nearby, but not a whole lot of retail yet. There are still a few working class people but it is very safe. Still, Butchertown is basically like the east side of downtown and offers such a short commute to expanding amenities in the east downtown area like the skate park, Slugger Baseball field, the art galleries, and several restauarants on east main and east market. Also, it is close to some cool stuff on Frankfort Ave which has good restuarants and lots of antique shops plus coffee houses.

[suzun]

thanks stx12499
What has the real estate appreciation been in Lville over the last few years? Are areas like Originial Highlands appreciating at a greater rate than others?
Where do you live? What do you like about Lville? What don't you like?

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by suzun

thanks stx12499
What has the real estate appreciation been in Lville over the last few years? Are areas like Originial Highlands appreciating at a greater rate than others?
Where do you live? What do you like about Lville? What don't you like?

Louisville is a city with slowly appreciating housing values all over. Louisville is a very stable market, and does not experience the boom and bust cycle of the large coastal cities. You aren't going to make a ton on a property here in five years, but you sure aren't going to lose anything either. This is largely true for most cities in the Midwest and much of the South.

The best appreciation and the houses that sell the fastest are located in two areas. Realtors lump St Matthews and Crescent Hill into one area, and the next area with good appreciation and a vibrant lifestyle is the Highlands/Germantown/Butchertown areas. You can't go wrong with either, and despite common myth, houses in these areas have much more apreciation and upside than suburban houses further out in places like Prospect where many houses are just not selling or appreciating.

Your best bet is to drive around these neighborhoods. Much of Louisville is not on a grid, so just hop in your car and explore, and don't be afraid to get a little lost. Realize the city is very old and was quite dense, so some stuff that may look "run down" is actually pretty nice on the inside. Stop and talk to some neighbors on a street. People are very friendly here and most would be happy to talk about their neighborhood.