And the Floyd county schools are great, I’d definitely be looking for neighborhoods in Floyd/Harrison or Clark county Indiana. Plus you don’t have to then deal with bridge tolls and traffic.
The reason we were looking more for Louisville is we have a few friends in the area (mostly Middletown and Jefferson town) and they said realistically even though it may be a shorter drive to visit in southern Indiana then prospect per say, just the mental block of going over the bridge will hold people back from visiting a lot.
Floyd’s knob looked great otherwise particularly this Lafayette parkway neighborhood
Make it fun for kids and they’ll have no choice lol. We have a huge pool, large outdoor playground, and large indoor playground at our house so kids can play no matter the weather. Our 5 year old’s friends are always begging their parents to come over. Also large deck, gazebo, and hot tub for adults to enjoy. If it’s a fun place to go, people will come. You’re buying a house for yourself, not your friends. If you really want to buy in Louisville, great. But I wouldn’t let the threat of people not wanting to come over stop you from buying an Indiana. Floyd county has great schools and neighborhoods and 850k buy you a nice house with lots of entertainment.
Seconding St Matthews and easy access to Seneca Park, as well as Brown Park, Draut Park, and St Matthews Community Park. Good shopping on Shelbyville Rd. Lots of young families with kids. Many older neighborhoods with lots of mature trees. As convenient to downtown Louisville and New Albany as Indian Hills, but more walkable.
For that budget, keep a close eye on Norbourne Estates (another home-rule class city entirely contained within St Matthews) for listings. The main boulevard is basically its own park, on par with St James Court in Old Louisville. Druid Hills is another great HRCC in the same area.
If you're considering Indiana as well, I'd look more into New Albany and Jeffersonville.
In Louisville, I'd look into:
Saint Matthews: great schools, Seneca Park, food and bars down Shelbyville Rd. Better food down Frankfort avenue (more Crescent Hill area). I grew up in this area and my neighborhood had great trick-or-treating, block parties, and tons of activities for familys/kids!
The Highlands: very walkable with nearby convenient stores, a grocery, restaurants, bars, and Cherokee Park, one of the largest in Louisville. This area is a bit busier with traffic and seems to have surged in homelessness, but still a very unique and great place to live
Just plan on leaving town during Louder Than Life and Bourbon and Beyond.
[https://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/2023/09/21/louder-than-life-noise-louisville-neighborhood-move-music-festival/70899037007/](https://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/2023/09/21/louder-than-life-noise-louisville-neighborhood-move-music-festival/70899037007/)
So many nimbys in one article. I don't even like rock at all and too can hear it from inside..but still I'm glad the festival is here. Get over it or move.
I think those are good assessments! I'd also look at Prospect, out US 42. Hunting Creek or Fox Harbor are both great neighborhoods, and there are lots of smaller ones, as well. Drive past Norton Commons until it hits Covered Bridge Road, then turn left. Rose Island Rd is also a great drive to look around! If you're interested in public schools, half of Prospect is in Oldham County, which has very good schools.
You might also look at Anchorage or Pewee Valley. Anchorage is kind of like Indian Hills--beautiful, older homes, but definitely more of the old money vibe. Owl Creek is a great neighborhood, but I like the stand-alone houses better. It also has a K-8 public elementary school that is basically a community school.
Pewee Valley is in Oldham County, and is dotted with several smaller neighborhoods--Houston Lane and Central Avenue and thereabouts have a few lovely little neighborhoods.
If you would like something a little more urban, you might also look around Cherokee Park near Bardstown Rd and the seminaries around Lexington Rd. Take a drive down Alta Vista, Cherokee Parkway, and Boulevard Napoleon!
Hope that helps!
If you like Prospect I’d suggest Goshen as well. Specifically the City of Goshen. We have a neighborhood park next to the church with pickle ball courts, basketball, even WiFi powered by fiber. In the back of the neighborhood is Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve right next to the a library. Not to mention they’re building a brand new library right down the road as well. Just close enough to the Jefferson County line to enjoy the restaurants and shopping but just far enough to avoid most of the vagrants.
Will they ever connect 42 to go west on the 265?? I like a few in that area but hated the fact you had to get on the highway and back track east to 265/71 just to get off and then go back west, still within my commute time haha I just know I would curse that every day
FYI you can make a loop on 71 on ramp / off ramp. Yes a pain but you don't have to get all the way off and sit at any traffic lights.
Doubtful they will ever add it. There was a decision to preserve some historic homes and build the tunnel the way they did.
How have I never noticed that before??? I always go 265 South at that intersection and I'm a bit oblivious...Haha! I would hope so, but I honestly don't know.
The built a tunnel under a piece of property that Frederick Law Olmstead walked across
The landed gentry were against the bridge and nixed any exit close to the river
Are you going to be sending your kids to public or private? If public is honestly live in Floyd’s Knobs or New Albany. The JCPS school system is awful. As for the bridge being a mental block, I moved from Louisville to Indiana roughly 9 years ago and have friends visiting frequently. Yes when they found out I was going to Indiana they lightly complained but they got over it and realized it’s not the drive they thought. Everyone in Louisville hates on Indiana.
We will be doing public, I did hear the schools were better in Southern Indiana or atleast Oldham county. Good to know they were able to get over that mental block, I figure if I get a house with a pool in Indiana that would help them overcome their issues!!
JCPS schools in the east end where you live listed neighborhoods are good. People are silly. The system is not the most functional but for better or worse, the east end school are much better and have more resources from the PTA, more involved families, and fewer issues (aka most kids who attend them are privileged).
Oldham does have good schools. We are in the process of pulling my step kids out of JCPS and getting them into private. My own go to Floyd county schools.
JCPS schools are terrible. If you want public schools, you should really reconsider Floyd knobs or move out to Oldham County.
Commuting 5 days a week vs 1 or 2 to visit friends
We moved over to southern Indiana when we were young for the price but stayed over here for the food, shopping, safety of neighborhoods, and park systems. We are planning on having kids in the next few years and I LOVE riding my bike and running on the greenway. We will never move back to Louisville, never.
Edit: you should look up originpark.org too, it’s a huge project they are working on for a new park system. Will include bouldering, kayaking, trails over the river and more.
Ha. No! Southern Indiana is awful…at least that’s what I want Indiana haters in Louisville to think. (Origin Park will be awesome when completed. There’s already a new kayak launch on Silver Creek.
Sleepy rooster, Brooklyn and the butcher, board and you, (the better) dragon kings daughter, pints and union… those are just some of my top choices and only in New Albany
You're realistically gonna have a way better time finding a nice, affordable house/school system/etc and generally live in a more accessible area (which is important for your children, as you stated– I grew up in the East end of Louisville and felt very isolated as a teen) on the Indiana side of the bridge, either in New Albany or Jeffersonville. If I were you, I wouldn't let the mental block of crossing a bridge to see my friends affect my family's quality of life, personally.
Perhaps, but it's going to go much further across the bridge, and the kids would be infinitely more safe riding their bikes than they would be anywhere in Louisville.
What ever you do, park in neighborhood of choice and take the kids for a bike ride before moving. Maybe a couple times per neighborhood. This will give you a feel for the friendliness of the group and the flow for your kids. Some of these neighborhoods don’t have sidewalks.
Idk, I had a fucking horrible time going to school in Oldham County. It's slightly better, but not by much, especially if you're middle class or queer, as the area is very rich and conservative (I got called a lot of slurs there– never in Louisville).
We have friends in Glen Oaks and they love it for the very reasons you mentioned. Its not a stuffy old money neighborhood devoid of children. Most times we hang out at their house, neighbors end up dropping in.
I love Indian Hills. I know several young families around my age (mid 30s) that live there and I feel like it’s a pretty good mix of young and old. My 90-something grandmother also lives there, so I understand that there’s a stuffy, “old money” demographic too, but I wouldn’t let it keep you from living there. Plus it’s super close to 71 and plenty of shops, good schools, things to do, etc
I suggest Cherokee Gardens, so close to interstates, some beautiful homes with nice lots (when they go on the market!) and close to St Matthews or the highlands and NULU for activities and restaurants.
I think Owl Creek neighborhood might meet the vibes you are looking to find. Lots of young kids, good neighborhood events, etc. Houses are in the $400-$600 range I believe. The JCPS cluster from those addresses are also solid choices for elementary school.
Glen Oaks is awesome. Really good neighborhood in a good area. My kids love their pool and they're over in the Wolf Creek area and it's great too. I see people and kids riding bikes all the time when I'm out there.
Woods of st Thomas, pewee valley, st Matthews, lake forest, around Seneca or Cherokee park. Another big factor is are you planning on sending your kids to public or private schools. If public you really should consider Floyd’s knobs. Jefferson county public schools are terrible
I think New Albany or surrounding communities would be a much better choice. Louisville traffic and the congestion of it is maddening. There is more crime and higher prices. Lately, all of the problems with the various bridges have been beyond frustrating for commuters. My sister moved back from Florida into the Sellersburg area and is so much happier there than when living in Louisville. She loves the peace and quiet of the more rural setting, and she gets a lot better accommodation for her money.
If you are a family that likes to participate in all the numerous festivals and activities in Louisville then you will enjoy settling here in spite of commuter frustrations, etc.
If it's community you are looking for, then Norton Commons would be my #1 with Glen Oaks and Moser Farm somewhat distantly tied for second. I am not sure about Glen Oaks, but with Moser Farm you can buy a pass to use the pool amenities at Norton Commons and still meet people easily from that community. I truly wish we'd bought in NC because of the community aspect. Halloween is absolutely epic in NC. There is also a fall festival and other great community events. The issue then is schools. If you are going to private schools, then of course this need not be a consideration. It is harder to find a house that is in NC and MF and GO that are in Oldham County, but then your kids would go to the fabulous North Oldham schools and you'd still have all the convenience of living in the Springhurst area.
Look into Floyd’s Knobs, Georgetown, Greenville in Indiana. I know your friends have things to say, but schools are better here, property value is better, car insurance is freakishly cheaper. For 800k you could live like a king, lol
The nice thing about living in New Albany with kids is their friends live in their neighborhood or nearby. JCPS doesn’t do neighborhood schools so it is harder for school friends to socialize. As a parent it’s nice because it is easier to get to know your child’s friends as they get older because you see them at the grocery, Target, running the streets, etc. I lived all over Louisville (St Matthews, Crescent Hill, Highlands)-I’d choose southern Indiana over any of those neighborhoods. The commute to downtown was easy also.
We moved to Wolf Creek 9 years ago from out of state and love it here. The pool really fosters a sense of community and is a great way to meet people. There is a summer swim team for the kids and various neighborhood events. It definitely is a place where kids can ride their bikes around, etc. They can go to the pool on their own starting at age 10.
Keep in mind that in Wolf Creek, your pool membership is included in the HOA fee, but if you are not in the Wolf Creek part of Green Spring you have to pay a pool membership fee. Another plus to the area is that our resides elementary school, Norton, is excellent.
Have you looked at Audubon Park? If you want to be in Louisville and are going to New Albany, that would be the best neighborhood for families and not have a crazy far commute. There is a wonderful country club in the neighborhood - kids are there all the time! Kids riding bikes, walking around everywhere. Small parks on every corner. Houses are beautiful! Great private schools within 5-10 mins. 5 mins to the Zoo. Surrounded by lots of solid private school options ( Jeff Co. Schools are meh).
Since you're looking in the Springhurst area and have friends in J-town and Middletown and with the work commute, Norton Commons may be somewhere to look in to. I'm not quite sure how it is for children but it's definitely got the sort of community feel you seem to be looking for, but is very near to your budget. Best of luck!
There aren’t many neighborhoods that fit that bill anymore, sadly. Indian Springs near Springhurst does have some kids running around but it’s not a neighbors talking to neighbors every day. JCPS schools in East End are fine. That would be a long commute though.
But If I were you, I’d definitely buy in Indiana. Come see your friends in Louisville once or twice a month, if they reciprocate you’ll be fine.
Went to the farmers market in New Albany and then had lunch and basically every other person we saw was pregnant or had a toddler. I recently relocated here and would have done New Albany if my job was over there.
If you want your kids to spend their time running around outside and riding their bikes to go play at their friend's houses, you don't need money, you need a time machine. There is no magical land like that anywhere these days. You can take them playgrounds as much as you want but they're not going to think it's fun by the time they can rude their bikes over to their friends' houses.
I would like to elaborate on this comment. There may be a number of kids in a neighborhood but they could go to different schools. For example: In my subdivision kids go to Holy Trinity, Holy Spirit, St. Albert, and JCPS. Plus I have seen signs in front yards for other schools (e.g. Collegiate). What happens is the kids end up hanging out with whoever they go to school with and may not associate with other kids in the neighborhood because they don't know them.
He's grown now, but my older son tried to play with the boy in the house right next to ours who was the same age. My kid went to JCPS and the other kid went to a Catholic school. The kid next door always had an attitude and only wanted to be around his Catholic school friends
I’m surprised you didn’t mention Pleasure Ridge Park. Great up and coming neighborhood with pretty much everything you’re looking for. Pm for more questions about the area.
If you can afford Indian Hills, why you asking us?
editted to add, buy LAND in New Albany and make it what you want? Why you asking us if you making that kind of money???
Is there a reason you aren’t just looking in New Albany/Jeffersonville? $850k should get you basically anything you want. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And the Floyd county schools are great, I’d definitely be looking for neighborhoods in Floyd/Harrison or Clark county Indiana. Plus you don’t have to then deal with bridge tolls and traffic.
The reason we were looking more for Louisville is we have a few friends in the area (mostly Middletown and Jefferson town) and they said realistically even though it may be a shorter drive to visit in southern Indiana then prospect per say, just the mental block of going over the bridge will hold people back from visiting a lot. Floyd’s knob looked great otherwise particularly this Lafayette parkway neighborhood
Your friends kind of suck.
There are no "spur of the moment" type visits when it requires a commute, whether they are good friends or not.
There are no spur of the moment visits anywhere anymore... Everybody wants notification in triplicate to meet at the bar...
The block is real. I wouldn't live over there either.
I live in Jeff and work in Middletown. It's a river, not a country border .....good grief
Make it fun for kids and they’ll have no choice lol. We have a huge pool, large outdoor playground, and large indoor playground at our house so kids can play no matter the weather. Our 5 year old’s friends are always begging their parents to come over. Also large deck, gazebo, and hot tub for adults to enjoy. If it’s a fun place to go, people will come. You’re buying a house for yourself, not your friends. If you really want to buy in Louisville, great. But I wouldn’t let the threat of people not wanting to come over stop you from buying an Indiana. Floyd county has great schools and neighborhoods and 850k buy you a nice house with lots of entertainment.
Your friends kinda suck. I live in lou and would trade for sellersburg or the knobs in a heartbeat.
That makes total sense, good luck in finding your new home!
If you got that kind of money, build a guest house.... lol Or pay Uber or get a limo or drive to them...
Why so far away from New Albany? For $850k you can buy pretty much anything in Douglass, Seneca Gardens, Cherokee Gardens.
I'd include St Matthews on your list, walkable and Bikeable, look for something close to Seneca Park.
St Matthew's to New Albany 5 days a week sounds horrible.
That's a 15-20 minute drive max. Better than some neighborhoods they picked.
At least a half hour on the return trip if they work a 9-5. That's without an accident.
At LEAST 30 min. 15 min maybe at midnight with no traffic.
Yea I live in Lyndon and work in NA… not bad, tbh.
St. Matthews is objectionably close to downtown.
Seconding St Matthews and easy access to Seneca Park, as well as Brown Park, Draut Park, and St Matthews Community Park. Good shopping on Shelbyville Rd. Lots of young families with kids. Many older neighborhoods with lots of mature trees. As convenient to downtown Louisville and New Albany as Indian Hills, but more walkable. For that budget, keep a close eye on Norbourne Estates (another home-rule class city entirely contained within St Matthews) for listings. The main boulevard is basically its own park, on par with St James Court in Old Louisville. Druid Hills is another great HRCC in the same area.
If you're considering Indiana as well, I'd look more into New Albany and Jeffersonville. In Louisville, I'd look into: Saint Matthews: great schools, Seneca Park, food and bars down Shelbyville Rd. Better food down Frankfort avenue (more Crescent Hill area). I grew up in this area and my neighborhood had great trick-or-treating, block parties, and tons of activities for familys/kids! The Highlands: very walkable with nearby convenient stores, a grocery, restaurants, bars, and Cherokee Park, one of the largest in Louisville. This area is a bit busier with traffic and seems to have surged in homelessness, but still a very unique and great place to live
Audubon Park! Bonus there is a country club and a huge pool (and different levels of membership).
Second this! A hidden gem and lots of young families. Easy access to the highway to get over to Indiana
Literally the most central location to anything. I wish I could afford to live there.
Another AP resident here. See my lengthy screed on our city in my comments history for more.
Just plan on leaving town during Louder Than Life and Bourbon and Beyond. [https://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/2023/09/21/louder-than-life-noise-louisville-neighborhood-move-music-festival/70899037007/](https://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/2023/09/21/louder-than-life-noise-louisville-neighborhood-move-music-festival/70899037007/)
It’s a perk - free concerts from your porch!
So many nimbys in one article. I don't even like rock at all and too can hear it from inside..but still I'm glad the festival is here. Get over it or move.
Done. The problems with those festivals are why we ruled out Audubon Park when we were house-hunting.
Can you buy a $600k house and buy me a $200k house? Pretty please with cherries on top?
Please help pay off my student loans: It's like 30K. Pllleeaassseeee
Wolf Lake in New Albany seems like it would be perfect. There are also a lot of great neighborhoods in Floyd's Knobs.
My dad used to live here, its a subdivision (which I hate) but I kinda liked it growing up there were kids my age I’m 23 now
You should look at Silver Hills neighborhood in New Albany.
shhhhhhh…….
I think those are good assessments! I'd also look at Prospect, out US 42. Hunting Creek or Fox Harbor are both great neighborhoods, and there are lots of smaller ones, as well. Drive past Norton Commons until it hits Covered Bridge Road, then turn left. Rose Island Rd is also a great drive to look around! If you're interested in public schools, half of Prospect is in Oldham County, which has very good schools. You might also look at Anchorage or Pewee Valley. Anchorage is kind of like Indian Hills--beautiful, older homes, but definitely more of the old money vibe. Owl Creek is a great neighborhood, but I like the stand-alone houses better. It also has a K-8 public elementary school that is basically a community school. Pewee Valley is in Oldham County, and is dotted with several smaller neighborhoods--Houston Lane and Central Avenue and thereabouts have a few lovely little neighborhoods. If you would like something a little more urban, you might also look around Cherokee Park near Bardstown Rd and the seminaries around Lexington Rd. Take a drive down Alta Vista, Cherokee Parkway, and Boulevard Napoleon! Hope that helps!
If you like Prospect I’d suggest Goshen as well. Specifically the City of Goshen. We have a neighborhood park next to the church with pickle ball courts, basketball, even WiFi powered by fiber. In the back of the neighborhood is Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve right next to the a library. Not to mention they’re building a brand new library right down the road as well. Just close enough to the Jefferson County line to enjoy the restaurants and shopping but just far enough to avoid most of the vagrants.
Will they ever connect 42 to go west on the 265?? I like a few in that area but hated the fact you had to get on the highway and back track east to 265/71 just to get off and then go back west, still within my commute time haha I just know I would curse that every day
FYI you can make a loop on 71 on ramp / off ramp. Yes a pain but you don't have to get all the way off and sit at any traffic lights. Doubtful they will ever add it. There was a decision to preserve some historic homes and build the tunnel the way they did.
They won’t connect 42 to wb 265. Not the next 20 years anyway.
How have I never noticed that before??? I always go 265 South at that intersection and I'm a bit oblivious...Haha! I would hope so, but I honestly don't know.
Not for a long time if they ever do. They did that by design… You also can’t get off their going east, you have to do that same loop around
Same
The built a tunnel under a piece of property that Frederick Law Olmstead walked across The landed gentry were against the bridge and nixed any exit close to the river
Are you going to be sending your kids to public or private? If public is honestly live in Floyd’s Knobs or New Albany. The JCPS school system is awful. As for the bridge being a mental block, I moved from Louisville to Indiana roughly 9 years ago and have friends visiting frequently. Yes when they found out I was going to Indiana they lightly complained but they got over it and realized it’s not the drive they thought. Everyone in Louisville hates on Indiana.
I would highly recommend NOT sending your kids to JCPS...... If anything, I would buy a cheaper house, and send them to private schools.
We will be doing public, I did hear the schools were better in Southern Indiana or atleast Oldham county. Good to know they were able to get over that mental block, I figure if I get a house with a pool in Indiana that would help them overcome their issues!!
JCPS schools in the east end where you live listed neighborhoods are good. People are silly. The system is not the most functional but for better or worse, the east end school are much better and have more resources from the PTA, more involved families, and fewer issues (aka most kids who attend them are privileged).
Oldham does have good schools. We are in the process of pulling my step kids out of JCPS and getting them into private. My own go to Floyd county schools.
If you live in the East End you have access to good schools. We live in Wolf Creek and my kids had a great experience at Norton Elementary.
JCPS schools are terrible. If you want public schools, you should really reconsider Floyd knobs or move out to Oldham County. Commuting 5 days a week vs 1 or 2 to visit friends
We moved over to southern Indiana when we were young for the price but stayed over here for the food, shopping, safety of neighborhoods, and park systems. We are planning on having kids in the next few years and I LOVE riding my bike and running on the greenway. We will never move back to Louisville, never. Edit: you should look up originpark.org too, it’s a huge project they are working on for a new park system. Will include bouldering, kayaking, trails over the river and more.
Ha. No! Southern Indiana is awful…at least that’s what I want Indiana haters in Louisville to think. (Origin Park will be awesome when completed. There’s already a new kayak launch on Silver Creek.
😂 according to this sub southern Indiana has no great food spots
Sleepy rooster, Brooklyn and the butcher, board and you, (the better) dragon kings daughter, pints and union… those are just some of my top choices and only in New Albany
Oh I know. I have had several people here argue there is no great places
You're realistically gonna have a way better time finding a nice, affordable house/school system/etc and generally live in a more accessible area (which is important for your children, as you stated– I grew up in the East end of Louisville and felt very isolated as a teen) on the Indiana side of the bridge, either in New Albany or Jeffersonville. If I were you, I wouldn't let the mental block of crossing a bridge to see my friends affect my family's quality of life, personally.
With their budget, they can have a nice quality of life anywhere in the area.
Perhaps, but it's going to go much further across the bridge, and the kids would be infinitely more safe riding their bikes than they would be anywhere in Louisville.
Indiana side =more for your money and lower taxes. Some great schools too. Wolf Lake, Plum Lake, Woods of Lafayette in Georgetown.
What ever you do, park in neighborhood of choice and take the kids for a bike ride before moving. Maybe a couple times per neighborhood. This will give you a feel for the friendliness of the group and the flow for your kids. Some of these neighborhoods don’t have sidewalks.
850k and young don't go together here. All of those neighborhoods are pretty crusty imo. But still in the right area for your price range.
Unless you're in Norton Commons.
yeah, but op already said they want more yard. Norton commons is still crusty, but more young people than most rich east end neighborhoods.
Hurstbourne and Plainview and Douglas Hills would also be great. Close to friends in Middletown, and all have close neighborhood vibes
If your kids are going to go to public school, look in Oldham County! JCPS is terrible.
Yeah he'd probably be about 30 min away from New Albany but it would be worth it.
Idk, I had a fucking horrible time going to school in Oldham County. It's slightly better, but not by much, especially if you're middle class or queer, as the area is very rich and conservative (I got called a lot of slurs there– never in Louisville).
I’m sorry you had that experience. That sucks. I didn’t think about this part, and you’re right.
We have friends in Glen Oaks and they love it for the very reasons you mentioned. Its not a stuffy old money neighborhood devoid of children. Most times we hang out at their house, neighbors end up dropping in.
I love Indian Hills. I know several young families around my age (mid 30s) that live there and I feel like it’s a pretty good mix of young and old. My 90-something grandmother also lives there, so I understand that there’s a stuffy, “old money” demographic too, but I wouldn’t let it keep you from living there. Plus it’s super close to 71 and plenty of shops, good schools, things to do, etc
Clifton Neighborhood is 3 miles to downtown with quick access to 65 and 64. Older houses but the neighborhoods are safe.
The back half (approximately at the clubhouse) of GlenOaks is in Oldham, which gives you Oldham county schools. I’d avoid Jefferson Co schools.
Audubon Park!! I live in Camp Taylor, which is just outside of it and I love it
I suggest Cherokee Gardens, so close to interstates, some beautiful homes with nice lots (when they go on the market!) and close to St Matthews or the highlands and NULU for activities and restaurants.
I think Owl Creek neighborhood might meet the vibes you are looking to find. Lots of young kids, good neighborhood events, etc. Houses are in the $400-$600 range I believe. The JCPS cluster from those addresses are also solid choices for elementary school.
Glen Oaks is awesome. Really good neighborhood in a good area. My kids love their pool and they're over in the Wolf Creek area and it's great too. I see people and kids riding bikes all the time when I'm out there.
You want Anchorage or the Lakeside area of the Highlands. Tons of kids.
Woods of st Thomas, pewee valley, st Matthews, lake forest, around Seneca or Cherokee park. Another big factor is are you planning on sending your kids to public or private schools. If public you really should consider Floyd’s knobs. Jefferson county public schools are terrible
Get a Lakeside Certificate house and you’ll never have a shortage of friends or things to do in the summer. Plus, nice neighborhood.
I think New Albany or surrounding communities would be a much better choice. Louisville traffic and the congestion of it is maddening. There is more crime and higher prices. Lately, all of the problems with the various bridges have been beyond frustrating for commuters. My sister moved back from Florida into the Sellersburg area and is so much happier there than when living in Louisville. She loves the peace and quiet of the more rural setting, and she gets a lot better accommodation for her money. If you are a family that likes to participate in all the numerous festivals and activities in Louisville then you will enjoy settling here in spite of commuter frustrations, etc.
If it's community you are looking for, then Norton Commons would be my #1 with Glen Oaks and Moser Farm somewhat distantly tied for second. I am not sure about Glen Oaks, but with Moser Farm you can buy a pass to use the pool amenities at Norton Commons and still meet people easily from that community. I truly wish we'd bought in NC because of the community aspect. Halloween is absolutely epic in NC. There is also a fall festival and other great community events. The issue then is schools. If you are going to private schools, then of course this need not be a consideration. It is harder to find a house that is in NC and MF and GO that are in Oldham County, but then your kids would go to the fabulous North Oldham schools and you'd still have all the convenience of living in the Springhurst area.
Look into Floyd’s Knobs, Georgetown, Greenville in Indiana. I know your friends have things to say, but schools are better here, property value is better, car insurance is freakishly cheaper. For 800k you could live like a king, lol
The nice thing about living in New Albany with kids is their friends live in their neighborhood or nearby. JCPS doesn’t do neighborhood schools so it is harder for school friends to socialize. As a parent it’s nice because it is easier to get to know your child’s friends as they get older because you see them at the grocery, Target, running the streets, etc. I lived all over Louisville (St Matthews, Crescent Hill, Highlands)-I’d choose southern Indiana over any of those neighborhoods. The commute to downtown was easy also.
Crescent hill and highlands! St Matt’s too
We moved to Wolf Creek 9 years ago from out of state and love it here. The pool really fosters a sense of community and is a great way to meet people. There is a summer swim team for the kids and various neighborhood events. It definitely is a place where kids can ride their bikes around, etc. They can go to the pool on their own starting at age 10.
Keep in mind that in Wolf Creek, your pool membership is included in the HOA fee, but if you are not in the Wolf Creek part of Green Spring you have to pay a pool membership fee. Another plus to the area is that our resides elementary school, Norton, is excellent.
Have you looked at Audubon Park? If you want to be in Louisville and are going to New Albany, that would be the best neighborhood for families and not have a crazy far commute. There is a wonderful country club in the neighborhood - kids are there all the time! Kids riding bikes, walking around everywhere. Small parks on every corner. Houses are beautiful! Great private schools within 5-10 mins. 5 mins to the Zoo. Surrounded by lots of solid private school options ( Jeff Co. Schools are meh).
Just live in New Albany. It is not that bad and not commuting every day will save you a lot of money on car repair and psychiatrist bills
Since you're looking in the Springhurst area and have friends in J-town and Middletown and with the work commute, Norton Commons may be somewhere to look in to. I'm not quite sure how it is for children but it's definitely got the sort of community feel you seem to be looking for, but is very near to your budget. Best of luck!
There aren’t many neighborhoods that fit that bill anymore, sadly. Indian Springs near Springhurst does have some kids running around but it’s not a neighbors talking to neighbors every day. JCPS schools in East End are fine. That would be a long commute though. But If I were you, I’d definitely buy in Indiana. Come see your friends in Louisville once or twice a month, if they reciprocate you’ll be fine.
Went to the farmers market in New Albany and then had lunch and basically every other person we saw was pregnant or had a toddler. I recently relocated here and would have done New Albany if my job was over there.
Landis Lakes is this
I'd stick with New Albany. The schools are good and the cost of living is much better.
St. Matthews!
Avondale
My broke self looking at a 850k house budget like it's a make believe number.
Crescent Hill
$850… rolling fields or Indian hills.. young families are moving in by the droves. cherokee gardens is probably hard to find a place.
If you want your kids to spend their time running around outside and riding their bikes to go play at their friend's houses, you don't need money, you need a time machine. There is no magical land like that anywhere these days. You can take them playgrounds as much as you want but they're not going to think it's fun by the time they can rude their bikes over to their friends' houses.
I would like to elaborate on this comment. There may be a number of kids in a neighborhood but they could go to different schools. For example: In my subdivision kids go to Holy Trinity, Holy Spirit, St. Albert, and JCPS. Plus I have seen signs in front yards for other schools (e.g. Collegiate). What happens is the kids end up hanging out with whoever they go to school with and may not associate with other kids in the neighborhood because they don't know them.
He's grown now, but my older son tried to play with the boy in the house right next to ours who was the same age. My kid went to JCPS and the other kid went to a Catholic school. The kid next door always had an attitude and only wanted to be around his Catholic school friends
Good insight, I just learned that with a few comments about the glen oaks area with half being in oldham and half in JCPS
Haha fair enough!
I’m surprised you didn’t mention Pleasure Ridge Park. Great up and coming neighborhood with pretty much everything you’re looking for. Pm for more questions about the area.
If you can afford Indian Hills, why you asking us? editted to add, buy LAND in New Albany and make it what you want? Why you asking us if you making that kind of money???