Where to live around the RRG?
You know, the schools systems are not all that bad, and as someone who went to HS in Fayette (lexington) there were still plenty of people getting high/drunk/pregnant. That said, it is different out here, but the locals we interact with on a regular basis are great people. The biggest things we miss are the ability to walk to places to eat/hangout, close book stores, and just stuff to do when you are not outside.
I think before anyone commits to living out this way, you should stay for a week of crappy weather - if you get stir crazy or find yourselves driving to town every night, then you might not want to move here.
Richmond is a pretty cool town, though it really isn't that much closer to climbing the Lexington overall. Closer to the lode for sure, but if you are heading to left flank, it is still quicker to jump on 75, cut thru Winchester and hit the parkway.
And, if you need child care, your options are much more limited. I am sure there are some quality places, but like a lot of things here, you just don't have many options.
I think before anyone commits to living out this way, you should stay for a week of crappy weather - if you get stir crazy or find yourselves driving to town every night, then you might not want to move here.
Richmond is a pretty cool town, though it really isn't that much closer to climbing the Lexington overall. Closer to the lode for sure, but if you are heading to left flank, it is still quicker to jump on 75, cut thru Winchester and hit the parkway.
And, if you need child care, your options are much more limited. I am sure there are some quality places, but like a lot of things here, you just don't have many options.
"There is no secret ingredient"
Po, the kung fu panda
Po, the kung fu panda
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Klindquist
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2009 4:54 am
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mike_a_lafontaine
- Posts: 234
- Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2009 8:44 pm
Keith,
My wife and I moved to eastern KY about 2 years ago (Pikeville). I was pretty excited to be closer to climbing (still about 1.5 hours away, though). While I am from northern Michigan, my wife is a native Kentuckian, and I went to UK for my doctorate, and while there I spent most weekends in the Red. In short, we thought we knew the area pretty well. But once you get east of Winchester, it is really a different world.
Despite the proximity to one of the best out-of-doors areas in the country, few people take advantage of it. Most of the locals idea of getting outdoors is to hop on an ATV and tear around two-tracks. Very few of the locals climb, most of the climbers you will meet in the gorge are coming from Lexington, Cincy, Indiana and such.
If you are home with your son, and you like the outdoors, chances are you might want to do things like strap him in a bike trailer and ride around...good luck. The roads are not very safe for cyclists in eastern KY. Certainly not if you are toting a little one. Very few parks to be found, and the ones you do are usually delapidated and a haven for drug use. Tobacco is one of the major food groups. People are very friendly, but not until they get to know you. I'm sure everyone has a different take, and these are only my observations from living here. Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I think living in Winchester or Paris and having to drive 45 minutes is a small price to pay to live in a far nicer area.
Weatherwise, if you look at an almanac, areas of Kentucky once you hit the mountains (about Clay City and east), they average about 1-2 inches of rain more per month than the bluegrass areas, even as close as Lexington! So on those non-climbing days, you will be more likely to get out and enjoy the afternoon in Lex.
My wife and I moved to eastern KY about 2 years ago (Pikeville). I was pretty excited to be closer to climbing (still about 1.5 hours away, though). While I am from northern Michigan, my wife is a native Kentuckian, and I went to UK for my doctorate, and while there I spent most weekends in the Red. In short, we thought we knew the area pretty well. But once you get east of Winchester, it is really a different world.
Despite the proximity to one of the best out-of-doors areas in the country, few people take advantage of it. Most of the locals idea of getting outdoors is to hop on an ATV and tear around two-tracks. Very few of the locals climb, most of the climbers you will meet in the gorge are coming from Lexington, Cincy, Indiana and such.
If you are home with your son, and you like the outdoors, chances are you might want to do things like strap him in a bike trailer and ride around...good luck. The roads are not very safe for cyclists in eastern KY. Certainly not if you are toting a little one. Very few parks to be found, and the ones you do are usually delapidated and a haven for drug use. Tobacco is one of the major food groups. People are very friendly, but not until they get to know you. I'm sure everyone has a different take, and these are only my observations from living here. Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I think living in Winchester or Paris and having to drive 45 minutes is a small price to pay to live in a far nicer area.
Weatherwise, if you look at an almanac, areas of Kentucky once you hit the mountains (about Clay City and east), they average about 1-2 inches of rain more per month than the bluegrass areas, even as close as Lexington! So on those non-climbing days, you will be more likely to get out and enjoy the afternoon in Lex.
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cliftongifford
- Posts: 649
- Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2007 11:57 am
nobody has mentioned Morehead.... it has cave run lake which is spectacular, the daniel boone national forest all around it, tons of really good climbing, and the red is less than 45min away. oh, and the surrounding area is beautiful! finding a job may be the hard part, but there's a university, several schools, and a hospital so it may not be that bad.
I live in ashland, which is also pretty convenient. 20 minutes from lake vesuvius climbing in ohio, 30 minutes to deep water solo at grayson, 30 minutes to climbing in the carter caves area, 45 minutes from climbing in morehead, 1hr 45min from the red and the new both. 4hrs from seneca and 5hrs to Boone, NC.
I live in ashland, which is also pretty convenient. 20 minutes from lake vesuvius climbing in ohio, 30 minutes to deep water solo at grayson, 30 minutes to climbing in the carter caves area, 45 minutes from climbing in morehead, 1hr 45min from the red and the new both. 4hrs from seneca and 5hrs to Boone, NC.