Louisville, KY

[VisionaryMom]

We live in Frankfort right now and have been here 4 years. I'm in grad school FT at U of L. At first we anticipated 2 years while I complete my master's degree and then thought we'd move. DH and I both have started to think about me staying for my doctorate. From an academic perspective, I likely would be able to do that, but I don't know L'ville enough to make a decision for the family.

I do know that I don't want to commute for all that time, so if I stay at U of L, we'll move. DH has talked to recruiters there, and we think him finding a job won't be horribly difficult. DD and DS are 2 and 4, respectively, so I'd need to think about school for them.

Also, how are food choices there, mainly farmers' markets and whole food stores? The things we know to do are pricy - zoo, science center, etc. We have a zoo pass and probably will get a science center pass in January. What is there that's less expensive, more free-form - how are the parks and that sort of thing?

How is the neighborhood around the university as far as living? I don't ever have much of a reason to venture outside it except for a coffee shop I sometimes visit to read. I don't know if we will be able to buy a house there, or if we'd even want to. Part of that depends on our house in Frankfort, but we'd probably be renting.

[Yaliina]

[Kidzaplenty]

I can't answer all your questions. But, I have found the neighborhoods around UofL that I have been in, how do I say it? Less desireable? (I don't mean to be offensive, and I have not visited all the surrounding areas, only a few, so I say this with caution and totally willing to be wrong.) Sort of run down, high crime, and from what I understand high drug area. I would not want to live in the general area of UofL with my family (again, at least the parts I have been in).

I am not so sure about food choices. The entire city is sort of divided into little cities, with some having much more choices than others. For some reason, we are always in the ones with few choices.

One big thing to consider, if it matters to you, is that all the pediatricians have recently gotten together and have created a concensus that they will not take any patients that are non/delayed vaxed. So far, I think just about every pedi in the local area has agreed to this. Parents with long time associations with their pedi's are getting letters to vax up or find another doctor.

We go to a FP doc, so no problems there, at this time. I just wonder how long that will last.

Also, the schools do that "anti-segragation" thing (sorry, I forget exactly what it is called) where they have to have certain ratios of minorities/low income in every school. So, you can live across the street from a school and they may decide to bus your child across the city (happens a LOT). So that is also something you might want to check into before just "checking out the schools" where you will be moving to.

Not sure what else, perhaps someone else will have more info for you.

[katy1844]

Holy crap it sounds Horrible!! Someone else please chip in my dh just put in for a job there and now I'm worried!!!

[ajmckay36]

I have not heard anything of the sort about the peds refusal to accept non vax/delayed vax. Sure, there are practices who won't accept patients who deviate from the CDC schedule but it's always been that way.

I'm a childbirth educator and doula in Louisville...I know several peds who are fine with no vax and delay vax. Don't worry about that, really. The birth environment in Louisville, now that's another story...

[Kidzaplenty]

Originally Posted by ajmckay36

I have not heard anything of the sort about the peds refusal to accept non vax/delayed vax. Sure, there are practices who won't accept patients who deviate from the CDC schedule but it's always been that way.

I'm a childbirth educator and doula in Louisville...I know several peds who are fine with no vax and delay vax. Don't worry about that, really. The birth environment in Louisville, now that's another story...

Well, it is circulating among several homeschool groups right now. I know of at least a dozen pedis that have sent out the letters to parents. And I know of at least three pedis that have been called (by members of our HS groups) that have said there has been a concensus among the pedis to do this.

Now, they could be all wrong. But, I know in my area, there is not a single pedi that will accept my children since we do not vax. (As of October of this year.)

[VisionaryMom]

Originally Posted by Kidzaplenty

I can't answer all your questions. But, I have found the neighborhoods around UofL that I have been in, how do I say it? Less desireable? (I don't mean to be offensive, and I have not visited all the surrounding areas, only a few, so I say this with caution and totally willing to be wrong.) Sort of run down, high crime, and from what I understand high drug area. I would not want to live in the general area of UofL with my family (again, at least the parts I have been in).

I figured it's this way as it's usually how it is around universities. I know many of my profs live in walking distance, but they don't have kids. I don't know what the choices would look like for families with kids.

Originally Posted by Kidzaplenty

I am not so sure about food choices. The entire city is sort of divided into little cities, with some having much more choices than others. For some reason, we are always in the ones with few choices.

Am I wrong in thinking the Highlands is probably the best area for food? That's how it looks from our visits - which have been infrequent. Hubby & I have eaten at a couple of really nice places in that areas of town, but I'm sure like most yuppie-ish areas, it's pricey.

Originally Posted by Kidzaplenty

One big thing to consider, if it matters to you, is that all the pediatricians have recently gotten together and have created a concensus that they will not take any patients that are non/delayed vaxed.

We've had a few friends kicked out of peds offices in Lexington this year as well. We go to a family practice in Frankfort, and they're wonderful about delayed/non/selective vaxing. If this is the case, we'll probably just stick to making the drive when needed.

Originally Posted by Kidzaplenty

Also, the schools do that "anti-segragation" thing (sorry, I forget exactly what it is called) where they have to have certain ratios of minorities/low income in every school. So, you can live across the street from a school and they may decide to bus your child across the city (happens a LOT). So that is also something you might want to check into before just "checking out the schools" where you will be moving to.

Egads. In theory I certainly understand why schools do this, but in practice I know it's a big pain. Of course we're still debating homeschooling, so that could tip the scales.

Thanks for this info! We're still deciding what to do, but I hope to decide very soon.

[ajmckay36]

There are several peds/family practice docs who are fine with no vax/delayed vax, in Louisville:

Dr. Chris Berkhahn, Metro Pediatric Associates
Dr. Wendy Daly, Brownsboro Park Pediatrics (I don't know if she's okay with no vax, but fine with delayed vax)
Dr. Richard Hefner, Baptist Medical Associates
Dr. Laura White, Future Hope Pediatrics (Shelbyville)
Dr. Shelia Guelda

I refer students/clients to these docs regularly. Kidz, maybe one of these docs takes your insurance? I think the consensus you may be referring to is the AAP's recent letter they published--it started with The Best Kids sending their own firing letter, then All Children. I don't know of any others who have sent letters. I'm glad we have the docs listed above though. We have a lot of work to do in this town.

[ebethmom]

We saw Dr. Berkhahn when he was practicing in Elizabethtown. He has a great rapport with the kids, and was always willing to take the time to answer questions.

We loved living in Louisville. We moved away 8 years ago.

Did you know that the Louisville Science Center and the Owensboro Museum of Natural History are members of a group with reciprocity? Family membership at the Owensboro Museum is only $40. You don't get the Member perks, but admission to the Science Center is free with the Owensboro pass.

[A Mom's Love]

Originally Posted by ajmckay36

There are several peds/family practice docs who are fine with no vax/delayed vax, in Louisville:

Dr. Chris Berkhahn, Metro Pediatric Associates
Dr. Wendy Daly, Brownsboro Park Pediatrics (I don't know if she's okay with no vax, but fine with delayed vax)
Dr. Richard Hefner, Baptist Medical Associates
Dr. Laura White, Future Hope Pediatrics (Shelbyville)
Dr. Shelia Guelda

I refer students/clients to these docs regularly. Kidz, maybe one of these docs takes your insurance? I think the consensus you may be referring to is the AAP's recent letter they published--it started with The Best Kids sending their own firing letter, then All Children. I don't know of any others who have sent letters. I'm glad we have the docs listed above though. We have a lot of work to do in this town.

Very good to know! I was starting to get worried as we may be moving to Louisville this summer.

[hillymum]

Louisville is the first place that has felt like home to me! I am with Doctor Daly and have had no issues about delaying vax for my 3 boys. Farmers markets seem to be a growing fashion here at the moment. Good in many ways but at the moment prices can be high. There are some really good moms groups and places to go with children here. There are some really nice parks here. One of the really great gs about Louisville is that there are loads of great day trips within a reasonable driving distance.

It's not as bad as kidzaplenty made it sound!

The one thing I really agree with her about though is desegregation. it totally screws schools and the students. There is growing opposition to it though so it should change if enough people make enough noise and vote.

[thatgirliknew]

Originally Posted by Kidzaplenty

Also, the schools do that "anti-segragation" thing (sorry, I forget exactly what it is called) where they have to have certain ratios of minorities/low income in every school. So, you can live across the street from a school and they may decide to bus your child across the city (happens a LOT). So that is also something you might want to check into before just "checking out the schools" where you will be moving to.

Not sure what else, perhaps someone else will have more info for you.

This is probably THE worst thing about Louisville. The school "CHOICE" program is horrible. It used to be that you just had to keep the school between 15-50% minority. That was fine. Most kids still got to go to neighborhood schools or the magnet school of their choice. Then the courts decided it was illegal, now you have no real clue where your kid is going to go. It's hard to explain, but here's a link "explaining" it: http://www.jefferson.k12.ky.us/About...assignment.pdf

[thatgirliknew]

Originally Posted by ajmckay36

There are several peds/family practice docs who are fine with no vax/delayed vax, in Louisville:

Dr. Chris Berkhahn, Metro Pediatric Associates
Dr. Wendy Daly, Brownsboro Park Pediatrics (I don't know if she's okay with no vax, but fine with delayed vax)
Dr. Richard Hefner, Baptist Medical Associates
Dr. Laura White, Future Hope Pediatrics (Shelbyville)
Dr. Shelia Guelda

I refer students/clients to these docs regularly. Kidz, maybe one of these docs takes your insurance? I think the consensus you may be referring to is the AAP's recent letter they published--it started with The Best Kids sending their own firing letter, then All Children. I don't know of any others who have sent letters. I'm glad we have the docs listed above though. We have a lot of work to do in this town.

A little off topic but that you know of, do any of these pediatricians take state insurance (Passport)?

[Lil'Momma]

I have to agree with the segregation issue... that and the fact that the schools here leave a lot to be desired... but on the plus side, there are a LOT of great homeschooling families here... and the Highlands is really "crunchy". Between 265, 264 and 65 it is actually not too bad to live on the outskirts (we live in lower Fern Creek/ Highview area and my husband works near U of L and makes the 15 min. drive every day and it doesn't bother him at all).

Mamma's Hip in the Highlands has lots of activities for kids that are free or very reasonably priced. It's an AP, BW, CD store so we spend time and money there. lol. Lsvlle has good points and bad points, like any large city... over all we are happy here. We go to the Whole Foods Market and the World Food Market (i think that's the name...) in the St. Mathews/Oxmoor area ALL THE TIME. Otherwise we shop at Meijer a lot and they have a pretty good selection of organic food...

[eastkygal]

Originally Posted by thatgirliknew

A little off topic but that you know of, do any of these pediatricians take state insurance (Passport)?

We were with Wendy Daly when we lived in Louisville. We are non-vax, and there was no problem there. We were also on Passport and never had a problem with that and that office. Though, I did hear that they weren't accepting Passport patients any longer. Not sure if that is still the case. We got lucky maybe???

[VisionaryMom]

Originally Posted by Lil'Momma

Mamma's Hip in the Highlands has lots of activities for kids that are free or very reasonably priced. It's an AP, BW, CD store so we spend time and money there. lol. Lsvlle has good points and bad points, like any large city... over all we are happy here. We go to the Whole Foods Market and the World Food Market (i think that's the name...) in the St. Mathews/Oxmoor area ALL THE TIME. Otherwise we shop at Meijer a lot and they have a pretty good selection of organic food...

I know about Mama's Hip (the owner used to be on MDC sometimes), but we've never been. My kiddos aren't really group activity types. I have no idea why, but neither does well in those settings. OTOH, I'm totally willing to move for international food options. Our choices here... .

[Lil'Momma]

lol, well, I personally like the food choices here, we have to drive across town, but if it's only once a week or so, then it's not so bad.

[JamieCatheryn]

There's a Whole Foods in St Matthews, the northeast end of town.
A great farmers' market in the highlands on Bardstown Rd, several more throughout town. There is a traditional foods co-op called Whole Life if you want to get in on raw dairy and bulk foods orders. Kroger is fine for us out of the good fresh produce seasons.

Our ped, whom we rarely see, is Dr Wampler at All Children's Pediatrics, and he doesn't push vax too hard. We've never really had the issues mentioned here.

The zoo here is great, a family membership is like $75 a year. The science center is so-so lately. Many of the parks are wonderful, great hiking and playgrounds. The libraries are ok, they host weekly storytimes and stuff.

Right near UofL the crime rates, house quality, and parking are not too good. Old Louisville and Germantown and Smoketown you may want to avoid. About 5 minutes away down Preston though it's quieter and safer, still modest homes and prices. Camp Taylor, Audobon Park, around there. We're just a little farther than that but that gets you too far from the parks to walk, which stinks.

[BabyWang2010]

You sound like you and your husband have the same plan as my and my DP have in mind. We plan to move to SC after I finish my nursing degree at UK. That being said have you considered finishing up at UK as a possibility? UK is a more well known school and it's very affordable. Also Lexington seems to be a better environment to raise a family in, in mine and my partner's opinion, and he's from Louisville. Lexington is very clean and well organized and home of the world equestrian games and the Kentucky Wildcats. It's a tight knit community with a very low crime rate. Just an option to explore.

BTW, we have a great farmers market and a few organic whole foods stores, FYI....

[philia]

Vax and peds

Which practices are in this non vax group that you know of? I know East Louisville is. I am probably starting one of my kids in PreK this fall and I am worried about how friendly Louisville is to exemptions. Let me know what your experience is with this. I have been home schooling.
Philia