Elizabethtown vs. Louisville

[ejg123]

So, it seems likely that we will have jobs in Bowling Green and Lexington. Etown is the most central location for both of them, but we are concerned that there will not be adequate daycare or resources in general there for us. Our son has been in Waldorf daycare where we are now, and we aren't set on that for the future, but we want something reasonably non-traditional, gentle, media-free (or low-media), etc. Louisville obviously has more resources for us (vegetarian restaurants, workable daycares, natural foods stores) but it adds quite some time to my drive. Any thoughts from Kentucky Mamas (or Papas). Should we give up the idea of Elizabethtown and live in Louisville, or can a pretty alternative family make a nice home in Elizabethtown?

Thanks all!

[mkat83]

I live in Louisville, not E-town, so I can't give a lot of feedback on E-town.  However, I have noticed some parenting and natural birth friendly resources in E-town making me feel like there is probably more things in E-town to meet your need than you might think on the surface.

Also, we are members of a food buying club in Louisville that we LOVE, and I know that there is also a food buying club in E-town.  I assume it has a lot of the same offerings that our club has, including produce, local meat and cheese, real milk, and opportunities to order items from different suppliers.  Given the fact that E-town is able to sustain a food club makes me think again that an alternative family could be happy there and find other like-minded families.

I would also think that there are some great farmers markets during the spring and summer months.

[Adaline'sMama]

I live between Etown and Louisville. I dont think you are going to find what you are looking for daycare wise (or education wise) in Etown, but they do have a food co op. Tons of people commute from Louisville to Lexington and from Etown from Louisville, but I cant imagine communting from Etown to BG. It just seems so far away. I guess its because there is almost nothing in between :).

I vote Louisville.

[infraread]

To the best of my knowledge, there are no Waldorf schools in the Elizabethtown area, but there is one Montessori school in Etown if that would be of interest to you.   http://www.elizabethtownmontessori.com/  It's within a block of a shop run by a natural minded mama called Supermommy's Superstore http://www.supermommys.com/index.php/ and Gina (the owner) is very friendly.  If you contact her, she may be aware of places that will best fit your needs. 

As for farmer's markets, yes we have lots of them throughout the area :)  My favorite is finding local honey-- which is very helpful with seasonal allergies that pretty much plague the Ohio River Valley area.  We have lots of bee keepers around here :)  There is definitely more to do & see in Louisville, and Louisville will probably meet your criteria better imo, but keep researching.  You know best what you're looking for!  I don't live in Etown, but just north & I've lived here all my life. 

Another thing you might think about is, if the hours would be compatible, searching in both Lexington & BG for suitable places.  Both cities are larger than Etown and may have more options, but are still a little a bit smaller and slower paced than Louisville. 

[ebethmom]

That would be a hard choice!  I've lived in Louisville, Lexington, just south of Louisville, and now south of Etown (an hour south of Louisville and an hour north of Bowling Green).  I love Louisville and Lexington!  My family is in Lexington, so that gives it the edge for me, but we would move back to Louisville in a heartbeat.  We still go up to Louisville often (ice skating, the Zoo, the Science Center, shopping at Whole Foods, eating out at ethnic restaurants, concerts, and seeing our herbalist).

My crunchy, media-free, vegan friend in Etown really likes the Montessori school.  Her dd went there for preschool, and I think her son will go there soon.  For me, that 2 hour drive to Bowling Green for work would put Louisville out of the running.  Etown is only 35 - 40 minutes from Louisville.  Lots of homeschooling families that I know drive from Etown to Louisville for get-togethers.

The Waldorf School is on the East side of Louisville (Lyndon).  Living close to the school would make it easier to get to Lexington, and longer to Bowling Green.

I'm not sure about Farmer's Market in Etown.  My dh just said that there is a seasonal Farmer's Market somewhere downtown.  We get all of our produce from Amish farmers in Hardin, Hart and Larue Counties (all just south of Etown). 

Can you come for a visit?  I think it would really hard to make that kind of decision without spending some time in the area.

We really like the Etown area, but we also didn't have to deal with daycare or school choices.  The drive from Etown to Lexington and from Etown to Bowling Green is about the same - an hour and 15 minutes.  The drive from Etown to Lexington is easier.  The Bluegrass Parkway is lightly travelled.  I-65 from Etown to Bowling Green is much more heavily travelled.  Is your work evenly split between Lexington and Bowling Green?  Would it work to live in either of those places? 

You've probably already thought of this, but also keep in mind that Louisville, Etown, and Lexington are in the Eastern Time Zone.  Bowling Green is on Central time. 

[ejg123]

Hi all. I thought Mothering was emailing me when I had a response this, but apparently not, so what a nice surprise to see all of this feedback. It is really helpful. We are still (ugg) waiting for confirmation on the jobs so it is hard to make much of a decision before we know that. However, I think the key will be if we visit the Montessori school and like it in Etown. I agree, drive would be much easier. We will also talk to Gina at Supermommy's superstore. I think if there was good daycare that fit enough with our philosophy, we could make the rest work. I will have my final interview in the coming weeks and we'll try hard to visit then. We have lots of family in the Lex area and I visited KY a lot growing up, so I know the areas somewhat, but it is one thing to "have familiarity" with them and another to see if you can live there.

This is all verrrry helpful info. Thanks everyone. Elizabeth