A Local Expert’s Guide To 10 Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent in Lexington

Hi, I'm Catrina, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Lexington, Kentucky, and I'm happy to talk to you about some of the neighborhoods that I've found to be particularly charming in this small city.

Known for its southern charm, the "Horse Capital of the World," Lexington, KY, is a unique city with modern and historical touches. Living here, I've gotten into the "Wildcat Spirit," being close to the University of Kentucky, experienced first-class medical care at UK Hospital and Baptist Health, and enjoyed living in multiple areas in the city.

After 10 years of living here, I've found that it is most important to know what you want to do in the city and to position yourself to access it easily. There are areas of high congestion, such as South Broadway, Nicholasville Road, and Man o' War Boulevard, that can make what seems like a short trip turn into an hour-long event (or worse).

Still, I love the variety of housing options in Lexington. It is still affordable to rent, especially with roommates. Buying a home is also accessible to many, depending on what you're looking for and the area in which you want to live.

In my personal experience, everyone can find something to love in Lexington. With this guide, you'll learn a little more about some of the neighborhoods here, what they're like, and why I think they're interesting areas to look into.

1. Southeast Lexington

Southeast Lexington is home to Chevy Chase, a neighborhood that has affordable student housing, as it is located close to the University of Kentucky and all the hospitals downtown. It is also close to major grocers, such as Kroger. It has access to services such as the Chevy Chase Veterinary Clinic, Kentucky Theatre, Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company, and the very popular Lexington Cemetery. The Cemetery, in particular, draws in crowds for its landscaping, which includes cherry blossoms that open each spring. I strongly suggest this area if you are looking to rent a room or small apartment in a walkable area; if you start looking at larger homes, its prices are incredibly high.

2. Southland Park

Southland Park is a section of Lexington that is less walkable than some other areas but still has plenty to do and see. It is within minutes of Baptist Hospital and right off Nicholasville Road, which can become very busy during the day and has rotating traffic signals. Keep that in mind if you like calmer areas because this part of the city is always bustling.

The mixed area has residential homes, apartments, and businesses together. There are a number of restaurants, such as Marikkas and Taziki's, and the local chocolatier, Sharp's Candies, Inc.

3. Speigle Heights

Speigle Heights is dubbed "Irishtown" and is in the northwestern part of Lexington. Renting or buying a home is possible in this area at reasonable rates. Some of the top places to go in Speigle Heights include Cheapside Park, Woodland Park, and McConnell Springs, so if you're interested in being outside, this is the place to be. It's a historical area with a lot of local flavor, and it's minutes from downtown.

4. West Lexington

A primarily suburban area, West Lexington is known for being an affordable place to get an apartment. It also has many single-story homes; it's one area that hasn't been significantly affected by new builds. Like many areas in Lexington, there are parks here: Wolf Run Park, Valley Park, and Gardenside Park. It's also close to the University of Kentucky, which is idea if you're coming as a student. While some parts of Lexington are walkable, West Lexington is not. You will need a car to get around, as there are few transit options.

5. Picadome

Picadome is a beautiful area in which to live, and it has affordable rentals available. Low-income housing is in the area, too, allowing for Section 8. The local school here is Picadome Elementary School, which gets 4/10 on GreatSchools. When I go into this area, I prefer to check out The Red Mile, a racing track and gaming casino, or Country Boy Brewing, a local brewery.

6. Beaumont

I love going to Beaumont because it is a newer area of Lexington with a modern feel. This neighborhood has a ton of amenities, such as Beaumont Centre (home to the Texas Roadhouse in this part of town). You'll love this area because it is well-connected with transportation options; a car is always advised in Lexington, but living in Beaumont won't require you to have one. This is a mixed residential area with people of all ages; it has townhouses, apartments, and single-family homes.

7. Shriners

Shriners is a little bit of an odd area of Lexington. You'll see the best of the best as well as some of the lowest-income blocks in the city. Shriners is located right off Richmond Road to the east, which, in that part of town, has both mansions and low-income apartments. It is a beautiful area where trees are separated by medians of trees, and it's home to Shriners Hospital for Children, an important hospital for many pediatric patients in the region. As this area is near or on Richmond Road, transportation to downtown is quick and accessible.

8. Downtown Lexington

Downtown Lexington is, for a lack of better words, poppin'. It is a super busy area that you'll cut through if you take South Broadway or Richmond Road. At all times of the day, the downtown intersection (which intersects with Triangle Park and Rupp Arena) is extremely congested, but the light system is fairly effective and gets most people through without too much trouble. The downtown area is a little spread out. You'll note that the actual downtown blocks are walkable, but within a few minutes, you'll need a car if you want to go up Winchester Road or get over to Nicholasville Road by taking a left off South Broadway. The courthouse and police are in the downtown area, but you will find the Department of Motor Vehicles on the other side of town due to congestion. Housing in the downtown area is mixed; apartments, single-story, and multistory homes are all available.

9. Cave Hills

Cave Hills is a neighborhood that borders Lexington Oaks (next on this list). Cave Hills is located near Walmart, McDonalds, Sedona Taphouse, and Malone's Palomar. Overall, it's a nice neighborhood for people looking for a home close to Man o' War, Harrodsburg Road, and New Circle, all major roadways that help you get around the city.

10. Lexington Oaks

Lexington Oaks is a nice part of Lexington that is bordered by Harrodsburg Road and Man o' War Boulevard (which you will get to know like the back of your hand if you live anywhere between the eastern, southern, or western parts of the city). This is a highly residential area with primarily single-family homes, meaning very few people go through the area unless they're cutting through to reach New Circle Road. However, the area is nice, and it's only minutes from places like Beaumont Centre or Malone's Palomar, a highly respected restaurant.