Lansdowne Merrick - Lexington, KY

Lansdowne Merrick is surrounded by Lexington's high-end neighborhoods, and most of the houses and structures within the community were constructed from the 1970s through 1990s. The area has generally attracted middle- and upper-middle class families looking for single-family residences or nicely appointed apartments.

Lexington houses a large number of museums, both historical and cultural. The Waveland State Historic Site lies 2 miles south of the neighborhood along Tates Creek Road and features a preserved antebellum house, slave quarters, a smokehouse and an icehouse. North of Lansdowne Merrick, the Ashland Henry Clay Estate showcases politician Henry Clay's 19th-century home and grounds. The city also hosts a notable arts scene, and many galleries can be found downtown. Bluegrass music, a genre very popular throughout Kentucky, is performed every Tuesday evening on Southland Drive. Southland Jamboree features local and national artists and is a free event.

Nearby restaurant choices may appear limited, but locals find the quality of the few establishments in the area to be impressive. Clusters of restaurants sit along Chinoe Road and Tates Creek Road. Unlike most of the city, fast-food options do not overrun the market here. Instead, Lansdowne Merrick locals get to indulge in a handful of outstanding locally owned businesses.

Jin Jin, one of Lexington's most highly-rated purveyors of Chinese cuisine, can be found off of Chinoe Road toward the eastern side of Lansdowne Merrick. Everyone raves about the General Tso's chicken here, and for good reason. Perfectly sweet and spicy, this chicken dish definitely impresses. Delivery is typically quick, and management suggests ordering online.

On the other side of the neighborhood, you can find two fabulous and well-known restaurants. On Tates Creek Road, Malone's serves phenomenal prime beef, cooked to perfection. This casual steakhouse uses some of the world's best meat to create culinary masterpieces. Locals who eat at Malone's regularly love the filet and endless salad.

The Merrick Inn is known for its simple, elegant atmosphere and creative Southern menu, It remains the perfect place to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. Be sure to start with the grouper fingers appetizer before jumping to a plate of pecan-crusted pork tenderloin topped with a Maker's Mark apple chutney. The restaurant also hosts a number of special dinners throughout the year, such as on Valentine's Day and Easter. Because of limited seating, management suggests making a reservation in advance.

Many area residents flock to bars along Chinoe Road and Tates Creek Road. Hangouts include Chinoe Grill, which features a karaoke night and daily drink specials, and the sports bar, The Cellar Bar and Grille. Nightclubs such as Soundbar and The Bar Complex sit in downtown Lexington and attract locals who want to dance the night away. Lexington also attracts many popular musicians to venues including Rupp Arena and the Singletary Center for the Arts.

Close to 90 percent of Lansdowne Merrick residents use a car to commute to work. Though this may seem high, many neighborhoods throughout Lexington have a higher number of commuters relying on a personal vehicle. Public parking can be found along residential roads throughout the community.

Alternative modes of transportation remain popular in this community. The pedestrian-friendly streets of Lansdowne Merrick make it easy for locals to walk to work or run errands. Bikers find bike lanes along Montavesta Road, Pepperhill Road, Chinoe Road and throughout Lansdowne Merrick Park.

The neighborhood shares a southern border with New Circle Road. Residents looking to access Interstate 75 must follow New Circle Road east to Winchester Road. Commuters heading to downtown Lexington and the University of Kentucky take Tates Creek Road to East Euclid Avenue.

Residents utilizing public transportation take LexTran's convenient bus service. Buses operate along Tates Creek Road into downtown between 5:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with limited hours during the weekend. Taxi cabs and Uber service the Lansdowne Merrick area.

The Lansdowne Merrick Park shines as one of Lexington's most popular and well-maintained facilities. Situated on Montavesta Road in the heart of the community, this 34-acre park houses multiple athletic fields, paved walking trails, a playground, picnic shelters and four tennis courts. The park does not charge an admission fee, and it welcomes dogs on a leash.

Lexington's Parks and Recreation Department hosts a number of annual events, festivals and summer programs. On the third Sunday in July, Douglass Park hosts the annual Super Sunday Dirt Bowl. Basketball teams participate in this friendly competition to win the championship title. The day-long event also features live performances and food vendors. Cheapside Park houses the Festival Latino de Lexington every September. This festival showcases live music, dancing, authentic food, cultural presentations and crafts.

Lansdowne Merrick locals experience the same cost of living as the average Lexington resident, which stands at around five percent less than the national average. The one factor that slightly increases the cost of living in Lansdowne Merrick is housing. Renters, who make up over 40 percent of the neighborhood population, pay $646 per month for a one-bedroom apartment on average.

Bar and restaurant prices sit at three percent less than the national average, and locals ordering a pint of beer at a nearby establishment should expect to pay around $5.

Transportation costs also mirror the rest of the city. LexTran bus riders pay $1 each way for service, and gas prices lie 11 percent below the national average.

Lansdowne Shopping Center lies along Lansdowne Merrick's western boundary on Tates Creek Road, and serves as the primarily spot for locals to purchase goods and services. Shops here include Rite Aid Pharmacy, Diamond Gallery, and Shoe Gallery. Upscale stores and boutiques can best be found in and around the Fayette Mall near the intersection of Nicholasville Road and Man o' War Boulevard.

A surprising number of locally-owned speciality shops can be found in Lansdowne Merrick. Old Kentucky Chocolates, in Southland Shopping Center, has been creating sweet confections for over 50 years. Though the shop specializes in bourbon-infused concoctions, the entire store is filled with tempting sweets. The Old Kentucky Derby Mints, which infuse a hint of mint into rich chocolate, have become a popular treat year-round.

The Peppermint Palm sells apparel and accessories. This Lilly Pulitzer signature store also carries home décor and gifts for every occasion. The friendly, helpful staff assist shoppers in finding the perfect complement to any outfit. Prices trend on the more expensive side, but The Peppermint Palm does put quite a few items on sale every season.

Grocery stores convenient to Lansdowne Merrick include Whole Foods Market at the Mall at Lexington Green and the Kroger found on Chinoe Road. The Bluegrass Farmers Market lies southeast of the neighborhood along Richmond Road. This market opens on Saturday mornings from April through October.