With an eclectic and inclusive middle-class vibe, the neighborhoods situated along the Southland Drive corridor are welcoming to singles, families and retirees alike. Many of the brick or stone homes in the neighborhood – a lot of them built in the 1950s and 1960s – feature hardwood floors and economy of space that’s difficult to find in today’s more palatial construction. Even the area’s four-bedroom houses often don’t exceed 2,200 square feet.
Relatively large backyards with mature leafy trees and a popular community pool nestled in the neighborhood make it an especially attractive area for young families, whereas singles and retirees alike enjoy being able to walk to the bustling Southland Drive Farmers’ Market, which is held every Sunday during warmer months.
The neighborhoods’ vibe extends to the unique retail shops and restaurants, a majority of which are locally owned, along Southland Drive. The area’s informal slogan, “Keep Southland weird,” arises partially from the inability to categorize what can be found along the corridor. An upscale furniture consignment business, The Great Room, is within walking distance of a tattoo parlor, two comic and collectibles store, a vacuum shop, and the usual commercial staples at a scaled-down level. Nearly a half dozen music stores have found their niche in the area, including the relatively new DIY venue Big Hair, which is located adjacent to the skate shop Barbarian Supply Co. and is popular among the 20-something-and-younger crowd, and the University of Kentucky is two miles away.
“It is so convenient and centrally located to so many things,” said Susan Brown, who owns a home daycare in the area. “I like the eclectic mix of people. There’s a little of everything…. No matter what kind of person moved in, I can’t imagine them feeling out of place.”
The food scene is also diverse. With Winchell’s Restaurant and Bar, Marikka’s and Good Foods Co-Op serving as three of the area’s most well-known anchors, the corridor has plenty of choices to make for good eats; notably, the popular BBQ joint and music venue Willie’s Locally Known has made its new home on Southland Drive as well.
The area invites people to take a closer look because they can never predict what’s coming next – but a cup of coffee from Southland Perk or a massage at the Healing Arts Academy will give them plenty of time to ponder the question.
-Neighborhood description by Rena Baer
Southland Corridor Residential Real Estate by the Numbers
Total single family residences: 4,681
Number of homes sold last year*: 216
Percentage of homes sold last year: 4.61%
Number of homes sold this year**: 263
Percentage of homes sold this year: 5.62%
Median sale price: $163,000
Median sale price percentage increase/decrease from last year to this year: 8.49%
* For the sake of this article, “last year” refers to the period between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015
** ”This year” refers to the period between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016
