$334,449Average Value$210Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Idle Hour is an active community with a relaxed feel
Idle Hour shares its name with the country club that borders it, but proximity to the golf course is only a small part of this Lexington neighborhood’s appeal. It was developed beside the club in the 1950s and features ranch-style and Cape Cod homes with ample yard space. An active neighborhood alliance organizes regular events, and spaces like Idle Hour Park, the Lexington Senior Center and Breckinridge Elementary School add to the area's social scene. There’s a retail area along Richmond Road, and more stores and restaurants are along New Circle Road.
Idle Hour is an established Lexington neighborhood.
The Lexington Senior Center provides activities and classes for Idle Hour residents over 60.
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Mostly 1950s ranch and Cape Cod homes on well-kept lots
Most of the homes here are ranch-style and Cape Cod houses built in the 1950s, featuring paved driveways that sometimes lead to an attached garage or a carport. Brick exteriors are common, though you’ll also see some homes with stone details. Yards are usually around a quarter of an acre, and the residents here take pride in their landscaping, with tidy gardens and manicured lawns. Some of the homes have been updated, while others may need some work. “People are tearing some of them down… and then building or doing major renovations,” says Suzanne Elliott, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway De Movellan Properties who’s sold homes in the area for 40 years. The houses along Idle Hour Drive are the neighborhood’s largest and can sit on around a half-acre. Ranch-style homes are also common here, but you’ll see more upscale features, such as horseshoe driveways, backyard pools and golf course views. There are also luxury colonial-style townhouses near Richmond Road.
Cape Cod homes are common in Idle Hour.
Some homes in Idle Hour have stone exteriors.
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What home prices you can expect in Idle Hour
The median home sale price in Idle Hour is in the upper $200,000s, below Lexington’s overall median and that of nearby neighborhoods like Fairway, Lakeview Estates and Shriners. You can find:
Homes under 2,000 square feet from the upper $100,000s to the mid-$300,000s
Larger homes from the mid-$400,000s to the upper $800,000s
Townhouses from $1 million to $1.3 million
Townhouse owners also have to pay monthly HOA fees between $860 and $950. Some homes here are available for rent.
Breckinridge Elementary School is in the center of Idle Hour.
Highly rated schools serve the community
The highly rated Fayette County Public Schools district serves the area. Kids can start at Breckinridge Elementary School, which is within walking distance, then go to Morton Middle School and Henry Clay High School. All are highly rated. Families can also apply to district magnet schools, such as the STEAM Academy, which offers students an individualized high school experience.
Easy access to New Circle Road and Downtown Lexington
It’s easy to commute around Lexington from Idle Hour. New Circle Road, which loops around the city, borders the neighborhood. Richmond Road also borders the area and leads to Downtown Lexington, which is about 3 miles away, a drive that takes roughly 10 minutes. The University of Kentucky, which is one of the city’s largest employers, is also 3 miles away and a 10-minute trip. If you don’t want to drive, the Lextran bus stops throughout the neighborhood.
Community events and volunteer efforts bring neighbors together
Neighbors can get involved in the community by joining the Idle Hour Neighbors Alliance. The group helps maintain the area’s neat appearance through programs like:
Yard of the Month, which recognizes the winning yard with a small sign each month
Landscape Ninjas, which is a volunteer group that helps neighbors with yard work
Median maintenance, which involves organizing the planting and care of the medians at the neighborhood’s entrances
The alliance also distributes newsletters, hosts regular meetings and organizes events like a neighborhood yard sale and a summer picnic. “It is a great, highly walkable, mixed-use neighborhood. It’s the cutest neighborhood in the city,” says Kristy Stambaugh, Lexington’s director of Aging and Disabilities Services.
The neighborhood offers activities for all ages
There are plenty of recreational options in the neighborhood. If you’re lucky enough to be invited to join the private Idle Hour Country Club, you’ll gain access to its 18-hole Donald Ross-designed golf course, a clubhouse and tennis courts. Idle Hour Park is open to all and offers pickleball courts, a playground and a fitness track. The Lexington Senior Center is also in the neighborhood. “It’s one of the happiest places on earth,” Stambaugh says about the facility, which offers clubs, card games and fitness classes.
Idle Hour Park has several workout stations.
Idle Hour Park is a great spot for basketball.
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Shopping centers and restaurants are close to home
You can grab a bite to eat or run errands at one of several nearby commercial areas. At the neighborhood’s entrance along Richmond Road, shopping centers offer a mix of businesses, including a nail salon, a chiropractor’s office and O’Neill’s, a bar known for its wings and live music. National retailers like The Home Depot and HomeGoods are along New Circle Road. Farther down Richmond Road, you’ll find a big selection of chain restaurants, more retailers and Kroger Marketplace. If you want more of a local vibe, you’re only 2 miles from Chevy Chase ’s restaurants and shops.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Idle Hour
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Idle Hour Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Idle Hour, Lexington sell after 20 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Idle Hour, Lexington over the last 12 months is $271,500, down 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Priced below appraised value, this beautifully updated ranch offers exceptional indoor-outdoor living on more than half an acre at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Lexington's desirable Idle Hour neighborhood. Highlights include three bedrooms, three full baths, an in-ground pool, a fenced backyard and an oversized detached two-car garage with flexible bonus space. Inside, a welcoming foyer with
Rachel UnderwoodChristies International Real Estate Bluegrass
Property Id: 2764349 Located on the backside of the highly desired Idle Hour neighborhood with convenient access to Richmond road and New Circle. Convenient 7 minute drive to downtown or UK campus. This is a large unit at 1200 square feet and it’s located on the 1st floor. There is a covered back patio community porch with a peaceful feeling sitting outside. Utilities of gas, electric, and
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
