Saint Matthews

Less than ten miles from downtown Louisville, the city of Beechwood Village feels more like a neighborhood than a city. With only three entrances to the south of the neighborhood, traffic is limited. A purely residential neighborhood, homes tend to be closer together, have smaller yards with no fences and are shaded by mature trees. Brick facades are a common sight, and fireplaces stick up from most homes. Shelbyville Road to the south has four-lanes and is one way to get to the greater Louisville area for events, such as, the Kentucky Derby, or to communities that are nearby, such as, St. Matthews Community Park or Warwick Park for a friendly game of baseball at either one. Homes in this neighborhood tend to be Ranch or Cape Cod, with a few Regency-style homes built around 1950. Regency homes are less common, but range between $300,000 and $400,000. Brick Ranch homes built around 1955 with two bedrooms can begin around $220,000 and reach upwards to almost $400,000 for a three bedroom. Most of the Ranch homes will also have either a wood or electric fireplace in the living room. Cape Cod homes with classic dormer windows either in the front or the back of the home cost between $380,000 and almost $420,000. With a median price of $382,500, residents can enjoy quiet roads, no sidewalks and lots of shade from mature trees. Some homes have single or two-car garages, while others will have only a carport or a driveway. For homes with garages, parking is often located behind the house in a separate building. Children in the neighborhood can attend preschool through fifth grade at the Chenoweth Elementary School, that scored a B- on Niche and has a student-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. They can then move on to Westport Middle School, that received a C+ from Niche. Westport students can take part in the Montessori Program, which proposes that the ideal learning atmosphere is one where students learn at their own pace. After finishing up eighth grade at the middle school, students can graduate from Waggener High School, that received a C on Niche. Waggener has a College NoW Program, that allows them to earn college credit through local universities, such as University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University. St. Matthew’s Community Park, bordering the southeastern border of the neighborhood with 45.8 acres, has several baseball fields, but most of them are closed to the public. “People can absolutely reserve them, but we do direct most people to Warwick Park,” says Kenan Stratman, Director of Public Works for the city of St. Matthews. The Community Park also has batting cages that people can use from the spring to the fall so long as there are no league events occurring. Warwick Park, just over two miles from the neighborhood, is spread over 8.4 acres and includes playgrounds, a covered pavilion and baseball diamonds. Along Shelbyville Road to the south of the neighborhood, residents can enjoy local restaurants, including Plehn’s Bakery, open since 1924, and Lou Lou Food & Drink, which offers Southern dishes with influences from Italy and New Orleans including Cajun crawfish linguini and jambalaya. When retail therapy calls, Mall St. Matthews and Oxmoor Center are less than two miles to the south, providing residents easy access to stores such as Dillard’s, Kohl’s and DICK’s Sporting Goods. The two shopping malls are across the Expressway from each other and have a combined total of 240 stores. Beechwood Village is right next to the Watterson Expressway and Shelbyville Road, so some residents in the northeastern section of the neighborhood may hear a lot of traffic. While most residents own cars, the Transit Authority River City has bus stops surrounding the neighborhood. Louisville International Airport is a little over nine miles away. The city of St. Matthews, which surrounds Beechwood Village on three sides, has annual events, such as, National Night Out with the St. Matthews police department. The Arterburn, formerly known as the St. Matthews Community Center until its renovation in 2022, is next to the St. Matthews Community Park and can be rented out for events like weddings and corporate meetings. Beechwood Village is about five miles from the Ohio River, so during rainy seasons residents should be aware of the possibility of flash flooding and a decrease in water quality due to a sewage issue that the city is actively working on.

Tucked between the neighborhoods of Bellewood and Maryhill Estates in eastern Louisville, Cherrywood Village comprises five city blocks and 144 homes, which are part of the highly desirable city of St. Matthews. “You do pay more to live in a community like Cherrywood,” says Nanette Tafel, a broker associate with Kentucky Select Properties, who’s sold real estate in Louisville for 32 years. Tafel partners with her son, who loves Cherrywood Village because her family lived there for six years when he was little. “It’s so bikeable and walkable,” she says. “Every city has its pockets of homes that give you a neighborhood feel, and Cherrywood is a prime example. Plus, it’s within 15 minutes of almost anywhere in town.” Residents of Cherrywood Village live in Cape Cod and ranch-style houses that start at $380,000. More spacious homes with large yards can be found on Ormond Road. Many sell for over $1 million. While most of the neighborhood is not as generous on space, beautiful Capes still come on the market with backyard gazebos, detached and oversized two-car garages, and hardwood floors throughout. “I’ve considered moving back to Cherrywood Village myself when I retire,” Tafel says. “It’s a great neighborhood for young families seeking a starter home or retirees looking to downsize. As you age, finding a centrally located community is important, too, so you can get to everyone, and they can get to you.” Chenoweth Elementary, which received a B-minus from Niche, serves Cherrywood Village and features an entire wing and an outdoor classroom dedicated to hands-on, creative learning. “Young families are also drawn to Holy Trinity Parish School,” Tafel says. “I raised three little boys in the neighborhood for six years, and the school was just up the street — very convenient.” Holy Trinity is a private PK-8 Catholic school on Cherrywood Road. For middle school, many students attend Barret Traditional Middle, which scored an A-minus. Barret’s emphasis on service learning through the Barret Cares Program provides students with community service opportunities. The school has also won district and state championships in several sports, including basketball, football and field hockey. For high school, Waggener offers students a rigorous pre-college curriculum that could save them thousands on tuition through opportunities to take dual-credit courses at four local universities. Villagers can drive to nearby Brown Park, which features 28 acres of wooded trails, where visitors can take a walk and consider the series of limestone columns that trace the area's environmental history. Visitors can also enjoy the tranquility of Arthur K. Draut Park. The Middle Fork Beargrass Creek runs through it. Parents, especially new ones, always have a need for diapers, groceries and school supplies. Fortunately, Target and Kroger are close by. For lunch, residents can stop by Momma’s Mustard, Pickles & BBQ, one of the best-known barbecue restaurants in town. For dinner, District 6 serves Vietnamese cuisine that honors the owners’ parents, featuring anything from noodles and curry bowls to signature dishes. Residents of Cherrywood Village can catch the 15 bus that runs along Brownsboro or the 19 or 31 bus that runs along Frankfort. Interstate 64 is close, too, about 3 miles south, with access to Lexington, 75 miles east, Cincinnati, Ohio, 95 miles northeast, and Indianapolis, 120 miles north. Louisville International Airport is a quick 10-mile drive on Interstate 264 west. To support the local farmers and vendors, visit the St. Matthews or Rainbow Blossom farmers markets for fresh produce, herbs, meat and other locally provided goods. In August, the community comes together for the historic St. Matthews Potato Festival, revived in 2022, featuring a vendor market, food, live music and family fun. Less than 3 miles from Cherrywood Village, Baptist East Hospital features 519 beds and a wide set of services, including its nursing care that won a Magnet designation three times. Also nearby, Norton Women's and Children's Hospital offers inpatient and outpatient care, 24-hour emergency care and cancer care and prevention services among its specialty programs.

Not far from Downtown Louisville, the Fairmeade neighborhood offers residents proximity to the beautiful parks, eclectic restaurants and retail of St. Matthews. <br><br>Homes in Fairmeade are mostly Cape Cod and ranch-style homes. Narrow tree-lined streets separate the homes, and their smaller yards are beautified by meticulous landscaping. <br><br>Fairmeade is close to a few of St. Matthews’ most noticeable parks. Shoot some hoops or catch a St. Matthews Baseball and Softball League game at St. Matthews Community Park, where you also can hit the battle cages. Brown Park offers visitors walking trails around beautiful landscapes. Spot the wild ducks roaming through the park or the limestone formation, an artistic interpretation of the site’s geological history. And head to the nearby Arthur K. Draut Park to take a walk on the aluminum bridges that move through the forestry, wetlands and meadows of Beargrass Creek. <br><br>Residents of Fairmeade are near some tasty eateries. Try Oriental House for Hunan and Szechuan specialties. For a mix of New Orleans and Italian fare, stop by Lou Lou Food & Drink. The Lou Lou Burger and the Lou Chicago are both local go-to's. <br><br>The nearby Mall St. Matthews and Oxmoor Center shopping centers have a variety of chain restaurants and popular stores to keep you busy. <br><br>Fairmeade is near the public Waggener High School. And with access to commercial and recreational spaces, neighborhood residents have plenty to see and do without traveling downtown.

Consisting of a dozen city blocks in the heart of St. Matthews, Springlee is near the center of what makes this city in eastern Louisville so desirable — beautiful homes, nearby schools, a system of parks and golf courses, and quality restaurants and retail spaces. “The neighborhood has the character and charm of the Highlands, its neighbor to the west,” says Realtor Brent Shaw, who has worked for his father’s real estate company, Rick Shaw Realtors, for the past 16 years. “The difference is that Springlee is newer, developed in the 1940s, and convenient to schools, hospitals and interstate travel. I’ve only handled estate sales in this neighborhood, which says a lot about how long residents stay and how seldom homes come on the market there,” Shaw says. Minimal traditional, ranch, Cape Cods and colonials line the seven or so streets of Springlee. “These are well-built homes that attract long-term residents, and some lifers, who want to establish a family and put down roots,” Shaw says. Properties start at $280,000 for small, three-bedroom homes and jump in price as high as $430,000 as the square footage increases. Many houses in Springlee feature French doors, hardwood floors, woodburning fireplaces, screened-in back porches and fenced-in backyards. While some garages are attached, most are detached at the end of long driveways. Springlee borders two Jefferson County public schools, both a fairly short walk away. St. Matthews Elementary received a B-minus from Niche and was named a nationally recognized School of Character in 2020. St Mattews provides several elective programs for students to explore their interests, such as art, music, French, STEM and advanced. Waggener High, a C school, offers Advanced Placement courses and dual-credit classes through four local universities. Students can also earn nationally recognized industry certifications and gain internship experiences through business partnerships maintained by the high school. Barret Traditional Middle, while farthest from Springlee, scored the highest from Niche, an A-minus. Several Barret sports teams have won district and state championships, such as the basketball, football, volleyball and golf teams. At Brown Park, locals can walk the wooded trails, observe the ducks and enjoy the natural beauty of the Middle Fork Beargrass Creek. A block east, the Gollapalooza horse at the entrance to Arthur K. Draut Park greets visitors. The horse installation is part of Louisville’s equine-themed public art project. For those who want to test out their golf swing, play a game of tennis or go for a swim, the private Big Spring Country Club is also very close to Springlee, just on the other side of Interstate 64. Coals Artisan Pizza offers a cozy atmosphere where patrons devour coal-fired pizzas, each of which bears the name of a Louisville neighborhood. Residents also flock to W. W. Cousins for one of their signature burgers. For brunch, try Biscuit Belly, a Kentucky chain serving southern fare. Locals can also shop close to home at nearby shopping centers Mall St. Matthews and Oxmoor Center, each featuring well-known chain restaurants and popular retailers. The 19 TARC bus stops along Browns Lane and connects residents to other parts of Louisville. Onramps to interstates 64 and 264 are less than a mile away and give residents access to Lexington, 75 miles east, Cincinnati, Ohio, 95 miles northeast, and Indianapolis, 120 miles north. Louisville International Airport is a quick 10-mile drive on Interstate 264. The St. Matthews Farmers Market gives local farmers a venue for selling their home-grown produce and takes place on Saturdays from May to September at the Beargrass Christian Church. St. Matthews was once mostly farmland, and the city celebrates that past with the St. Matthew’s Potato Festival held in August at St. Matthew’s Park. Live music, food and family fun are assured. Within a block of Springlee, Baptist East Hospital features 519 beds and a wide set of services, including its nursing care that won a Magnet designation three times. Also nearby on the south side of Interstate 64, Norton Women's and Children's Hospital offers inpatient and outpatient care, 24-hour emergency care and cancer care and prevention services among its specialty programs.