Yea, I work in a research lab affliated with the med school, and the walk from the parking lot to the campus can be intimidating. You can almost be sure that you will be solicited more than once a week by homeless people (and they do so in very clever ways sometimes). I think I'll make a visit to UK's campus sometime, and I start 2010, so the new establishments sound interesting.
This may be a bit late, but I used to live in Louisville and work on the medical school campus...so I thought I would put my two cents in..
Yes, you might be solicited by homeless people, but it isn't dangerous as long as you use common sense. I became friends with a lot of them over the course of working there...you will see some in the ER also. The homeless have the ability to sense fear and will hassle ya. Treat them like regular human beings and say a "good morning" or a "how are you" and they will stop bothering you for money. You can park right outside the school after 6 or 7. You can ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS call a campus police officer to DRIVE you to the parking lot...they are great and always willing.
That said, don't walk alone to the parking lot at night...that is just dumb to do anywhere.
Once again, common sense will keep ya safe.
I think someone mentioned it already, but when I went back to visit friends in Louisville, I saw some crazy progress on the "ghetto area" by campus. They are building a HUGE new research building and some really nice condos by campus that should "rejuvenate" the area a bit. Downtown Louisville is also going through a big change (the school is right outside the heart of downtown). They are building KY's first skyscraper, a new waterfront arena, and some really nice residential apts downtown.
Housing prices are low and if you have the resources and discipline, buying a house/condo here may not be a horrible idea...especially downtown...I think one will see great appreciation by 2010 or 2011.
There are other great housing options...some apartments near the "ghetto" (ghetto for rich white folk..lol). You can also live in the highlands if you are into a hip, bar, coffee shop, liberal scene..and it is close to school. Old Louisville is also nice.
I also used to live downtown and the walk to school (7-10 min) would be a great wake up for the morning. And you can take the bus for FREE if you don't feel like walking.
I have friends at U of L med and they seem to love it. They work hard, but one mentioned that they prepare you for the boards well. I think the average USMLE step 1 score is 225 there! Damn good!
Any other questions, and I will try to help from AZ...good luck.
