Charleston, WV Among the Fastest Dying Cities in the US? (Parkersburg: homes, job market)

[r601020]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

About 10 miles or so South of my house is a very large lake and park called "Sweetwater Creek". Nice area with boating, ducks, hiking trails, etc. Well, last Autumn, here is a photo I took of one end of the "lake"...

Scary.

Flew over the southeast last September, dried up lakes and rivers are visible from 30,000ft. Don't if it was true or not about 90 days of water, but the States were suing each other over rights. I researched golf course watering on a whim as a casual observation of humans . . whether or not they should be allowed to continue as a species. It raised a spectre of doubt.

I agree, you agree, everybody agrees who doesn't have their head stuck up their back pocket. Something is going to give. It's not just Colorado Glaciers evaporating, they use 1000 tons of water to produce 1 ton of rice to send to China from that fossil aquifier (non-replentished) in the midwest, and Florida's aquifiers will eventually be so low they become salinated.

". . severe to extreme drought affected about 28 percent of the contiguous United States . . "

NCDC: U.S. Drought Watch

Can any of us do anything about it? I dont' know. I moved to the top of the water spicket surrounded by people who are armed to the teeth. Welcome to West Virginia . . it's closed, try Wisconsin.

[steelersfan]

the article is true , I grew up in Charleston and even attended college in the area at WVSU which is mostly commuters from the Valley. Out all my click I was around in College all of us have left the state, but for 2 people . One was one of those all-american type that could find good employment in middle of a war torn african country , the other got hooked up with a personal connection and the rest well we are all spread out over the midwest and east coast. I tried to stay around for a couple of years but couldn't make it , so I left and moved to Louisville , Ky where I make double what I was making doing the same job and the cost of living is comparable. To make a long story short young charleston residents are leaving, few young people can make in Charleston but it's a lot harder there and you need connections or way of distancing yourself from the rest of the pack of young people looking for the american dream in Charleston. By the way to the person who mentioned that signs of industrial plants means employment , those jobs are long gone to free trade and automation , those plants barely hire anymore.

[Threerun]

Originally Posted by steelersfan

By the way to the person who mentioned that signs of industrial plants means employment , those jobs are long gone to free trade and automation , those plants barely hire anymore.

http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=41607&catid=182 (broken link)

Some of West Virginia's chemical manufacturers are worried.

After decades of layoffs, downsizing and closures, industry officials now are preparing for a wave of retirements that will leave them in need of new workers, said Karen Price, president of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association. "What we're learning is that (the chemical industry) is ready to hire employees," she said. "They're having a difficult time finding people who have the skills to qualify. ... We have great-paying jobs with good benefits all throughout the state."

[steelersfan]

I read the article : 1) good ! when I was fresh out of college these places where not hiring at all. 2) look at what the article says hiring possible 20-25 people per year , and they use the word possible , you have a population of 200,000 people in the kanawha valley 20 -25 people per year is not going to put a dent in the need of good paying jobs . 3) Also note I not saying you can't make in Charleston , but for a average guy like me that has a degree from a basic state college it's harder to make it Charleston as it is in other cities around the country. I am just going on my real life experiences growing up in the valley. I had to leave , like many of my friends and we are much more successful else where then we were in Charleston.

[NOVAmtneer82]

I'm with steelersfan, these jobs weren't there when I was out of school a mere 4.5 years ago, although I guess any type of new job announcement is welcomed in the valley. I will say however they don't really represent the economy of today, notice the comments like "we don't have enough qualified people." The reality is, just not that many college students are majoring/looking for employment in that type of field.

Dupont and all of these other plants in the valley have been "possibly" hiring for years. Let's not give the company too much credit, even though they are giving back by adding a few jobs, it in no way compares to the thousands they have laid off at the Belle plant over the past 20 or so years. I know every little bit helps, but 20-25 people per year...at that rate it would take 100 years to just make up for the number of people that Dow (formerly Union Carbide) laid off in the early 2000s.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by mtneeratheart

I'm with steelersfan, these jobs weren't there when I was out of school a mere 4.5 years ago, although I guess any type of new job announcement is welcomed in the valley. I will say however they don't really represent the economy of today, notice the comments like "we don't have enough qualified people." The reality is, just not that many college students are majoring/looking for employment in that type of field.

Dupont and all of these other plants in the valley have been "possibly" hiring for years. Let's not give the company too much credit, even though they are giving back by adding a few jobs, it in no way compares to the thousands they have laid off at the Belle plant over the past 20 or so years. I know every little bit helps, but 20-25 people per year...at that rate it would take 100 years to just make up for the number of people that Dow (formerly Union Carbide) laid off in the early 2000s.

Not good.

With all due respect to the folks in W Va; I may have to stay here in Arizona..........at least I can survive financially here----------for the moment.

[GottaHerdOn]

and this is exactly what I was talking about... people moaning about how horrible WV is and it causes others to feel the same way, further hurting the state/area.

I rest my case

[hollergurl]

I visit Charleston regularly (2-4x month) Charleston reminds me of a Stephen King novel town. The UGLIEST, Grittiest, Grimley, Poorest looking town EVER. The Capitol Buildings are Awfull, the Dome is nice but the archetecture abve the dome is pathetic. Looks like its going to collapse any minute. I was in a parade there 10-15 yrs ago and driving through downtown slowly disgusted me. Seems everything in WV is old and abandoned. I wonder when the capitol complex will be abondanded?

[NOVAmtneer82]

Originally Posted by GottaHerdOn

and this is exactly what I was talking about... people moaning about how horrible WV is and it causes others to feel the same way, further hurting the state/area.

I rest my case

I'm sure I don't have to define moaning for you but that wasn't moaning. It is called reality. I thought you grew up in Elkins, how do you know so much about the economic happenings of the Kanawha Valley? ArizonaBear isn't delusional and is perfectly capable of making decisions without the help of City-Data. If people think my postings are full of you know what then IGNORE them. Basic research would show everything that myself and others have pointed out on here plus fifty times more....

[GottaHerdOn]

Originally Posted by mtneeratheart

I'm sure I don't have to define moaning for you but that wasn't moaning. It is called reality. I thought you grew up in Elkins, how do you know so much about the economic happenings of the Kanawha Valley? ArizonaBear isn't delusional and is perfectly capable of making decisions without the help of City-Data. If people think my postings are full of you know what then IGNORE them. Basic research would show everything that myself and others have pointed out on here plus fifty times more....

Did I single you out? Nooooo It wasn't even directed towards you, it wasn't directed towards anyone. I was voicing my opinion. If you expected a job to fall out of the sky though, then it was directed towards you

But I've became rather immersed with Charleston since I've came to college in Huntington, and geography is one of my majors and I'm very interested in population demographics and urban and regional planning and have studied many articles, studies, etc relating to WV and all of the metro areas in WV. So yeah I consider myself qualified since I've done some extensive research because of my capstone.