Moving to the Pikeville area (Paducah, London: rentals, to live, rental property)

[highliner]

Boy, it sure gets deep in here sometimes, doesn't it? ANIMALLVR, I most surely hope-for your sake- that you do not wind up in Pikeville,Ky. If you are not native to Pike county, then you will not be accepted here- its simple as that- unless you come in with lots of moulah, and buy yourself some fair weather friends. As I've stated elsewhere, I spent a fair portion of my youth and early adulthood on Scott Avenue- before the idiots downtown reversed the numbers- and have an unbroken ancestral chain in the county since 1782. Even so, I cannot think of so much as one solid reason for an outsider such as yourself ( get used to that ugly word-it will hang around your neck so long as you choose to stay) to come to these here parts. It is relatively expensive to live comfortably here, and what few non-mining jobs exist, either pay absolute minimum wage for part time work or else are largely reserved for 'People Like Us'. That means family only, so don't bother to apply. Ditto for housing,social opportunities, healthcare, etc. Oh, yes, I was sending this while seated in the home of a relative, who only comes back to downtown Pikeville on select weekends. That little FYI is for the blankety-blank who will post some pap about my not having been here since umpteen years ago. Please do not come here; you and your family surely deserve much better than this place can or will allow you to enjoy.

[SouthernByChoice6851]

I guess SOME people forget where they come from by choice! I hate the area I live in...ONLY because it is a very small town and not a lot of things here as far as stores and things to do....PEOPLE NEED to remember that if it wasn't for these "backwoods red necks" you *EFFERS* wouldn't have any of your nice little luxuries like power.!.!.! WE are what makes your world work! But NOOOOOOO you can just survive on your own without the help of this drug infested, disability, foodstamp, SSI drawing place...WHAT PLACE DOESN'T HAVE SOME FLAWS?!?!?!?! Surely not your lovely Tennessee or whatever...Yes we have some sorry S.O.B's that live here, but they're everywhere and a place shouldn't be judged because of a few dumb people.
WE HAVE COAL MINERS THAT GO TO WORK EVERY DAY AND COAL MINERS LOSE THEIR LIVES EVERYDAY FOR US AND SOME PLACES ARE SO LOW THAT THEY HAVE TO CRAWL AROUND ON THEIR STOMACHS, THEY WORK HARD!!! FOR HOURS UPON HOURS CONSTANTLY WORKING AND DO IT 6 DAYS A WEEK TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE POWER AND WE HAVE COAL TRUCK DRIVERS THAT MAKE SURE THE COAL GETS WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO.!.!.! TRUCKERS HAULING FOR 16-20 HOURS A DAY, BUT STILL THAT ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU IS IT?!?!?! YOU HAVE TO TALK $HIT ABOUT THE AREA THAT WE LOVE AND btw WE CHOOSE TO BE HERE AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT STAY AWAY! WE DON'T WANT YOUR KIND HERE ANYWAYS. WE DON'T COME AND TALK ABOUT PEOPLE IN YOUR AREA SO WHY DO YOU FEEL THE NEED TO COME HERE AND TALK ABOUT OURS?!?!?! STEREOTYPICAL MUCH?!?!?! YOU NEED TO GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT BECAUSE UNLESS YOU LIVE HERE YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WE GO THROUGH EVERYDAY AND HOW WE LIVE!

[RamblinRoseRanch]

First of all, how kind of you to register and display all your typing skills, what with the bolding and complete capitalization and what not.
Secondly, this forum is not about Tennessee, it is about Ky. Therefore, I don't know if you personally visit the Tn forum and bash my area. If TN is so rank, then WHY do so many Pike Countians vacation and buy property here?
For your information, my father WAS one of those coal miners. Because he was illiterate, he was used to train all the college kids who later became his boss. His years and years of experience was discounted because he didn't have the book learning to display. Not to mention the man was, at the time, the ONLY illiterate LICENSED electrician in the state.
Worked six days a week in the mines, had three heart attacks in the early 80s and was hospitalized for months. Wasn't expected to live and he was only in his early forties. Had to go on SS afterwards as his multiple meds and weakened heart made it impossible to return to the only lucrative career he'd ever known. Developed black lung from his job, but the FINE state of Ky saw no reason to award him disability for it and he died twenty plus years later, having never recieved a dime for the health he sacrificed supporting his family. Dang near every male in my family over the age of 30 has worked in the mines, several receiving severe injuries and amputations. Except for the one cousin that was run over by a coal truck.
OF course I forget where I come from by choice. Just because I don't like Ky and don't willingly return doesn't give you the right to demean me, nor bash my choices. I stated facts about the area, facts that people who live there TODAY do not refute. Sure they say "Every place has its problems." and "We're getting better!" and i'm sure that's true. The fact is, drug use and governmental system abuse IS rife in that area. If you're so proud of your area, support it by trying to clean it up, don't come on here and spew venom because someone doesn't agree with you, not a really good means of getting away from the very stereotype you're complaining about, is it?

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by RamblinRoseRanch

First of all, how kind of you to register and display all your typing skills, what with the bolding and complete capitalization and what not.
Secondly, this forum is not about Tennessee, it is about Ky. Therefore, I don't know if you personally visit the Tn forum and bash my area. If TN is so rank, then WHY do so many Pike Countians vacation and buy property here?
For your information, my father WAS one of those coal miners. Because he was illiterate, he was used to train all the college kids who later became his boss. His years and years of experience was discounted because he didn't have the book learning to display. Not to mention the man was, at the time, the ONLY illiterate LICENSED electrician in the state.
Worked six days a week in the mines, had three heart attacks in the early 80s and was hospitalized for months. Wasn't expected to live and he was only in his early forties. Had to go on SS afterwards as his multiple meds and weakened heart made it impossible to return to the only lucrative career he'd ever known. Developed black lung from his job, but the FINE state of Ky saw no reason to award him disability for it and he died twenty plus years later, having never recieved a dime for the health he sacrificed supporting his family. Dang near every male in my family over the age of 30 has worked in the mines, several receiving severe injuries and amputations. Except for the one cousin that was run over by a coal truck.
OF course I forget where I come from by choice. Just because I don't like Ky and don't willingly return doesn't give you the right to demean me, nor bash my choices. I stated facts about the area, facts that people who live there TODAY do not refute. Sure they say "Every place has its problems." and "We're getting better!" and i'm sure that's true. The fact is, drug use and governmental system abuse IS rife in that area. If you're so proud of your area, support it by trying to clean it up, don't come on here and spew venom because someone doesn't agree with you, not a really good means of getting away from the very stereotype you're complaining about, is it?

Sorry to hear about your experience. Also, thank you for installing a little sanity back in the thread.

I've never been to Pikeville, so I can't make any judgments about it. BUT, I can say this about the EKY region: the state can only build so many newly-reconstructed US 23s, US 119s, US 460s, and KY 80s. Local developers can only build so many residential subdivisions on former surface mines. Companies find it expensive to flatten mountains in order to construct a new office complex or factory.

Throw into the mix that the only public university in eastern Kentucky is Morehead State, far away from the majority of eastern Kentucky residents. Plenty of community and technical colleges exist, sure, but unless a student graduates with a Nursing or Radiologic Technician degree or certification, then where do they find jobs? This explains the "brain drain" the region is still experiencing towards places like Lexington, Louisville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Nashville, and Knoxville. Which leads me to my point...

That's why EKY makes the news so much for things such as meth labs and large domestic disputes. The people who are often too poor and/or too "entrenched" in their "hollers" (meaning that's all they know and care to know) are a sizeable portion of the EKY population. Yes, I've been to EKY. I've seen this!

In conclusion, Pike County has a college, osteopathic medicine school, and all kinds of compliments-of-suburbia shopping and dining options. But it continues to lose population. My above hypothesis might explain its situation. The formation of a regional economy, improved arts and cultural opportunities, and a more educated populace will, over time, make for a more prosperous EKY; let's hope it at least makes some move in the direction of Roanoke, Asheville, and Bristol.

[highliner]

Pikeville (Hiya Blue!), Kentucky really,really,really,really sucks!

[RamblinRoseRanch]

Thanks, JCM. :-)

[lovethetruth]

I would take Pikeville over Tennessee anyday, the people are much friendlier, it is much less expensive, not overbuilt and just a more connected lifestyle. People in Eastern Kentucky are more community oriented.

[cricket32]

Animallvr,
You orginally asked for things to do/see in the area. I lived there for 22 very happy years and I'd love to tell you! I hope the next time you visit you can see and do some of it!
Cut-Through Recreation Area There's plenty to do here from the walking/running track, to the basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields, and cross country trail. It's clean, safe, and easy to access. The YMCA is also located here. It's pretty large and relatively nice. There are a lot of yoga and arobics classes and several basketball leagues to join.
Overlook After a day if playing in the park, you can keep on driving (or walking) up to the overlook. Breathtaking view and a great chance to learn a bit about geology.
Chiricos Italian restaurant that has recently moved to a new location near the movie theatre on Huffman Avenue I believe...
El Azul Grande Authentic mexican served fast! The price is unbeatble and the atmosphere is perfect.
Jerrys Great breakfast spot. Also a great place to meet locals and chat.
Riverfill 10- Movie Theatre that's always up to date.
Breaks Interstate Park It's about a 30-40 minute drive... but it's gorgeous and has enough hiking trails to keep you busy for days. Whitewater rafting and kayaking opportunities abound. A must-see in the Fall. The perfect day-trip.
Jenny Wiley Theatre- Outdoor ampitheatre offering 3 -4 musicals every summer. High quality productions and well-worth the 40 minute scenic drive out there.
East Kentucky Expo Center- Brand new, in the heart of downtown. Check out the schedule: Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center - Home
Pikeville City Park Newely renovated. If you have young children, the playground is a must-see.
Weddington Plaza- A good shopping area if you are looking for a short afternoon activity. I believe there are scrapbooking classes in the stationary store there. There is still a JCPenny, a Huffmans clothing store, a TCBY. It's a bit sparse but the local/non-chain shops there are by far the most interesting.
PeKing- Pretty decent Chinese food. This place is best known for thier friendly staff.

I apologize for all of the things said on this forum by those who haven't lived in Pikeville. It's true, I did not return after college, however my job took me abroad and I return happily whenever a chance arises. There is actually quite a large international population (for a town of 6,000 in a largely rural area). The education I recieved in the Pikeville Independent School system was more than sufficient to take me anywhere. I also know a thing or two about the "outsider" complex having lived in a rural foreign town for 3 years where the population is essentially homogonous. It's all in your perception. You can make the sitation much worse on yourself if you're paranoid about it.
My general opinion about Pikeville and about life as a whole is that if you have a positive attitude, you can go anywhere and do anything. There are ways to break into any community and Pikeville is absolutly no different. Join a church, join a class at the community college, or volunteer. You can and will find like minded people in Pikeville.
I would wish you luck, but you don't need it. Welcome to Pikeville!

[Blondie0031]

Pikeville is a ****hole. Plain and simple. If you can't see that you're in denial. I've lived here for all 21 years of my life and I pray to God I make it out of this place someday.

[Miss Blue]

Thanks to all the posters here who are from Pikeville, or other towns and counties and choose to remain here or who have had to move on but desire to return...We seldom see positive reactions to anything about Eastern Ky in this forum..For some reason which hurt me deeply our posts seem to bring the trolls out for whatever self satisfaction they see in ripping the good folks to pieces who choose to live here....Anyway, as a poster told me a while back..Thats fine...maybe we should be thankful that the beauty of the people and our home towns don't spread so much that we become "modernized" or "culturilized" Lord forbid that we even may enter the modern world of communication..