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If you want to be ahead of the curve, a new 4-lane 65MPH highway is about to be completed that will put towns like Uniontown and Smithfield in Pennsylvania within a short drive of Morgantown. If you buy soon, you could get a great deal as those towns will be more attractive in the future. (I think it opens in December, actually.)
I am contemplating a job at WVU. I have done some reading about Morgantown, and it seems great. Could a mildly liberal Oregonian family of three land on our feet there and be happy? We live in Ashland, Oregon, a nice, but overpriced mountain town with hiking trails all around. We love being out doors all year, some winter sports, hiking, trail running, letting the dogs off leash, and camping. I looked into a position in Pittsburgh last year, and I liked that area.
I know the mountains are lower, and the culture different. Anyone been to both places that can enlighten me?
I am not from the Morgantown area but I would say you could land here and be very happy. I agree you won't get much land in Morgantown but the interstates are good and you could find what you describe.
I am not from the Morgantown area but I would say you could land here and be very happy. I agree you won't get much land in Morgantown but the interstates are good and you could find what you describe.
Welcome to Mountaineer Country.
Thanks bballjunkie!
Yes, I like what I am seeing. Rugged mountains, rushing rivers, beautiful forests, friendly, down-to-earth people, some snow in winter, but not a deep-freeze, a decent economy, and affordability. And striking distance from Pittsburgh or DC for educational/ cultural experiences once in a while. We are friendly folk that enjoy meeting good people, playing music, and just enjoying life. Hope this job search is successful!
Yes, I like what I am seeing. Rugged mountains, rushing rivers, beautiful forests, friendly, down-to-earth people, some snow in winter, but not a deep-freeze, a decent economy, and affordability. And striking distance from Pittsburgh or DC for educational/ cultural experiences once in a while. We are friendly folk that enjoy meeting good people, playing music, and just enjoying life. Hope this job search is successful!
FH
When you visit, come back and tell us how you liked it.
In reading up on WV, I have noted that some people live up in the hills and commute in to Charleston. And folks here have recommended Preston County as a more affordable alternative to Morgantown. It looks like Brookhaven (in Mon. County), Masontown, Independence, and Kingwood are the best options. Can anyone comment on them as places to live? They look to be about 1000 feet higher, is the climate nicer than Morgantown, or harsher?
Good public schools are also important. We had a single six year old son relatively late in life, so want him to be near a town to visit other kids.
I for one, like your open-mindedness towards West Virginia. It's so hard to get people that 'want' (that's an overstatement for some people) to move here to understand that West Virginia is a great place to live, with some of the best and warm hearted people in the country. If new people are going to move here, I'd rather have people like you. People that don't subscribe to the preconceived notions that are in the National media (we're a bunch of poor meth heads, pill heads, etc. etc...see: Diane Sawyer's 'Documentary' on Appalachian 'culture'.) when that is the complete opposite.
As far as us being a bunch of 'hillbillies'...I'm proud of that distinction. haha. We love our mountains.
Morgantown and it's surrounding areas is a great place to live for someone who wants to raise a family. As long as you stay away from where the student's live (like other people said). The students tend to be a little crazy at times, and it's best you place yourself at a good distance otherwise you'll end up with some property damage at some point in time.
If you need anything, PM me. I don't live in Morgantown anymore (I'm originally from, and currently live down here in the Kanawha area) but if you need any info on WV in general. I can provide you with anything you need.
I for one, like your open-mindedness towards West Virginia. It's so hard to get people that 'want' (that's an overstatement for some people) to move here to understand that West Virginia is a great place to live, with some of the best and warm hearted people in the country. If new people are going to move here, I'd rather have people like you. People that don't subscribe to the preconceived notions that are in the National media (we're a bunch of poor meth heads, pill heads, etc. etc...see: Diane Sawyer's 'Documentary' on Appalachian 'culture'.) when that is the complete opposite.
As far as us being a bunch of 'hillbillies'...I'm proud of that distinction. haha. We love our mountains.
Morgantown and it's surrounding areas is a great place to live for someone who wants to raise a family. As long as you stay away from where the student's live (like other people said). The students tend to be a little crazy at times, and it's best you place yourself at a good distance otherwise you'll end up with some property damage at some point in time.
If you need anything, PM me. I don't live in Morgantown anymore (I'm originally from, and currently live down here in the Kanawha area) but if you need any info on WV in general. I can provide you with anything you need.
Hi Vestvissouri,
Why would someone not be interested in West Virginia? And with all the mountains, rivers, and woods around, I suspect it would be a beautiful area to explore, fish, hike, raft, etc. Point taken about college kids. They can be a pain in any college town. I cannot say if the whole shebang would work for us without visiting, but it seems worthwhile to me. Of course, I am pursuing an academic position, so all this is a pretty longshot.
Counterintuitively, this could all work for us. I am shooting for an academic job,and they are very hard to get these days (75-150 applicants for a typical position), but perhaps the negative branding about West Virginia will thin the pool a little. In a competitive market, it helps to find a niche that one could personally tolerate (even enjoy), but others might not like.
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Hill Towns of Monongalia and Preston Counties?
