Marietta; Is it worth moving to? (Washington, Monroe: apartments, rentals, crime)

[Meg Lesher]

I'm curious about Marietta and the general area of Washington and Monroe Counties. Particular questions about Marietta are what housing rentals can go for. I prefer older homes, maybe a duplex but not apartments, with 1 or 2 bedrooms. Too, what is the economic base there, aside from the college? Is there any place around there that might hire woodworkers/furniture builders? I'd also like to know people's general impressions about the area. Is it receptive to newcomers who don't feel like changing things? Are there any big environmental issues? What's the air quality like? Whats the good, the bad, and the ugly? Thanks for responding. Meg

[Cosmic]

Originally Posted by Meg Lesher

I'm curious about Marietta and the general area of Washington and Monroe Counties. Particular questions about Marietta are what housing rentals can go for. I prefer older homes, maybe a duplex but not apartments, with 1 or 2 bedrooms. Too, what is the economic base there, aside from the college? Is there any place around there that might hire woodworkers/furniture builders? I'd also like to know people's general impressions about the area. Is it receptive to newcomers who don't feel like changing things? Are there any big environmental issues? What's the air quality like? Whats the good, the bad, and the ugly? Thanks for responding. Meg

Check the local newspaper for rentals. Rates are quite low compared to most of the rest of the country.

http://www.hot-ads.com/browse/index....0000000&CID=35

I live about 50 miles from Marietta, sometimes go shopping there. Marietta is pretty laid back compared to most bigger cities. Folks are generally pretty friendly. The air quality is good. Crime is much lower in this entire area compared to the rest of the USA. Housing prices are also much lower.

These entire SE Ohio counties are fairly thinly populated, Marietta is one of the bigger towns. I don't know much about the job market, but folks do find jobs, everybody seems to be able to live. It is the trade off of much lower living costs versus wages.

I haven't been down into Washington county that much. Been over a lot of Monroe. Both have probably lost population. Maybe something like ~14,000 total now in Monroe.

These counties are prime territory for logging, lots of beautiful timber, lots of hardwoods, so there probably are some jobs available somewhere in woodworking. In Monroe fair amount of small sawmills. Probably same all over the SE area. Most timber is managed with selective cutting. The county's have forest type agents and a lot of attention to running it as a sustaining industry.

[Goodbye Cincy]

Hey-
I grew up in Marietta and absolutely love the town. But... the air quality ranks at the bottom in quality levels for the entire state thanks to the chemical companies lining the river along the way there (yup. my dad was a chemist). Oh, and the economy is in the tank as well. Ok. Just had to straighten that out!

[dunkhouse]

I live about two hours south of Marietta in WV. I think it is a very attractive town, lots of older houses, lots of character and a nice size town. Parkersburg WV is just across the river and is somewhat larger. I do think, however, that the economy and air quality are probably not real good.

[Meg Lesher]

Thank you all for your response. I have opted not to move there because of concerns about the air quality. I have enough trouble with allergies and bronchitis as it is.