Had enough (Morgantown, Fairmont, Clarksburg: environment, hoa, travel)

[Ceezer]

There is a small regional airport in Parkersburg (Wood County), which is about 1.5-2 hours from Elkins.

[GottaHerdOn]

There are closer airports too... Like Elkins has a small airport, so does Buckhannon, and commercial service is offered out of the Harrison/Marion Regional Airport which is closer than Parkersburg. International flights can be found at Pittsburgh about 2.5 hours away, or 2 hours if you take the right route from Elkins to Morgantown.

[tedsmom]

Thank you, Pittypat for that piece of advise! I really do like WV. It has a lot of promise. I feel that as in most rural communities, you have to be somewhat of an entrepreneur and willing to take on new ventures.
The people of WV are resourceful because they have to be in order to survive. There are other states that have similar existences in that the residents may be "out in the sticks". Upstate NY, the Poconos and other places equally have their share of having to deal with living in isolated areas, and bad winters.
So, I don't see much difference in WV in those respects. As far as taxes, I guess someone was referring to personal taxes, as property taxes in NJ certainly rank amongst the highest in the nation. Two towns away from me in West Windsor some people are paying $15-20k a year for their property taxes! That isn't including their mortgages, which are on properties valued at $500 & up. I'm fortunate to only be paying $4000 per yr on a little two bedroom house on a 50 x 225 lot. Also the governor raised our sales tax up to 7% recently.
Maryland, while close is also much more costly. So, WV doesn't seem like a bad deal at all. I do think that the government should find better ways to improve transportation and I know that Corridor H is a large start in that direction.
But if they improve air travel, more business people will be attracted to WV and that's what they need - jobs. I wouldn't want it to be over developed like NJ, but they do need some industry. Everyone would benefit.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by Georgia

I notice you state cancer. If you are a cancer survivor in remission make sure you check all avenues of health care before choosing West Virginia.
Though a beautiful state for peace and quiet, the majority of the state does not offer state of the art health care.

Morgantown WVU would probably provide the best in the state.

Now if this isn't important, then in my opinion you can't go wrong in the majority of the state if your looking to get away. The only area I no longer refer is my home area of Berkeley County, which has taken a wrong turn over the last 20 years. Most West By God natives do not even consider the Eastern Panhandle as part of the state anymore. Just think of the Oranges when it comes to Berkeley on a small scale. A little East Orange, a tiny bit of West Orange, very little South Orange, and heading down the road to Newark.

My favorite part of WV is the Tucker County locations

I can read between the lines of your code and remind me to stay our of your NECK of the woods. I was born in Orange and crew up in East Orange

[angellewis]

They stopped the taxes on vehicles now. So you don't have to worry about that. I would love to kinda get out of the steel town but need to be close to pgh for my father in law.

but Wva is wonderful to live in. The taxes aren't high, homes are much cheaper as well too. Jobs is a killer for many as well. Wva is good for people who wants to retire and get out of busy states or towns, or people who can survive with what jobs they have as well.

I hope you found something.

[GottaHerdOn]

Originally Posted by TuborgP

I can read between the lines of your code and remind me to stay our of your NECK of the woods. I was born in Orange and crew up in East Orange

I am so lost.. ha ha Oranges...??? I missed the code I guess

[tedsmom]

(To clarify things fo other readers) - I am familiar with where the Oranges & Newark are in NJ - not lovely places to be, so I can relate. If you carry baseball bats and guns you might survive.
People in WV hunt animals; in NJ they generally hunt each other (at least in those locations.)

[confusedTee]

I understand as moving from Fla.. the crime rate was unbelievable.......Fla is NOT what everyone thinks..I wouldn't go back EVER.......i was born and raised there and it changed DRASTICALLY............

Yes i can say it's neat when u drive thru little ole towns here AT nite and people are actually walking the streets socializing..............

[rae010]

I know the Parkersburg area was mentioned. I am from the area and just want to warn you the air quality in the Mid-Ohio valley is terrible. I don't know the statistics, but the area is highly dependent on the chemical plants that run on the river and route 7. On the upside, I can say Strecker Cancer Center (at Marietta Memorial Hospital) is great. My mom is a breast cancer survivor so I experienced the center first hand. Also, while in high school I volunteered for them. It's a great community and a nice area. Just didn't want to mislead you on the air quality. Good luck with your move!

[londonbarcelona]

I would do Wheeling because it is so close to Pittsburgh. It's only a short drive to all the new shopping areas in McMurray (or is it Cannonsburg? Anywho..)

Considering the fact you have been sick in the past and there is a very real possiblity of getting sick again in the future (sorry) I would choose Wheeling because you would be able to travel to Pittsburgh, PA in less than an hour and Pittsburgh has some of the nation's best medical facilities.

Better yet, have you even considered one of Pittsburgh's areas? If you are looking for rural, you will easily find it there. One cool thing is the drive through the Fort Pitt tunnel/bridge where one one side it's all rural with trees and mountains, and then you drive through a tunnel for half a mile and when you come out -- BAM! You are in the middle of a brand new area of the city! Okay, that's a lie, the city is not new, but all the stuff that you see (the stadiums and such) are brand new and quite nice.

Good luck to you.