Moving to Parkersburg for a job: info about surrounding areas (Charleston: crime, new house)

[movingtowva]

My fiance just got a job @ Dupont in Parkersburg. We have never been to WVA. We are from Richmond, VA and live in Midlothian a suburb right outside of Richmond. We really enjoy our life here, we don't live in the city but it is also not too rural either.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how Parkersburg is? Is it very rural and country? Is there any nearby suburbs that would be similar to where we live now? Also we are looking to buy our first home. Is there any areas with new developments and new homes? If not would looking at homes in Ohio be better? How far of a drive is Ohio to Parkersburg? Thanks for any help!


Any advice on West Virginia would be great! Thank you for your time!

[Two-Rivers]

You can find rural areas just outside the the city limits, and finding housing that suits your needs shouldn't be a problem. One of the newest upscale developments, close to DuPont, is called Westwood, with easy access to the new Corridor D four-lane.

There are many other places around the area where you'll find new housing as well. With Corridor D in place, and an exit for DuPont, it's a quick trip to anywhere, including the new bridge into Ohio which will take you to Little Hocking or Barlow-Vincent, Ohio. It's roughly 3 miles from the plant to the Ohio state line with the DuPont exit at the end of the new bridge.

Lubeck and Washington, WV are closest to the plant within 1-5 miles, Mineral Wells, WV is about 10 miles.

You'll find what you need, no matter if it's a half-acre or 40 acres and most suburbs are less than 10 miles from the plant or the city.

I haven't been to Midlothian, so I can't give you a comparison other than our winters may have more cold days, but not as extreme as the mountain area of WV.

If you have more questions, ask away.

It should be noted that Lubeck and Washington, WV and Little Hocking, Ohio have C8 in the water, but filtration has been put in place. The jury is still out on the C8 matter, several areas along the river have the C8 problem.

[southfan123]

movingtowva,

VERY small world, lived the first 30 years of my life in Parkersburg, and lived in Midlothian (worked in Richmond) from 2005-2009 in Charter Colony subdivision off of Rt. 288. (Oh, btw worked at DuPont in Parkersburg from 1996-2000 before I transferred with the company to Wilmington, DE)

Parkersburg is a great town, with some similarities to Midlothian, but a number of differences. There are numerous subdivisions in Parkersburg, and (I believe) they are still building in several of them. Westwood in/near Parkersburg is similar to what Charter Colony offered (no community pool though). Midlothian was very convenient and it's proximity to Richmond made it nice. There are no sizable cities that close to Parkersburg (Columbus is 2 hours away, Charleston approximately 1.5 hours), but Parkersburg is convenient as well. It isn't so rural that it will be a huge difference. You'll love it!

If you have specific questions about comparisons between the two, I'd be happy to try to answer them.

Two Rivers that posted before me covered the surrounding areas well.

Congratulations on the job, really enjoyed my time with DuPont, and loved Parkersburg.

[OhioIstheBest]

Originally Posted by movingtowva

My fiance just got a job @ Dupont in Parkersburg. We have never been to WVA. We are from Richmond, VA and live in Midlothian a suburb right outside of Richmond. We really enjoy our life here, we don't live in the city but it is also not too rural either.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how Parkersburg is? Is it very rural and country? Is there any nearby suburbs that would be similar to where we live now? Also we are looking to buy our first home. Is there any areas with new developments and new homes? If not would looking at homes in Ohio be better? How far of a drive is Ohio to Parkersburg? Thanks for any help!


Any advice on West Virginia would be great! Thank you for your time!

Property taxes are cheaper in Ohio. I live in Belpre, Ohio. I can be in downtown Parkersburg in less than 2 minutes. Belpre also has the lowest income tax in the State of Ohio at 1%, but couldn't tell you what the WV city rates are. There is no traffic in Belpre either. And I mean none. If there are more than 2 cars in front of you at a red light you start thinking traffic is brutal.

Parkersburg is considerabley smaller than Richmond. The whole area, Parkersburg-Vienna-Marietta-Belpre, is only 60,000 people or so.

But, there is a nice mall here. Parkersburg Art Center is always having events. Marietta has a college and seems there is always some type of event in downtown. There is a lot of history here too. George Washington spent some time here and the Underground railroad ran right through here. Lots of historical museums around.

Columbus and Charleston are both easy to get to. Crime is almost non-existent. You can be anywhere in less than 20 minutes. Cost of living is low. Wish we had a little more racial diversity and a better selection of restaurants. All in all not a bad area.

[Two-Rivers]

Originally Posted by OhioIstheBest

Belpre also has the lowest income tax in the State of Ohio at 1%, but couldn't tell you what the WV city rates are.

By law, WV cities have no income tax. However the cities can enact a user fee and this is being hotly debated in Parkersburg right now. The city wants to enact a $2.50 per week user fee for anyone working inside Parkersburg, non-residents included. This wouldn't include anyone working at the DuPont plant in Washington.

[pknopp]

I work at DuPont now. You can see Ohio from Dupont. Dupont is located right on the Ohio River. Parkersburg isn't Richmond but it's not too bad. As noted, if you miss the amenities of a bigger city you can be in Columbus in a short time.

[amerideaf]

The new Corridor D four-lane is a blessing.

[pknopp]

Also, I should note. 1% in city taxes would almost equal what I pay in property taxes in WV alone.

[OhioIstheBest]

Originally Posted by Two-Rivers

By law, WV cities have no income tax.

Didn't know that. I worked in Parkersburg when I was in school. They got me for something. Must of been the State of West Virginia.

[Rebek56]

I've not been interested in new houses and don't care for subdivisions, but the entire Mid-Ohio Valley is a pleasant place, safe and relatively inexpensive.