Looking for smaller town suggestions (Charleston, Huntington: salons, 2015, apartments) - City-Data Forum

fouracorns · 07-23-2011, 07:43 PM

Hi everyone. I'm looking to move up north, hopefully back to WV, when my daughter graduates in a few years and I'm interested in suggestions other than Charleston, Huntington, and Morgantown, please. I'm already going to be checking those 3 out, so I'm hoping to get a few others to visit and research.

I only have two criteria - a city center/downtown that I can live in (a few restaurants, some place with at least occasional live music, hopefully a grocer of some sort - all that can be reached by walking or biking)

and

Low cost of living - houses that cost $50k or less or that rent for $1000 or less per month.

I don't care about the job prospects, so that isn't an issue. Just nice, quaint downtown living with all of the amenities close by.

Any other towns besides the main 3 that might fit this bill? I prefer southern WV but am more than willing to check out any other towns you might recommend. Thanks!

Chriscross309 · 07-23-2011, 08:04 PM

May I suggest my home of Clendenin.

It has about 1,200 people (area 5,000)

is located about 20miles north of Charleston, with access to I-79

The town is along the banks of the beautiful Elk River, and is part of the Morris Creek Wildlife Management Area. There is a small downtown with a soon to be remodeled movie theater, a few stores and restaurants, and a couple offices. The town was once a vibrant industrial town (like most of America's small towns) but now is a small bedroom to Charleston. We have a couple of Grocery stores, gas stations, a Rite Aid, a couple chain dollar stores, and a couple of banks. Everything is in walking distance, plus we have great trails and streets for riding bikes or just strolling along.

The town is very historic, and was the first site of Union Carbide. Many of the industries have left, but companies like Elk Refinery used to employee thousands of workers. The plants have long been gone, but a few of the structures still remain as a sign of the past. Downtown used to be one of the most booming in the state. At one time, there were two movie theaters, numerous stores and businesses, and four department stores. The town even had a taxi service. Now the town is quiet, and trying to make a come back. Two organizations in town have worked real hard in preserving the town, and bringing in new business. The 25045 group has remodeled the old High School into a new business center, with senior living and a health clinic. They are also remodeling the Roxy theater, and it will host local events, and even concerts. The town may some day be a major stop along the 60 mile Elk River Rail Trail.

Cost of Living is great here, and you should have no trouble finding a house that meets your requirements. Another plus is that Charleston is only 20 miles via Interstate, and 15 via US 119.

Hope you find what you're looking for!

WVUPharm2007 · 07-24-2011, 07:56 AM

I'd check out Lewisburg. Maybe Shepphardstown, too.

fouracorns · 07-24-2011, 08:28 AM

Thanks Chris, I'll definitely check out Clendenin. Is there a bar downtown?

WVUPharm2007, I just checked out Lewisburg and Shepherdstown online and it looks like they have great downtowns. Do you know what the cost of housing runs in those areas?

t.russ · 07-24-2011, 09:32 AM

Lewisburg is a great southern WV small town but too big for me: I live in Marlinton (pop. 1200) 1 hr. N. on 219. I suspect Ronceverte, just south, which is almost contigious to Lewisburg, would be less pricey for housing.

ButtercupMcToots · 07-24-2011, 10:23 AM

You probably couldn't find decent housing in Lewisburg for 50,000. Ronceverte would be cheaper but not a great place to live. There fire department isn't even operating right now.

GottaHerdOn · 07-24-2011, 12:08 PM

I'll put my shout in for Elkins. Elkins isn't in southern WV, its located right at the crossroads of North Central WV and the Eastern Panhandle.

Small town with larger city amenities. It's population is around 7k city proper, but the area is home to about 14k people. Home prices are appreciating, but not skyrocketing by any means. Homes are more expensive than the WV average because of the nearby tourist attractions, resorts, and you get what you pay for.

It has a healthy active downtown with a few restaurants, some coffee houses, book store, etc. There are several bars downtown as well, and a few convenience stores. Elkins is a very walkable city with sidewalks everywhere and in the winter if you decided you didn't want to walk, there is also a county bus transit service (Country Roads Mass Transit) and there is a new cab company in town as well.

It would be fairly easy to find a decent place for 1k or less in rent. I would say 600.00 would be more than enough for a nice place. If you were to buy you could find a decent home that would need some work for roughly 70K, move in ready homes would be closer to the 90K plus range for houses actually within Elkins. It's definitely cheaper to rent, but home ownership is the American dream isn't it? haha

There are plenty of things to do in Elkins, if you're interested in the arts. You can take classes at the Randolph County Community Arts Center, Wine Tastings, plays at Davis & Elkins College, or the Old Brick Playhouse, or you can catch Branson MO style shows at the American Mountain Theater or the new Gandy Dancer Dinner Theater. There also plenty of activities with the Augusta Heritage Festival or the Forest Festival.

It's also located at the foothills of the Monongahela National Forest, beautiful mountains, streams, resorts, etc.

Some Links to check out

Also if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Jabberwock of Elkins Facebook

The Jabberwock also has performances and bands come in as well, in addition to regular drink specials etc.

I was a Journez regular though... Elkins' sort of alternative bar... Everyone was welcomed... Gays, Straights, White, Black, Brown, Pink, Blue etc lol I lived there literally for 5 months after I graduated from Marshall before I moved to Phoenix for grad school haha

CJ Maggies Bar and Restaurant

Elkins Citydata

City of Elkins Website

The Old Brick Playhouse

Gandy Dancer

American Mountain Theater

crazynip · 07-24-2011, 01:03 PM

Fayetteville or one of the surrounding communities. All the "amenities" can be found in Beckley.

fouracorns · 07-24-2011, 01:29 PM

Thanks GottaHerdOn; Elkins looks very nice! Actually, I'd much rather rent than own and am willing to pay a premium to do so. I wouldn't want to buy unless there's no other option. Never wanted to own a home and don't consider them a good investment.

crazynip, I'm wanting to find a town where all/most of the amenities are within walking or biking distance of my home.

GottaHerdOn · 07-24-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fouracorns

Thanks GottaHerdOn; Elkins looks very nice! Actually, I'd much rather rent than own and am willing to pay a premium to do so. I wouldn't want to buy unless there's no other option. Never wanted to own a home and don't consider them a good investment.

crazynip, I'm wanting to find a town where all/most of the amenities are within walking or biking distance of my home.

Then Elkins would be perfect for you. There are plenty of apartments in downtown Elkins if you would prefer that above the businesses, or if you'd prefer a house there are some neighborhoods very close to the downtown area that would be perfect for you. The hospital is close to downtown as well, as well as many physician offices and buildings. There are a few gift shops, a dollar store, a few salons located downtown as well.

If you needed to head to the big box retailers you would probably need to take a car or cab to the Beverly 5-Lane though. That could be a little far to walk...