Relocating to Elkins area? (Huntington, Beckley: how much, college, camp)

[newmommy40]

Originally Posted by VAFury

I'd be interested in hearing about the school systems in Elkins as my wife is a teacher as well (and I work for our school system as well).... Looking to escape Florida myself....

We drove the area over Christmas break and there was a nice little town just down from Elkins called Beverly (I think).... Cute town. I'd love it there I think if the schools aren't horrible..

Thank you for the tip on Beverly. I think this spring break, we may venture up to WV around the area of Elkins and start looking at property. We do not know too much about the towns in WV. Were originally looking in North Carolina...both of us spent quite a bit of time there as children. Someone mentioned WV and we started looking on the internet for information and like what we have found so far.

[LovinTheMountains]

Originally Posted by ToFarFromHome

The things I miss the most besides my family and friends that are still there, are the people in general. Living in LA around so many fake people and fake smiles, it really changes you and causes you to appreciate the little things in life. It's so strange, when I hear someone say thank you, excuse me, may I....little things, it takes me back to what I was raised around and wish my children could be exposed to the same everyday; because I don't hear those things very often and sadly enough; it's becoming a way of life.

Elkins is small in size, but large in some many other areas. Take it from someone who grew up there and has been too and lived in some of the largest cities in the US....Elkins, there's nothing like home. I was chatting online with an ol friend of mine recently and while talking with I found myself day dreaming about home....I'm planning to go back during late spring/summer timeframe and I can't wait. So go, you'll love it and the people will naturally win your heart.

This is exactly what won our heart. After internet searching for a month, we decided to take a trip down to Davis. We stayed a week, and visited the surrounding areas, and even went shopping in Elkins. We're definitly going with the area, either as far north as Davis to just outside Elkins, even over near Seneca Rocks was beautiful. Davis has a wonderful natural spring, people just pulled over and filled up their water bottles with fresh water! In NJ, that is unheard of.

We started conversation with some people while we were there, and the sincerity and genuiness of the people is what completely won us. We have 2 small children (21 month old and a 10 month old) and we want to raise our children in that type of environment.

My husband lived in LA County for 4 years before we met. But WV doesn't compare!

[LovinTheMountains]

Originally Posted by newmommy40

Thank you for the tip on Beverly. I think this spring break, we may venture up to WV around the area of Elkins and start looking at property. We do not know too much about the towns in WV. Were originally looking in North Carolina...both of us spent quite a bit of time there as children. Someone mentioned WV and we started looking on the internet for information and like what we have found so far.

If you are interested, I can recommend a wonderful real estate agent who helped us. Very nice lady and not pushy either. Just let me know!

[newmommy40]

Originally Posted by LovinTheMountains

If you are interested, I can recommend a wonderful real estate agent who helped us. Very nice lady and not pushy either. Just let me know!

That would be great. Thank you. We aren't sure when we will try to relocate, but any information is helpful. Have you already relocated?

[LovinTheMountains]

We're moving down there in May. The agent we have contact with is Beth Adams from Adams Blackwater Realty. They are located in Canaan Valley. Here is their website if you want to look at some homes that are available. They have more than what their website gives, but maybe this can give you an idea of prices. http://www.adamsblackwaterrealty.com/

Good luck!

[Rhett_Butler]

Originally Posted by newmommy40

Thank you for the tip on Beverly. I think this spring break, we may venture up to WV around the area of Elkins and start looking at property. We do not know too much about the towns in WV. Were originally looking in North Carolina...both of us spent quite a bit of time there as children. Someone mentioned WV and we started looking on the internet for information and like what we have found so far.

I fell in love with the whole valley along SR 219 between Lewisburg and Elkins. My wife wasn't quite as open-minded as you are as you do get kind of far from "civilization" and she's gotta have certain amenities... Beverly was nice because it had that feel and was only 10 or 15 minutes down 219 from Elkins......

Even I had to admit that places like Marlinton started getting a little too isolated for me..... GORGEOUS DRIVE though if you get the time!!!!!

[snorpus]

There can't be too many views more spectacular than the one you get by pulling off to the side coming down Cheat Mountain, at the north end of the valley. You must be able to see 20 or 30 miles from there.

My GF and I think Marlinton is "big enough" for when we retire. If you remember Hillsboro (south of Marlinton, Pearl Buck's house), we have about 4 acres partway up Droop Mountain... our view will be from the south, looking north toward Hillsboro, Marlinton and Cheat Mountain.

I agree with you that Beverly is nice. Just be sure to get a few blocks away from 219/250, since there's a lot of truck traffic through town (probably going to the Bruce Hardwoods factory).

Regards
Snorpus

[newmommy40]

Originally Posted by LovinTheMountains

We're moving down there in May. The agent we have contact with is Beth Adams from Adams Blackwater Realty. They are located in Canaan Valley. Here is their website if you want to look at some homes that are available. They have more than what their website gives, but maybe this can give you an idea of prices. http://www.adamsblackwaterrealty.com/

Good luck!

Wow...I bet you are excited. I wish you the best.

Thank you for the help. I checked out the website briefly today...I will hopefully be able to peruse a little more thoroughly tomorrow after church.

Again, I wish you the best with your move.

[newmommy40]

Originally Posted by VAFury

I fell in love with the whole valley along SR 219 between Lewisburg and Elkins. My wife wasn't quite as open-minded as you are as you do get kind of far from "civilization" and she's gotta have certain amenities... Beverly was nice because it had that feel and was only 10 or 15 minutes down 219 from Elkins......

Even I had to admit that places like Marlinton started getting a little too isolated for me..... GORGEOUS DRIVE though if you get the time!!!!!

I understand how your wife must feel. Giving up some of the conveniences has crossed my mind. Even my husband mentioned today that a 15 or 20 minute drive wouldn't be bad. So we will definitely check out those areas. I think we are going to cancel our spring break camping trip at the beach and travel up to WV...we will be sure to remember the drive along 219...thank you for all of the great tips...we are learning more everyday.

[snorpus]

In miles, the distance to things like groceries, etc., is larger than you're used to, but in time, there's not much difference. IIRC, in the 80-90 miles from Lewisburg to Beverly along 219, there's exactly 1 stoplight (in Marlinton). While there aren't major shopping malls, most everything you need for day-to-day living is available locally; you learn to plan ahead for your once every week or two trip to the "big city" (Elkins, Lewisburg, Beckley, Summersville, etc.).

Easier to adjust to will be the friendliness of the people and the lack of 70mph freeways, road rage, or traffic jams. And scenery that's the equal of any place in the U.S., minus the crowds you see in the Smokies or Yellowstone.

If you do drive 219 during the spring, be sure to time your trip so you can have lunch at the Country Roads Cafe in Hillsboro. It's in an early 1900s dry goods store, with the tall ladders along the shelves, and tons of memorabilia on display. The food's not bad, either.

Regards
Snorpus