Coalfield Counties of WV (Welch: relocation, rent, job)

[KewGee]

Someone once told me that living the in coalfield counties of WV is not a good idea. I can't remember the reasoning behind it. Can anyone help with some information regarding this?

Thanks.

[paul valachovic]

I'm not sure what the reasoning would be. I have a friend working on a project there now. (Helping spearhead a program to descrease prescription drug abuse). He describes the very high poverty in Welch and some of the other areas. I really feel for the people in the coal field areas. When you see programs on the poverty in WV they are probably showing this area. I'm not sure what the best area would be. I hope I didn't generalize too much, since I'm from the Northern Part of the State. Paul

[KewGee]

Thanks for your comment. Anything I can learn is helpful.

[afn]

If by coal fields you mean McDowell County what you will find there is cheap land value accompanied with high crime due to drug problems being extremely high for a rural area. There are many breakins and robberies which are drug related as well as violence. You have to be cautious in many of the rural areas.
Welch is the nicest town in that area with the least risk. There is little to no shopping in the county. There is a Walmart in Welch and a movie theatre there also but that would be the only place in the county. There is extreme poverty in the county and quite honestly when my job takes me there it breaks my heart to see how they live.
Most doctors and shopping would be done in Mercer County WV or Giles County VA which can be from a 45 minute to 2 hour drive from different areas of the county.

[KewGee]

Originally Posted by afn

If by coal fields you mean McDowell County what you will find there is cheap land value accompanied with high crime due to drug problems being extremely high for a rural area. There are many breakins and robberies which are drug related as well as violence. You have to be cautious in many of the rural areas.
Welch is the nicest town in that area with the least risk. There is little to no shopping in the county. There is a Walmart in Welch and a movie theatre there also but that would be the only place in the county. There is extreme poverty in the county and quite honestly when my job takes me there it breaks my heart to see how they live.
Most doctors and shopping would be done in Mercer County WV or Giles County VA which can be from a 45 minute to 2 hour drive from different areas of the county.

Thanks for your post. I posted mine several months ago and have since decided that southwest VA is where I'd like to be and Giles County is one of the counties I'm going to check out for a possible relocation.

Thanks again!!