West Virgina -economical situation (Parkersburg, Hinton: travel, jobs, house)

[jrb1012]

I don't know why people even question the economy when WV is the 49th poorest state in the country! There are no jobs to be found where I am (in the Parkersburg area) and I know it's not any better (but considerably worse) in other areas of the state. Last I heard the only two areas that grow in population is Morgantown (college) and Martinsburg (D.C.). There is a reason people are leaving!!! And, let's not forgot health issues! This is such a heavily chemically polluted area it's no wonder people are sick year round (Mid Ohio Valley Crud)! What about the cancer rates?!?! Also, what about the fact that they are doing additional studies to show decreased intelligence in children in this area due to the chemical pollutants by the plants such as Eramet and others in the area...I know when I drive by Eramet up Rt. 7 I end up with some kind of wet film over my windshield...scares me to think what that is)!! Every time I go out of town my coughing and sinus issues clear right up. And headaches...it's about a four times a week occurence with me...scary! I am desperately trying to move away from here...I would never advise anybody moving here. It's an okay place to visit (as long as you don't mind being sick when you leave) but living here is terrible. This is such an opressed area and under educated as well. WV has some pretty places, but come on...that doesn't make it a good place to live or raise a family. I want better for my children than this area will ever provide~ and I also don't want them stuck here and that what seems to happen to so many people. Anyway, this is just my two cents...I was born and raised here and I hate living in this area and hope to be out just as soon as I can!

[eaduke]

I also live in Parkersburg and can pretty much agree with what jrb1012 has to say. I moved over 4 years ago with the company I work for from the Romney/Cumberland,MD area and I also have a lot of the sinus problems but never had them before.I will also be leaving here as soon as I can get a transfer. I have been in WV living and working for nearly 20 years and nothing changes we are nearly last in every good catagory and near the top of the list in most of the bad.
Although I want to get out of here I can't say Parkersburg is all that bad.I've worked pretty much all over WV and Parkersburg is one of the better places in WV I've been in.I also have a family and hope to give them a better future in an area with more opportunity.

[Hinton Bound]

Good luck finding a place with cleaner air and water than Hinton, WV. Just to satisfy my own curiosity, I tried to find and place with better air and water quality. I have yet to find one. Moderator cut: link to a competitors site removed Hinton has an air quality of 90/100 and a water quality of 101/100. I looked all over the country and couldnt find anything higher. I'd be interested if anyone else can...
~Mark

[Janipoo]

My mother was just telling me today that 1 out of 6 people in WV are on Welfare and/or food stamps. That seems a lot to me. Unfortunately I am one that have to pay for the increase of food.

[David Kennedy]

Wv is not for weakings...everyone here is a survivor...whether working the welfare system or working a job...all have a place...we never know the genius that will jump out of a generation...sadly, most of them move to other places...but eventually come back to the mountains and hills that give their souls a reachable peace that those other places could not give....

[gdude]

thanks for your information! i have family that live across the river from WV and what they say goes right along with jrb1012,eaduke and janipoo.

[Big_Al]

Originally Posted by David Kennedy

If I have the opportunity to meet one of its citizens, I will not hesitate.
The Ethiopians are very special and their suffering is a religious suffering...they are protected..

There is one ethiopian doctor in Charleston.
Very smart man.

[gdude]

Originally Posted by Janipoo

My mother was just telling me today that 1 out of 6 people in WV are on Welfare and/or food stamps. That seems a lot to me. Unfortunately I am one that have to pay for the increase of food.

where i live in indiana i think the stats are 1 of of 35 people are on Welfare and or Food Stamps. Though where i live is ranked as the 23rd Richest county in America so thats probably why

[David Kennedy]

16.6%...that's not to bad for us....in the mid 1980's when the coal mines went bust the percentage was a lot higher...

What is NOT counted in this equation is SSI...the federal equivilant to welfare....

I do not believe 16.6% would be correct...I would think it would actually be in the mid 30's...so much of these numbers are cooked to give the outcome.

[gdude]

Originally Posted by David Kennedy

16.6%...that's not to bad for us....in the mid 1980's when the coal mines went bust the percentage was a lot higher...

What is NOT counted in this equation is SSI...the federal equivilant to welfare....

I do not believe 16.6% would be correct...I would think it would actually be in the mid 30's...so much of these numbers are cooked to give the outcome.

the county i live in has a poverty rate of 1.45% pop.(200,000+) and i think the states poverty rate is 9%? i am not exactly sure