Important info for relocation (Charleston, Huntington: appointed, sales, real estate)

[middlesis]

We just returned from a trip to West Virginia. The purpose of the trip was to explore the housing along I 64 between Huntington and Charleston. We found new housing in Hurricane area and some other built up areas. However having said that, the new construction does not distract from the depressed areas. Driving along I 64 in Charleston we were overwhelmed with the plumes of smoke pouring into the skies from all the industry along the river. How horrible. Proceeding further west, Nitro has three huge stacks with steam/smoke billowing out. Additionally we noticed black streaking on roof shingles in many areas. Maybe fallout from the industry but definitely something is discoloring the shingles. We were disappointed with our discovery as we were truly hoping to settle in this area of the country. I just think if anyone is considering a move, investigating air quality would be on the top of the list. Also, I'd think twice about the resale value of a home too. In this market we have enough hurdles as it is.

[David Kennedy]

Charleston is not Seattle...

and the discoloration on the shingles is simply mold...it is removed by powerwashing the roof and it smells like fish...

Roof shingles can be used that have mold deterrants built into the composition but most roofing contractors do not bother...and they cost the same price...good luck...

[harborlady]

Originally Posted by middlesis

We just returned from a trip to West Virginia. The purpose of the trip was to explore the housing along I 64 between Huntington and Charleston. We found new housing in Hurricane area and some other built up areas. However having said that, the new construction does not distract from the depressed areas. Driving along I 64 in Charleston we were overwhelmed with the plumes of smoke pouring into the skies from all the industry along the river. How horrible. Proceeding further west, Nitro has three huge stacks with steam/smoke billowing out. Additionally we noticed black streaking on roof shingles in many areas. Maybe fallout from the industry but definitely something is discoloring the shingles. We were disappointed with our discovery as we were truly hoping to settle in this area of the country. I just think if anyone is considering a move, investigating air quality would be on the top of the list. Also, I'd think twice about the resale value of a home too. In this market we have enough hurdles as it is.

I think you'd get more advice if you were clear about what kind of area you wanted to live in. South charleston seems to be retaining its value. But as for any other area, and buying real estate, its a buyers market throughout the country. Buy high sell low works for whom?

As for pollution which is an issue for this entire country, not just WV, EPA posts on the web their superfund sites so you can see where the real trouble is, not neccesarily the steam coming from a pipe. WV relative to most states is pretty tame. http://www.scorecard.org/env-releases/us-main-map.tcl

In fact, on air quality alone, WV is an oasis for the whole region.
http://www.scorecard.org/env-releases/hap/

If you mean to avoid industrial type areas, heading north of charleston a bit on I-79 has a mix of suburban and rural neighborhoods not zoned for industry, with the convenience of the city 15 minutes away down the interstate.

[tbailey1138]

Here's some other info that might be helpful. It's a link to the WV DEP and it has an air quality index that is updated quite often. Did you check out Huntington by any chance? Being west of the plants in Charleston, the air quality in Huntington is typically better and there aren't any chemical plants here. The housing market here is also doing pretty well as the home sales and prices were both up 7% in 2007. Here are some links and I hope this helps.
Tim

WSAZ - News Local News, Severe Weather and Breaking News Coverage for West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky, Charleston, Huntington, breaking news, Severe weather, news, weather, west Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, local news, wv, w.va, ky, oh, television, dig
Air Quality Index

[NOVAmtneer82]

Originally Posted by middlesis

We just returned from a trip to West Virginia. The purpose of the trip was to explore the housing along I 64 between Huntington and Charleston. We found new housing in Hurricane area and some other built up areas. However having said that, the new construction does not distract from the depressed areas. Driving along I 64 in Charleston we were overwhelmed with the plumes of smoke pouring into the skies from all the industry along the river. How horrible. Proceeding further west, Nitro has three huge stacks with steam/smoke billowing out. Additionally we noticed black streaking on roof shingles in many areas. Maybe fallout from the industry but definitely something is discoloring the shingles. We were disappointed with our discovery as we were truly hoping to settle in this area of the country. I just think if anyone is considering a move, investigating air quality would be on the top of the list. Also, I'd think twice about the resale value of a home too. In this market we have enough hurdles as it is.

It's called heavy industry and it's needed to supply you and everyone else with some of the basic necessities of everyday life. I live in DC but grew up in Charleston and have driven that corridor many times yet somehow I have never seen this "chemical fallout" on the rooftops along the I-64 corridor. When driving through that area the only thing I notice is your typical cookie cutter suburban development common in any area large or small. Might I suggest looking north of town along I-79 or along I-77 towards Jackson County if you are concerned about industry pollution.

[Hinton Bound]

Head east on I-64. Beckley is real nice, without all the heavy industry.

[harborlady]

jfronz & hinton- seems peeps need to figure out their own zoning requirements before going house shopping

[Hinton Bound]

Caveat emptor comes to mind!

[harborlady]

Originally Posted by Hinton Bound

Caveat emptor comes to mind!

Oh, and see, here I was thinking about someone going to Bloomingdales and complaining they aren't Family Dollar prices. What fun it is to see the reactions. hahhahahaa

[snorpus]

Or the people who move to developments on the fringe of farmland, and then complain about the odor of manure. All that food in the grocery store has to be grown somewhere.