Boone County, West Virginia (Charleston, South Charleston: real estate, low crime, hotels)

[KewGee]

I'm still on my search to live in the mountains somewhere in WV, VA, NC, or TN. I want to be where it's as peaceful as can be.

Boone County (Madison) looks pretty nice to me as far as what I'm looking for in the weather's comfort level, snowfall, ethnicticity, crime, etc.

Can anyone tell me what you think about the area? What about flooding as in homes or is the area just prone to overflowing creeks, etc.

Many thanks!!

[Colby "The Punk" Wells]

Hello amjb

From research, it seems like Madison is a really nice place to me. It's out in the country, but it's not too far since it's only 20 miles south of Charleston. I have a link with a picture of Madison and the Coal River. Hope it helps a little.
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison%2CWV

[KewGee]

Thanks, The Punk, for the link to the lovely photo.

I plan on visiting there and other places in June 2007 and see if a move from my area in TX is something I really want to do. If it weren't for my grown children not wanting to leave TX and would move too, I'd go in a heartbeat. I'm just having mixed emotions about it but when I see those beautiful mountains, the decision may not be as difficult.

I'll check with the people in Madison/Boone County to see if the Coal River is prone to flooding or if there might be a place that isn't. I've heard so much about WV being since a flood area, it does cause some concern.

Thanks again.

[Frank1938]

Although I was raised in Madison, I have not lived there in many years. I do go back to visit cousins every year.
Little Coal River does flood from time to time but I do not remember it being of great concern.
Madison is about 2000 people with little or no growth in the last 20 years. Very limited shopping but like the other poster said, it is only 20 to 30 min to Charleston
Madison is about 98% white & low crime but friends tell me that meth is somewhat of a problem but not big time.
It would be a nice place to live if you are not looking for a job,although the last time I was there I saw a sign wanting 300 coal miners

[KewGee]

Originally Posted by Frank1938

Although I was raised in Madison, I have not lived there in many years. I do go back to visit cousins every year.
Little Coal River does flood from time to time but I do not remember it being of great concern.
Madison is about 2000 people with little or no growth in the last 20 years. Very limited shopping but like the other poster said, it is only 20 to 30 min to Charleston
Madison is about 98% white & low crime but friends tell me that meth is somewhat of a problem but not big time.
It would be a nice place to live if you are not looking for a job,although the last time I was there I saw a sign wanting 300 coal miners

Thanks for the helpful post. I do want a town where it won't explode in population during my lifetime.

I'm definitely not into coal mining unless they hire women and won't be moving until I retire anyway; wish that were tomorrow.

I guess it's a coal mining town then. Is that good or bad or doesn't matter?

Thanks, Frank

[Frank1938]

http://www.city-data.com/city/Madiso...-Virginia.html

[wv4life]

I LIVE IN MADISON...and I LOVE IT...it has a small town feel BUT WITH SOME CITY TOO...it has about 3000-3500 people when include Danville which is adjacent to Madison(can't tell where one stops and the other starts)....it has great schools, it has many restaurants(mcdonalds, wendy's, long john silvers, dairy queen, pizza hut, chinese, mexican, BBQ, country type rest, etc.). Has some stores (hallmark, magic mart-small walmart, kroger/foodland grocery stores,etc.) Plenty of places to do your shopping without driving to Charleston for EVERYTHING. But anyway Nice housing developments best are the Holly Hills, Country Estates, Hospital Bottom/Miller Hill area and West Madison. Real Estate may seem cheap compared to TX but bit higher than other small cities in WV WORTH THE MONEY TO LIVE IN CITY LIMITS. This might come as a surprise but cell phone service isn't the best in WV but Madison does have good service-with alltel and cingular. Short drive to Charleston with PLENTY of things to do. Madison is really a great place to live and couldnt imagine living anywhere else in WV. Plenty of churchs if religuous. Has your classic Main Street with small shops and second hand stores and Barber Shops. Also another great thing is the ATV trails throughout the County. If any question please ask..and by the way though if you are going to visit stay in a hotel in the South Charleston/Southridge area...Madison doesn't have any MAJOR Hotels. Flooding isn't an issue in Madison but a some in the Danville area along the river...if you stay in any of the communities I mentioned wont have to worry about it...by the way if you are a golfer there is also a golf coarse and ALSO a Water Park about 5 min out of town toward Charleston. OH and a community college if you want to take an evening class for fun...i dont know some people like it..haha.

[italianbluesboy]

If I was looking for peace and tranquility Boone County would be one of the last places I would choose. The mountains are being blasted apart to get to the coal seams. There is a big mountaintop removal mine at Twilight, a 2000 acre one planned on Spruce Fork, a giant one at the county line above Garrison. There are a large number of conventional strip mines throughout the county. Not to mention all of the deep mines that can cause mine subsidence and dry wells. Coal trains blowing their horns as they pull coal out of the NUMBER ONE coal mining county in WV. The roar of fans, hum of prep plants, ambulances to the mines, delivery trucks to the mines, towering slurry impoundments - yep, Boone County is about the least peaceful place I can think of.

Go one county to the north to Lincoln County for peace and quiet.

[dkdean]

Originally Posted by KewGee

I'm still on my search to live in the mountains somewhere in WV, VA, NC, or TN. I want to be where it's as peaceful as can be.

Boone County (Madison) looks pretty nice to me as far as what I'm looking for in the weather's comfort level, snowfall, ethnicticity, crime, etc.

Can anyone tell me what you think about the area? What about flooding as in homes or is the area just prone to overflowing creeks, etc.

Many thanks!!

i was born and raised in this area this is a great place to be.

[barefootpreece]

Well I left Boone County area around 17. Not the same place now 12 years later. Its flooding bad there now and drugs have consumed alot of people there.