Maybe moving to WV soon (mixed race couple) (Morgantown, Fairmont: apartment complex, travel)

[jmacksgirl]

Hi~

My husband received a job offer in WV at a healthcare facility. We are looking at Morgantown or near there, but wanted to know if there is a problem with interracial couples. I am AA and my husband is white, we have 2 boys in middle school. I want to move somewhere that my kids would not have to worry about racism or violence. I have family in Va and NJ so this would be ideal for us. We are looking to rent a place and I am a stay at home mom now, but just recently stopped working, so would easily be able to work in A/R or law enforcement as I have a background in both. I believe the offer he received is in Morgantown, so we would want to be close to there or within a 30 min ommute. Any help would be great! I am not sure of the places that are approx 30 mins from Morgantown and still affordable to rent, we are open to apartments, but really would like a house to rent as our first choice.

Thanks!

[jmacksgirl]

I talked to my husband and Morgantown is where we need info on, or something within a 30 minute commute. He is going to accept the job Monday so any info we can get as soon as we can get it. We would ideally like a 3br 2 bath home to rent or an apt of the same, somewhere around 1100 sq ft and up, nothing smaller, we are paying around 1K a month now in central FL, so something in that range would be fine. We have a 6 & 7th grader so schools are a top priority and of course crime. From all the research I have done online the landscape is BEAUTIFUL in this area and I am really excited, we just want to be safe and in a good neighborhood.

Thanks in advance!

[cola]

HI there. Just an observation. Maybe the nice friendly helpful people of WV are really not so unless you are blonde and blue eyed. I hope this isn't so.

[jmacksgirl]

Does my husband being blonde and blue eyed count .... I noticed no one had any help/insight to offer, this is sad. I always wonder when we move someplace new if this is the place that will show my children what racism is, and I have been pleasantly suprised by most places. Afterall we did live in TEXAS for many years without incident, a place I was told would not be so welcoming. I appreciate you taking the time to atleast respond COLA. We shall see what happens, I pray things are fine, given that there is a college there you would think that there is a diverse group of people in the town or atleast near it.

[Roisin]

hi, I posted last night, and erased it because I thought it sounded like I was trying to discourage you from moving here. I really wasn't at all; I think it's a great place; I guess that my point was that racism bothers me and I seem to hear about it more than ever.

anyways, I'd say it's a great area, but I can't say for sure how people react to mixed race couples, but I live in Fairmont which is about 20 miles from Morgantown. I think you may like Morgantown more if you like a lively college town. I am from a large New England city and I have to say that when I moved here I did notice that it didn't have the diversity that I was used to, and I think my friend from NM pointed that out too. But the people are friendly, no one bothers you and very beautiful here.

here are two newspapers, incase you haven't seen them:

www.dominionpost.com (morgantown)

www.times-wv.com (fairmont)

Hope you're doing ok! Please let me know if I can help with anything

Roisin

[creamsoda005]

There is a few bad sections closer to the University where drugs are abundant, but other than that...crime really isn't a problem. Race really isn't a problem in northern West Virginia, especially in a town comprised mostly of young college students. I don't think you have anything to worry about! Although I've visited Morgantown, I don't live there and couldn't tell you the good neighborhoods. Good luck with your moving though!

[jmacksgirl]

Thank you for both of the replies!!

Roison: So would we fair better in Fairmont? What can you tell me about the schools there if anything? I lived on a college campus prior to moving in April, so that wouldnt bother me. I definitely dont want to live near the drug areas, so I would probably to try to be near the country area more or more quiet area, if that makes sense. My husband grew up in the country so he is totally at home there, whereas I grew up in the city so I do like the hustle and bustle, but with kids I can adapt easily and really feel ok in either setting. I guess it will depend more on where we find a house that suits us and that we can afford. I want a 3/2 preferably with a garage. If you can tell me anything more about Fairmont that would be wonderful!

Creamsoda: Thanks for your message, I was counting on their being enough diversity since the college is there for it not to matter that we were blended. I am excited to visit the area since I hear so much about how beautiful it is.

thank you again and any other info would be appreciated!

[Roisin]

Hi, I've been in Fairmont for a few years and I'm embarrassed to say that I know nothing about the school system, since I do not have children. It's a quiet area. If you are looking to live near more stores and restaurants (malls, chain restaurants, 24 hr. grocery stores, etc) then you will have to travel to either Morgantown or Bridgeport. But Fairmont has lots of little stores that I like for myself, independent stores, and also some restaurants that are very good too. It's just that sometimes I need a mall to go to, and I wish we had that here.

I'd have to say I feel very safe here; there are some areas to avoid where the houses are kind of run down, but for the most part I think it's nice here, and people are very nice in town.

We rent a house for $450/month and I thought it was much more affordable than Morgantown. There are also apartment complexes, one called Southpointe which is in Taylor County, not sure how they are though, but they look nice from the outside.

Good luck with everything!

Roisin

[jmacksgirl]

Wow 450 a month that is GREAT! We are paying 925 a month now for a small house in Central FL. (3 small bedrooms and 1 1/2 baths, no garage ! about 1000 sf) Is it better to ask a realtor to find us a rental or will those newspapers have what I am looking for? Thanks so much, I will check the web for info on the schools there!

[snorpus]

I think that another reason some may be reluctant to reply is that any difficulties you might encounter may be very localized. That is, the attitudes of your neighbors might be quite a bit different, if you had rented half a mile away. From a distance (few of us, if any, actually live in Morgantown), it's almost impossible to even guess how a mixed-race couple will be received.

As you and others have noted, as a generalization, university communities, especially a large one like Morgantown, will tend to be more accepting than an isolated town of 500, say. Unfortunately, that same large and varied community drives up the demand (and therefore the price) for housing.

As to finding a place, I'd look first at the online versions of the local papers (saw the urls in a previous post), and from there, go to the websites of some of the realtors. At the least, this will give you a feel for the price ranges in the various areas.

Regards and good luck,
Snorpus