City family considering a "Homestead" in West Virginia. Any advice? (Beckley: ski resort, crime)

[RainbowFamilyRedWhite&Blu]

Hello all!
So... We're a family from out-of-state. We're looking to relocate. We've driven through WV more times than we can count and always enjoyed the scenery, but never saw a way to incorporate the state into our lives much beyond passing through. Until NOW.

As we age, we grow and priorities change. Before we get much older, we're looking to establish a homestead. We have what we see as the luxury of being able to move to suit our desires, not out of employment necessity, so in that way, we're fortunate.

We're considering a spread in western South Dakota and a large tract of land in the low country of South Carolina. And also think WV is worth a solid look. They're all different topographically and in climate. So here are a few questions:

1) Are there many people who come to WV to establish a homestead farm of sorts, who think they want to get away from the cities, only to realize the concept was unrealistic or something about their plan proved to be inhospitable? Looking to create a small homestead, a couple of horses, a few chickens, goats, rabbits, turkey, a cow or two and a few pigs. Anybody out there grow catfish or tilapia in a confined space? Anyway... Nothing big... definitely not a commercial operation. Thinking 50-100 acres might be ideal.

2) We're considering a crescent arc from WSS, all the way down to Princeton and Bluefield, probably staying pretty close to the VA state line. From memory or satellite images, there doesn't seem to be much flat land. You're either going up a hill or down a hill.

3) With 4 children, we're looking at homeschooling but are public schools considered a priority in the state? In fact, is education valued in general?

4) Life experience has taught us that some (not all) mountain communities can be pretty insular and not particularly open to outsiders or new ways of doing things. Then there are other locales that see a near constant flow of people moving in and moving out and I'm thinking of rural Hawaii, where people sometimes move with a fantasy only to find the reality a disappointment and give up within a few years.

5) Do you think we're out of the harshest of winter weather in the geographic belt we're most interested in? Finding info on climate data for such rural hamlets has not been easy to find.

6) Anyone have any comments about crime in general? We've heard that the opioid problems have hit rural Appalachia particularly hard. Also an issue in our preferred area?

7) Lastly, my limited experience on City Data has led me to believe that many of the active members are mature adults (such as myself). Maybe the young kids gravitate to other sites. Do you get that vibes as well? Doesn't make much of a difference as all opinions are respected... just curious.

OK, I'll stop here. I know sometimes the grass seems greener on the other side of the fence and from where I'm sitting, y'all are pretty lucky to be calling WV home. Please feel free to respond with any helpful contribution as all perspectives are appreciated. Thanks in advance for your time.

[304eer]

Originally Posted by RainbowFamilyRedWhite&Blu

Hello all!
So... We're a family from out-of-state. We're looking to relocate. We've driven through WV more times than we can count and always enjoyed the scenery, but never saw a way to incorporate the state into our lives much beyond passing through. Until NOW.

As we age, we grow and priorities change. Before we get much older, we're looking to establish a homestead. We have what we see as the luxury of being able to move to suit our desires, not out of employment necessity, so in that way, we're fortunate.

We're considering a spread in western South Dakota and a large tract of land in the low country of South Carolina. And also think WV is worth a solid look. They're all different topographically and in climate. So here are a few questions:

1) Are there many people who come to WV to establish a homestead farm of sorts, who think they want to get away from the cities, only to realize the concept was unrealistic or something about their plan proved to be inhospitable? Looking to create a small homestead, a couple of horses, a few chickens, goats, rabbits, turkey, a cow or two and a few pigs. Anybody out there grow catfish or tilapia in a confined space? Anyway... Nothing big... definitely not a commercial operation. Thinking 50-100 acres might be ideal.

2) We're considering a crescent arc from WSS, all the way down to Princeton and Bluefield, probably staying pretty close to the VA state line. From memory or satellite images, there doesn't seem to be much flat land. You're either going up a hill or down a hill.

3) With 4 children, we're looking at homeschooling but are public schools considered a priority in the state? In fact, is education valued in general?

4) Life experience has taught us that some (not all) mountain communities can be pretty insular and not particularly open to outsiders or new ways of doing things. Then there are other locales that see a near constant flow of people moving in and moving out and I'm thinking of rural Hawaii, where people sometimes move with a fantasy only to find the reality a disappointment and give up within a few years.

5) Do you think we're out of the harshest of winter weather in the geographic belt we're most interested in? Finding info on climate data for such rural hamlets has not been easy to find.

6) Anyone have any comments about crime in general? We've heard that the opioid problems have hit rural Appalachia particularly hard. Also an issue in our preferred area?

7) Lastly, my limited experience on City Data has led me to believe that many of the active members are mature adults (such as myself). Maybe the young kids gravitate to other sites. Do you get that vibes as well? Doesn't make much of a difference as all opinions are respected... just curious.

OK, I'll stop here. I know sometimes the grass seems greener on the other side of the fence and from where I'm sitting, y'all are pretty lucky to be calling WV home. Please feel free to respond with any helpful contribution as all perspectives are appreciated. Thanks in advance for your time.

1) Plenty of people do. Plenty of people are successful and plenty of people fail. I can't really answer this question.

2) We're called the mountain state for a reason. No there isn't much flat land. Your best bet in this region is the Greenbrier Valley to the north and south of Lewisburg.

3) What kind of a question is "is education valued"? Public schooling is fine. And as I've mentioned previously on this board, I can't discourage homeschooling enough.

4) No. As long as you're not an obnoxious person and don't stir up anything (as with just about anywhere else in the country), no one cares who you are or where you're from.

5) The snow is definitely worse north of the Richwood/Marlinton area but it's entirely dependent upon where you decide to go. Beckley is worse snow-wise than Lewisburg for instance.

6) If you're looking for a rural area with a lot of land, crime isn't going to be an issue. As with anything else, it's about location. As long as you're not down the street from a meth house, chances are, you're going to be fine. The hardest hit areas for opoids are the coalfields. The farther east you are, the farther away you're going to be. White Sulphur Springs and Lewisburg are in general, nicer more wealthy areas than Princeton/Bluefield.

7) Typical ages for this site from what I've seen are about 30-60. I'm on the younger end of that

[RainbowFamilyRedWhite&Blu]

I appreciate your time and the effort to go through the list. Number 6 was especially interesting. I wasn't aware of the info that you provided. Also wasn't aware of the income gap between Princeton and WSS as they both looked pretty nice. Thanks again!

[304eer]

Originally Posted by RainbowFamilyRedWhite&Blu

I appreciate your time and the effort to go through the list. Number 6 was especially interesting. I wasn't aware of the info that you provided. Also wasn't aware of the income gap between Princeton and WSS as they both looked pretty nice. Thanks again!

White Sulphur Springs is a little on the lower side but here is Lewisburg compared to Princeton

- The average income of a Lewisburg resident is $33,015 a year. The US average is $28,555 a year.
- The Median household income of a Lewisburg resident is $56,347 a year. The US average is $53,482 a year.

- The average income of a Princeton resident is $19,021 a year. The US average is $28,555 a year.
- The Median household income of a Princeton resident is $30,523 a year. The US average is $53,482 a year.

[RainbowFamilyRedWhite&Blu]

Wow! That's quite a difference. In my lifetime I've known what it's like to be in a place where one simply tries to eek out a living. Fast forward to today and thankful to have early retirement and a pension.

What accounts for people in Lewisburg living in relative prosperity? It's not coal country, is it? I don't think it's a college town either, so I wonder what economic niche it has that folks down in Princeton don't have.

BTW, I'm just a few months into City-Data. Do you mind sharing where I could find that info? Could be helpful in researching other possible destinations. Thanks.

[304eer]

Originally Posted by RainbowFamilyRedWhite&Blu

Wow! That's quite a difference. In my lifetime I've known what it's like to be in a place where one simply tries to eek out a living. Fast forward to today and thankful to have early retirement and a pension.

What accounts for people in Lewisburg living in relative prosperity? It's not coal country, is it? I don't think it's a college town either, so I wonder what economic niche it has that folks down in Princeton don't have.

BTW, I'm just a few months into City-Data. Do you mind sharing where I could find that info? Could be helpful in researching other possible destinations. Thanks.

Check out places like Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site, census.gov

Lewisburg is a town in a scenic area that's adjacent to The Greenbrier. It hosts the state fair and it's turned into a trendy little downtown. Greenbrier County has always been a more affluent area. Princeton, Bluefield, and Beckley to an extent, you're going to get a spillover from the poverty coming from coal country. The mountain counties (Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Randolph, Nicholas, etc.) are more focused on tourism so they get a lot of good income from that and aren't as impoverished as SW West Virginia

[worldcitizen10]

Originally Posted by 304eer

Check out places like Moderator cut: link removed, competitor site, census.gov

Lewisburg is a town in a scenic area that's adjacent to The Greenbrier. It hosts the state fair and it's turned into a trendy little downtown. Greenbrier County has always been a more affluent area. Princeton, Bluefield, and Beckley to an extent, you're going to get a spillover from the poverty coming from coal country. The mountain counties (Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Randolph, Nicholas, etc.) are more focused on tourism so they get a lot of good income from that and aren't as impoverished as SW West Virginia

What about Summers county? It doesn't have coal mining or fracking, at least according to online map. Do they have tourism income or what is the income source? I've read general development plan for the county and seems like they place big importance on the development of tourism, but I wonder if the income is already there.

[304eer]

Originally Posted by worldcitizen10

What about Summers county? It doesn't have coal mining or fracking, at least according to online map. Do they have tourism income or what is the income source? I've read general development plan for the county and seems like they place big importance on the development of tourism, but I wonder if the income is already there.

Summers County is a pretty cool place. It has the New River, rafting, fishing, Bluestone Lake/Dam, Bluestone State Park, Pipestem Resort & Golf Course, John Henry Park, Big Bend Tunnel, Sandstone Falls, Hinton and Railroad history (still serviced by Amtrak as well), directly adjacent to the only ski resort in southern WV (Winterplace), and Hinton has the Dairy Queen with the best view of any in the country (sounds dumb but it's definitely worth a visit).

[worldcitizen10]

Originally Posted by 304eer

Summers County is a pretty cool place. It has the New River, rafting, fishing, Bluestone Lake/Dam, Bluestone State Park, Pipestem Resort & Golf Course, John Henry Park, Big Bend Tunnel, Sandstone Falls, Hinton and Railroad history (still serviced by Amtrak as well), directly adjacent to the only ski resort in southern WV (Winterplace), and Hinton has the Dairy Queen with the best view of any in the country (sounds dumb but it's definitely worth a visit).

Yes. Around Hinton and Greenbrier river definitely seemed like toursm-oriented zone

[vantexan]

I really like West Virginia. Got to drive through it numerous times last year with a job I had. But from what you're describing you may want to consider a more level place. I think Kentucky is more suited for what you're wanting but you may find the right spot in WV. My wife and I are planning on finding a place in WV to retire to but after just spending a month in a very hilly place in Europe my knees may have the deciding vote.