Inwood, good, bad as a whole (Charles Town: houses, employment, neighborhood)

[sunshineann]

Our family is looking to relocate. Our realtor has sent us some information on a house in Inwood. I have tried searching this forum for information on the area before i posted. We currently reside in Missouri, although i am originally from Pa. and nothing could be as worse as Missouri. We have 4 children, 3 of which are in school, but considering going the homeschooling route. Any information would be great. Thank you.

[stormes44]

As a former resident of Inwood, this is a tough question. There are some very nice
subdivisions on both sides of I-81. The problem with Inwood now is traffic. When
school is in session, it's best to avoid going anywhere near Route 11 in the mornings
and afternoons. The ridiculous intersections of Route 11 and WV 51 are hopelessly
under designed and overly used, and aside from backroads that circumvent them,
there's really no other ways around. There is rumor that WalMart is looking to place
another SuperBox somewhere in South Berkeley. Ten years ago, Inwood was nothing
but a Sheetz, McDonald's, Food Lion, and 7-11, along with two gas stations next
to the interstate. Today, there's a bank on every corner, more fast food joints and,
get this, a new CVS on one corner with a new Rite-Aid right across the street. This
at arguably the busiest intersection in the county, yet the county commissioners have
virtually no say as to what can go where since there is no zoning.

I don't know what your plans are or what sort of commute you plan to have, but if it
requires a drive to the east, I would look for something east of I-81. If it's a north/
south commute, then either side would be OK, although everything in Inwood is
located east of the interstate....at least for now.

[Threerun]

A lot to choose from in Inwood. Some large developments have popped up and price varies within the developments.. I used to live along the Opequon and Threerun creeks off Sulpher Spring Rd. Very quiet place, maybe 25 homes in the development, great neighbors..

The west side of 81 is quite nice, especially along some of the smaller roads. Again, a mix of housing. Some older, some in newer developments. A very popular S/D on the west side is Tabler Estates. Prices are upper 200's-350ish...

[sunshineann]

Thank you for the great info. so far. the place we are looking at is actually off of sulpher sprg. road. i believe it is like platt mtn lane. As far as the commuting, my husband is looking at a job between Inwood and Winchester. I appreciate the comments.

[Threerun]

Yup, know it well.

I know it well. Very good frineds of ours live off Platt Mountain Ln. It was right down the road from where we used to live. we were on the other side of Sulpher Spring Rd.

Some homes are 20+ years old, some newer, most on an acre or a little more. Platt Mountain Rd is a gravel road, maintained by the state of WV. It's known as an orphaned road. Usually gets graded twice a year, new stone once. No cost to the homeowners.

When you turn onto Platt Mountain, you descend a moderate slope, then ascend a moderate slope, with houses on either side and then a few dead end side drives. Quite a few of the house lots back-up to the property owned by St. Leo's Catholic Church, which is about 130acres.

Not a bad little place, actually. Lot's of oak, locust and black walnut trees. Neighborhood is not too crowded and fairly close to either Interstate 81 or Rt.9 or 51 to Charles Town.

[stormes44]

Darrell Platt is a local builder. He built the home where we used to live in Inwood,
and just last fall, I had him and his crew hang and finish the drywall in my current
basement. He's known locally as a perfectionist when it comes to sanding and
seaming drywall joints. Nice guy.

[sunshineann]

That sounds perfect. Where we live now, we live back gravel roads, and are use to the graders. That is what we like, being back in like that surrounded by nature. So maybe this would be a good move. I really do appreciate you two and all your insight. We will be moving "blind" so to speak. We have seen pictures of the house and that is it. Guess anywhere anyone goes you will have good and bad, its just how we make of it. Like i said earlier, i really do appreciate it, puts a little excitement back into moving. thanks again.

[gmoody55]

We currently reside in Missouri, although i am originally from Pa. and nothing could be as worse as Missouri.

Where in Missouri and what was so bad about it?

[sunshineann]

For me, my experience in Missouri has not been a great one. We live in Central Missouri. I have lived here almost 5 years. In Pa. i had a good job, had many friends and was extremely social. When i came to Mo. i had applied at every place of employment possible, even ones out of my comfort zone. In the first town we lived, i had no luck with obtaining a job. The second town we moved to i did the same thing, applied everywhere, someone pulled me aside and stated to me, that because i was an outsider here, they will hire someone that is a "native" and with less experience before they would consider me. I decided fine, i am now doing college courses from home, for a job that i can do from home. Another issue, (for me) is the people are rude, i was a very social, outgoing women and again...i was told i was an outsider. I thought it was just the area. Until i met a new teacher where my children attended school. She confided in me that she was having the same issue and she was much older than myself. I know issues as i have stated are everywhere, but i want to be where my children have the greatest of opportunities. Yes my husband works, but in order to make the money needed to support the family, he had to go back to driving over the road. I could go on. Like i said earlier, these are just my experiences, and i am not "downing" anyone who likes it here or lives here, Its not for me. And i understand i may get to WV and that may not be the place for us either. But unless we try, we will never know, and i will keep on trying till we get it right.