Moving to Clarksburg? (Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown: home, neighborhood, school)

[amerk12]

As the title of the thread suggests, I've been offered a position in Clarksburg, and am trying to research the area, to see what its like, and decide whither or not to move. I flew down for the interview, but did not get a chance to really grasp what the culture of the area is like.

I'm 23 years old, and originally from Rochester NY, so the entire area would be completely new to me. I consider myself an outdoors person, as I like to bike in the summer and snowboard in the winter, so the landscape seems like a fit. Being from the north, I also appreciate that WV seems to offer all 4 seasons. However my main concern is that I have heard there is not much of a youthful culture, and that there is an overall outflow of people my age from the Clarksburg area.

Is this true? How is the social culture of the Clarksburg area?

Any input would be appreciated!

[NOVAmtneer82]

Clarksburg is a rather small town as far as things go, it's population is under 20,000 with a few suburbs surrounding it. West Virginia as a whole doesn't have a youthful culture as it is one of the oldest states in the nation...young people have been pouring out for over 20 years. I cannot be sure of the exact stats for Clarksburg proper but I doubt it is a mecca of young twenty somethings.

There is definitely a youthful atmosphere about 45 minutes up the road in Morgantown because it is home to West Virginia University. You have overcome one of the largest hurdles that prevents people from moving to WV, that is finding a decent job in the state. Good luck with your decision!

[WVUPharm2007]

^ Yup. I'd live in Fairmont....halfway to work, halfway to a plethora of 20-somethings in MoTown. Come hang out in Morgantown on High Street some Saturday night. It's pretty fun....

[David Kennedy]

WVUPharm2007 is giving you the straight scoop...Fairmont has a small college of about 7,000 enrollment. Lots of new riding trails and a person can bike along the river all the way to Morgantown. Has everything within an hour or so...Wisp to ski...many lakes to enjoy. Pittsburgh is up the road about 90 miles...Fairmont has a mix of old and new, but the location is the key here...give it a look...do everything but drink the water...
The inward migration into the area is mid-thirtyish with children...coming to work in the High Tech venues...

[BJC]

dk what is wrong with the water ?

[amerk12]

Thanks for the input so far from all those who have replied!

Whats wrong with the water in Fairmont??

[NOVAmtneer82]

I honestly would even check into living in Morgantown itself, the drive to Clarksburg isn't bad at all, especially if working in the Bridgeport area. I went to school for four years there and LOVED it. Morgantown in my opinion blows both Clarksburg and Fairmont right out of the water in terms of things to do, especially nightlife...of course being home to 28,000 college students makes a huge difference. An added bonus is the fact that you are closer to Pittsburgh for fun in the "big city."

Neither town is particularly young, city-data shows the median age of Clarksburg being 40.5 and Fairmont being 39ish. I have a feeling the student population at Fairmont State helps bring down the city's median age a little bit. I know stats aren't everything but they do provide some great insight into community demographics.

Fairmont seems to be A LOT of old and a little bit of new... the latter namely consisting of recently constructed buildings along the I-79 tech park. In college I had a friend or two that lived in Fairmont and we went down on several different occasions to party, the city seemed rather old and run down all over. The same friends always told me the town was "dying" and they planned on moving away for jobs. I guess it depends on the degree field one chooses. Maybe things have changed in the past four or five years which would be definitely be great because from what I saw the town needed a big boost. I have no idea what is going on with the water...

[amerk12]

I've considered the possibility of commuting from Morgantown, however with gas prices increasing as rapidly as they are, I'm not sure how economically viable that option would be. I think I'll ask if there would be any other co-workers to commute with.

I feel I may be asking for too much, but is there a commuter rail system that would cover the distance?

[vec101]

The only Amtrak system runs through Huntington, Charleston, White Sulphur Springs. Don't think there is any other rail system.

Don't think there is even a bus system (except local one). Doesn't look like Greyhound runs between MoTown and Clarksburg.
Greater Clarksburg Convention Visitors Bureau - West Virginia

You will probably be surprised, as I was when I moved to WV, how many people commute long distances to work.

[vec101]

See if Charles Pointe Planned Development Community is a neighborhood that may interest you. I don't know how far it has progressed or what is there now. It is a very convenient location.
The Master Plan

Also, Have you looked at Greater Clarksburg Visitors Bureau