Moving to Hurricane (Washington: university, live, best)

[creemarie]

Originally Posted by Sweetwater156

Are there any good health food stores in the area?

There is a Healthy Life Market in Cross Lanes. I've only been to the one in Barboursville, and they seem to have a nice selection of items. They don't carry any produce, though. If there is a newly rennovated Kroger in the area, be sure to check there as well. The one in Barboursville was rennovated last summer and they now have a very well stocked health food section and plenty of organic produce to choose from. They also carry a large variety of green products for the home.

Good luck with your move!

[Silkdashocker]

Hurricane just added a new super Wal-Mart right off I-64 West bound exit on the hill. My buddy Steve lives in Hurricane and he loves it there.

Probably just a repost.

[army19D]

one of my good friends has a bar in hurricane, i go there sometimes. and im 21, its pretty cool for young people. cross lanes is about ~9 miles on the interstate from hurricane. and right past cross lanes is a dog race track, casino and soon to be table games like poker and blackjack and such. its going to be like a mini atlantic city

[Colby "The Punk" Wells]

I am 22 years old and live in Hurricane. I don't have too many friends. Just lonely all the time.

[David Kennedy]

I think the 'Punk Culture is an example of Americas great creativity...everyone I see involved it that 'phase of their life is remarkable...I cite my good friend and musical genuis, Mike Herrera...took a group of kids in his home garage and make them world celebrities...and along the way, wrote some of the great music of our time...classics that will be played for years and years...

Colby...it dosen't matter how many friends a person has...it's the intensity of the friendship...and the variation...through my years, I've held on to the very best of them...they range from the high to the low...all remarkable successes from the very rich to the very poor...they all have a same gift...they give of themselves totally...

A very great Marine Colonel once put his arm around my shoulder and said this to me..."Friends help, son..they share the pain".
He gave me some advice that day that I've never forgotton...and he has been so right...

You're 22...get out this summer and see some of this great country...get to Mt. Rushmore or Yellowstone...not the theme parks, the real parks...Gettysburg is close...take one of those friends and a sleeping bag and go on tour...who knows?
Perhaps "Warped Tour has a little something going on...as for Mike? Changing over to country...not throwing that git-tar 30' in the air anymore...and writing some great C&W music...wants to stay closer to Bremmerton...and I don't blame him...He's paid his dues for the "Punk Movement'...everbody on a skateboard moves up to a Harley-Davidson eventually...think about that personal tour this summer...22 turns into 32 in an instant...

[BJC]

Colby, if you can't go too far this summer as DK suggests, check out some of the great things WV has to offer, or get involved in a community project this summer. My goodness 22 and lonely put your self out there just a wee bit. Oh my I sound like you are just sitting home on your but and I do not mean it that way I don't know your situation, so please take no offense, ok? WV has so much to see, and much that needs to be done. I bet if you did a little experiment of approaching 12 people and asking them if you could do something for them, (sort of like the BIG GIVE, but no $$$ involved) you would be surprised at what may happen.

DK is so right 22 will be 32 in a flash

[harborlady]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Cross Lanes is a suburb of Charleston. For the record in case you misunderstood folks earlier, Charleston isn't a tiny town as in "Mayberry small town" - it IS an actual CITY. It's just not on the same level as Charlotte or Pittsburgh or Atlanta or anything. If you're used to Wilmington, size wise Charleston isn't that far off. It has a distinct skyline, government offices, an arts center, a 180+ store mall downtown, etc etc.

P.S... I haven't lived in Charleston for a very long time, but there is a listing I found via Google for "Healthy Life Stores" there. Click HERE and hopefully the link will work. Not sure exactly what they are as we don't have them where I live now, but it LOOKS like a health food store from the description if it's still open.

Actually greg, those are healthfood stores attached to a store chain called 'drug emporium'. They seem to have leased out space to them on their floorplan & shared overhead. As far as vegitarian food goes, tofu makes me itchy, so I wouldn't want to know where to find it! lol
So far I've seen 2 drug emporium stores set up like this- the one in charleston west kanawha is across from big lots & kmart by the patrick street bridge.

Krogers and foodland I saw soy milk but I've never seen tofu there. The yoders cheese on the shelf would gasp I think.

[harborlady]

Originally Posted by Sweetwater156

Some advice needed please.

I am a 21-year old female moving to Hurricane from Wilmington, NC. From what I expect, it will be a lot different than home. Can anyone give me ideas of things to do up there, places to go, etc. Are there any good health food stores in the area? What about veterinarians- does anyone have any good recommendations for that area? (I work at a vet clinic and will need to find another job, would love to stay in that field.)

I am not much of an "outdoor-sy" person, but I am hoping that will change-- there's not much to see at the beach when you've been here 21 years!

Are the residents friendly? What kind of restaurants are in the area?

Basically, anything you can tell me will be very much appreciated as I know next to nothing about the state and would love to get some knowledge before moving up there so I can know what to realistically expect!

Thanks in advance,
Stephanie

vet's superpages listings for charleston, but you can plug in area towns.
http://www.superpages.com/yellowpage.../T-Charleston/

[vec101]

Originally Posted by harborlady

Krogers and foodland I saw soy milk but I've never seen tofu there. The yoders cheese on the shelf would gasp I think.

They have tofu - it's really good depending on the receipe its used in. Yum Yum

[ABCDom]

My wife (late-20s) and I (mid-30s) just built a house here in Hurricane, so I am not speaking from years of experience as a local. Nonetheless, here are my impressions (as an "outsider"): First of all, you won't be considered an "outsider" for very long. I have found the people to be incredibly nice. The first few days that I was here, I couldn't figure out how so many people knew me because as I would drive by, everyone would wave. Finally, I realized that people were jsut being friendly.

As far as the actual town of Hurricane: There is one main (4-lane to 2-labe) road that runs through several towns (Route 34). There are several small businesses, a couple of hotels, and a few restaurants that sit along 34. As such, Route 34 is heavily traveled and rush hour can be outrageous for such a small community (three schools are also along this road and it seems that no one rides the bus, but rather, parents drop off and pickup their children).

I am not really into "health food," but there is a place called Halfway Market that sits along Route 34. It has fresh produce and seems nice.

For the size of the community, there are several churches and those Christian values seems to be reflected in the community.

Hurricane High School was recently rated as one of the best public high schools in the US (and the best in the State of WV, followed by Morgantown and George Washington).

As others have stated, Hurricane is in the "middle" between Charleston and Huntington (almost equidisant). Both of these areas offer all sorts of stores and services and both are short drives away. Persoanlly, on the weekends, we'll split our time: Going to Barboursville (ouside of Huntington) one day and then to Charleston the next day.

As far as things to do directly in Hurricane: To be honest, there isn't much (especially for a younger couple). There are only about five bars between Hurricane and Teay's Valley. Of these, none are your typical "big city clubs." For the most part, they are watering holes with many, many locals and regulars. There is a very nice city park and a wave pool. Aside from that, I haven't found much else to do in my limited time here--Hence, why we frequently travel to Barboursville or Charleston for entertainment. My biggest personal complaint about the entertainment value of the area is the lack of places to eat. Sure, you can get by on a day-to-day basis with your typical chain restaurants, but if you want a nice "tablecloth" meal, you have to travel. I also haven't found a good place to get wings, but that is probably because I haven't had time to try them all.

Hurricane = Family. Overall, I think that Hurricane is a GREAT place for me and my family. You have to keep in mind my perspective: We aren't college-aged, but aren't "old" either. We are expecting our first child and Hurricane seems to be a graet place for that. We are able to live a nice "white picket fence" lifestyle in Hurricane and then travel to nearby "cities" for entertainment.

I hope that this helps. Allow me to reiterate, this is an impression from an "outsider" that recently moved to the area.