Vienna, WV (Parkersburg, Morgantown, Beckley: low crime, new home, safe area)

[MrandMrsJ]

Is it a nice place to live? From what I understand it has a very low crime rate which is very appealing. What is there to do there for fun? How are housing prices? What about jobs, are there a lot of job opportunities? Any info. would be helpful! Thanks!

[Two-Rivers]

Originally Posted by mrandmrsj

is it a nice place to live?
i would have to say yes.

from what i understand it has a very low crime rate which is very appealing.
that's true.

what is there to do there for fun?
that depends on what your preferences are, and maybe who you ask. Some will say there's nothing to do in the valley area as a whole. We do lack a civic center. I could reel off a list of things people do for fun around here, but none of them appeal to everyone. There's always the mall.


how are housing prices?
i would say prices, while always lower than national average, grew with the bubble and are trying to hang on, not dropping as hard as other areas of the country. In vienna you can find houses from 50k to 300k+. Which do you prefer? However, you don't see deep rooted blight as in other areas of the valley.

what about jobs, are there a lot of job opportunities? Any info. Would be helpful! Thanks! :d

while industry has vacated vienna over the past 25+ years, more developments have added small business, restaurants, and retailers. there's always the mall. but being part of a greater metro valley area, there are places one could commute to for work.

tr

[Two-Rivers]

Something wrong with the forum. It's changing CAPS to lower-case. TR

[Ceezer]

Originally Posted by MrandMrsJ

Is it a nice place to live? From what I understand it has a very low crime rate which is very appealing. What is there to do there for fun? How are housing prices? What about jobs, are there a lot of job opportunities? Any info. would be helpful! Thanks!

Vienna runs right into Parkersburg and much of the shopping/entertainment is actually in Vienna. Grand Central Mall is in Vienna, not Pburg. For fun/things to do, look at my last few posts regarding Parkersburg. Here, I'll just post the links:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/west-...artists-2.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/west-...live-wv-2.html

The crime rate across the MOV is quite low. I used to leave my keys in the car with the windows down. The cost of living is also quite low, which I miss. Our CoL doubled when we moved back down here to the Carolinas. You know, where "livin' is cheap"...

Jobs... that depends. What kind of work are you in, or looking to get in. How big of a family do you have to support or what kind of income are you looking at (if you don't mind disclosing that personal information)?

[Two-Rivers]

The crime rate across the MOV is quite low. I used to leave my keys in the car with the windows down.

I haven't locked my garage for years, so long that the locks no longer operate. I'm putting a lock on tonight, because I'm heading out of town for a week or more. And I've forgetfully left keys in the cars, windows open, etc. I don't even lock my front door if I'm only going for a short errand.

You would think I'd be more wary, having had my house emptied one Thanksgiving. But that turned out to be one of those so-called friends.

I left a five gallon can of gas setting out for a month, leave my lawn tractor out, with the key in it. Am I asking for it, or living in Mayberry RFD?

Don't get me wrong, there are neighborhoods, in the valley area, where you couldn't turn your back, but you'll know when you enter one. Vienna, not so much. TR

[ourkidzrmylife]

We used to live in Williamstown, a small town next to Vienna. Vienna is a very nice town. It is very small and the crime rate is low. In my opinion, there is not a lot to do in the MOV area. We left the area and now live in the suburbs of Houston, TX so my basis of comparison is much different as there are always many choices in Houston for things to do...I am not sure where you are moving from to Vienna, that may not be an issue for you. If you are looking for a slower pace of life, low crime, family oriented community, Vienna would be a good choice. If you are coming from the south, be aware of the weather. The winters are not harsh; however, the dreary, gray days begin in late October/early November and they last well into April/May. There are days with sunshine but not many. There are many cold, rainy, gray days. This is one of the main reasons we left the area, way too depressing in many ways. By no means do I want to paint a grim picture, but just give you the realistic side of it...hope this helps and I wish you much luck in finding your new home.

[WVUPharm2007]

I was born and raised in Parkersburg. It's a great place to raise kids in a safe environment and all, but as a teenager/young adult I was bored out of my mind. I probably won't ever move back.

[jjshphrd]

We are retiring and moving to Vienna. As a matter of fact, we hope to be on our way within the month. We have been living in the Houston sprawl for the last 26 years! Really hate it here! Hot, humid buggy and don't forget dangerous! Very high crime rate! Even in River Oaks, one of the "better areas". There is plenty to do but it is just too big. I know we will enjoy living there. Hope you will too.

[MrandMrsJ]

Thanks so much for the comments/info. I really appreciate it! DH grew up in Beckley and although he has always wanted to move back to WV we just weren't sure if Beckley was the right place for us. We have two small children and want to live in a really safe area. Anyway Vienna is def. one of our top choices and we are very excited to move!

[Ceezer]

Originally Posted by WVUPharm2007

I was born and raised in Parkersburg. It's a great place to raise kids in a safe environment and all, but as a teenager/young adult I was bored out of my mind. I probably won't ever move back.

Just for the sake of discussion, what is there to do in Morgantown that you couldn't find in the MOV?