Charleston, WV Among the Fastest Dying Cities in the US? (Huntington: for sale by owner, real estate)

[Two-Rivers]

According to Forbes, it is. According to some in Charleston, it isn't.

But there's no denying the population decrease, my son and his family haven't been counted, yet.

In Pictures: America's Fastest-Dying Cities - Forbes.com

America's Fastest-Dying Cities - Forbes.com

[Silkdashocker]

Charleston metro area is doing fine. Look at the growth west of Charleston. I don't think it's anything to worry about, or all that suprising.

[r601020]

Originally Posted by Two-Rivers

But there's no denying the population decrease, my son and his family haven't been counted, yet.

Add 1.

I moved here in November.

Living in Charleston (albeit lower wages) you have 20% more disposable income than most of the country. Don't believe me, research it at a relocation website. You are economically better off in New York City because of higher wages (even with their higher cost of living), although most people wouldn't believe that either.

They didn't get the real estate bubble here, so home prices are appreciating in Charleston at 1.5% per year. It's not sexy, but compared to a 22% depreciation on the horizon of real estate for most of the country, I'll take it.

It's good math.

Shhhh!

[ArizonaBear]

Too; off all of the cities listed, with the possible exception of Scranton, Pa. Charleston most likely has the mildest winters.

[r601020]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

Too; off all of the cities listed, with the possible exception of Scranton, Pa. Charleston most likely has the mildest winters.

You only have to watch the temperature map in USA Today to prove those anomalies. It's not just winter, it's in favor of mild summers too, because of different reasons.

I've watched the Artic winds move during winter, and you can literally see them just north of Charleston heading towards Pittsburg. It makes sense why Daniel Boone lived at the southeast end of town. I'll bet he watched them too. Exceptions of course, are when they blow down from the Great Lakes, and those are just miserable everywhere.

I knew coming in though, the area only gets about 67 clear sky days per year . . been counting. I'm between 37 and 39 at the end of July, making allowances for mornings that clear up. From what I've seen, it's 2.5 clear sky days per month during winter through early spring, and nice round numbers, it's 45F most days. In the latter half of May it begins to get better. So knowing where there's a view of the sky would be recommended to ward off S.A.D.

[vec101]

Wonder what all is included in the Chas Metro area? Think it also includes Teays Valley?

[snorpus]

According to Wikipedia, the Charleston SMSA includes all of Kanawha, Putnam, Boone, Lincoln, and Clay counties.

Until the 2000 Census, only Kanawha and Putnam counties were in the Charleston SMSA.

[KTowner33]

I never really liked Charleston. I've passed through it many times. It isn't very good-looking compared to most of other W. Va, especially the Huntington area. Charleston is kind of gritty and industrial. The downtown is smallish and the people are sometimes rude.

[Call me Tres]

Add two this year and one in four years when my mom gets here.

I agree that Charleston is far from the most beautiful city in WV. The industrial complex means jobs so I won't complain. I have encountered very few rude people here.

You want an ugly city with a nasty attitude, visit Richmond, VA. Really, though, it is like just about everywhere I have ever lived: Ugly inner city surrounded by pretty country.

[Two-Rivers]

South Charleston is actually a separate town, isn't it? (thinking my son said SC had it's own Mayor, Police, etc.)

He lived in the area referred to as South Hills, quite pleasant on that side of the Kanawha river. All of his neighbors were good people, except the owner of the rental next door always managed to accept the strangest people. Only took a few months to sell his house, but the realtor was quite lazy. My other son sold his in the first week, for sale by owner, in Wood county.

If Forbes only knew how many major companies the Parkersburg metro area has lost in the past several years, who knows, maybe could have won out over Charleston. Ooops, we don't want to win this one.