west virginians? what the heck are you? (Charleston, Morgantown: fit in, to live)

[snorpus]

GottaHerdOn,

I'd say the core starts around Davis, goes south and west taking in Elkiins, Buckhannon, Marlinton, Lewisburg. Weston, Summersville, Beckley, Princeton, Bluefield, Williamson. Sort of "everything east of I-79 or south of US 60".

Morgantown, Clarksburg, Charleston and Huntington are automatically excluded, because of size.

Snorpus

[Blue Grass Fever]

Originally Posted by Georgia

Yep in the Southern Part.

I guess you can put it this way.
Appalachees in the South

Between Huntington and Logan is definitely where the Appalachees are! (an area i'm familiar with... )

I've met a few people that are proud, even boastful of the Hatfield family, which some offered me a tour to the Hatfield cemetary, even some with famous family picture on their walls.

By God, you wouldn't beleive it!

[GottaHerdOn]

Snorpus i must disagree...

To me appalachia is the southern central part of the state. The area below Charleston and Huntington and Lewisburg. Technically I know the entire state of WV is considered Appalachian, as well as portions of most states on the east coast. But, I don't really feel like Elkins, Buckhannon, or Weston are really included as Appalachian as a whole. Pocahantas county, yes definitely and the southern portion of Randolph county but not Elkins or Buckhannon. The cultures are too different between the southern part of the state I stated earlier, Below Charleston, Huntington. The way people speak is vastly different, customes, and traits. Areas like Mingo county or McDowel county come to mind when I think Appalachian.

[snorpus]

Ah, but I wasn't defining Appalachian

The term I originally used was "core". Meaning (in my mind) West Virginians diluted with as little "Away" influence as possible. Or put another way, changed the least in the last 50 years.

Which is why I included Elkins, etc. (BTW, it's only about 30 miles from Elkins to the northernmost part of Pocahontas County.) My "core" is the part of WV that I think shows the least amount of outside influence.

Obviously, a very subjective topic, and one that doesn't have a real answer.

Regards,
Snorpus

[GottaHerdOn]

The area along US 33 (Corridor H) Weston, Buckhannon, and Elkins has changed drastically in the 50 last years. It is also over an hour to get to get from Elkins to Pocahantas county. I'm not sure of miles but i know it takes about an hour to get there depending on traffic. But that has nothing to do with Elkins being Appalachian or not being Appalachian. In my mind the core of Appalachia would be Boone, Mingo, Monroe, Wyoming, and McDowell counties. I agree though, very subjective and hard to answer,and i'm sure to someone from NYC or L.A. their views on Appalachia would be greatly different from mine or yours.

Good day

[millersangel]

Originally Posted by GottaHerdOn

The area along US 33 (Corridor H) Weston, Buckhannon, and Elkins has changed drastically in the 50 last years. It is also over an hour to get to get from Elkins to Pocahantas county. I'm not sure of miles but i know it takes about an hour to get there depending on traffic. But that has nothing to do with Elkins being Appalachian or not being Appalachian. In my mind the core of Appalachia would be Boone, Mingo, Monroe, Wyoming, and McDowell counties. I agree though, very subjective and hard to answer,and i'm sure to someone from NYC or L.A. their views on Appalachia would be greatly different from mine or yours.

Good day

I agree. But you forgot Mercer Co.

[GottaHerdOn]

Opps.. lol I was just naming the counties I could remember from my WV history class, which was like 10 years ago.. ha ha But yes I agree Mercer would be too.

[charles hecker]

My wife and I are thinking of moving to Lewisburg West Virginia. We are presently living in Jupiter Florida. We are interested in a small town atmosphere with lots of small shops and restaurants. One writer stated that the people in West Virginia are not friendly. Can anyone tell us the pro's and con's of Lewisburg West Virginia. After any answers to my questions. Are there any other states that fit our criteria. Thanks Charlie

[GottaHerdOn]

The state fair is held in Lewisburg. It seems like a very nice town, also a state medical doctor of osteopatic medicine school is there. The downtown area has many nice shops and restruants. I'd say go for it. Lewisburg is beautiful

[millersangel]

I'd like to address the issue of people in WV being unfriendly. In small towns and cities, everyone knows everyone else's families and there is some cliqueyness (yes, I made that word up.) Wvians are somewhat standoffish with outsiders. However, if you ever broke down along the road, I guarantee you, within 5 minutes, several people would have stopped to see if you need a hand.

I think when you move anywhere new, it takes a certain amount of time to be accepted. But at least, in southern WV, people will go out of their way to help you no matter where you came from.