Considering move to Clendenin or surrounding area (Charleston, Teays Valley: job market, middle school)

[siamesecat]

I'm from central New York (the really central part, near Utica), and am totally sick of the winter, the cold temperatures (It hasn't broken 15 degrees all week, mostly just 1 or 2, before the windchill), the snow (6-10 inches a day or more, lately), and the high cost of living, not to mention what Gov. Patteson is trying to do.

I've been looking at some WV towns online, job market, housing, etc. We have three children; 2 in middle school, and one in elementary. We would like either a small town or rural area, but still within about 20-30 minutes of a reasonable sized town or city for jobs, shopping, etc. My husband is in retail management. I am currently a bus driver, although my background and previous jobs (before kids) is in Social Work.

The town of Clendenin has caught my eye, because it is within a reasonable distance of Charleston, and also because it looks to have the country/small town atmosphere we are looking for. It is also near the mountains, which is important.

I was wondering what the area is like, in terms of schools, jobs,neighbors, commute to Charleston, or at least the county seat, crime, and cost compared to NYS. We did drive through Charleston 8 years ago on our way to my father in laws funeral in GA, and thought it was such a beautiful area.

[bobbyconn]

Beware, Clendenin-The redneck capital of West Virginia.

[vec101]

I would NOT recommend Clendinen. Rednecks aside, it is a depressed town.

Best to come down, drive around, and check out areas. The town of Eleanor is a nice little rural town - not much there but it is close to the conveniences of the Teays Valley area and is also close to Charleston.

[rod&kim77]

Clendenin isn't as bad as everyone says. My wife and I have lived here for more then 2 years. Sure it has some people you won't get along with, but all towns have that. Our kids both go to the elementary school in town and they have some good teachers. There's alot of good churches in town too, and we go to Calvary Baptist and are members. They have a great childrens club and our congregation really care about the community and are dedicated to making it better. Driving to charleston maybe takes you 20-25 minutes if you take the main road, and maybe 10-15 if you take the highway