Possible move to Parkersburg, WV from Anchorage, AK (Charleston, Vienna: lawyer, travel)

[godsAKgirl]

Hello West Virginians...

My husband and I along, with our three children (ages 5 & 2) are considering a move to the Parkersburg area for a new job with a well established company. We currently live in Anchorage, AK and one of the biggest factors about Parkersburg is it's lower cost of living. Some of the offsets though are the income and sales taxes, we don't have either one here in Anchorage. Are there any particular areas within 15 minute drive from Parkersburg that you would reccomend or any to stay away from?

What about the sex offenders, seems like there's an awful lot in Parkersburg or am I just a protective mom? Also the crime rate is just above the national average; it's a bit surprising considering this is supposed to be small town. Any info or comments on that?

How is the city in general in terms of being clean, updated or well kept? Are there opportunities to help the needy or homeless?

Any recommendation on public schools, specifically elementary? Not just test scores but real life stuff, are the kids cliquish, school bus rides, quality of school equipment, what is the general atmosphere? Also, my son is in a spanish-immersion (1/2 day taught in english, 1/2 day in spanish) program with his school, is there anything like that there?

What kind of shopping options are there grocery wise, gas, general household? How much is a gallon of milk, loaf of bread, produce? Is there a food warehouse ie: Costco, Sam's club anywhere nearby. Any Targets?

How's the weather? We like the winter but not too much. In Alaska winter starts (snow) in beginning of October and is not gone till end of April, 1st week in May. Nothing is green until memorial day and then we have two months of good weather. Come august temps are falling, lots of rain and fall lasts maybe 1 month. Basically winter lasts 8 months up here and we are tired of it, we don't have 4 seasons. What is a good description of the 4 seasons there, how long(what months) do they last?

I'm a stay at home mom, what kind of opportunities are there to get involved with other women so I can make friends fast? Is this an overall friendly town or will we forever be branded the new people in town?

Finally we would like a good medium size church. We prefer CHRISTIAN non-denominational contemporary. Small enough to know most everyone, large enough to have several different ministrys to fulfill the body's needs.

Thanks to any and all for input.
Blessings to you!

[Lorann]

Just wanted to wish you well in your move. Hopefully some of the nice WV people can help you out w/ the information you need. Good luck!

[WV_Proud]

Hello,
I hope I can be of some help with your questions about Parkersburg. If I have left something out please feel free to ask again
Marilyn


"Are there any particular areas within 15 minute drive from Parkersburg that you would reccomend or any to stay away from?"

***No, any surrounding community such as Vienna, Williamstown, Cairo, Walker, all are lovely it just depends on how much country living you want and how close you want to be to things.

"What about the sex offenders, seems like there's an awful lot in Parkersburg or am I just a protective mom? Also the crime rate is just above the national average; it's a bit surprising considering this is supposed to be small town. Any info or comments on that?"

***Hmm, I guess I haven't looked to see what our area crime rate it but serious crimes are not something I frequently see on the news or read about in the local paper.

"How is the city in general in terms of being clean, updated or well kept? Are there opportunities to help the needy or homeless?"

***Parkersburg is clean although there are some areas (7th street) just like any community that is old and run down and some of the businesses in particular areas of that part are less than desirable. We have 2 wonderful hospitals, Camden Clark and St. Joseph. We have parks and malls and all the things other towns have.

"Any recommendation on public schools, specifically elementary?"

***I teach at a private school in Parkersburg and my son attends there so I am a bit partial to that. I am not sure what the curriculam is at the public schools here but you could access the website or call and ask. The website for wood county schools is https://www.edline.net/pages/WCS

"What kind of shopping options are there grocery wise, gas, general household? How much is a gallon of milk, loaf of bread, produce? Is there a food warehouse ie: Costco, Sam's club anywhere nearby. Any Targets?"

***Here is a link to the Parkersburg website The City of Parkersburg, West Virginia | Home Here's a link to our local mall in Vienna (most people consider Vienna part of Parkersburg). Welcome to Grand Central Mall

A gallon of milk is around $2.50 I think although it's been awhile since I actually bought milk Loaves of bread vary depending on brand from .88 to $2.00. Gasoline is around $2.55 right now. Vienna has a Sams Club but we do not have a Costco. Most people shop at Walmart and we have no shortage of those. We do not have a Target

"What is a good description of the 4 seasons there, how long(what months) do they last?"

***Spring according to the calendar started this week and it has felt like it. Usually around late March it starts warming up to the 50's. This week has been really nice. I believe it was in the 70's today. We get a good bit of rain in April and there is still snow in early to mid March. So anyway, spring usually starts late March and runs thru mid May. Summer seems to me to be mid May thru mid Sept. and then fall kicks in and last til it gets cold in late Oct. We usually don't get a snowfall til late Dec. or early January and then it's gone by mid March typically.

"Is this an overall friendly town or will we forever be branded the new people in town?"

***We are a very friendly community and you won't be considered outcasts at all! Neighbors help neighbors here and we truly have a "Andy Griffith" feel to the area.

"Finally we would like a good medium size church."

***Here is a link to a website that lists some of our churches. It's not a complete list though. You will not have any trouble finding a church and we are a Christian community for the most part. Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed

[treduece]

Parkersburg area is a good area move to if you already have an established job with a established company and can afford to live in upper Vienna (Greenmont area) but I would not reccomend areas such as 7th st. or lower parkersburg such as Avery St. and Swann. I don't know where a lot of people are getting there statistics about parkersburg crime but it has risen a lot in past years and there have been many murders and large drug bust (largest cocaine bust in mid-atlantic in past 5 years) and a murder of an old man in a busy shopping center that was never solver. I am from Boaz and I enjoy it here it is kind of in the country but between williamstown and vienna. Schools in the area as far as elementary are all very good other then Jefferson isnt always the best and as far as weather we have 4 seasons and none too severe, other then some flooding here and there. As far as churches there are many large churches in the area and we have just about any store you could think of other then a Target which is coming soon.

[fury]

I grew up in Parkersburg/Vienna West Virginia and the best word to describe it is "Boring"! There is 1 very small mall, 2 Walmarts and lots of bars! I am 35 with 2 young children and we recently moved away to Kansas City. It is a shame that the local politicians purposely turn away any good business or any clean entertainment! Honestly....the whole area is nothing but restaraunts, car lots, auto parts stores and parking lots. Every time an old building is torn down they make it a parking lot. Kids have nothing to do so they just drink and do drugs for entertainment. If you move here you can guarantee that when your children grow up and go away to college they won't be back because they only jobs there are low paying ones! Also Parkersburg is known as the "gay capital of the world"! Most of the bars here are gay bars. Another reason we moved away is the whole "Mid-Ohio Valley "is nicknamed "Cancer Valley" because there are alot of pollutants from chemical plants and the pollution just settles in the valley and the sky almost always looks gray and foggy(Very depressing)! I'm sorry to sound all negative but I'm telling you the truth because I lived there for 34 years. I just want you to know what to expect!

[pastrchris]

Hello there.

I saw you posting while I was surfing tonite. Are you still considering moving to WV? I have lived in pburg most of my 45 years. All but the 2 years I was in Bible school in Tulsa, OK. You have many questions which I will try to answer quickly. I think this is a wonderful place to live. Its small enough to be "small town" but large enough to have things found in larger cities. Most of the more recognizable restaurants and businesses, a mall, yes a Sams, Walmarts, and the like. I didn't realize the crime was quite as bad as you mention, but I feel its a pretty safe place to live. We have a pretty stable economy, adequate schools and other activities for kids. Another good thing, we're only 1 hr from Charleston (state capital), 2 hours from Columbus OH, 3 hours from Pittsburgh Pa, 3 from Cincinnati, pretty much a days drive from most everywhere in the eastern US. You can even be in Disneyland in about 16 hours if youre that adventurous. As the weather goes, I love it, we have about 2 months of real winter, a good long spring and fall and what you would consider summer pretty much runs from late may til mid to late sept.
As far as housing, I guess that depends greatly on what you can afford. But there's pretty much everything available. One more thing, I pastor a church here in town that may be just what you're looking for. Of course I dont know a lot about that either, but would love to talk to you about and specifics if you would like. How about sending me a private message and I could send you our churches number? We're also on the web at lwconline.net.

I hope this helps a little, there are so many issues that a short message cant even begin to do them justice. Again, shoot me a pm if you're still considering the move and I'll try to give you some more detailed info

Blessings

Chris

[Hossnfeffer]

I live and work in Parkersburg now. I have traveled around, and am a college grad. I also have a wife and daughter.

Some of the things that I don't like about Parkersburg:

• Downtown is non-existent. It is old, and there really isn't much desire to hang on to old buildings. There is a move to get some businesses downtown - like diners and restaurants and shops - but it is slow coming. The Blennerhassett courtyard is a great place to dine and have a drink.
• There is a reputation about it being "GAY" and in a demeaning way, as someone posted above. I had heard that too, but honestly, I don't see any higher percentage of gay population as anywhere.
• Pollution from the plants - but it is hard to complain when these same plants employ 100s of PhD engineers who live and work here.

Some of the things I like about Parkersburg:

• There is a sense of community like I have never seen anywhere. Something like 2/3s of the population is a member of some non-profit charitable organization. Everyone seems to be 'involved'.
• The Schools - Some of the best (both public and private) schools in the area/state/region. PHS is recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of the top 20 sports programs in the COUNTRY. That filters thru to all parts of school life including academia.
• The is a general commitment to kids that starts with youth programs in sports and the arts, and is widely supported by industry and the citizens.
• Despite the posting above regarding crime, I don't see as much as other areas. There is crime, but in the grand scheme of things, it seems to be limited to areas where you would expect crime. Drug and sleeze areas are easily identifiable and avoidable.

[PatriciaL]

I Hate living in Parkersburg! I moved here 6 yrs ago from NJ and it was a HUGE mistake. There is NOTHING to do here, especially when it comes to family fun & entertainment! the town is filthy,there is way too many sex offenders, too many strip clubs and adult book stores.
It seems like this town is mainly geared into entertaining perverts. Oh There is alot of stores but No work!

DO NOT MOVE HERE because YOU WILL REGRET IT AS MUCH AS I DO!!!!!!!!!!!

[Georgia]

Leaving God's Country!!!!
Was stationed in Fairbanks back in 1983. My I miss Alaska!!!

Cant' really give an overview of Parkersburg, but let me give an overview of the lower 1 of 48 in regard to taxation.

WV is ranked number 13 overall in total taxation. You will find this to be a large shock coming from the Last Frontier.
Income tax is 6.5%
You will have an annual car tax on top of your tag fee.
All retirement pension income is taxed if your retired
Sales tax is 6% across the board. (I do think there was a referendum on lowering or removing the food tax)
There was a state transfer tax on cars when you changed from one state tag to another, but this was removed. Of course the gas tax was raised.

Now you will have an offset. Food will be cheaper. Home prices will be cheaper. And of course, your heat bill will be cheaper.
If you have not lived in the Mid-Atlantic lower 48 you will have an adjustment to the overall damp humidity, though Anchorage is more damp than the dry booger freezing weather of Fairbanks it is still no comparison to the 80-100% humidity from Ohio to Florida.

Good Luck on your move. If it was me I would stay in Alaska. Then again I will never be able to get my New Jersey born wife out of this slow roaster known as Georgia.

Regards,

[WVUPharm2007]

The Parkersburg school system is pretty good for a public school system. Parkersburg High looks like a collegiate campus (no lie). The year I graduated I think we sent two to Harvard, a few to MIT, and several more to other prestigious schools.

I grew up in Parkersburg near Jefferson Elementary Center and kids made fun of me for living in "the ghetto". Suffice it to say, you might want to avoid that area. Most people would tell you Vienna is a good place to raise your family. Williamstown is nice, too. Greenmont Elementary and Jackson Junior High is where all of the physicians' and lawyers' kids wound up back in my day...it probably hasn't changed.