relocating to Morgantown, WV (Huntington, Cheat Lake: university, camping, live)

[nikongirl24]

I most definitely am working with my photography degree-- which is coincidently why I was up that way recently. Did some weddings up that way this summer and senior photos.

Again, it's just a matter of what one prefers. I may be a bit spoiled to the people down here, but again, I've been up that way and I have visited the galleries, etc... Morgantown is just geared towards other things-- have an excellent medical school, law program, etc... But it is not the "mecca" for artists that say, Kentucky is. If WVU had a better art program, I may have stayed closer to my family, but then I would have missed out on meeting my husband and the great people I met here.

[CTMountaineer]

Originally Posted by nikongirl24

I most definitely am working with my photography degree-- which is coincidently why I was up that way recently. Did some weddings up that way this summer and senior photos.

Again, it's just a matter of what one prefers. I may be a bit spoiled to the people down here, but again, I've been up that way and I have visited the galleries, etc... Morgantown is just geared towards other things-- have an excellent medical school, law program, etc... But it is not the "mecca" for artists that say, Kentucky is. If WVU had a better art program, I may have stayed closer to my family, but then I would have missed out on meeting my husband and the great people I met here.

The fact that there are so many artists in Ashland, KY is surprising. I'll have to check that out next time I am in that area. I have no basis for comparison, but do know there are several galeries in Morgantown including a fairly large one at the Mountaineer Mall. In addition, WVU is building an art gallery on campus in the near future.

[nikongirl24]

Ashland, KY has a great art district-- we are also not too far from Paducah, KY. Another great location.

Morgantown could benefit from a nice art gallery at WVU-- they should expand their art program. I've visited the school and many of my professors have spoken there, and it is a shame what they are missing out on!!

[tbailey1138]

Also not to mention the great galleries and classes available at the Huntington Museum of Art! They do some wonderful things there.

And Nikongirl, not sure if you've seen it or not but they are opening up a photography and art gallery geared toward local artists in dowtown Huntington soon. It's come about through the Create Huntington group and is opening in the next month or so. If you haven't been, I recommend that you go to one of the Chat N Chew meetings at the Frederick on Thursday evenings. Here's the link:

Huntington Art Center > Home
Create Huntington

Huntington has a wonderful range of cultural and entertainment options and they are continuing to grow. When you consider what Marshall offers and what Huntington offers and the great things they do together, there's so much to do. Going to the Keith Albee this Wednesday to watch the 5 Browns. I love watching anything I can in that wonderful theater!

Tim

[David Kennedy]

Art Appreciation is a 'rich dessert of any culture. It was the first elective done away with in the secondary school system years ago...we have suffered from the priority of putting that money into other venues like athletics.

If there is any drive toward Art and Music, it must be done on a personal family level. It's a short change for everyone.

We have a Goodwill Store near our office at Middletown Mall in Fairmont.
The staff of that store have art estate items on a regular basis...none of them more than $2 or $3 dollars per painting.

I bought a watercolor from a known artist from the northwest, Jack McCullough for $1.80 last month.
The girl at the register asked me. "Can you show us the top and the bottom."

That summed it up pretty well for me...We (as Wv'ians) can't tell the top from the bottom, and until we can, we are in a real dilemma.

But the upside?

Putting a very nice collection of original works together for pennies...certainly a trash becoming treasure situation.
I'm waiting for more and they are coming. At least keeping them from somebody's dumpster.

[Risikio]

Originally Posted by CTMountaineer

Join some organizations (I had to do that in Bloomington), attend church, get involved with community activities. Before you know it, you will have legions of friends. It is as much your responsibility to make them as it is theirs.

I have joined several local organizations. The West Virginia State Poetry Society and some local collectors/hobby clubs. I have also done a lot of community service through school. In each case, I have found the same thing about being welcomed. Maybe it is my age. Although I am leaving for graduate school this fall, I am a non-traditional student and not exactly "college-aged". I am also not of retirement age. These appear to be the biggest two groups in Morgantown and West Virginia. So, maybe it is that I don't relate to the younger "hip" crowd or the retirees.

Originally Posted by CTMountaineer

Personally, I found the medical care in Morgantown to be generally superior to that available in Indiana. Physicians overall must think that is the case since they elected a WVU Medical School graduate as President of the AMA.

I disagree, both from my personal experiences mention in another post and in national rankings of the quality of healthcare. The following national scorecard ranks West Virginia 44th out of 50 states. West Virginia - The Commonwealth Fund

I don't believe I ever said the healthcare in Indiana was good, I simply said the healthcare in this state was poor. I stand by my assessment of the state's healthcare.

Originally Posted by CTMountaineer

It also does not have most of the negative aspects of a big city, and is reasonably close to one if you are looking for what one has to offer.

Again, in my original post I said the crime was low and that Morgantown was a good place for someone with a family - so no it does not have some of the negative aspects of a big city, but I disagree that it is reasonably close. A 1 1/2 - 2 hour drive to Pittsburgh is not reasonably close. I commuted everyday to Pittsburgh for a year because the company I originally worked for in Morgantown closed its doors and I could not find work here. 45-60 minutes would be reasonbly close.

[Risikio]

Originally Posted by nikongirl24

I've never been to Myrtle and I don't know what an OBX is. :/

OBX is the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Corolla, Currituck, Southern Shores, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head in the northern part. Hatteras, Buxton, Ocracoke in the middle. Atlantic Beach, Oak Island, Bald Head in the southern part. Very beautiful area, you should go some time. The northern part is very commercial these days, but the middle and southern sections are still relatively untouched.

[Risikio]

Originally Posted by David Kennedy

What more could you ask for?
And a final comment about 'never going out of state....Does anyone know anybody who has NOT been to Myrtle or OBX? Case rested.

How many names would you like? I can name two right now in my building at work. One is from Kingwood and the other from Salem. Both commute to Morgantown daily. If I ask around this afternoon, I could probably find a handful more.

[nikongirl24]

Originally Posted by tbailey1138

Also not to mention the great galleries and classes available at the Huntington Museum of Art! They do some wonderful things there.

And Nikongirl, not sure if you've seen it or not but they are opening up a photography and art gallery geared toward local artists in dowtown Huntington soon. It's come about through the Create Huntington group and is opening in the next month or so. If you haven't been, I recommend that you go to one of the Chat N Chew meetings at the Frederick on Thursday evenings. Here's the link:

Huntington Art Center > Home
Create Huntington

Huntington has a wonderful range of cultural and entertainment options and they are continuing to grow. When you consider what Marshall offers and what Huntington offers and the great things they do together, there's so much to do. Going to the Keith Albee this Wednesday to watch the 5 Browns. I love watching anything I can in that wonderful theater!

Tim

I am about to enter a piece for the new art showcase! So excited! I know exactly what you are talking about! We love, LOVE LOVE the HMOA. I go to artist talks there regularly. Marshall and Huntington do some great events together, and in fact, this weekend begins a nice little independent art showcase (local artists and some MU professors).

[JimmyL]

I have lived here (Morgantown) all my life and have never been outside of the state. Consequently, I have never been to Myrtle or OBX, whatever that is. I haven't had the means to leave the state until recently. The pay here is too low to allow for such pleasures. It is hard enough just getting by here. I find Morgantown very expensive and you don't get a lot for your money.

I personally wouldn't recommend Morgantown to anyone. I don't hate it, but there isn't really anything here that I find attractive either.

The job market is pitiful. There are no manufacturing or warehousing jobs. WVU runs this town and determines who comes in and who doesn't in the way of business, so as others have stated, it is VERY political.

I agree that the healthcare system could be better. I have had bad experiences at both Ruby and Mon General. I didn't realize how poorly the state ranked in healthcare.

As far as culture, if you like the outdoors like hiking, camping, hunting, then you will like it here. If you are looking for museums, concerts, and professional sports, then this probably isn't the place for you. I would love to see a WWF match here, but I guess I would have to go to a big city for that.

With regards to accepting outsiders, I wish they would all just leave and leave us all alone. We get along so much better without them.