Why West Virginia? (Hinton: home, to live, moving to)

[HomersBoy]

I was born and raised in Putnam County,WV and still live here and hope to live here for the rest of my life. It doesn't bother me that outsiders think we're barefoot and toothless. WV is the best kept secret in the USA and I won't mind a bit if it stays that way. MeganAK, when you make the move and get settled in, I think you'll feel right at home. By the way, It's ok to contact your best friends from AK and tell them how good it is here but don't brag us up too much. We don't want to get too overcrowded...

[nikongirl24]

Did you guys watch the Bizarre Foods Appalachia tonight? Andrew Zimern traveld to Cass and Helvetia WV and had some "ethnic food". He ate freaking squirrel and deer meat. Ethnic?? He showed us as hillbillies and acted as though we are off our rockers!!!

I don't feel too bad though, then he went to NC and had some really freaky food, but it was probably normal for them. LOL. Love that show, but I hate the stereotypes!!

[MeganAK]

Yay! Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful, thoughtful posts. I read them to my husband and we thoroughly enjoyed everyone's comments. We have started to ask automatically if people have ever been there, and most of the people with the most biting comments have never been there! We are getting pretty excited to head out and have about three weeks left until we start our adventure South! We still aren't sure where in West Virginia, but I have interviews lined up and time to explore! Thank you so much for writing. We missed the Bizarre Foods show- we don't have TV, but it sounds like it was a hoot! And don't worry, HomersBoy, mums the word on how awesome West Virginia is- we'll just let 'em keep their misconceptions. They can have their 8 months of winter and frozen ocean.......

[TheGrasshopper&TheOctopus]

I can't help but notice that everyone who has commented in this thread was born and raised in West Virginia. I'm moving to the Eastern Panhandle in July, and I think answers to "Why West Virginia" from those without a "it's my home" emotional slant would be interesting.

[BJC]

ok grasshopper why are you moving to WV?

[MistyVT]

Well....we just bought a "project" home in West Virginia. (although it certainly isn't out in the backwoods somewhere. We have visited the state two times and I really appreciate the atmosphere. The state is a cousin to my state...VT. VT has a very similar reputation so I am very familiar with false opinions. I guess from an out of state perspective, our purchase was for a second home (getaway for us) to leave our lives behind. The cost of living is better in West Virginia and although the home we bought is not rural, we can easily drive a few miles to gain some privacy. I also appreciate the conservative reputation of the state and the religious flare it has! We're not coming for any reasons relating to business, finding jobs, etc. We are just looking for solitude!

[Hinton Bound]

I too am a non native. My wife and I looked all over before settling on WV. We wanted a rural setting, inexpensive land, close proximity to our primary house. We were actually on our way to Kentucky when we looked out the window and said "What about West Virginia, why haven't we looked here?" Property taxes are low, people are genuine and helpful, life is like I remember it when I was a boy in the 70's.
We subscribe to AliceT's school of thinking regarding the stereotyping!

[MistyVT]

Originally Posted by Hinton Bound

We subscribe to AliceT's school of thinking regarding the stereotyping!

We'll be showin' up soon without our teeth...we won't bother to fix the plummin' in our house down there...why bother! A few body odors don't matter much. We hope our ole car will make the trip. Oh well, we'll just leave it on our front yard like we do with them here in VT. We won't be bringing much money for food with us, as we have a cooler to put any road kill we come across on the way down. We eat everything...skunks, possum, deer. Husband...who is my cuzin too by the way.... says says we can cook out any germs. I hope our new neighbors will come join us for a bar-b-q where we can share new road kill recipes and we can put all the food to good use. You'll be first on our invite list Hinton!

[TheGrasshopper&TheOctopus]

Originally Posted by BJC

ok grasshopper why are you moving to WV?

Work

[vec101]

If you are moving to the Eastern Panhandle you aren't moving to "real" WV - have you not heard -- the area is loosely considered a suburb of DC.

I'm not a native of WV -- I LOVE the state, the people, the beauty, etc.