Wondering about Weirton (Wheeling, Follansbee, Wellsburg: houses, job market, buyers)

[RottenChester]

Weirton seems to have the best of both worlds, close proximity to a major city (Pittsburgh) with the low property taxes of West Virginia. I realize the economy of the region is bad, but could someone justify moving there? What are Weirton's pros and cons?

[NRaye1960]

I'm originally from the Weirton area and I miss it (in Ohio now). The economy isn't really great there as far as the steel mill being a skeleton mill now. There are other opportunities for employment and, of course, gambling places are popping up all over. There are beautiful parts of Weirton...Marland Heights, Weirton Heights...and there are some depressing parts....but that's pretty much true for every city, isn't it?!!
GOOD LUCK!

[Donsbabygrl74]

i miss it so bad i am going back i left when i was 12 went back at 23 left again at 27 and I am going back to stay this time. To many good memories that I need to be with. I love being in Weirton and Follansbee area.

[CJackson]

Originally Posted by RottenChester

Weirton seems to have the best of both worlds, close proximity to a major city (Pittsburgh) with the low property taxes of West Virginia. I realize the economy of the region is bad, but could someone justify moving there? What are Weirton's pros and cons?

Yes and No right now I would say yes but this city is a servivor. It always seems to come back. What is nice about living there is your only 35 miles from Pittsbrugh, Alot of Boating on the Ohio River , near the Lakes , Lots of camping and you get all four seasons.. Lots of things to do .. Go the other way south-west and 30 miles your in Wheeling, West Virgina... Home of the Jamberee .. I miss it and one day I will return..

[dcattrell]

Where are you coming from? That might definitely color your perception of Weirton - or any part of WV for that matter. I am in Weirton now and if you are a professional you will probably have to look to Pittsburgh for decent employment. Maybe Wheeling. The cost of living is really low and unfortunately so are the wages most employers pay if you are lucky enough to find a job in the immediate vicinity. It will take you about an hour to get to downtown Pittsburgh during rush hour - so keep that in mind if you didn't want a long commute. I have commuted to Pittsburgh for work for years and it's not so bad.

I live on Marland Heights and right now there are a TON of houses available up here and it is a buyers market. Just as the rest of the country's housing has slumped - we are seeing the same and you can get a nice house for a song here with a super low tax rate.

The really, really sucky side is the pollution. It's HORRIBLE. Really - if air quality is an issue check out the American Lung Association State of the Air report. You can see how cities and counties across the country rank and you can see our big fat F for failing air quality. Of course so did every town from Cleveland to Pittsburgh to Columbus. So I guess it's a a big issue for our general region.

Anyway - I recently seriously considered a move to the Bradenton area of Florida, but after weighing all the pros and cons I decided I would rather take my chance with the pollution instead of the gangs. :-)

Good Luck!

[candicenJay]

I was wondering about Weirton too. What about other areas like New Cumberland, Colliers, and Wellsburg? Is the air quality bad and what about toxic waste, nuclear waste/plants etc. I've always heard terrible stories about WV (and NJ for that matter). Then 3 mile Island occurred when I was a kid.... That entire area has me wondering. As far as Bradenton, Florida, you made a GOOD choice not moving there. FLORIDA SUCKS!!!!! Makes no sense living basically on a "table" where all it takes is a nice swipe of a hurricane and buh-bye house. AND 99% of the homes don't have basements....they can't have them as the water table is too high. Nice to visit, but the good people are leaving and the population is a vapid, mindless, rude bunch (and that's just the corrupt police authorities and politicians). The beaches and landscapes are gorgeous. Cost of living is so so, but wages are CRAPPY...(just above pauper). Miami is one step away from getting B#$#%ch-slapped by the Almighty for being downright EVIL and RUDE! So, no I would never recommend Florida nor its counterpart (California).

[angellewis]

dcatterell, where in Marland Heights you at. I live on Glen Cairn Road. We are looking moving out of there by next fall. We want more of a country like living in Wva area. We want to stay around here where transports to pgh and back is not so far cause my mother in law is buried in pgh so we travel there once a week sometimes twice.

[confusedTee]

I agree about FLA.........born and raised there.........and man u couldn't pay me enough to go back...........I don't like WV job market but i will take everything else it has to offer.................

[Lone Star Rebel]

Looks like no one has posted here in a while? I am currently in the process of selling my home here in West Texas and moving back to West Virginia after leaving back in 78'. Man, I can't wait to get back to West "By God" Virginny and live life in peace again. I am now looking at many homes there to purchase one and I can't believe the cheap prices & the ridiculously low property taxes. Life should be good again!