PLEASE HELP! Where to (not) Live in WV??? (Huntington, Parkersburg: townhouse, to buy)

[profedwards330]

Hello!
First, I'd like to say that I find this forum invaluable. You all are an incredible resource!
A little back story: My dad's family is entirely from WV. We have traveled from Los Angeles every year for family reunions/vacations and love the state, the people and the culture.
My husband and I are ready to take our three kids (10, 3, 1) and move there permanently. We're looking for a house in the $200K range or less.
I am a professor/editor by trade, though not qualified (yet) to teach at a research-1 school (i.e. WVU). My husband is a very good tattoo artist who'd rather be a small-time subsistance farmer (seriously).
We have family all over the state (though mostly in Parkersburg/Vienna) and can't decide where to start looking for a home. That's where we need your help/suggestions!
Here's what we are looking for in a town: Good schools for the kids, close to a college(s), "rural" living area with properties of 5+ acres that's still close (20 minutes!?) to a hospital, somewhat "progressive" politically (I acknowledge that I have an irrational fear of the Confederate flag), opportunities for social experiences for the kids, a relatively-Ok economy, within a few hours drive of a big city for shopping/fun/culture, away from environmental degredation (mountaintop mining, water pollution, etc.), open to spiritual but not "religious" folk, etc.
Your suggestions are greatly appreciated, as finding an unbiased resource amongst family is difficult indeed!
Note: I can work from home making $40K a year... So if the "perfect" place is a tiny little jewel of a town with the population of 300 or so, let us know! If the houses are affordable, we are willing to make anything work. Please help us get the heck out of Los Angeles! We are West Virginians at heart!
Your kind assistance is very, very appreciated.

[GottaHerdOn]

Originally Posted by profedwards330

Hello!
First, I'd like to say that I find this forum invaluable. You all are an incredible resource!
A little back story: My dad's family is entirely from WV. We have traveled from Los Angeles every year for family reunions/vacations and love the state, the people and the culture.
My husband and I are ready to take our three kids (10, 3, 1) and move there permanently. We're looking for a house in the $200K range or less.
I am a professor/editor by trade, though not qualified (yet) to teach at a research-1 school (i.e. WVU). My husband is a very good tattoo artist who'd rather be a small-time subsistance farmer (seriously).
We have family all over the state (though mostly in Parkersburg/Vienna) and can't decide where to start looking for a home. That's where we need your help/suggestions!
Here's what we are looking for in a town: Good schools for the kids, close to a college(s), "rural" living area with properties of 5+ acres that's still close (20 minutes!?) to a hospital, somewhat "progressive" politically (I acknowledge that I have an irrational fear of the Confederate flag), opportunities for social experiences for the kids, a relatively-Ok economy, within a few hours drive of a big city for shopping/fun/culture, away from environmental degredation (mountaintop mining, water pollution, etc.), open to spiritual but not "religious" folk, etc.
Your suggestions are greatly appreciated, as finding an unbiased resource amongst family is difficult indeed!
Note: I can work from home making $40K a year... So if the "perfect" place is a tiny little jewel of a town with the population of 300 or so, let us know! If the houses are affordable, we are willing to make anything work. Please help us get the heck out of Los Angeles! We are West Virginians at heart!
Your kind assistance is very, very appreciated.

I'm going to recommend a few different places. If you want the more "progressive" places you need to be in one of the college/university towns. The educational attainment coupled with a younger population usually is where you'll find opened mindedness. However, generally aside from some old church ladies making comments and gossiping "most" West Virginians generally don't mind what you do within your limits.

With that I'm going to recommend Morgantown, Huntington, or Martinsburg. You're price range can easily be found all over the state. Generally speaking the Martinsburg area is probably a little more pricey than Morgantown and Huntington. Huntington would the closest city to Parkersburg, and you would enjoy 4 seasons in all of these cities, but Huntington and Martinsburg receive less snow than Morgantown and are also much flatter cities.

Good schools can be found in all of these areas as well. All three are modereatley close to larger metro areas. Morgantown is just south of Pittsburgh, Martinsburg is close to Washington D.C. and Baltimore, and Huntington is close to Columbus, Cincinnati, and Lexington.

So look around Morgantown, Huntington, or Martinsburg areas. There are plenty of small little communities outside of these areas that would be perfect for you.

[David Kennedy]

Barrackville, Wv...population 2000. A jewel with everything you asked for. (Morgantown Region) FBI hiring in the 45/65k range.

[snorpus]

For smaller than Mo-town, Martinsburg, or Huntington, look at Elkins and Buckhannon (both have small liberal arts colleges). Another nice small town is Lewisburg, next door to White Sulphur Springs.

One of my HS friends is Reading Specialist at the school in Barrackville, so I know the schools there are good!

[red.ochre]

Originally Posted by profedwards330

. . I acknowledge that I have an irrational fear of the Confederate flag

I have seen Confederate flags in West Virginia.

I'll ask an owner about it next time, but for what it's worth, even though this is the second poorest state in the country, and probably the most toothless (due to people pulling their own teeth who can't afford a dentist), West Virginia ranks near top of people who know the Constitution. Hillbillies are smart, go figure.

I'm no expert on the topic, but it is my understanding, the Confederacy was closer to the Constitution (a Constitutional Republic) than what we have today in the Federal government. So you might try giving it a benefit of a doubt if you see one, that perhaps the statement unto itself is to the Constitution.

Can't knock your concern though. Like symbolism was hijacked by Nazis in the swastika, I wouldn't argue the Confederate flag has been hijacked by rednecks. And I understand urges, as I have a rational one everytime I see a flag not American raised atop a Federal building in this country replacing the American flag, which is, in no uncertain terms, an open declaration of war.

As for earning $40,000 year, working from home . . food for thought, average wages in West Virginia are about $28,500.

Best wishes.

[clintsullivan]

Shepherdstown (and my property which I'm selling) fit your desires except for the price range. Day trip into DC, progressive/liberal town, organic farmers & farm markets, rural feel, yet only a few minutes to all the shopping & services you could need. Don't know about the demand for tat artists, seems to be quite a few places around though.

Very few unrestricted properties with more than a 2 acres available here at the $200k or less range. $180k-$200k in Jefferson county will get a new townhouse just outside Shepherdstown, a small lot (>0.50ac) with a modest house, or a larger lot (2-5ac) with a house that needs work. Unless you want to buy a lot and build, doing some of the work yourself; then you have options.

Shepherd University

Shepherdstown Visitors Center - Shepherdstown, WV

[g_massie]

As ecentric as you sound with a community college,major medical arts area , a Carnegie Hall, Farm Land abound, World class Resort, A airport, the Wv State Fair amoung the other great fairs and festivals this multi facilitated town may spark some interest.

It was also named in the top 50 small towns in america by national geographic..Lewisburg,WV.Being located 2hours from Charlotte and 1 Hour from Roanoke,Va I would take the look.

[MissPat01]

We are also interested in WV as I must relocate due to my health. My concern is the humidity--could/would anyone be able to tell me about it. I will bring my Battle Flag. The victor writes history---try a little reading beyond the Yankee side. MissPat01

[tbailey1138]

Huntington may be able to provide you with what you are looking for. Marshall Universty, the 2nd largest college in the state, is located here along with Marshall Community and Technical College, Huntington Junior College, and a brach of ITT-Tech just in Huntington. In KY there is Ashland Community and Technical College and OH has Ohio University - Southern branches. These would provide ample opportunities for your teaching career. There are also some nice Tatto Studios with one called Epicenter Studios that looks very nice. There are 2 great hosptials here and the schools provide a good education with most of the schools being recently constructed or in the planning phases of starting new construction.

You would be able to find a place similar to what you are looking for along Route 2, Route 10 or Route 52. This would put you close to the hospitals, school, grocery stores and the largest shopping mall in the state. Huntington also provides some great entertainment options with what the city offers added to what Marshall University offers, meaning there is almost always something going on. Here are some links and I hope this helps. Let me know if you need anything else.

Tim

Why Huntington WV

http://huntingtonboardofrealtors.com/

Marshall University, Huntington, WV

Cabell County Schools - Dedicated to the Success of Every Student

Epicenter Studios | MySpace - myspace.com/epicentertattoos

[bballjunkie]

Originally Posted by MissPat01

We are also interested in WV as I must relocate due to my health. My concern is the humidity--could/would anyone be able to tell me about it. I will bring my Battle Flag. The victor writes history---try a little reading beyond the Yankee side. MissPat01

Sounds like a Lewisburg or Elkins could fit your needs. I would say Parkersburg where family live but summer humidity is not good most of the time.