Morgantown??? (Union: insurance, home, college)

[WVUPharm2007]

Alright, fine, I'm crazy. You people and your proof....

[dub-vee]

Morgantown is the best place to live in the world!!!!!

[WVUPharm2007]

I actually read an article somewhere that claimed Morgantown is set to grow by 1100-1200 citizens annually for the foreseeable future. Maybe I"m *not* as crazy as previously assumed.

[tbailey1138]

Originally Posted by WVUPharm2007

I actually read an article somewhere that claimed Morgantown is set to grow by 1100-1200 citizens annually for the foreseeable future. Maybe I"m *not* as crazy as previously assumed.

I think those "predictions" are off by just a little. I want to see all of the cities of the state grow, but as I stated before, let's be realistic. While Morgantown has seen some wonderful growth over the last few years, it seems to be slowing down according to the latest numbers. According to the census bureau, Morgantown has seen yearly growth rates the last few years of between 200 to just over 500 people per year. Between 2004-2005, the city gained 463 people from the census estimates. Between 2005-2006 though, the city only gained 48 people. Still growth but not the 1100-1200 people per year that you saw estimated. Here's the link to the Census bureau. Also has just about every other city or town in the state for those who might be interested.

Population Estimates for All Places: 2000 to 2006

[WVUPharm2007]

There are going to be a ton of new jobs created in the near future, too, don't forget. The new WVU Research Park off of 705 and the Neurology Research Center at the HSC alone are going to add a few thousand jobs. The Dominion Post claimed 2100 alone for the Research Park. Mylan keeps growing. The university keeps growing at an impressive rate. I'm not so sure it's all that crazy. Though I do question where the heck they are going to fit all of these theoretical new citizens in MoTown. I've been told annexation may come soon...but they've been saying that for years. They might have been talking MSA numbers, too.

[creemarie]

Originally Posted by WVUPharm2007

They might have been talking MSA numbers, too.

More than likely what it was. And as for the annexation, most of those small towns don't want to give up their identity and likely won't. Good to hear about the new job growth though.

[tbailey1138]

New jobs are great but just because the city is seeing those types of increase in jobs doesn't mean that everyone who works there will live there. It will likely be more convenient for for a lot of those people to live just outside of Morgantown and commute. Especially where the Research Park is, it would be more convenient for people to live out Point Marion Rd., Cheat Lake and other outlying areas. And it wouldn't be unheard of for people to live across the broder in Pennsylvania as well. As you stated, "where the heck they are going to fit all of these theoretical new citizens in MoTown." This is where Morgantown's lack of infrastructure will really hurt it. And the new growth will likely block any improvements that the city was planning to make to help with the congestion (in terms of roads, etc.) Glad to hear about all of the new jobs though. With WVU and Marshall growing academically, athletically and with their research offerings along with new jobs and economic growth in Wheeling(with the Highlands), Parkersburg(Hino Motors) and continued addition of new jobs in Huntington and Charleston, the future is looking much better for the state as a whole.

[candlebizlady]

Heading to Morgantown for a family reunion. Staying in Morgantown, reunion in Masontown and visiting my father in Tunnelton.

The university has done wonders for the town and with the Mountaineers going placing - Morgantown is a little more recognized than before. There is still room for growth.

My grandparents came from Italy and settled in Morgantown due to the coal mining industry and construction. Then the next generation stayed in construction or got in the health field.

I love visiting but I am always ready to go home which is in NC for the past year but grew up in Lakewood., OH. So going to Pittsburgh was no big deal whether is was from Morgantown or from Lakewood.

It just all depends on what you want or are looking for!!

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

Corine
Granite Fall, NC

[pitterpatwv]

Greetings all....
My hubby and I moved to Morgantown 2 years ago. We've lived in towns as small as population 250, and as large as Paris, France.... from S. Fl and up to NC, all the way accross to Arizona, and north to South Dakota.

Morgantown is a quaint town to live in. The countryside is beautiful. Over the past two years we've heard about the boom in population WVU is planning on, by adding another 20,000(?) students.... I don't know anything about the other towns the bickering is about, so won't comment.... But, I can tell you that Morgantown seems to be busting at the seems with construction of apts/condos/townhouses. There will ALWAYS be a steady flow of "23 and under" in Morgantown..... all driving the very inadequate, poorly maintained, scarey as heck in the winter, mountain roads with a cell phone attached to their ear.

We arrived during the summer.... it was ooooohhhhh so quiet, then the first week of school arrived. For the next nine months we heard the regular shrill of the local volunteer fire department siren. Yep, the students were back.

The biggest flaws I can see in Morgantown?
1. Seriously inadequate infrastructure (it should not take an hour to get accross a town this small)
2. Seriously inadequate restaurants and eatery options.
3. Horrid traffic planning around WVU and Uptown
4. The city is being swallowed up by the University... and Univ. affiliated people and organizations. Soon, they should rename it WVUTown.
5. The city is lacking in art/craft suppliers!
6. If you're not part of the University, you're probably NOT in the loop on what's happenin' in Morgantown.
7. For a town this size, the cost of housing is rediculously high!
8. ALMOST FORGOT TO MENTION:.... and this isn't a "morgantown" issue, but a WV issue... The car insurance is REDICULOUSLY HIGH!!!! and plan to replace your car every few years since they salt the fool out of the roads, and refuse to pass your car on inspection after they've sacrificed the frame of your car to the Salt Gods.

The up side of Morgantown, based on our 2 years.
1)There seems to be a good mix of folks here, and most are generally layed back and liberal minded, for the most part.
2)There's a co-op (hopefully the increasing number of grocery store organic departments won't put them out of business)
3)There seems to be a large portion of the population, young and old, who get outside, get involved, and enjoy all the beauty the area has to offer, be it on a bike, boat, canoe or kayak.
4)Thanks to the University, there's a nice mix of international residents.
5)You can be a slum lord, make your fortune, and rarely step foot in Morgantown. The greatest percentage of student housing is "privately owned". Landlords seem to feel no need to maintain the lovely old homes in they cram full of student tenants.... I guess if I was renting to a bunch of party-all-nighter, live-like-pigs, heck-if-i-care tenants, I guess I'd not tend to the property either.
6)The River!
7)The Mountains!
8)EXCELLENT Medical Care through the Univ Med System.
9)Being close enough to Pittsburgh for a big city fix, good eats, culture, and everything else Morgantown's lacking in

All in all, I do think there's a lot of potential for Morgantown. Now, if we could just get the city govt and the university govt to work in concert, for the good of the community.

[citybilly]

Thinking about Morgantown, more in terms of retirement than college life or employment. Does the MSA include the PA side of the border? It looks pretty sparse on the map. I like the idea of being in the M'town area but across the border for tax purposes. Anyone have input? thanks