Charleston Questions (real estate market, lawyers, house)

[jimdc58]

I currently live in the Cleveland area, and on a recent visit to Charleston, found the city to be quite appealing. If some who have experience in the city could answer some questions, I'd greatly appreciate it:

1. What is the current white collar job market like?

2. What are the winters like? The weather in general?

3. Are there certain areas which could be considered "bad" or "depressed" neighborhoods?

4. What is the general real estate market like?

Thanks. I've done a lot of research on the net, but am most interested in some personal opinions. Anything else anyone has to say to either encourage or discourage such a move....I'd be interested in hearing that, too!

[Big_Al]

Weather is mild over here. This summer not as hot and humid like last couple years. Winter is mild too, with some snow in January. There are enough snow in the mountains.
real estate- market is slow but gaining speed. One agent told me that prices just started to climb slowly. White collar person can find very very good house for very good price and ok taxes. Don't forget absence of traffic and the longest driving distance in town is 15 min.
I spent my last 10y on East Coast and I am very happy to move over here. If you have good white collar job here- it's very good place to live.

[steelersfan]

Notice Big Al didn't answer the question about the white collar job market. The market is horrible for white collar workers. Forbes mag. just rated west virginia 50th state for doing business in. Just to let you Charleston is ran by trial lawyers and old money , and that old money doesn't create much business here, they are known to spend their money in other close towns like your cleveland, pittsburgh , and columbus on the weekends. Because of this week job market many Charleston and southern west virginans have left the state for greener pastures of other towns such as Charlotte, columbus, and I have known a few to go to Houston to find work. It's sad because like you said Charleston is very attractive and has so much potential. To let know how many people have left , I think Charleston had a population around 80,000 and it's down to 50,000 currently (I could be wrong but close).

[GottaHerdOn]

Yes, but how can you get these individuals who are driving the city into the ground to give over control??? Do they not realize what they are doing to the local economy?