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Thanks for the replies everyone, it seems like the areas we have been looking at online are ok. I do have a question or two though. In Ohio we had to pass school levys, in Pa they just raise the taxes. What does WV do? The houses we are looking at online have no basements, is this how all homes are in WV?
Thank you
Bob
Depends on where you are looking. Homes in my neighborhood don't have basements cuz of the whole water/flood plain thing. (Not sure how that works - I'm guessing that if you would dig down for a basement you would hit water). Many homes in the Chas area are built on hillsides so while they don't have a "basement" they do have one in the sense that the lower level is a walk-out basement (not sure how these are listed in listings).
Don't know if it is true in all areas, but I know in Putnam Co. we have voted on the school levies. I'm almost positive they have always passed.
Depends on where you are looking. Homes in my neighborhood don't have basements cuz of the whole water/flood plain thing. (Not sure how that works - I'm guessing that if you would dig down for a basement you would hit water). Many homes in the Chas area are built on hillsides so while they don't have a "basement" they do have one in the sense that the lower level is a walk-out basement (not sure how these are listed in listings).
Don't know if it is true in all areas, but I know in Putnam Co. we have voted on the school levies. I'm almost positive they have always passed.
Now for weird:
My grandmother's house on 30 W Kanawha Blvd (demolished ca. 1970 for I-64) had a basement but its floor was only about 4-5' below ground level---------and, it was not musty like most Old School cellars.
vec that's referred to as the 'water table' for a property, and yes, if you dig down x amount of feet water will leach up so no basements and no septic fields. I haven't seen rush hour for teays- thanks for the heads up.
arizona considering the proximity to the river, it almost sounds like an extra precaution the builder used in case of 100 yr flood stage. When I googled army corps looks like late 40's to early 70's were when comprehensive flood control came into being. Just a guess. Further east of that location and I saw others that had full basements. (Musty, but what isn't at 100yrs old)
thebalogas- I'm new to WV but something about WV'rs I've noticed-- when they don't know something they tend to just be silent.
Not mentioning St Albans on my part is all about that because I've only been there for lunch one day. Not enough info to go by, but it has a pretty main street area with a laid back gentrified feel to it. That's the end of my knowledge/contribution about St Albans. Sorry I can't help you out more.
Yea, don't really have an opinion on St. Albans. I don't go there much (no reason to) and it's a pain to me to get to St. Albans from the Interstate). It's not that it's that far from St. Albans to I-64 it's just that I usually go where it's more convenient. Hmmm, never before realized I had that habit.
As other posters mentioned, South Hills is a nice part of Charleston along with Kanawha City. Nice quiet tree lined streets, good schools, and convenience to everything around town.
Someone mentioned Sissonville...Although it's close to Charleston, it is VERY rural and the schools are less than desirable. I have a feeling if you would be in for some major culture shock there. Stay in town or head west towards Putnam County.
St. Albans is in western Kanawha County. It's a typical suburb, older than those further to the west, but still fairly convenient to the Charleston. I've never heard any major complaints about the actual town itself, it just happens to be surrounded by rather sketchy run down areas like Jefferson and Amandaville. Those places were not highly regarded when I left the area four years ago and from what I have heard things have only gotten worse.
Last edited by NOVAmtneer82; 09-01-2008 at 02:13 PM..
We want to make sure we don't make the same mistake as we did moving out here, so we appreciate all the good and bad reports. I know that sounds funny since we originally moved from the Youngstown OH area to South Jordan UT, but its the truth. SLC area may have a ton going for it economically, but there are MAJOR people and religous issues out here. I kid you not every public school has a LDS owned and operated building just 30feet away from the school driveway. These buildings are for "elective" classes the students may take to learn about the LDS religon, and it starts in grade 1 !! Needless to say we are on pins and needles to find the right area for us to live, and for our little girl. So thanks to everyone, the more we know about the cities the better.
Bob if I may offer you a tip on how I chose my neighborhood; any property I was considering making a bid on I made a point of going to at night on a weekend and just walked the streets. That fact finding tour, which would be entirely subjective to your values, will likely prove to be what you live with full time. I found what worked for me in west charleston because I don't have your criteria for schools. Try it out- it's free, and it's completely independent of a realtor who may/may not be in touch with your best fit. It's also a buyers market.
Welcome to WV.
I know that sounds funny since we originally moved from the Youngstown OH area
I'm from Warren originally. I can understand why you would want to move away from that general area.
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