Tell Me About Huntington! (Charleston, Washington: real estate, apartment, rent)

[Vertigo]

Hi - I'll be moving to West Virginia in a couple months. I won't have a chance to visit Huntington before I move, so I'm looking for info on everything! Housing/rental costs, climate, economy, crime, neighborhoods to stay away from, neighborhoods to look for, scenery. Can you see the mountains???

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[CraziS05]

Well, I visit Charleston more than I do Huntington, I've only been there one time recently.

So, here's what I gather...

The crime in Huntington is kinda high in certain areas. The economy is growing like any city that had 50,000 people would. Of course there's Marshall there, so that makes the economic a little better. The climate is just average in the summer...I think the average temperature is probably about 80. In the winter they have spontaneous snows, but they never get anything bad there, and I'd say the average temperature there in the winter is probably like 38 or so. You can check city-data.com to find all of that kind of information.

It's close to Barourbsville and Charleston where two large malls are. There's several businesses, etc. in both areas. I'm not for sure about the neighborhoods or if you can see the mountains. I don't remember seeing too many mountains when I'm there, but you're definitely not far from it. Stay away from the middle of the city. I've heard Hal Greer Blvd. and the general area around there is a pretty bad place.

[tbailey1138]

Huntington is a great place and we'll be glad to have you here. The most desireable area to live in Huntington would be the area around Ritter Park, often referred to as the Southside. There are a lot of nice houses around there and also some neat older apartment buildings with a variety of home prices. The homes can range from $800,000+ to the $100-300,000 price range. I'm not really sure about apartment rent in those areas as I've never looked into it. The best part about this area is that it's very nice and also convenient to the park and downtown. Other nice areas to live would be almost any of the roads/houses off of Washington Blvd. or Norway Avenue(Walnut Hills), or up around the Art museum(Southeast Hills). Third Avenue also has some nice homes around St. Mary's Medical Center up to about 26 street, referred to as the Highlawn area. Downtown also offers alot of newly renovated condos if that is the type of living that you would prefer. The main area to stay away from is between 8th ave and 13th Ave between 16th street and 20th street. There is a lot of government housing in that area and this is where the majority of the crime in the city takes place. Alot of the houses between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue around Marshall are also student housing just so you know. Other areas are mostly nice with a few houses that are not kept up very well occasionally mixed in. Overall Huntington was rated as the best cost of living in the country for housing, utilities etc. so you should find something in your price range. In terms of weather, Huntington has warm summers and moderate spring/fall temps with winter temps rarely falling into single digits. We also rarely get large snows here with the usual amount being 1-2" with maybe one big snow of 10" or less. Most people who like a more mild climate consider Huntington to have the best weather in the state. The economy is on the upswing here after being hit hard by the factory closings of the 60s & 70s etc that caused the typical rust belt effect. The downtown has seen a lot of new development lately with Pullman Square and buildings that have been empty for the last several years are quickly filling up. There is plenty to do in Huntington with museums, theater, festivals, nightlife, concerts, sporting events and many other things to keep you busy. Oh, and although the downtown area of Huntington is mainly flat, the hills and mountains are close by with most of the WV outdoors activities (whitewater, rock climbing, etc) no more than 2 hours away. Here are some helpful links that may further answer your questions. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Tim
http://www.cityofhuntington.com/
http://www.greaterhuntington.com/
http://www.hadco.org/
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage (broken link) (for real estate/apartment info)
http://www.move2huntington.com

[CraziS05]

Originally Posted by tbailey1138

Huntington is a great place and we'll be glad to have you here. The most desireable area to live in Huntington would be the area around Ritter Park, often referred to as the Southside. There are a lot of nice houses around there and also some neat older apartment buildings with a variety of home prices. The homes can range from $800,000+ to the $100-300,000 price range. I'm not really sure about apartment rent in those areas as I've never looked into it. The best part about this area is that it's very nice and also convenient to the park and downtown. Other nice areas to live would be almost any of the roads/houses off of Washington Blvd. or Norway Avenue(Walnut Hills), or up around the Art museum(Southeast Hills). Third Avenue also has some nice homes around St. Mary's Medical Center up to about 26 street, referred to as the Highlawn area. Downtown also offers alot of newly renovated condos if that is the type of living that you would prefer. The main area to stay away from is between 8th ave and 13th Ave between 16th street and 20th street. There is a lot of government housing in that area and this is where the majority of the crime in the city takes place. Alot of the houses between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue around Marshall are also student housing just so you know. Other areas are mostly nice with a few houses that are not kept up very well occasionally mixed in. Overall Huntington was rated as the best cost of living in the country for housing, utilities etc. so you should find something in your price range. In terms of weather, Huntington has warm summers and moderate spring/fall temps with winter temps rarely falling into single digits. We also rarely get large snows here with the usual amount being 1-2" with maybe one big snow of 10" or less. Most people who like a more mild climate consider Huntington to have the best weather in the state. The economy is on the upswing here after being hit hard by the factory closings of the 60s & 70s etc that caused the typical rust belt effect. The downtown has seen a lot of new development lately with Pullman Square and buildings that have been empty for the last several years are quickly filling up. There is plenty to do in Huntington with museums, theater, festivals, nightlife, concerts, sporting events and many other things to keep you busy. Oh, and although the downtown area of Huntington is mainly flat, the hills and mountains are close by with most of the WV outdoors activities (whitewater, rock climbing, etc) no more than 2 hours away. Here are some helpful links that may further answer your questions. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Tim
http://www.cityofhuntington.com/
http://www.greaterhuntington.com/
http://www.hadco.org/
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage (broken link) (for real estate/apartment info)
http://www.move2huntington.com

A lot of good information...thanks!

[tbailey1138]

Murdokhyde, no I am not a "rich kid" but I am originally from the area and have never lived anywhere else, except to go to college. My parents were from the coalfields of WV(Mingo) and KY(Pike) and they never had a lot growing up, nor did I. I didn't go to Marshall, I had to go elsewhere to actually major in what I wanted to and I had to work my butt off in school to actually be able to get the scholarships to go to college in the first place. But I came back to Huntington because I love this area and I always will, as I'm sure you do as well. If you'll notice from my post above, I said nothing about the people that live in the areas I said to stay away from, only that this is where most of the crime in the city occurs. Regardless of how much money one makes, no one chooses to be around high crime areas. Sometimes people just have no choice. I know people that have lived in these areas and they are good people that have made something better for themselves. These areas have so much potential if the city would do something to take down the rundown, unused houses where most of this crime is based. From what I've seen, the city is trying. And I'm sorry that something has taken your image of the city from this view in March from another thread "However, There ARE a few accounts of crime in this area... BUT, The thing is, It is the largest area in the entire state.. People always seem to forget that there are 3 moderatley large cities in this area. Ashland,Ky.. Ironton,OH... And Huntington. NOT to mention there are little towns all in between these 3 cities. The total area population is 370,000. (I just looked in the almanac so dont disagree). That is MORE people than Pittsburgh. SO, If you want to take everything into effect.. Huntington is a VERY safe city. Even MORE safe in comparison than ANY other city/town in the state. Not to mention, I have found that if you stay AWAY from trouble.. Everything will be fine anyway. It kills me that people hate a place just because there is a little bit of crime there. Everything is relative to where you are. With no crime, That shows no personality." What you said in March is no where near what you said in your post above. Sorry you won't be able to stay in the area but no need to take it out on others and make untrue accusations. I'm also sorry if you took something I said above in the wrong way as that was not my intent. And who knows, if you do have to leave the area now, maybe you will be able to return to the area in a few years and help "the economy a little yourself" as I have done over the last few years.