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I'm possibly moving here with my little family [2 1/2 yr old, 10 month old and boyfriend] from Virginia Beach, Virginia. I've learned a LITTLE about West Virginia and the cities I'm interested in is Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington and Wheeling. I know, I know, different directions in the state, but those are the largest cities and I'm used to cities with lots of people. I've lived in northern Indiana all my life so I know about the crazy weather, too!
1]. I was looking on Craigslist and Zillow for houses for rent/sale and they are all old-looking. None are newer constructions. Is it like that all over the state? 2]. Since there are lots of coal mines, what's the air like? What's the percentage of getting Cancer if you live there all your life? 3].Since they are tiny cities, what's to do there? Do you have any big lakes where you can go tubing? Any big parks? Anything other than parks that kids/toddlers can do there? 4]. Is there such things as "hoods"? If we were to move to Charleston, Wheeling, Huntington or Morgantown, what are the areas/neighborhoods to avoid? 5]. I was looking up some festivals ya'll have and they all seem so tiny like little farm festivals! Ha ha. What are festivals like? Are they big? What are the most popular ones and why are they so popular? 6]. What are the people like? 7]. I hear that Charleston is very bad! I traveled through Charleston [pretty but so small] and Morgantown [I loved that huge bridge and the crazies who have houses on MOUNTAINS!!] Is Charleston really as bad as people say it is!?
1]. I was looking on Craigslist and Zillow for houses for rent/sale and they are all old-looking. None are newer constructions. Is it like that all over the state? What is your price range? Much of the newer construction homes will likely cost you more. There are new homes (not many, but they are there) in these towns, i would recommend using a realtor to help you find them once you narrow down the city you chose to live in.
2]. Since there are lots of coal mines, what's the air like? What's the percentage of getting Cancer if you live there all your life? The air quality in WV seems to be pretty reasonable in comparison to states that have a lot of bigger cities and heavy industry. Much of the coal is exported, so it is not even used in this state.
3].Since they are tiny cities, what's to do there? Do you have any big lakes where you can go tubing? Any big parks? Anything other than parks that kids/toddlers can do there? All the cities you have listed have nice park systems, some better than others, but nonetheless, the city parks in WV are usually on par with other comparable places. And state park system in WV is second to none.
4]. Is there such things as "hoods"? If we were to move to Charleston, Wheeling, Huntington or Morgantown, what are the areas/neighborhoods to avoid? There are a few sketchy streets here and there in cities such as Charleston, Wheeling and Huntington. You may not find as much of that in Morgantown because of the college presence. But all the cities in WV are relatively low in crime. You just have to know what places to avoid just like anywhere else.
5]. I was looking up some festivals ya'll have and they all seem so tiny like little farm festivals! Ha ha. What are festivals like? Are they big? What are the most popular ones and why are they so popular? You are right! The festivals in WV are awesome. The Pumpkin Festival in Milton just took place a few weeks ago, and it is getting bigger every year. Just about every town in WV has a festival to make it unique.
6]. What are the people like? The people in WV can range from any posibility, it's a mixed bag. But the majority of WV'ians are southern appalachian. If you don't know much about Appalachian culture i would suggest you read up before you move here so you will have a better idea what to expect.
7]. I hear that Charleston is very bad! I traveled through Charleston [pretty but so small] and Morgantown [I loved that huge bridge and the crazies who have houses on MOUNTAINS!!] Is Charleston really as bad as people say it is!? Out of curiosity, what did you hear about Charleston being so bad? I've lived in Charleston and it's metro for 12 years, and i like it here. It doesn't have all the amentities of bigger cities, but it also doesn't have all of the problems either.
When you speak of Morgantown, i wonder what huge bridge you are referring to? I am drawing a blank. And what houses on mountains? People build houses on hillsides all over WV.
I'll address your questions from a Huntington perspective and let others answer for their cities
1]. I was looking on Craigslist and Zillow for houses for rent/sale and they are all old-looking. None are newer constructions. Is it like that all over the state?
In Huntington itself, there are mostly older homes built in the 1900-1950 era. These homes are typically nicer and have been well maintained. Many have even been gutted and completely remodeled. There are some new construction homes in the city but these tend to sell quickly. You will find most of the new construction just outside of the city in the unincorporated areas. This is where your subdivisions are.
2]. Since there are lots of coal mines, what's the air like? What's the percentage of getting Cancer if you live there all your life?
Huntington is in Cabell County and we have no coal mines here at all. They are actually working on several things here to help make air quality better here such as walking/biking trails that connect all parts of the city along with improving traffic lights for better traffic flow and less idling. I've never had issues with the air here but I have no respiratory issues.
3].Since they are tiny cities, what's to do there? Do you have any big lakes where you can go tubing? Any big parks? Anything other than parks that kids/toddlers can do there?
Even though our cities are smaller, Huntington comes in at the second largest with right around 50,000 people. We are home to the largest mall in the state here and have a civic center that has been named as one of the top in the world for its size. We have a few performing arts centers that also host shows along with the largest Art Museum in the state. During the summer, there are several free concert series and many have said that Huntington has the best local music scene in the state. In addition to this, we are home to Marshall University which brings in all of the sporting events and performances that having a large university brings. If you've seen The movie We are Marshall, you've seen Huntington.
For parks, Huntington has the 100+ acre Ritter Park, which was recently named one of the top 10 public spaces in the US. It also has an award winning playground and a brand new dog park which is getting ready to start a new phase of construction. We also have a nice riverfront park that has plans for renovation and expansion. For things like tubing, you can use the Ohio River or there are several lakes in the area including 3-4 just over in Kentucky. Being in Huntington puts you close to many of the outdoor opportunities in WV, KY and OH.
For kids, the Art Museum offers yearly kids classes as does Marshall University. There's also a children's art festival as well as West Virginia's only amusement park, Camden Park. Camden Park is pretty small but the kids usually find plenty to do there.
4]. Is there such things as "hoods"? If we were to move to Charleston, Wheeling, Huntington or Morgantown, what are the areas/neighborhoods to avoid?
Huntington does have some government housing but much of this is in the process of being torn down and replaced. Most of this is in a small area between 16th st to 20th st between 8th ave and 13th ave. This area used to be pretty bad but even it has seen much improvement as of late. If you have any specific questions about property, I'd be more than happy to answer.
5]. I was looking up some festivals ya'll have and they all seem so tiny like little farm festivals! Ha ha. What are festivals like? Are they big? What are the most popular ones and why are they so popular?
In the Huntington area, we have the previously mentioned Pumpkin Festival along with Chili Fest, Rib Fest, Greek Fest, Fall Fest and the Heritage Farm Fest to name a few. These festivals tend to be the largest and some draw around 20,000 people. We also have an Anime Convention and Comic Convention (only ones in the state) if you like that sort of thing as well. These festivals tend to be popular for the food they celebrate and the atmosphere they create.
6]. What are the people like?
The people here are generally helpful and friendly. They are one of our greatest assets here in this city and state as well. Stop by a Marshall tailgate and even though you aren't likely to know anyone, I'm sure plenty of people would invite you to join them.
7]. I hear that Charleston is very bad! I traveled through Charleston [pretty but so small] and Morgantown [I loved that huge bridge and the crazies who have houses on MOUNTAINS!!] Is Charleston really as bad as people say it is!?
I'll leave this to the Charleston people. I will say that Huntington's crime rate has been on a steady decline and they just posted the lowest crime rate since they began keeping track in 1985.
I find Huntington a great place to live with plenty to do. My wife and I have 3 small boys and typically can't do all that we want with them. Our downtown has seen a lot of growth over the last few years and has a great mix of local and national businesses. There's a lot of momentum here and I hope you'll come check us out and decide to join in on it!
I'll try to answer this from the Morgantown (where I live) and Wheeling (where I grew up) perspectives.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RobbieIsPolish
I'm possibly moving here with my little family [2 1/2 yr old, 10 month old and boyfriend] from Virginia Beach, Virginia. I've learned a LITTLE about West Virginia and the cities I'm interested in is Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington and Wheeling. I know, I know, different directions in the state, but those are the largest cities and I'm used to cities with lots of people. I've lived in northern Indiana all my life so I know about the crazy weather, too!
In West Virginia, there are two basic determinents of temperature. In general, the further south you go the warmer it is in all seasons, although the difference is not all that great. There is a greater difference however based on elevation. Mountainous areas tend to be much cooler, and in winter they have a lot more snow.
1]. I was looking on Craigslist and Zillow for houses for rent/sale and they are all old-looking. None are newer constructions. Is it like that all over the state? 2]. Since there are lots of coal mines, what's the air like? What's the percentage of getting Cancer if you live there all your life?
We have lots of new construction in Monongalia County (Morgantown area), the fastest growing area of our state and also the area with the lowest unemployment rate besides Jefferson County (Eastern Panhandle), which is tied with us at 5% unemployment. Our air quality is good in these parts, and also in Wheeling since they basically destroyed the heavy industry there 30 years ago when they shipped the jobs to cheap labor countries.
Wheeling does not have a lot of new construction, but there is some going on now that the economy there is starting on the upswing due to the newfound wet gas Marcellus drilling.
3].Since they are tiny cities, what's to do there? Do you have any big lakes where you can go tubing? Any big parks? Anything other than parks that kids/toddlers can do there?
We have very good parks here in Morgantown and perhaps the state's best rail trail system, although Wheeling's is also excellent. Morgantown and Wheeling also offer easy access to outstanding state parks in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania for the Wheeling area, and West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland for the Morgantown area. In Morgantown, we're less than 45 minutes from excellent whitewater opportunities and beautiful mountain venues are literally right out the back door. Wheeling's municipal park system is among the very best in the world, with awesome golf courses, a wonderful museum, horseback riding, terrific swimming, tennis, a very nice zoo, and hiking venues covering nearly 2,000 mostly manicured acres, and a world class light display during the holiday season.
we were to move to Charleston, Wheeling, Huntington or Morgantown, what are the areas/neighborhoods to avoid? 5]. I was looking up some festivals ya'll have and they all seem so tiny like little farm festivals! Ha ha. What are festivals like? Are they big? What are the most popular ones and why are they so popular? 6]. What are the people like? 7]. I hear that Charleston is very bad! I traveled through Charleston [pretty but so small] and Morgantown [I loved that huge bridge and the crazies who have houses on MOUNTAINS!!] Is Charleston really as bad as people say it is!?
We really don't have any dangerous areas here in Morgantown, although you might want to live in an area that does not have a preponderance of students since their late night party habits on weekends can be a bit disruptive to sleep if you aren't into that. Wheeling has terrific residential areas "out the Pike" on Route 40 west of Fulton, and the state's best (by far) archetecture in East Wheeling and West Wheeling although the closing of the former housing projects has renered those areas suspect after dark due to the relocation of former project residents there. The "Island" is where the casino is located, and I would avoid living there too. Woodsdale and the Oglebay areas are your best bets.
Those are all the questions I could think of!!
I hope this has been helpful. Welcome to West Virginia.
I think CT and myself are 2 of the only posters on this board that know much about Wheeling so I will give my 2 cents in the time that I have - Wheeling has a lot....if you can score a decent job in the area itself or southwestern PA and don't mind a commute it's one of the best small cities to live in. Parks, golf courses, a casino, multiple colleges, minor league hockey, a riverfront that is actually used, a renovated historical theater, public transportation, a high school with a brand new multi-million dollar performing arts center, a lot of stores and restaurants, various private clubs, etc. It's the only city in WV besides Weirton (smaller than Wheeling) less than an hour away from a major city. The actual jobs market in Wheeling itself is horrible which is one of the main problems in the city. They are continuing to tear down more buildings downtown as we speak...I think it's basically becoming a city of people that live there but commute to work elsewhere. That's why the service industry is so strong in Wheeling still because it gets enough support from various sources.
1]. I was looking on Craigslist and Zillow for houses for rent/sale and they are all old-looking. None are newer constructions. Is it like that all over the state? What is your price range? Much of the newer construction homes will likely cost you more. There are new homes (not many, but they are there) in these towns, i would recommend using a realtor to help you find them once you narrow down the city you chose to live in.
For rent - $1,100 and for sale $200,000.
3].Since they are tiny cities, what's to do there? Do you have any big lakes where you can go tubing? Any big parks? Anything other than parks that kids/toddlers can do there? All the cities you have listed have nice park systems, some better than others, but nonetheless, the city parks in WV are usually on par with other comparable places. And state park system in WV is second to none.
Are there any lakes?
7]. I hear that Charleston is very bad! I traveled through Charleston [pretty but so small] and Morgantown [I loved that huge bridge and the crazies who have houses on MOUNTAINS!!] Is Charleston really as bad as people say it is!? Out of curiosity, what did you hear about Charleston being so bad? I've lived in Charleston and it's metro for 12 years, and i like it here. It doesn't have all the amentities of bigger cities, but it also doesn't have all of the problems either.
Well, I was researching about Charleston and every site I went to before this one would tell me of a lot of people having meth labs and lots of shootings. Basically, they said that Charleston was a dangerous city because of the drugs and shootings. That was it.
When you speak of Morgantown, i wonder what huge bridge you are referring to? I am drawing a blank. And what houses on mountains? People build houses on hillsides all over WV.[/font]
Gosh, I'd have to look it up. It's a VERY tall bridge.. so scary yet beautiful to drive over at the same time! As you're just entering Morgantown, there's a tall bridge you cross over a river and you see part of the city. It's just gorgeous! So many mountains and so many houses not only below the mountains but on top of 'em! That's why I was so interested in Morgantown because of that bridge, what it looked like crossing it... it was just beautiful but so tiny and old-looking at the same time!
I'm pretty sure it's this one. We were pretty high up!
.....Upon further review... I Google Earth'd Morgantown and can't find that very tall bridge ANYWHERE!!! The thing is, I know we were going to Morgantown as we were crossing it. I'll show you a photo of a city it reminds me of and maybe ya'll can help me decipher what city it REALLY is! lol.
Last edited by RobbieIsPolish; 10-25-2012 at 04:36 AM..
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